The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-28
DECEMBER AND MAY.

"Confound itp' he calculated, giving it
a pull this way and a twitch that. Jim,
what's the reason my neck rigging won't
set as trinity as yours? You chaps have
knack that somehow can't get the hang
of about your dress. -
81 am sure 1 can't account for it, I'M
cle,' laughed handsome youth of about
90. Perhaps it's something incident to
our youth. like scarlet fever or falling in
love"
s"That's just it, Jimi The fact is-now
laugh if you dare-I'm going to be mar
ried!''
"Going to be married, unclel" exclaimed
James Ashley in open eyed astonishment.
81 never dreamed of it!''
How should you when you only arrived
yesterday from year absence in Europe?
I'm going to call on her this morning,
Jim. Come with me and be introduced to
the Sweetest 49, alive!"
"Only IS, uncle?'
"Don't look SO Mortified, JinI OF course
I don't expect her to be desperately in love
with me; that would be unreasonable.
But she'll make me sweet, dutiful little
wife, and there's no use talking can
only say one thing-the Lord deal with
me as shall deal with this childi''
The old man lifted his hands reverently
as he spoke.
Josephine Clare was sitting among her
flowers in the sunshine, blond and golden
haired, with blue eyes and delicate little
mouth, tinted with the softest crimson.
One tiny diInple cleft her round chin, and
the peaehy bloom upon her cheeks was
such as comes only to IS. No wonder Gen
eral ST Aubyn lost his heart to the won
drously beautiful child; it must have been
an iron sort of machine if he hadn't
She rose with varying color to greet her
fine old lover as he entered.
''Josey," he said cheerily after the words
of salutation had been exchanged, 81 am
not alone today. Let me introduce my
nephew, James Ashleyr'
Josephine lifted her blue eyes to the
strangers face for the first time, with a
wild, terrified gaze-the peach blossom red
faded from her cheek, and the first Gen
eral St. Aubyn knew, she had tainted in
his armsl
whats the matter?" stammered the
veteran, in breathless terror. is she dead?
Is she dying? For heavens sake, get some
cold waterl Open the windowsl''
''Do lay tie poor child down, general "
exclaimed Miss Glare, Josephine's aunt
who rushed in at this juncture. "There,
now, she's coming round all right, don't
you seeP'
The general looked on admiringly All
his military tactics seemed as nothing to
the dizziness with which Miss Betsey man
aged matters.
What could have made you faint, my
lover" he asked, when she was smiling
again.
Il don't know she murmured. sit
was the-the heat, suppose"
And where's Jim?" asked the per-
picked warrior
eff you mean that tall young shaver"
struck in Miss Betsey, "he's gone home
like teller O sense, seein he couldn't be O.
no use here. -
"General ST. Aubyn,'' said Josephine,
in very low voice, Il know you will
think me a silly little goose, but please
don't bring that young man here again !"
Josephine-ny love-why not?"
Because-because," faItered the girl,
playing with his watch chain, and hiding
her flushed face against his breast, cit S a
whim of mine!''
well, just as you say" said the old
general, but must remark, it's perfect
" uDaccountablel"
women are unaccountable creatures -
she said. trying TO laugh. and now tell
nue. about your new pictures"
But long after the general had gone, she
lay on the sofa, shutting out the light from
her eyes with closely clasped hands, and
breathing out the wild, wailing 1noaHs
tLeAO SttA CO11-5 only 1INlu "a DrUAOA uedfU.
When General St. Aubyn returned to
his room at the hotel, he found Ashley
pacing the floor with hurried steps.
"Urcle" he said, looking up as the
general entered, Il have changed my mind
about that PARKWAY official post in India.
Will you obtain the appointment for me?'
Certainly; bat, james, you would be
obliged to sail Immediately"
The sooner tho BETTER sir. Every hour
that L remain in this country seems an age
to no.
James, said General St. Aubyn, re-
garding his nephew with keen, piercing
gaze, what does this mean? And why
does Josephine object to seeing you again?
There is some mystery hero!"
II would to heaven 1 had died ere had
gone thore today. Ask me no further IN
cle-it is best for the happiness of all to
bury the past in eternal oblivion"
General st. Aubyn stood q moment in
deep thought as James hastily Quilted the
room. Suddenly new light seemed to
break upon him. He grew paIe and
clinched his hands firmly
II have it, he lnuttered between his
teeth. "This is the girl to whom James
was engaged before be went to Europe,
and that lnercenary scoundrel Clare would
have broken both their hearts and put me
in this false position to secure his own
ends'
The next day he sought Josephine after
q long interview with her father.
Josephine - he said, would you OBJ
jeet to celebrating the wedding next week
instead of next month";
She looked up in surprise.
"a bridegroom is privileged to be i'm
patient he said lightly.
1T shall be as you wish, - she replied
passively.
Pale and lovely as her own pearls, she
stood at the threshold Of the church wait
ing for the bridegroom's cortege At
length it came, and General St. Aubyn
stepped forward
Josephine, he whispered, my gener-
Gus, noble girl, feared the bridegroom Of
90 would be i'll suited to your fresh bloom,
% ha1a st1 hsfif11ted n1,a Of LIN,