The record-union., 1896-07-12

gown, for the girl was flying down to
pull back the latch herself.
'sOh, the flowers! how dear and sweet
of you,' she cried. The Colonel laughed
in an embarrassed manner, but kept
hold of his bouquet until they had come
upstairs.
viii care to accept of Them he said
solemnly.
Rosebud gasped.
You are quite gallant, Colonel" said
the motherin in-haw, shifting at the bou-
quet. There was a sudden sprightli-
ness in her tone and her look was arch.
Rose thought she had grown younger.
"Was it a joke, papa?" she said half
reproachfully. while Mrs. Kennedy re-
tired to put the bouquet in water. But
the Colonel shook his grizzled head.
"a joke? My dear child. why should
you think so?" he answered stoutly.
y
1t was not long after this that Rose
bud, venturing into her mother-inl law IS
room to ask her something, found her at
her toilet table. She was sitting in front
of 1.-THE glass and smiling; there was a
was a brilliant pink.
II
The Colonels attentions grew, and
upon Mrs. Kennedy their effect was
marked. She became curiously gracious
by fits and starts TO her daughter-in-
law, and the acid unGercuMent slipped
out of her talk. Rosebud was greatly
puzzled, but rejected the suggestion
hat Archie profferad with disdain. Her
father-her dear, faithful soldier father
could not have any such intent ton. 1t
was not likely. So Archie held his peace.
y y *
Come over to tea with me some after
noon," said the Colonel once, and Mrs.
Kennedy, who took all his speeches to
herself, responded:
Charmed
He fetched them in the dogcart and
Mrs. Kennedy got up as lightly as she
was able, ard fancying that only old
ladies were supposed to dread acci-
dents, would not show her terror, but
sat smiling nervously, while the horse
capered round and round. Rose held
on behind and wondered.
1t was a lovely day They SKINNED
along with glimpses of moor and sea
beyond the rowan-fringed highroad.
Mrs. K Kennedy chartered happily, point
ing out little bits of scenery to the
Colonel, who, fully occupied, could only
glance at them out of the corner oil
his eye and mutter Beautiful"
There were houses here and there
showing through trees dimly, as be-
came country mansions. Mrs. Ken
nedy did not omit to take note of these
do you see Castle Whin?" she said
ut is quite deserted now, since SiI
James went abroad. He has been fire.
quently some foreign bath place for
his gout. l am sure it must be Monte
Carlo-because he was always rakish
He was an old admirer of mine, by the
way!"
She laughed a little high pitched
laugh, and kissed her hand to the chin
neys of Castle Whin. Then she looked
behind graciously.
My dear Rose, are you comfort
able?"
They turned in at the gate, and the
Colonel made a pretty speech. Mrs
Kennedy skipped UP the steps, express
ing her curiosity to see the wonderful
trophies of his adventures.
Il shall be delighted, if it will not
bore you,'' said the Colonel courteous
ly.
Rosebud rolled UP her gloves and ran
out into the garden to fill her hands
with flowers from the dear old un-
tidy home. She could hear the Colonet
throw up the windows to let Mrs. Ken
,afju VII cba
her mother-in-l making exclama-
tons in a young, affected voice. But
the flowers, the familiar flowers, were
smiling up. and Rosebud forgot every
thing else, bending eagerly over the
borders
The Colonel was taking Mrs. Ken
nedy all over the house, sparing hel
no tiger story, no pig-sticking tale
There was only one door that he die
not unlock, walking past it hastily.
And this?" inquired the visitor ir
passing; but he did not seem to hear
Lastly, he invited her to behold his
study, and the treasures it contained.
What delightful room!" said Mrs
Kennedy, sinking deep into a shabby
old leather chair. She was slightly IA
tigued by her royal progress from room
to room, although she did not show it
as her color was not able to come anC
go.
The Colonel looked wistfully round
his den.
"A few little touches would make il
charming" went on Mrs. Kennedy
at present it gives too much of g
brown effect. A lighter paper-and art
serge drapery-and a few frilled cush-
| ions, would make it lovely. And ther
these old swords want polishing"
.Whom have I to do that for me?'
said the Colonel suddenly, leaning
against the oak mantelpiece. grizzled
| and brown as himself. 81 am only q
solitary old soldier, as rusty as my
swords, and who would take pity or
me in the kind way you suggest?
have nobody to-ah--to frill my cush-
| ions"
| Rosebud's mother-in-law sighed
gingerly, and said nothing. The blush
was fixed In her cheek.
| The tea-table was brought in. Rose
waited, making her flowers into bunch
! es, and rubbing the roses against hel
| cheek The other two were long. Per
haps the Colonel was wearying out hel
| nnother-in-law with his old IndiaI
stories-and then Mrs. Kennedy would
| be tired and cross, and she would suf-
| fer Oh, if only she and Archie could
| have a home to themselves; No house
| could be big enough for them, as she
had discovered 1t was of no use both
ering Archie; poor Archie, who could
not help it, and who must not know
hi. LITTLE wife was nphanpv. th a
| she could hardly bear the tyranny OF
| his own mother. She was not
sorry-oh, no, she dared not imagin