Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-23
Misctllauenns.
THE CAPTAINS BET.

Every one loved Phyllls hayne. iron
the age of s she had been quarteret
with her father with the regiment,
"'Our darling has grown into beau
ty," observed the adiutant cheerily, Al
he rode past the group of men towarC
the object of interest.
"a letter for you" he said in more
official tones, dismounting beside thu
girl "The colonel would be glad o
an answer tomorrow
The adiutant rode reluctantly away al
Phyl broke the seal of the missive. -
After reading the contents the girl''
dark eyes were humid A culver of dis
appointment parted her lips.
"Only that" she said beneath her
breath. "Only my services. And
thought"
What she thought was never uttered
her father came TO tho door Of the bun
galow.
Capt Lonsdale is waiting inside tC
speak with you. I've given him my
word, dearie, although it will be like
drawing an cyetooth to part with my
little girl"
AS her father stepped outside Phyl
flashed an angry glance at tho captain
Glow dare you? forbade you to APP
peal to my father
Faint heart never won fair lady yet
dare anything for the chance of winning
you. will have you, Phyl. Why do you
bate me 2" the captain continued quer.
ulously. 81 love you. | am willing to
make you my wife, although you're not
"a lady" she iuterposed quietly.
A violin was lying on the table, The
girl took it up, with the bow, lingering
the instrument absently Her mother
had been of gentle birth. The insult his
words implied stung kecnly.
"You are so beautiful" he Dried
moving nearer.
The refrain went on jerkily from the
violin, There was suggestion of scorn
in her action
"Phyl Have you no pity ? Arc you
as hard as your faco is tender 7 Is there
any one else? Tho captain laid his
hand on the arm moving the bow. "ls
there, Phyly'
"You are hurting NE Captain Ions
dale"
What soft little arm it is he said
drawing tho loose blue sleeve away from
her wrist "See. the impress Of my
cruel fingers. Poor little arm J"
He bent his head suddenly, pressing
his lips to the delicate flesh. A shade "
fell across them ms figure stood in the
open doorway, The girls voice relieved
the silence by commonplace:
GOOD evening, Colonel
Capt Lonsdalo made hurried do.
parturc, saluting his superior officer
who remained in the doorway
MAY come in p
Eyes"
"Don't put that down. can talk to
you while you play
The colonel leaned against the wall
watching Phyl as she rested her chin
again on the violin
81 cant she criod with hysterical
little laugh. Il think think you make
me nervous
"Never mind, " he said gravely, taking
the instrument from her hands, 81 have
heard of your music Who taught you p
"My father. I'm very proud of dad. "
The colonel smiled The smile made
his stern, ugly face, almost handsome
The colonel was widower with one
child. People said his marriage had
been a failure.
"You had my letter 2" he asked a,
they moved out under the veranda.
eyes"
care you willing?'
A moments hesitancy, in which the
colonel scanned the girls face eagerly.
Eyes, | will 90 with you, colonel.
"Thank you. Little Jack will be SO
glad. There is no woman in the can
Torment he takes to but you" The col
onel was going to the hills for the no
months
II understand. Il will be my frs
situation"
"Yon have asked mo N oo IN S;ml
40 oomnan;on ar nn,so 10 .onr .h;lJ
w. havo rorao,,an % mon,;nn on
tb;no~tbe saIa,y
The colonel bit his lip. Was she jok
ing? Phyl was looking fixedly at tn
flowers planted near the mango trees -
Had she seriously misconstrued bis lette
wherein he had asked her 10 accom- pan,
him with her Catber ON their leave O
absence. for the sake of little jack E?
"Do you want salary p be aske
bluDtIv
at IL usual il il not ?"
81 believe SO
At that moment nm ayah, leading
child came across the compoup9.
A few minutes later PbyI watched III
colonel with little Jack clinpioe 10 hi
hand cross the parade ground Tn
: cbild's whit, frock became n speck in IN
distance before n sob broke from IN
girls throat
That night n woper was made by Cant
IJ.J ~ III. loa,, .n,.,