Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-04-22

boy even more than OF man, aud he was
anxious to obtain his nephew's conf
dence. The result was exactly what the
Colonel expected. They had not re-
turned to the parade long before Charles,
after nervously touching on indifferent
subjects, suddenly turned to his uncle
with the story of his first seriou,
passion.
"Uncle, want to get married."
The Colonel consulted the lighted end
OF his Trichinopoly, as was his custom.
"Where is she playinsa" said be, after
pause.
"Piaying3 She doesn't play"
"Resting here, suppose" went on
the Colonel. who was patron of the
drama, and knew something OF its
vernaculsr.
81 don't know what you mean, uncle /;
she's lady"
"Tney all are, murmured the Colonel
conidentially to distant fishing smack.
"She's little older than am" went
on Charles stiffiy.
"Of conrse," said the Colonel to the
smack.
Charles flushed to the roots of his fair
hair. "This is not Subject for chat, y"
he said Indignantly; "when fellows
awfully in love he's-well, he's awfully
gone, you know
"My dear boy" said the philosophic
uncle, laying his hand upon his nephew 8
shoulder, ''take my advice; Have as
many love aff,irs as you like, but doa't
think of marrying until you are thirty"
"Ah, that is all very fine for you,"
replied Charles, somewhat notified
"but I've nearly ten beastly years to
wait till then"
"Ten very excellent years." said the
Colonel sententiously; "mind you dc
not waste them"
For short time there were silence
and feeling OF constrsiut between the
two, and then Charles said suddenly, il
tone of suppressed emotion: "Uncle
A'ured, there she is. I want you to
know her. and she has often asked me
to introduce you. Come along"
The Colonel looked, aud saw a tall,
trim wasted figure coming along the
parade with light springy step. HI
felt that the crisis had arrived, so ht
threw away his Trichinopoly and bracel
himself for the fray. As his nephew
frat love swept gracefully toward them
the Colonel saw that she was by ne
means as youthful as the trimness of her
figure might imply.
Charles introduced his uncle to hi;
love with an air of proprietorship which
could not but have been gratifying tc
both of them, aud the Colonel raised his
hat with his most gallant air. But thu
lady was far from content with so forma
a recognition, for she held out both hel
hands, and said: "Colonsl Turner
Alured-don't you remember iue2h
"Georginaa" calculated the Colonel,
SO taken aback that for the only time or
record he dropped his gold trimmed eye
glass.
Eyes, Georgiua--or Mrs. Marshall, y
she replied, smiling at the Colonel's as.
constituent. odd you not expect ia
see met"
"Indeed, mol" gasped Colonel Turner
"most unexpected pleasure"
"Why, you wicked boy" said she,
turning to Charles, "didn't you tell me
that your uncle had been on the point oil
coming down ever so many times, and
was only prevented by his engagements
in London2"
Charles fell in By her side with a very
sulky expression of countenauce, and the
three walked on together. 1t was
wonderful whata number of "reminiscences
Mrs. Marshall and the Colonel had in
common. They talked about persons
who Charles had never heard, aud oil
things that happened before he was
born, and irrltated him extremely BY
taking it as matter of course that the
beginning OF all thugs worth mentioa-
ing did not coincide with his appearance
in this world. At last his temper got
the better of him. He halted, raised his
hat stiffly, and held out his hand to say
"Good-by," but the dignity of has at
titude was rather spoiled by the fact
that neither of his companions noticed
his intention, so that he had to follow
them hat in hand.
The Colonel at once saw how matters
stood, aud promptly took advantage OF
the position. He apologizsd for absorb
ing so much of Mrs. Marshall's valuable
time, told her how charmed he was to
meet her again, and trusted that he
might have permission to call upon her.
Ia spite of Mrs. Marshall's protestations,
the little Colonel departed, polite aud
smiling, promising to call on the fol-
lowing day, and leaving Charles, sulky
and scowiing aud il!-used, to continue
the promenade with what grace he
might.
Colonel Turner was as good as his
word. He called on Mrs. Marshall the
next day, and on several following days,
until at last Charles wrathtully dis.
covered tina. youth was being distauced
by middle age, aud that he was being
routed on his own ground by the uncle
whose airs aud graces he despised.
One evening when he called on Mrs.
Marshall, after having been unable to see
her all day, he was told that she was at
home, but engaged.
The pretty maid seemed very un-
willing to admit him, but under the in
fuence OF five shillings she decided to
risk it and to show him upstairs. As he
expected, he found Mrs. Marshall and
his uncle quite content with their own
company. He accepted their greetings
very stiffiy, and refused to be seated, for
tragedy aud low, soft-cushioned arm.
chair are incogruous things. SO he re-
NAMED standing, aud steadfastly ignored
his uncle.
"You did not expect me this evening"
he began.
"No, Charles" said the widow.
"You never told me you were coming
in; but you are always welcome"
al was," returned Charles, "until a
week ago; but now" His voice failed
him, and he paused.
"But now, Charlesi You are just as
welcome as ever you we're, and always
will be"
He shook his head sadly. "Not as
aver I uas rhinos hsva ehanoa3 ard