The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-10
PART l.
copyright, 1897, by C. X. Gaines.l

PART i.
Sir John Blount-lete captain in Her
Majesty's Life Guards-has just settled
himself comfortably in his basket chair
on the veranda, to read the morning
papers.
Yesterday, passing through town on
his return from the Rockies, he had
given directions to have his papers sent
down to him to the Court, but he had
forgotten to give a hint to the servants
there of his sudden return from abroad
Hence complications arose on his ar
rival last night. But Bonner was with
him and that meant ease and comfort
no matter how vile the situation. Bon
ner had been his servant, and when he
threw up his commission a. year ago,on
coming into the title-preferring to go
abroad and shoot big game to sitting
idle at home hoping vainly for war
he had bought out Bonner at the lat
ter's request, and taken him with him
on his big shoot. Why,he hardly knew,
except that Bonner was attached to
him. was a very handy man, and an ex-
cellent cook, and-well perhaps he was
attached to Bonner, too
Bonner had proved not only equal to
Al
the servants about in great style-but
TO breakfast this morning, and now Sir
John--a young man of about thirty-two
or three tall, dark handsome and dis
tinctly distinguished in appearance
with cigarette in his mouth is lazily
scanning the Times. Presently, the
morning being a very sunny one in the
heart of June, Sir John drops the paper
III 4 l,n
landscape before him. From hill to hill.
the golden light is hanging bridges of
sunshine. In the valleys a tiny breeze
is playing with the field flowers; on the
river the water lilies are floating softly,
lightly-and on the lawn
Good heavens! What is that on the
lawn?
A little, tiny, white-robed figure, a
thing of three or four at most-a sway
ing, happy creature, plucking mar
guerites and singing unknown, incon-
sequent methods as she draws near.
by George, what a pretty Chidi''
says he. She is very close to him now
and involuntarily he rises. She had not
been conscious of his presence till he
moved, so bent was she on her pretty
moon flowers, and seeing her start al
his sudden appearance, he drops back
again upon his seat whereon the little
maiden steps out again and advances
slowly, cautiously indeed this time
but ever nearer until she is close to his
chair on the veranda.
Here she stops dead short, looks al
him carefully for O. bare second, and
then, taking a wisp OF her pretty yellow
hair in the first finger and thumb of hel
tiny hand. pulls it half nervously, hall
coquettishly across her eyes and mouth
Use Marsle," said she, shyly.
You don't say So" says Sir John
rising again, this time with some sort
of confidence. He filings down his paper
and holds out his hands to the small
white, delightful little bundle before
him. How dye do, Margie? 1t is very
kind of you to tell me your name al
at once, like that My name is John
Horrd name compared with yours, IN
afraid. Eh?"
NIargie stares at him; she makes M
attempt alta direct answer feeling prob
ably it is beyond her. But probably, too
she feels that some answer is neces
sary so she says promptly.
"Gimmie some sweeties."
Sweets" Sir John grows embar
rassed. The cuisine,as has been limited
is still in a very embryo condition
Puddngs and pies are possible, but lol
lipops! No. And lolipops, it is to b,
feared are what this strange, new Wis
liant wants. Will Bonner be equal [,
this extra strain on his resources?
must be risked. anyway. Such visit
ors as this dainty damsel 90 not COM
every day.
Bonner" calls he. Bonner arrives
Sweets, Bonner" said Sir John
vainly to the old soldier standing stiffl
by as though SWEETS are sure to b
growing somewhere on the premises
This young lady wants sw eets. Their
are sweets in the house, eh? Th
cook-"his thoughts have natural.
flown to the cook. "She (anXiously
must have some sweets"
Bonner allows himself as much tim
as it takes to give a faint cough an,
then distinguishes himself. 1--WE bee
looking through the stores. captain
beg pardon. Sir John-and there's onl
ginger. Very hot! Burn her tongue
captain"
True, by Jove so it would" says ST
John. But sugar, Eonner," he pause
to look at the delightful little stranger
now leaning confidentially against hi
knee.
"Lumps o. sugar" says she, agree