The Washington times., 1894-12-23

ventiy wish that they were sleek and middle
aged and a triHe uncertain as to income and
means OF existence.
For you see the Colonel is a somewhat mys-
terious parsonage. That adds, think, 10 his
attractivenpss. Where he lives we know but
have never heard anyone say that he has seen
the inside of the Colonel's apartments. How
he lives is problem that has not been solved.
He~~csses well to be sure. Evening clothes
will last for years and are wonderfully good
safeguards against suspicion of poverty. while
street suit may be made to serve an uncon-
scionable time if one is careful and doesn't
lounge around much-and the Colonel is cer-
tain Y careful; likewise he never lounges. As
TO income, be hasn't any, or at least, If he has
it Is of recent vintage. How do know Well
he held a government position once-years
ago-and it was generally known that he had
no other source OF revenue. But when he lost
that, there was no change in the Colonei's
mode of living, excepting that he ran no more
sundry bills at his club and gave up such little
extravagances as a riding horse AMI theatre
parties. His club dues are always paid
promptly, however, and the fact that he las
lived at the same place for years is pretty con
elusive evidence that he is on speaking term:
with the proprietress.
met Col. piedmonte at the house of ny
Aunt Euniee, otherwise Mrs Lucrum-Glow
She is a very swell person, so swell that die
not dare go near her to pay my respects unit
I had been in Washington three weeks
I,a
Regent coat and evening clothes, and
a top hat. and had managed to
make my hair stay parted in the middle-al
Of which, Tommy Todd persuaded me, wa:
absolutely necessary. Aunt Eunice ism
really my aunt, she is a cousin OF my mother:
and as mother and she had not been on The
friendliest of terms for years, was some
what doubtful about my reception. Mothe
alxavs said hat Aunt Eunice was ''stuck-up'
"a very bomely and plebian term, admit
but that was what mother said. However
Aunt Eunice received me cordially. She live!
up Connecticut avenue way, in big houst
at which people sometimes stop to look. Be-
fore left Aunt Eunice she had asked me to q
dinner size was giving. very charming tEins
TO do, for Aunt Eunice could make onet
social reputation. l alterward learned that
filed the place of E man who was obliged t.
decline. That is how / came to meet Col
Piedmonte Bless that man who declined.
No dinner in swelldom-that is. in the very
swaggerest SETS complete without the
Colonel He has that fortunate quality Of
knowing how to make things "go." Wher
he entered Aunt Eunice's drawing-room tha
evening, d few minutes before we went in t.
dinner. / could not but remark the genera
attention he was given. was the only ont
there who had not the pleasure of thl
Colonels acquaintance.
''Col. Piedmonte, let me present In,
nephew, F" said Aunt Eunice, and she men
toned my name.
charmed. - beamed the colonel II trus
1 shall see more of you. You have been il
town few weeks only believe and of ht
went to Join somebody else. I wonder how
he knew the length of my residence in Wash
ington.
There were four young people, including
myself at the dinner, and we were quite
oyershadowed by the twelve elderly persons
who completed the company. 1 had ample
opportunity to study the Colonel between the
blue points and the flee, although l wa:
sufficiently attentive TO the girl that / took in
HIS genial features fairly shimmered in The
light Of The candles. There was well-fec
look about him. Supreme contentment was
depA in his face, and / found the key to il
in the little red lines which decorated hi:
cheeks and played hide-and-seek in the
shadow Of his nose. These rudy marks are
the symbols Of a clear conscience or an easy
cne well-treated stomach. and disposition