The Winslow mail., 1900-11-15

mind not to have anything more to
say to her!" The general shot out
these words as if they were his ulti-
mate degradation.
bravo, Beach! Green, I'm really
sorry for you. If you feel like your
self again and will take me on at
piquet tonight as usual, 1 tell you
what I'll do. I'll keep it all as dark
as
There was a weird cracking sound.
The general had drawn one of the
deepest breaths in his experience.
My dear fellow, what has happened
to you? Was it rib?" asked the ad-
miral, with real concern.
The general winked fast, and looked
very angry indeed; never yet had his
corset thus betrayed him. But dis
traction was in sight in the shape of
his daughter. The girl was coming
along the pine walk with her pug
dog held by string. She looked as
graceful as the Lady Hygeia herself
and her pale pink dress was quite as
becoming as the statues somewhat
incomplete attire
There she is! Now we will get at
the TRUTH said the general. "That
is" he added, pompously, my state
ments will receive the confederation
which I for one do not require
The admiral hastily took snuff.
"She's neat little craft, Green,'' he
murmured; "but I'm afraid she does
MT steer true. However,"
The two veterans stumped towards
Helena, whose face lit up with smiles.
They did not see Master Eric in their
background. The smiles were LARGELY
for him, though her greeting Of the
admiral was warm enough to astonish
that old man.
"I-Pll beg to be excused. Miss
Green!" said Admiral Brown. "Your
father"
Merely desires a plain answer to
an insulting question, my DEAR put
in the general, testify.
"Papa!" exclaimed the girl. But
her astonishment was lost upon the
general, for Eric Brown was now at
hand with a telegram.
Il thought I'd bring it on he said.
MY father said you were here. 1t
came the moment you left, dad"
The general snatched the envelope
from Eric. giving him look that
would have been alarming if it had
not been so grotesque. The message
was from Sir Titus Beach: "This to
say good-by. Under the circum-
stances, don't expect to be in England
again for year or two. Hope you
understand. Sorry"
Admiral Browns face relaxed into
a comfortable smile as he viewed
Helena Green. He forgot his griev-
ance against her.
sThe impudent rascal! The lying,
knock-kneed little upstart!' cried the
general.
Father dear!" protested his daugh-
ter.
"I'll be 'deared' by no one, miss"
continued the irascible old man.
"'Pon my word, I'll not be answer
able for my senses! Here's one fell
low charging you with making that
young man kiss you in public, and"
''It is true, papa" said Helena Green
in whisper. Her cheeks were as
pink as her dress, but her mouth and
eyes were steady.
"True! You did-did you?"
"Take him to a seat. Eric!" said
Admiral Brown, quietly.
The old warrior had collapsed, and
was held up apparently by his daugh-
ter at one side and Eric Brown at
the other. He allowed them to guide
him to a bench, where he breathed in
heavy gasps.
Papa, dear!" lamented his daugh-
ter. what is it? Is it your heart"
The general raised his eyes towards
the admiral. "Heart be hanged" he
said, family; and then, with yielding
in his gaze: Read that. Brown"
"Well! we'll! we'll! WE'LL" said the
admiral when he had read the tele
gram; then he looked at his son and
the generals daughter and smiled.
We're well quit of him, sir!' ex-
Claimed Gen. Green, suddenly.
THAT may be-" said the admiral,
pensively. ''But my boys character
has to be considered now. When a
young man is to all intents and pur-
poses kissed in public"
Helena Green blushed divineiy.
''Shut up, Gad!" said Eric Brown.
"Once for all, let's settle it," inter-
rupted the general, sternly. 'Was
there anything between you two here
or hereabouts yesterday afternoon?'
Eric Brown said not a word, but
Helena Green spoke out like hero.
"It was Eric's birthday, papa" she
explained, land II said he might
kiss me-"
You said-do you mean that lie
asked if he might"
But the admiral intervened with a
boisterous laugh that cleared the air
like thunderstorm.
"My dear Green" he said. after
wards, that settles everything.
Fate's stronger than couple of old
hulks like you and me. And, by Har-
ry. I'm not sorry. There's no ones
daughter I'd sooner see Eric married
to. He's not pauper. either. Gets all
his poor mothers money, you know"
The general was beaten completely.
His astonished eyes wandered from
one to another of the three. But the
mention of Eric Browns pecuniary
circumstances recalled him to him
self.
"She's in the same case" he MUIR
INJURED, nodding at Helena. "My
wife'S DrODertY was entaiied Won