Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-24

he was often asked to country houses, and
his life was laid in pleasant places. Above all
he took care of himself. Being rather a shy
man he had received some rather disagreeable
lessons. and had a wholesome terror of all
young ladies, with or without money; much as
terrier who has been well scratched about his
eyes by a cat will carefully take a long circuit
when he passes the residence of his enemy.
This is rather ungallaus simile, but it ex-
presses faithfully Major Blenkinsop's state of
feeling.
He was also very fond Of staying at the va
rious hotels-by preference at the more or less
"Grand"-that are found at watering places.
Here he had abundant comfort was treated
with respect and met pleasant company. At
one time We find him at a new watering place,
Washerton-on-Sea. three miles from a newly
opened station, and where there was. Of course,
the usual Grand Hotel. which was yet modest
enough In all save its name. So pleasant did
he find 1T that he stayed for some six weeks.
Among the guests was a middle-aged person,
Lady Partridge, and her Lucy, by whom he
sat regularly every day. and found very 'com-
Portable" agreeable people. Lady Partridge
was. indeed, a sad valetudinarian, always COM
planning Ct the colds. draughts. &c, even
though the weather was sultry. But they we're
not at all forward people; they had no designs
OF any kind on any one. Lucy was one of those
agreeable girls you occasionally meet. natural
quiet and generally amiable and unaffected
The major felt most comfortable with them,
and unrestrained. too. Alas! in spite Of the
lessons he had received and of the warnings
which he gave himself so solemnly, our middle
aged bachelor began to feel symptoms of the
old complaint In vain he struggled laughed
at himself. warned himself-it would not do
Lucy Partridge was, to a certain extent, he
found out. an heiress, being entitled to some
f3O. 600, which. as he thought. was not bad. not
at all bad. Lucy was good-natured that he
began to fancy that he was gradually making
way. Lady Partridge Enthusiastically favored
him. And why not?" he often asked himself
"Whv not?" indeed; though enc might rather
ask "Why?" And 30 the days went by very
pleasantly at the Grand Hotel. Washerton- on
Sea.
The sixth week had been nearly filled up
when one evening, as he was coming down to
dinner, he came full on Lucy Partridge. who
was engaged in earnest and most mysterious
converse in a corner Of the landing with q
young man who was decidedly good looking
They had guilty look as he came upon them.
The youth fitted away as he doomed in sight.
and, strange to say, at the dinner he saw the
young man seated afar off. Nor did he come
near Lady Partridge her niece during the
whole evening. This seemed odd and even
mysterious.
Next morning he set out on his usual '.con-
stitutional' walk after his breakfast.
1t was pleasant and bracing day, and the
whole country round was whitened with the
snow. In view to his constitutional smoke he
took out his cigar case and, with anticipatory
enjoyment. selected cigar. while he put his
hand in his pocket seeking his matches. Stupid.
He had fol- gotten them. which put him in a very
bad humor. No matter. He would ask at
some house. or he would make straight for the
station. 1t is popularity with the passion of
smoking that you can 60 long time without it
in spirit of abstinence; but to have worked
oneself up to the anticipated feast. only to find
ii abruptly snatched away, is tantalizing indeed.
But suddenly relief came. He saw approach
ing him one of those easy going, slouching fell
lows. who are encountered on country roads.
| and are generally and unfatteringly described
as tramps. He was about sixty years old, with
| a shrewd. even cunning look.
He began with the usual salutation.
Bitter cold day, governor, for poor fellow
as as 'ad no breakfast, and been walkin'
through the snow since o'clock. Give poor
Teller something
Now, the major, besides not relishing being
addressed Familiarity as 'guv nor land what
does governor mean? Governor of whom? or
Of what? Not surely OF the too familiar
speaker. had holy or unhoy horror Of the
fraternity. But then, his cigar? He would be
civil.
Have you got any matches2" he asked
abruptly.
The tramp felt his pockets and grinned
Here var, guv'nor." he said. producing
half dozen. I'm yer man." There again.
Your mani He isn't How is he. or can he be,
your man? Don't mind me. 1 can go with
out to oblige gent"
Maj Blenkinsop eagerly took the matches.
and putting his hand in his waistcoat pocket
extracted small silver coin, the smallest that he
had, which he placed in the tramp's hand. He
then resumed his march.
He did not look back, or he would have seen
the disguised, contemptuous look Of the donor
of the matches.
"Thruppence! Amt that mean, teetotally
mean! No matter. only wish was by when
he goes to light his pipe. Ho, ho!" and he
''la-fed," as he called it.
Maj Benkinsop. still sad, walked on, and
presently came in sight Of Il railway stations
little, low. wooden sort Of shanty. He would
have stopped to light his cigar. only he found
the wind too cutting. Il will light it" he said,
soiemnlv and aloud. lin the shelter of the sta
| ton. That will do very WELL" 1t would or
ought to have done very we'll. but there's many
| slip between the match and the box.
At his time of life Maj. Blenkinsop had got in
the habit of making 'everyth thing do very WE'LL
He took good care to be always comfortable and
not to be put out or Inconvenience in any
tran action that he had to do with.
As he drew near he was astonished to see a
man at the door of the station reckoning to him
violently. Presently he heard him cry: Come
along, quick. Do hurry up; look sharp! Stir
your stumps!'
yet he fancied that he recognized the figure It
seemed like the young man who had arrived at
the hotel the night before.
''Well, you do take your timo,' said the
young man. Didn't you see me beckoning?'
Yes said the major stiffiy, "what do YOU
mean? And supposing that did?'
"Oh, come in; come in and don't talk" And
| taking him unceremoniously by the arm the
Young man pushed him into the little station.
| To his astonshment Major Blenklnsop actually
| saw before him Lady Partridge, who was seated
| in a rude chair before a bare CRATE. and looking
| very pinched and miserable; and beside her the
| too attractive Lucy. They both greeted him
warmly and eagerly.
Major Blenkinsop," cried the lady, "you
have come to save my life-just in time.''
My dear madam" he said, show fortunate
am. 1 would do anything for you, and as for
saving your life"
Remember, Lady Partridge" said the young
fellow, thrusting himself before him, ''remem-
Der it l who got him. 1 saw him and
brought him here. But don't let US waste time
Where is it?''
And most unceremoniously he began feeling
Major Blenkinsop's garments pockets.
Don't do that. SIR said the other, some
what irritated. Leave me alone. What is
| the matter with you?''
"Where are they? Produce them, and dom
talk
.'Yes. dear major" crooned Lady Partridge,
don't talk: Don you see 1 am perishing with
cold? l shall die!''
But, my dear madam" said the bewildered