The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-09
AT THELAST MOMENT

Al l. ILL UAO1 MOMIN l.
There are still people who talk OF
Wellington and 1915, but 1t Is now
generally understood that the real bat
tie Of Waterloo takes place every Sat-
urday morning at the station OF that
name, when the special trains start for
South Africa. 1t is desperate strug-
gle while 1t lasts, and the uniformed
men have an exceedingly warm time
of 1t, but they have always conquered
before, and this encourages and gives
them enthusiasm. Mr.. John Beste--
the name was on the leather label OF
his single portmanteau-Mr. John
Beste, down in good time before the
real tussle began. looked on with In
terest. He was tall, reserved look
ing man, with short beard and the
brown complexion that comes to men
who have looked at the South African
|. sun.
mo one to see me off," said John
Beste "a short mother was stepping
on tiptoe to kiss a burly youth, and
the sight gave him thoughts.) "Of
course there is no one to see me off,"
he continued, argumentatiyely. why
should there be-"
Mr.. John Beste placed his portman-
teau in the corner of a first-class COM
partment, and laughed little bitterly
at his grumbled soliloquy. A light
touch on Ills arm, made him wheel
round. The sound Of soft voice made
him flush.
"Mr. Beste!"
miss Langham! Are you here to say
goodby to me?"
THAT was the idea," said the young
woman, brightly. II suppose there are
others. How long before your train
goes?"
About twenty minutes" Miss Lang
ham,"
"Only twenty minutes. I am sorry
that you are going so quickly. And
you will see Mr. Charterhouse, I sup
pose'-she stepped aside to avoid a
juggernaut trolley Of luggage-"as
soon as you arrive?" she resumed.
II can't possibly avoid that. Is Mrs.
Langham here?"
my aunt does not know that have
come down. Did you want to see her,
Mr.. Beste?"
"Her presence" he said gravely, "is
not-indispensable to my happiness"
I'm afraid that you are inclined to
be a'frIe. Unjust to her. You don't
know her as well as do, Mr.. Beste."
THAT is so. But Mrs. Langham has
made a confidant Of me during the
time that have been here, and-well,
think I understand her."
"Tout comprehendre c'est tout par
donner," quoted the young lady.
mot In every case"
II should like to know what you
talked about. 1t occurred to me at
dinner last night that
Upon my word, Miss Langham, I
have half mind to tell you
Half a mind is plenty, Mr.. Beste.
have a special reason for wanting to
know. My dear aunt has not always
the best tact in the world"
That" he said dryly, occurred to
me-"
WAS it of me she was talking, I
wonder? Was the object?"
1T was Of you," he said. s;.sas
"And my aunt said?"
Am l bound to answer those ques-
lions, my lord?"
A band Of Jewish financial gentle
men came along the crowded platform,
forming an encourage to some import
ant individual in their center. With
the enterprise of their race, they fore
ed the other passengers aside, and
Mr.. John Beste and Miss Langham
were separated in the commotion.
you are bound" said the young
Portia, returning, ito answer all the
questions that are put to you for the
next fifteen minutes"
Mrs. Langham." said Mr.. John
Beste, shifting his rug from one arm
to the other, and bending a little closer
to the bewildering hat and the charm
ing face that it selfshly attempted to
hide, Mrs. Langham was extremely
anxious that l should convey certain
information to Mr.. Charterhouse. AS
manager to Mr. Charterhouse's valua-
BILE mine, Mrs. Langham seems to have
thought that should be valuable
what shall I say?-a valuable fellow
conspirator"
go on" she said, quickly, and with
great concern.
II wonder whether you can guess
what l am going to say?"
Il hope am not guessing rightly. 1t
is too terrible!"
MRS. Langham was good enough to
say that for anything l could say to
my-my master, Mr.. Charterlouse,
that would assist the object she had in
view, l should be well repaid. This
was, of course, very generous Of your
aunt" ~
go on, Mr.. Beste."
The time was flying. Passengers
were settllu5 uo"h III theil compaft-
ments, and at every window. was a
bunch of heads. There were tears. too.
because some of those on the platform
parents saying goodby to sons, and
wives saying adieu to husbands-were
sufficiently old-fashioned to possess
emotions.
"And what had to do was this. Mr..
Charterhouse is, as you know, bach
elor."
"Mr. Charterhouse may be an old
maid for all know or care" she said,
hotly.
And IL was to use my influence
with Charterhouse-which is, admit,
cons derable--to induce him to come
aver here to-to'see Miss Langham."