Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-04-10
LOVE-MAKING.

MS meerschaum against the edge Of
the chimney-piece to empty it OF the
sllvery crust of tobacco ashes.
Forty-seven last week" said Major
kingsbury, smiling. rs that such a
venerable age?"
10 think OF marrying young girl
yes! Do you suppose she really
cares for your" ...
"She says she does!" i.
Only caprce-only a caprice,
kingsbury. depend upon it. What
does child Of seventeen know of her
own mind?'
Major Ralph Kingshury was silent.
but his grave smile betokened quiet re-
lance upon the affection of the beauti-
full young girl who had promised to be
his wife
OF course" added Mr.. Madison,
vindictively, Il might know better
than to expect you to take any ones
advice on the subject. There's no fool
like an old fool, I've all my life heard, -
L am much obliged to YOU" said
Major Kingsbury, smiling. But you
VIII come to my wedding?"
~ VI Soul Se--on exactly the same
principle all the friends and relations
attend a Hindoo widows suttee."
And Mr.. Madison filed his meer-
schaum second time and began medi-
tatively to smoke.
Major Ralph was silent also Some
now the words of his old college friend
mad left drop of bitterness in his
heart Was it true that pretty Ida
Casserly was too young to unite the
1alr current of her life with the stron-
ger, deeper stream of his own mature
destiny? Was it possible that she had
allowed herself to be influenced by the
remembrances that he was rich man?
Why had he never thought of these
things before? Surely they were suf-
fciently evident. And he sincerely
wished that Nicholas Madison had held
his tongue.
She's pretty. suppose?" said the
latter, abruptly. after long interval
OF silence.
"Yes!' Major Kingsbury answered.
What style? Dark or fair?"
Very fair, with golden curls, and
eyes as blue as the bluest summer
heaven you ever beheld!"
All" said Mr.. Madison, nodding his
neao with sort OF gloomy mystery.
AND you are fool enough to believe
she loves you?"
Madison" said the major. with
some irritation in his voice and man
ner, suppose we put a stop to this
discussion. 1t may be very agreeable
to you, but confess that it annoys ma
not a little''
Madison laughed a chucklng laugh.
On, certainly. certainly" said he.
only, If anything should happen. YOU
VIII, at least, do me the justice to re-
member that I warned you"
Major Kingsbury did not answer
but he could not help thinking to him
self how very disagreeable these "old
friends" were!
And when Mr.. Madison had smoked
out his meerschaum for the second
time, and gone, he sat for a moment or
two gazing into the red CLEANS of the
anthracite coal fire.
Pshaw!" he exclaimed aloud r;s-
ing and giving himself shake. as if
ne would shake off this strange mood
OF misgiving. What should a sour old
bachelor like Nick Madison know
about young girls heart? I must
make haste, or I shall miss the last
up-train tonight, and Ida made me
promise would come without fail,
Dear little Ida!"
And he opened a small velvet HOY
that he carried in his pocket. and
glanced admiringly at a tiny pearl
cross that lay therein.
All, it was quite evident that Major
klngsbury was very much in love. in
deed!
The scarlet pillows that closed over
the keel of sunset had long since faded
into orange, when Major Ralph climb
cd the hill that led up to Rose Villa.
the summer residence of Mrs. Casser
ly and her three pretty daughters. lust
where an occasional CLEAN or two in
the Hudson could be caught, through
bowling masses OF elm trees, cedars
and dropping willows.
The wide veranda was empty and
deserted, but at the sound of the bell
Bridget, to whom the majors counter
nance was familiar, met him with
broad smile.
The young ladies is out in the gar
den, sir" said Bridget. will 1 call
'em?"
ooh, no. certainly mott" said the
major. I'LL Join them out there!"
And he smiled to himself at the idea
OF surprising Ida among her flowers,
the fairest blossom Of them all.
Ida Casserly stood just where the dy-
Ing light shone full in her face, as
lovely young creature as heart could
imagine, with eyes and hair like vio-
let's and sunshine. ard a rose-red
mouth all wreath ID H. srnilcs Her
white dress, just relieved by scarlet
cashmere scarf, fluttered softly in the
evening breeze, and she held bunch
Of vivid scarlet salvias in her hand.
why Ida!" Kate Casserly, her
younger sister was exclaining, II am
astonished at you! thought you