The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-11-12

sion to the draft and the popular an
tipathy to those engaged in enforcing
the draft, the adjutant easily captured
the good will of society at Minersvale
and he was from the start lionized by
the ladies. Here and there undeclared
efforts were made to prevent it, but
they failed. An antagonistic duenna
said to a deposed local lion:
Il imagine that you gentlemen would
be quite as pleased if the little wander
ing warrior of tender years had been
detained at home under maternal pro-
tection?"
Its a deuced unpleasant thing to
be Tilted, you know; but a fellah
cawn't resent it, you know and an
nounce that he takes umbwage, you
know. He can only pwetend that he
doesn't know it, you know"
1t was some days after his arrival
that the Misses Zenith first saw the ad-
jutant, and it was the elder sisters who
then saw him. He was On active duty,
the detachment being on dress parade.
They reported their impressions at
dinner and Miss Stella silently decided
to see him upon an early occasion and
cast him into the scales against her
ideal
Pressing her friend Bell Morton into
her service she went one evening and
watt he'd the soldiers on parade. AS
they walked hOmeward Miss Stella said
in her peculiar positive way:
"Iil do it. That is settled"
What is settled? What will you
do?"
Marry him
"Who?"
That adjutant"
"Nolens volens?"
That's owing; but l mean to be
Mrs. Adjutant."
When viii you propose?"
THAT is his duty
"He may not fulfill his duty"
''It shall lie my duty to see that he
does. Bell, dear, you need not indulge
in any hopes OF a filtration with him,
for they would be frus rated. l in end
to monoi ol.ze him myse AID there are
many young gentlemen in town who
VIII be glad when l do and as many
girls who viii be mad enou. h 10
pinch themselves on the same account;
but you must not be one of them; and
you must not tell any one, that's a
dear?"
"Of course shan't! But you do not
even know him yet; how do you pro-
pose to manage that? Do you know
any one to introduce h mr.
Il will"
"Stell, am sure you will. You are
sure to get h m if you decide to do SO.
What a girl you are! You never de-
termine to do anything that is not
just sure to be accompl she'd"
Admiration and reverence were both
in Bells voice and glance. After a
short silence she added:
But he may be a bad man."
mot bit of it,
But you don't know"
Il tell you not to be alarmed; he is
all right"
He may be mGr:ied already"
''le is too e. ger to be in the COM
pany of lad eS. You should know that
men with wives give the most of their
leisure tine to men while those who
are unmarried never chat with men
when they can gossip or flirt with
lad es."
''If that is so why is it so? Do they
despise women because they know
them better than single men do?"
Bell, dear, do not expect me to solve
riddles; but if Mr.. Adjutant Who-is-he
were playing that he is single when in
fact he is married he would fear expo
sure and would therefore be cautious
and play the part with some reserve
There is no telling what one may
do. Some are doubtless capable of
taking great risks for the sake of a
little pleasure"
He is not married. he is too young" :"
His youth proves nothing; you are
going to marry HIN, young as he is"
'l hat young man is single, l tell
you, and that settles it. Besides, he
is my future husband, and l won't have
you talking ug.y about him and saying
i'll natured things, int mating that he is
capable of being wicked, casting
doubts upon his honor. do wish thar
he had whiskers, though; or even a
moustache! It's shame that his face
should lie as smooth as mine!'
''Stell, dear, be careful; don't go too
far!"
Now, Bell, don't be foolish! There's
a dear. Call tomorrow afternoon and
we will go to see the parade"