The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-11-02

the war? Business first an pleasure after" z We fell into talk about the advance or Ulundi, and he let me into some se- crets for the making of regulations. VI was with the crawling column on the coast, but, bad luck to it, the divil chance had I to distinguish myself; but tell you l made the best of my opportunities"
 l "How was that?" -.. Dye see, it was this way; I wrote scrappy paragraphs for the service pa- pers and always bound the editor in re- turn to say something civil about myself. Something like this: We are glad to hear from Capt. Fagus, that smart cor respondent, that the men in Zululand are in good health and spirits Or this: We hear from Capt. Fagus, that excellent war correspondent, etc. l would also write letters to the Times, with my full signature and descrip- | tion." ...n
 And how did that help?" 'H
 "How, indeed? Excuse me, but you are young. Why, people say: Who, in thunder, is Capt. Fagus?' and maybe some clever know-all would reply: | Oh! dontcherknow he's the famous cor respondent for the Oirsh Blower. , Get yourself talked about, me bhoy, and your fame is made; and if no one else willdo that service for you do it yourself-often."
 That's simple, isn't it?"
 "Maybe. But it requires judgment, tact and the helpof an incident now and again. There me luck deserted me. What I wanted was an op- portunity to win the V. C.; just one-- and, believe me, no one gave me the ghost of chance. At Ginginhlove was burning to make bould sortie from the. laager and rescue some wounded soldiers, but hang me for a Fayniau if one ud expose himself. No, sir, and that's the truth | So he rattled on until he exhausted the war and got down to the record of town life, when he returned to his love affair.
 I'm in love; and it's deuced awk- ward that the complaint should come on me when I'm about leaving for the ould counthrv. I'm just bursting to confide in some one. I'll tell you all will so l met her at the table d'hote at the inn down the street Dark eyes, black hair and ruby lips--the sweetest girl on earth. l surrendered at discre- tion-horses, foot and artillery"
 But she does not reciprocate?" | 'Think she does"
 "Then why these tears?"
 "I'll tell ye, if yell give me a chance to get a word in. Ye see-though say it meself-me family in Oireland is the first in the land, with more pride than acres. The question is: Can I take her to my ancestral home" Tell me that now"
 I'm not competent to judge, not having seen the lady and your ances- tral home"
 died. You know me. l represent me family. Come and dine with me and you'll know her"
 went off readily, heartily enjoying the situation, and he, delighted to find a listener, fairly bubbled over with ! joviai confidences.
 The long table in the comfortable inn was crowded with a miscellaneous com pany-stolid Dutch farmers, cute spec ulators, army contractors and two ladies.
 The captain sat opposite the latter, and kept up running fire of florid compliment directed at the younger lady, who had a certain bold beauty. After dinner we smoked at our ease under trailing vine.
 "Now, you cowld- blooded Saxon, say quickly what you think of her or I'll strangle you"
 "She is very charming girl, if may say so."
 "Thanks. I knew you'd agree with me. But say, now. didn't you remark she was thrifie weak in her grammar? Clips her g's, you understand. and doesn't do her duty by the aspirates."
 Those are trifiing blemishes from a l pretty mouth"
 "They would never be overlooked at my ancestral home," he replied, gloom fly. Now I'll tell you my plan. I've drawn up an ultimatum." "A what?"
 "An ultimatum." ! uo 1ra,,, |, sbaa+ nf foo1,o,, fro,,, :, ',