The record-union., 1896-07-12

"Oh, papa, papa, how could youi' she
cried, trying vainly to recover from the
shock The Colonel WINGED He could
not say to her: 1T was the only way
1 could think of to rescue my little girl
from being bullied. And the dead will
know why do it, But he laid his
hands on her shoulders, remarking
stoutly:
$50 you don't approve, Rosebud? All,
but you must remember that have no
little girl to look after me now. Think
! it over, think it over as we drive back.
A stepmother can't be as bad as-well,
we'll, give me a kiss and be quiet."
II am ready, good people," interrupted
Mrs. Kennedy, tripping briskly in.
Run and put on your things. my dear,
and let us make haste. We have news
for Archie, haven't we? He will be so
astonished."
what has come over the Colonel?"
Heaven knows. Or perhaps the other
place has had more to do with it. He
looks very queer"
Some old bullet making itself un-
pleasant"
More likely to be new bullet, be-
tween ourselves. He looks as If he would
be happy to put an end to himself. May
mean to do it with halter.
What do you mean?"
"Why, he is always hooked on to old
Mrs. Kennedy. Never comes to the
club now But if you look over there
you'll see him three days a week. sit
ting in the middle of smoke and varnish,
while the old lady frisks about with
teakettle."
The men grunted. They were snlok-
ing in the veranda of the Golf Club,
solid stone building with tower; ana
| they looked across the links to an lml-
| tative structure that the Ladies Club
had erected on a hillock. Ladies were
not allowed in the club, and TO avenge
| that lack of privilege they had made
| law that no man should enter their DO
main When they had parties, they
handed teacupS out of the windows
But gradually the severity of the laws
was 1essened, and fathers, brothers. and
other peoples brothers We're taken into
the pavilion and given tea in the small,
vanished room, with its rows OF lockers
and its smoking stovepipe-
OF late. the Colonel-the Colonel who
fused to sit and smoke with his cronies
lin the club after his round on the long
Icourse-had been observed with nor
ror pottering round the ladies links
with Mrs. Kennedy, and STOPPING his
head under the pavilion Intel. His ola
friends began to fancy that he was
mad
1t was ON one fine afternoon, when
the sea and the sky We're blue, and the
golf links were a vision of green de-
light. that six veterans sat in the club
veranda and judged the Colonel.
Its all up with him." said one, point
ing grimly with his pipe to objects on
a. far hillock. One was the Colonel
leaning heavily ON his putter-and the
other, sbittishly clad in scarlet, was
Mrs Kennedy "All UP with him. An
lold soldier should be able to run away.
However, he has gone down. He is go
ing to marry her"
The other five started out of their
chairs.
Absurd
"True"-and there was a universal
groan, in the middle of which a new
conner pushed open the glass doors and
came out on the veranda.
What are you plotting. hey?" said
he They made room sadly.
You have come home to behold
strange signs and portents, Sir James, -
said the teller of the news. Your old
flame-Mrs. Kennedy-is going to get
married.
What? Annie Kennedy? She must
be an old woman" remarked Sir James,
settling himself in the midst. He was
a rakish old Baronet, with a twinkling
eye and a love for gossip. The smokers
drew together, and told the news, go
ing on to other stories and the doings
of ten good years.
81 shall go and call upon Mrs. Ken
nedy," said Sir James, with a
chuckle
Mrs. Kennedy sat in state in the
peacock drawing She had had
many callers lately.
Rose was a. meek accessory to these
receptions: she shook hands and sang
when she was requested, and then sub
sided, or managed to slip away to
watch for glimpses of Archie across the
street. Mrs. Kennedy did not require
her presence.
The bride-elect was in all her glory
when Sir James came to call. A party
of lady friends had just departed, evil
IDENTIFY struck by the youthfulness of
their hostess. She had grown--or made
herself-twenty years younger. The
knowledge that they saw it brought a
CLEAN of triumph to her eyes as she
stepped forward to greet her old ad-
mirer.
You are quite a stranger in Scot
land. Sir James," she said.
who drove me away?" said he.
dropping into the manner of a great
many years ago.
Mrs. Kennedy laughed airily. She
was looking her best, with a bright dab
OF pink upon either cheek. 'The gout,
l was told" said She
Sir James edged his chair little near
er and chuckled. She was a fine woman
and had worn wonderfully. $50 YOU
are to be congratulated. hey?" he said.
= didn't know you were in the market.
Pom my honor. lit is too bad"
Mrs. Kennedy's eyes were Lit UP with
a sudden glehm.
The Col. was marching up the street
to call upon his bride. He looked up as
he crossed the road. Mrs. Kennedy was
in the habit of stationing herself at the
window when he was hate, and of tap
ping archly upon the pane. To-day he
could not distinguish anything, for the
afternoon sun was shining upon the
glass. He walked down the entry and
rang the bell. Then he was taken I'D.
Mrs. Kennedy received him in the dress
ing-room- She greeted him with an en-
barrassed laugh that was stranely like
| a girlish giggle