The Redwood gazette., 1895-07-11
about ten PAGES from the wall.

about ten PAGES from the wall.
Madam" said the colonel in stern
voice, as he walked toward her, II
really beg your pardon for this in
trusion. am not in the habit of MAX
ing calls before breakfast, but my
peace and comfort have been assai]ed
and have not the patience to defer
most emphatic protest. My object in
owning a country house, madam, is to
have a place to which l can safely
withdraw when desire absolute quiet,
as do to-day. am here now to es-
cape the infer-ahem!-the outrageous
racket incident to the celebration of
the Fourth of July in town. Have I
escaped it? Is there any peace for a
man"
Just then there was another terrific
explosion, and another burst of wild
huzzas from the happy young people,
who were hidden from view by the
dense shrubbery.
Il was not aware, madam, contin-
ued the colonel, striving to speak calm
ly, that you had any children"
The lady had stood before him with
a shocked and helpless air as he talked,
seemingly much embarrassed. She
was a neatly formed, trim little body,
with large dark eyes and fresh COM
plexion, although it was evident from
the few scattered silver threads in her
black hair that she had left her girl
hood behind her.
II take it for granted that you are
Mrs. Vernon" said Col. Dodd, abrupt
ly, as the possibility that she might be
some one else occurred to him for the
first time.
mo, sir, am not. l."
''Oh, then, humbly beg your par
don. l have made mistake. Too bad
that l should have annoyed you. I
presume will find Mrs. Vernon in the
house?" He lifted his hat with court
ly bow and was about to move away.
But, sir" said the lady, hastily, II
am afraid that am responsible for
the children. Mrs. Vernon is not to
blame at all. brought them all here
myself"
He stopped and for the first time
looked squarely down into the woman's 8
face. Her hat had fallen back and her
eyes did not finch before his gaze, but
the rich blood beat into her cheeks and
she looked positively beautiful. The
colonel started.
"Lord bless my soul!' he exclaimed,
in sudden astonishment. ''Is it posi-
ble that-pardon me, but I-have not
had the honor of meeting you before9"
81 think you have, Mr.. Dodd," she
replied, composedly.
'And you are really Madge!" He
checked himself as he was about to
seize her hand, and Strengthened up
stiflly. "Well, truly, this is great
surprise" he added. ''How in the
world did you happen to be here? Is
is your husband with you?"
"My husband!"
"And are all these children yours?"
"Sir!'
'But of course they can't all be
yours, for there must be fifty at the
least calculation"
''There are just fourteen, sir, and
they are all pupils of mine," said the
lady, biting her lip. II brought them
down from the city for holiday at the
invitation of my sister,"
''Your sister?''
"Mrs. Vernon is my sister Dorothy,
whom you ought to remember"
''She deuce she is! And your hus-
band?"
'You mistake, sir. 1 have no hus-
band"
"Ah, pardon my stupidity. fear I'm
a very clumsy animal; but, indeed, I
had not heard of your misfortune"
''Misfortune?"
II mean, of course, the loss of your
husband. Forgive me for speaking of
it,"
She stared at him for moment as If
uncertain whether to be vexed or
amused. Then, much to his confusion,
she broke into ripple of laughter.
"You are indeed blunderer," she
said, ''for never had husband. am
still Madge Markham"
F., Crackl crack! Bang! bang! Boom!
This time there was q whole volley OF
explosives, and the shrieks Of the youth
full rioters were more piercing than be-
fore. But Col. Dodd did not even hear
the noise. With an expression Of
mingled wonderment and JOY on his
fone ha tool, Madoe Markham's hand