The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-06
Select Storp.
THE COLONEL'S ROMANCE.

No one who saw Colonel Alured Turner
stepping iauntiIy down St.::James street on
summer morning could fail to observe
that the little gentleman was on very good
terms with himself. And, indeed, the
Colonel had everything that makes life
worth living. He was just fifty; his liver
and his digestion were in good condition !;
he had charming set of rooms in Picca-
dilly overlooking the Green Park; his SOL
dier servant was absolutely irreproachable.
On this morning, the Colonel on turR-
ing over his letters came upon an oblong
pink envelope adorned with a gilt mono
gram, and addressed in nervous femi-
nine hand. As no presentment warned
him of the terrible consequences about to
spring from that innocent looking note, he
smiled, for he recognized his sister-in-law's s
hand writing, and guessed that she was
making some bewildered appeal to his
knowledge of the world. He opened the
pink envelope with the handle of fork,
as was his wont, and read an impassioned
summons to call on the writer that after
noon (doubly underlinedD, and remained
his very affecticnate Selma Turner.
About half-past four the Colonel, hav-
ing enjoyed his after luncheon cigar and
doze, stroled, rotund and trinity groomed
figure toward his laws house.
.'Oh, Alured, she exclaimed, as soon as
she had ascertained that the servant had
quite shut the door, 81 am in such dis
tress That wretched boy of mine =
"Well well, Selma, said the Colonel,
"what has he done Don't give way"
''Oh, but how dreadful it is Only
think, Alured, he's going to be married"
"Whatr' said the Colonel, taking his
gold-rimmed eyeglass out of his eye in
magisterial fashion. "lFhe young dog !!
Why, he's not twenty-one yeti
"No; and that makes it all the worse
oh, I'm sure he's been caught by one of
those designing actresses who are always
on the lookout for very young men.
"And where is this precious scapc-grace
of yours p
SAT Bognor He went there for few
days last month, and has stayed there ever
since. | wondered what was the attrac-
ton, and now know. It's very hard.
at is,n assented the Colonel ruefully,
for he saw that this meant journey to
Boenor for him, and the desertion of Lon
don at its best. "And so he's going to be
married ?"
$50 he says"
"And who is she?
II don't know except that he declares
she is the most beautiful woman in the
world, and that he loves her. think she
must be older than he is
"That, my dear Selma, goes without
saying. Boys of twenty never have vio-
lent passions for woman under thirty.
She is older than he is and cleverer. And
where is the young rascal quartered2"
"Here is his letter, Alured You had
better take it. Heaven knows there is
nothing private in it.
The Colonel had got his marching or
ders so he rose to go, but with heavy
heart, for London in the season was the
breath of life to him, while Bognor and a
lovesick nephew in June were by no means
to his liking.
He was a simple, straightforward soul,
with great affection for his late brothers
widow and her only son, and never thought
OF hesitating or delaying when his services
were needed on their behalf; but for all
that, he felt very like schoolboy whose
holidays are drawing to close. He told
the Incompatible Wilks while dressing for
dinner that they must start for Bognor
the first thing the following morning, and
then resigned all responsibility. BY the
time his master returned from the club to
bed, Wilks had made every preparation,
had chosen the train and hotel, and ar
renged for thc forwarding of all the let
| tiers.
Personally conducted by Wilks, Colonel
Turner arrived ut the hotel selected for
him in time for late lunch, and then
strolled out along the Chichester road to
concoct a method of approaching the
enemy, while Wilks went out to recon
noitre.
After dinner he established himself on
deck-chair in the veranda, and, rever-
emily lighting Trichinopoly, abolished all
thoughts Of his nephew, and gave himself
up to lazy contemplation of the effect of
the moonlight on the sea. But he was
little more than half way through with his
first cigar when Wilks marched up, sal
uted, and came TO attention. The Colonel
was little short of breath, especially after
dinner, SO he merely nodded his head and
said aWcll?1
@Mr. Charles is at the Porpoise, sir
Anybody with him ?"
''No, sir
aDidn't see you, did hep
aNo, sir
The Colonel paused to think over the