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

$DMEgI onel had every
thing that makes life worth living. He
was just fifty; his liver aud his digestion
were in good condition; he had charm
ing set of rooms in Piccadilly overlook
ing the Green Park; his soldier servant
was absolutely irreproachable.
On this morning, the Colonel on turn
ing over his letters came upon an oblong
pink envelope adorned with gilt mono
gram, and addressed in nervous femi-
nine hand. AS no presentiment warned
him of the terrible consequences about
to spring from that innocent looking
note, he smiled, for he recognized his
sister-in-law's hand writing, and guessed
that she was making some bewildted ap-
peal to his knowledge of the world. He
opened the pink enve!oPa with the handle
OF fork, as was his wont, and read an
imprisoned summons to call on the
writer that afternoon (doubly under
lined), and remained his very affection
ate Selma Turner.
About half past four the Colonel, hay.
ing enjoyed his after luncheon cigar and
doze, strolled, rotund aud trinity
groomed figure, toward his sister in law 5
house.
"Oh, Alured," she exclaimed, as soon
as she had ascertained that the servant
had quite shut the door, az am in su-',
distressl That wretcbed boy of mine r
"Well, well, Selma" said the Colonel
"what has be doneG Don't give way.
"On, but how dreadful it isl Onl,
think, Alured, he's going to be mar,
ried."
"Wbatl' said the Colonel, taking his
gold-rimmed eyeglass out of his eye in
magisterial fashion. 1.-THE 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 yoursl"
"At Bognor. lie went there for few
days last month, and has stayed there
ever since. I wondered what was the
detaS'ioht aho ~" hHO". IL very
hard"
at is" assented the Colonel ruefully,
for he saw that this meant a journey to
Bognor for him, and the desertion oil
London at its best. "Aud 80 ht'r going
to be married."
$50 he says"
'And who is she2'
81 don't know; except that he de
clares she is the most beautiful woman
in the world, AMI that he loves her. |
think she must be older than he is"
"That, my dear Selma, goes without
saying. Boys of twenty never have
violent passions for a woman under
thirty. She is older than he is and
c!everer. And where is the young rascal
quartered2'
"Here is his letter, Alurel. You had
better take it. Heaven knows there is
nothing private in it,"
The Colonel had got his marching
orders; so he rose ID go, but with a
heavy heart, for London in the season
was the breath of life to him, while
Bogncr and lovesick nephew in June
were by no means to his liking.
He was simple, straightforward soul,
with great affection for his late
brothers widow and her only sou, and
never thought Of hesitating or delaying
when his services were needed on their
behalf; but for all that, be felt very like
a 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 arranged
for the forwarding OF all the letters.
Personally conducted by Wilks, Colo
mel Turner arrived a. the hotel selected
for him in time for late lunch, and
then strolIed out along the Chichester
road TO concoct a method of approaching
the enemy, while Wilks went out to re-
connoitre.
Alter dinner he established himself on
deck-chair in the verauda, aud, rev.
erently lighting Trichinopoly, abol.
ished ell thoughts Of his nephew, and
gave himself up TO lazy contemplation
of the effect OF the moonlight on the
ser. But he was little more than halt
way through with bis first cigar when
Wilks marched up, saluted, aud came to
attention. The Colonel was a little short
Of breath, especially after dinner, so
he merely nodded his head and said;
"Well2"
"Mr. Charles is at the Porpoise, sir"
Anybody with himi'
''No, sir"
''Didn't see you, did her,
"No, sir.n
The Colonel paused to think over the
news. His Trichinopoly was three.
quarters gone; so he hurled the stump
into the darkness and watched il turn
over and over on the gravel, emitting
shower of sparks like squib. Then he
carefully Lit another cigar, and, with a
deep sigh--for he loved his ease-said !:
"Call me at : tomorrow, Wilks. Good
night"
"Good night, sir"
Next morning Colonel Turner put his
poor little plan into action. Soon after
breakfast, therefore, he appeared on the
parade with his patent leather boots and
gold-rimmed eyeglass flashing in the
morning sun, and took up his position
on seat which commanded, but not too
ostentatiously, the main entrance to the
Porpoise. He had not long to wait. He
soon became aware that his nepheT was
IN fha hall .af Dn.nosnn