The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09


| the General, pettishly ~ wish to hold -
! further com nunication with you, even ~
letter"
Dare say" said the Admiral "You
brought an accusation against my boy juss
now. Well. you've got to apologize"
I'll see all the Brown family In Han
over first, sirI"
Unfortunately. We have no estates
there. Allow me to tell you that your
daughter IL a"
"a what. sir? Out with H. After that
you'll say I'm one. I suppose. There's Sir
Titus. also; perhaps he's one as we'll.
Robert Brown. I'D never have thought you.
Of all men, would have gone out of your
way to call me liar"
No. nor I. But I've come here express
ly to tell you you're something else. You're
silly old fool. Bill Green-that's what
you are"
"a silly ole fool! Old fool! Thank you.
And now perhaps once more you will give
me the great advantage OF your absence
by no means. Where ia the MINK
Mink. sir?"
THAT daughter of yours. She's not At
to pick up my Eric's tennis balls for him
How dared she do such a thing? You've
got hold OF the wrong end OF tho stick,
my friend; and. by Harryi I'll warm you
up before I've done with youl''
General Green sat down on one of the
temple steps The Lord give me patience!"
he whispered.
Precisely. You'll! want all the stock you
can get. anyhow. Who told you my boy
mad kissed your enchanting daughter
who. sir?"
Who. sir? The best witness in the
world. Sir Titus Beach, the gentleman who
Is about to become my son-in-law. / want
no more credible witness, SIR"
Poor devil? exclaimed the Admiral;
Ne mas my sincerest sympathy. And yet,
no; on consideration, he's well quit of her,
The Young woman who would deliberately
sacrifice her own character and compromise
that OF one young man In order to insult
her nance can be no great catch for any
one
The Generals hands began to shake; also
his head. There was a Iack-lustre look
In his eyes as he fastened them upon Ad-
mlral Brown. and his breathing was very
rapid.
We'll. what does he say, this fellow
Beach? Whats he going to dor" proceed
ed the Admiral
DO. sir? He says he has half mind
not TO have anything more to say to hertz
The General shot out these words US II
they were his ultimate degradation.
Bravo. Beach! Green. I'm really sorry
and VIII take me on at piquet tonight as
usual. tell you what I'll do. I'll keep IL
as dark as
Ihere was weird cracking sound Tho
General had drawn one of the deepest
breaths in his experience
Ny dear fellow. what has happened to
you! Was it rib" asked the Admiral.
with real concern.
The General winked fast. and looked
CA fr.l-
corset thus betrayed him. But distrac-
ton was in sight in the shape of his
daughter. The girl was coming along III,
pine walk with her pug dog held by a
string She looked as graceful as tho
Lady Hygeia herself. and her pale pink
dress was quite as becoming as the
statues somewhat incomplete attire.
There she is. Now well get at TIL,
truth. said the General. That is" hs
added pompously. my statements will
receive the confederation which 1 for one
do not require
The Admiral hastily took snuff. shes
q neat little craft. Green" he murmured;
but I'm afraid she doesn't steer true,
Inc two veterans stumped toward He
lena, whose face lit up with smiles. They
did not see Master Erie in their back
ground. The smiles were largely for him.
though her greeting OF the Admiral was
warm enough &c astonish that cid man.
Iill beg to be excused. Miss Cr5en,"
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 as
onishment was lost upon the General.
or Eric Brown was now at hand with
telegram.
Il thought I'd bring it on he said.
My father said you we're here 1t cane
he moment you left. dad" ~.-
The General snatched the enveIop from
Eric. giving him look that would have
been alarming IL it had not been so gro
esque. The message was from Sir Titus
Beach: This to say good-by. Under the
don't expect to be in Eng
and again for year or two. Hope you
Sorry"
Admiral Browns face relaxed into
omfortable smile as he viewed Helena
ireen. He forgot his grievance against
er.
THE impudent rascaI,-the lying.
nock-knecd little upstarti" cried the
ieneral.
Father dear." protested his daughter.
'Tll be 'deared' by no one. miss" con-
irued the irascible old man. "'Pon my
enses, Here's one fellow charging you
18th making that young man kiss you in
ublic, and"
1t is true, ps pa" said Helena Green In
whisper. Her cheeks were as pink as
er dress, but her mouth and eyes were
.eady.
True. You did-did your"
Take him to a seat, Eric," said Adj
.iral Brown quietly.
The old warrior had collapsed, and was
cid up apparently by his daughter at one
ide and Eric Brown at the ether. He
llowed them to guide him to a bench,
here he breathed in heavy gasps.
Papa dearn' lameuted his daughter.
what is it? Is it your hearth"
The General raised his eyes toward the.
dmiral. Hearts be hangedr' he said
unity; and then, with yielding IN his
lze. Read that, Brown"
well, we'll, Welt well,' said the Adj
Iiral when he had read the telegram;
zen he looked at his son and the Gen.
ais daughter and smiled.
Were we'll quit of him. SIR exclaimed
eneral Green suddenly.
That may be- said the Admiral pen
vely. But my boys charaLor has to
considered now. When young man Is
all intents and purposes kissed in pub
Helena Green blushed divinely
shut up. dadi' said Eric Brown.
"Once for ALL let's settle It," interrupt
the General, sternly. WAS there any
ing between you tive here or hereabouts
afternoon?'
Eric Brown said not word. but Helena
zen spoke out like q hero.
1T was Eric's birthday, papa" she ex-
aimed, "and II said he might kiss me-"
You said-do you mean tina. he asked