The true Democrat., 1896-10-24

The Major then proceeded to a me-
dium-sized room in the front OF the
house, which he called his reading room.
1t isn't a study" said he, for never
study, and it ism t a library, for it hasn't
books enough for that, but it is as good
a rom to read in as know. A fine
light, and always cool in summer-there |
is the picture, and he held up lamp
before one OF my large landscapes.
Il thought Burnet owned that" ex-
claimed:
Yes, he did, but he's been hard up
lately, and had to sell off parS Of his
collection. I snapped up that as soon
as saw it. There are things in that
picture that you seldom sec in paintings.
That's timothy grass in that meadow,
and (. GU: about tho end of June would
make hay worth about $40 a ton. It's
! ready to cut now," said he, land from
| the looks OF the leaves on the trees,
and the size of those mullen plants,
shou!d say it was in June that you took
| it.
Il made my studies in June, I said.
"Cood," he cried II know it. There
is no nonsense about that meadow, such
as you would see in most pictures. No
bushes and struggling hriars, Or patches
of red clover and orchard grass. l am
II straightforward and practical man,
and l like a straightforward and practi-
cal picture. or course you couldn't
help tho daisies, and no more can IN
my own meadows.
Now, thcn," said he, when we wero
aga n before the fire, you can sec for
yourself how know you, and can tell
, you that it delights me to have in my
house the man who painted that picture.
After while I'll brew bowl of regents s
punch. Eut it isn't late enough for
, that. Well have Il bachelar night of it.
, BY next Christmas l suppose the young
, lady will put veto on bachelor nights. !"
"Veto?" said /. What do you mean?"
: "You will surely be married by next
l Christmas, he replied.
} Married" exclaimed with q laugh,
, eve have never thought of being mar
Q ricG."
The MAJOR took his cigar from his
mouth, put his hands upon his knees,
leaned forward and looked at me.
DO you mean to say, Sir, that you
and Miss Weldon are not engaged TO be
MARI ed"
Not at all" said I. I'VE have known
each other long time, hut we are
friends and nothing more.
swell, III be hanged" cried Mac
Pendal!as, throwing away his cigar anc
rising abruptly from his chair. Ther
S landing with his back to the fire NJ
looked down upon me.
How l am disappointed. l surel.
thought you two were team, and tin
one. had made up my mind 10 it. ant
now an set back. feel as If l Wer
driving big Percheron and polo pony
I'm a PRACTICAL common-sense man
AMI l don't mind asking practical, com
mon-s sense questions have done tha
all my life, and though have made
good many people mad, it has alWay
- Teen better for mo in the end. Now
lr would you mind telling me if thatyoun
Sc woman is engaged to somebody else,
i'll if you are? Don't get angiy. II any
t. body is angry ought to be.
be ! was not in the least offended. The1
ut was an impetuols but kindly earnes
n. ness ABOUT the man which impressed n
d. very agreeably. There are some peop
Id whose liberties are pleasant rather tha
I'd otherwise; the Major was one OF thos
peo lie.
ny Il am not engaged" said, with
r. smile, and have no reason to belize
tina; she is.
as Major Pendalla5 thrust his hands in
re his trousers pockets, slrolled 10 the er
o: the largo room, and then, turnln
al came back and sat down.
rs. Il believe, said he, that the mt
in who lives alone does more thinking
nd the minute than other people. Wht
cd she was pouring out the coffee to.nlgh
nd and you were landing your cup to ne
ot- and both Of you were laughing at Il
sugar, stopped eating and said to m,
nd sell, THAT is as perfect a match rs
zen ever saw And in regard to hum'
lot beings it is very seldom that thu
wo that. And now you turn around al
zen toll me that you and she go single.
at could not help laughing at the SCI
ous way in which he discussed the su
ma yect.
it. u am sorry 10 dissapoint you, sa
ut. I, "but Miss v eldon and l are not ma
i l ryinq people. For myself, I cannot
ex- ford lnatrimony.
ab. THAT'S what once thought, he sa
felt "and for thirly-iive years have
the pretted that ! was foolish enough
ave think so. F."
\ OF twas plain that my host was m
ain OF nervous temperament. He could
8 if sit still while considering the sub]e
. if evidently OF deep interest to him.
her now rose, folded his arms, and looF
eve at me steadily for fully minute.
it. he gazed ut mo his eyes seemed to 81
can lrig ghter and larger.
my 1T was my intention to make bu
y of ness proposition to you, founded
and what you and Miss Weldon said alb
'ooe this part or the coun ry and how mi
st.y YOU liked it. l considered it one OF
happiest thoughts l had ever had.
me. what was it," asked, good d
'cn, amused, but careful not to showit
rist- shall be glad to hear it, whether
the accept it or not"
ters All right" said the Major, seat
himself with decision; "you shall h
ruly it, will make the proposition In
with common-sense straightforward man
,rtly in which l intended to mako it.
"a 80. ~, ,,,on+b, T have hnnn kicI