The times., 1898-07-31

ping his broad chest and scanning himself
with pride Yes. sir: seventy-four, and
good for twenty years longer.
'Mebbe Sc" reluctantly assented the
enemy, but when a man gets to your
length it's time TO think Of the end
tut, tut Why should we look so far
ahead-not disturbing yourself on that
account, eh?'
No, sir. retorted the captain, with the
youthful arrogance of sixty, but seventy
four mears decaw-'
Not for me. man" cried Mr.. Shaw.
Justify, Il am strong and vigorous as
well-seasoned timber Watch me climb
that hill.
As ne trudged up the steep way he still
felt the warmth of the sunshine in his
heart. but from time 10 time ne shook
his head pettishly and brushed away
with his hand, as if at a fly. the tantaliz-
ing memory of the sea captains words:
''Seventy-four. Decay
When he reached his house he found on
the table along with his breakfast let
ter 1t was small, blush tinted en-
VelOpe, addressed in a nervous, feminine
hand. the tiny letters treading fast on
each other or tagging behind TO kick up
their lower strokes in the pertest possible
manner. Even the old man smiled at
them, but it was exclusively because of
their being feminine.
so the women are writing 20 me
again he chuckled. with red smile OF
his satisfied old face. Anna, of course:
and now let see what the little wom-
an SAYS
She said something so particularly
pleasing that his eyes snapped unctuous-
ly, and his chuckle became broad, pur.
pie. red laugh. If only the sea captain
could have been there! 'Seventy-four,
and decay; ha. hai'
1t was from Anna, that impecunious
relative of his dead wife, and when
he had read her message twice he kissed
the paper with the giddy rakishness of
an operate Don Caesar before putting
ii in his vest.
Cairo was fast asleep in the June sun
shine when Mr.. Peter Shaw took the
lazy little steamer and started toward
the south. but it sat bolt upright with
amazement a week LATER when he re-
turned, bringing to his home two deli
cate. graceful women-his new wife and
her daughter.
II was such drearily dull home. on
such a drearily dull street. that after q
bit. one venturesome young matron seal
ed the dead wall that hedged Peter Shaw
out of aristocra1ic Cairo, and having sur
prised the bride with visit, surprised
her again by suggesting that she ought
TO make her husband move into one of
his own handsome old houses, and do a
tardy justice to his wealth.
He won't do it; I've asked him. she
answered, with a deprecating little laugh
but with a flame in her eyes and twitch
IN her lips that betrayed her secret vexa-
ton.
Make him. insisted the reckless young
hrebrand. turning her own coaxing eyes
on the old man. He can't resist you, m
sure"
There he sat beside his wife, as he al
ways did, never allowing her a moment
to be alone with her daughter, and there
he smiled from one TO the other and shook
his obstinate head
Under momentary impulse Mrs. Shaw
laid her hand on his solid old arm and
pouted like a spoiled child.
You don't love me- she whimpered
coquettishly, "or you would give me
everything. wanted: and you promised
TO make me SO happy"
Mr.. Peter Shaw iaughed-an ugly old
laugh that made her straighten up as If
some one had pulled her by string.