Connecticut western news., 1896-01-16
THE COLUNEL'S WIFE.


 THE COLUNEL'S WIFE.
 The rupture was all about 8 two acre field. Colonel Falrholme, J. F., wanted it to fill out dent ill his ring feuce, and DIT George Warburton stepped in and bought it over his head.
 'And you can consider your engage ment at an end, sir, the colonel wrath fully informed his nephew and heir. No daughter of that sneak's shall be mistress of Broadwater."
 Then Evelyn and Dick held a council of war on a neutral stlle.
 "I've had similar instructions, said the girl ''They re very much incensed at present, but 1t won't last. Within six weeks somebody will be giving recon cillatlon dinner party. 1 know the dear old things so well. L.''
 But before the month was out Colonel Fairholme was on his way to Australia
 During the first few weeks after his arrival ill Melbourne he communicated regularly either with his maiden sister or with Dick. Then there was gap for a couple of mails, and Dick was getting uneasy and meditating cable of in- quiry when the anxiously expected let ter arrived.
 My DEAR Bowl have a piece of news for you which, dare say, twill surprise you very much. Alter being a confirmed bachelor for nearly GU years have found my better half at last. made her acquaintance at the table a re ma lagt The lady treat deal younger than my self, and l nay say, without boastlng, as charming in disposition as she Is in appear ance. You cannot fail to like her, and l am sure you will both be the best of friends.
 We are leaving in a fortnight by the Ormuz. 50 you will know when to expect us
 HORACE FAIRHoLME. P. S.-Please break the news gently as you can to your aunt. H. F.
 A few days after the letter came a brief note for D4ck:
 "Just few lines to catch the mail There IS tlresome delay in the hnal arrangements, aud find that l cannot leave as soon as 1 hoped, as the berthss are already booked for Ormuz. Adele will come on alone with her maid Meet her at Southampton. shall fol- low by next orient boat. /"
  ment, but dld not fall to meet his un- cle's wife when the tune arrived. She was tall woman of 28 or 80, undeni- ably handsome and desirous of winning the good graces of her husband s nephew.
 Nevertheless Dick did not take g. fancy to her. In fact, she rather repelled hlm. However, she quite won Miss Falrholmes s simple soul by compliment ing her upon her housekeeping and re- fuslng to interfere with such admirable management, also she protessed great interest in the estate.
 ''I am so fond of the country" she told them, land your English scenery is so picturesque and homellke 1 prom ise myself ramble every morning be- fore breakfast.
 But one day Dick saw something which gave him the curious notion that, after all, it was not the beauties of na- ture that attracted her. He saw Mrs Fairholme walking briskly down the road outside to meet the postman- there was only one delivery in that part of the worldwide was about to leave the Broadwater letters at the lodge. She stopped the man, and he gave her an envelope, which she opened and read on the spot.
 Hum he reflected. "So Mrs. Fair holme is so anxious about her core spondence that she takes-t the trouble to go out and meet it at half past a. m. |"
 That afternoon he was at the village postoffice, and the postmaster, who was also the grocer, happened to be serving himself.
 II saw a letter for you with the Mel bourne postmark on it this morning, sir,'' he sad, with the license of an old tenant. ''I hope the colonel well?' William confirmed the statement em- phatically, and furthermore volunteered the Information that the new mistress of Broadwater had met him on the highway, near the lodge gates, and re- quested him to hand the letter over to her.
 Thanks, said Dick lightly. "Of course Mrs. Fairholme has forgotten to give it to me. I'll ask her about it. '' Consclous of her duplicity, Dick could scarcely force himself to be civil to her. | But she appeared not to notice his mo. roseness, and Ill the evening after din. ner she rose from the piano suddenly, as though on impulse By the way" she said, "have you the key of the strongroom, Dick? meant to ask you before and forgot. should SD much like to see the family l jewels. Your uncle told me that he has some wonderful rubies which he brought from India. Bring them down, there's dear boyr'
 The "dear boy" obeyed without the best grace in the world. and Mrs. Fair. holme admired the jewels and played l with them all like child with a new toy. But the rubies seemed especially to captivate her fancy.
 "They are magniacentr' she said, and her eyes were almost as bright with excitement as the gems themselves. "I never saw anything like them. And the diamonds are fine too But those old fashioned settings are horrible. l shall have them all reset at once. Do you know the address of a good jew eler?"
 .'Linklater of Bond street is one of the best, believe. But, if you will excuse me saying so, don't you think -nt t