Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-11-07
Mlyllll0 g@nQggln@gln@gQGllNQlw
Captain Braba3on
BY 3. M. CROKER
F.NiIitary.Romance.of. .South. Africa
@Qll@7l55575555735N7

mourning Now was MS time. Now or
never: ne said to himself imperatively,
and trotting hastily forward before his
courage had time to cool. he iumped
on his horse and accosted her wa,mIv
She looked, as she always did. pleasad
10 see him. and questioned him eagerly
ABOUT the run, about the people who
were out; but he quickly cut short ali
ner queries by an abrupt question of his
own. - MS
never mind the hunt now, l want to
ask you something" he said, becoming
exceedingly red and miserable looking.
ana I'm shot II know how to put il.
Do you know why I have been so much
"'ee at your place lately?'' beating his
boot with his hunting-cr0p as he spoke.
oh. yes" she replied, unhesitatinpIy.
Of course 1 do," her mind at once re-
curing to his friendship for Teddy. and
1is sympathy in their trouble "Of course
u know. and 1t has been very kind of
you"
Mr.. Hepburn stared At A~- - :"
lor nearly a minute, and tnen SAID,
don't believe you understand what 1
mean: though I think you might have
noticed it. I've been going to see you
all along, and no one else. The more l
see OF you the more like you And
and-my father and mother and l-want
to know-if you will marry me. I'm not
a bad fellow. and I'm awfully fond Of
you"
1t was now Esme's turn to stare at him
In blank amazement. Don't talk to me
in this way" she said inipatiently. You
are making fun; you are not in earnest"
Il should think l was in earnest And
l hope you like me, even a little, Esme,"
venturing her name rather shyly.
Il do. always did. as Teddy's friend,
but now-nOw-yOu have spoiled it ALL
Cant you like me as something more
than a friend of Teddy's?" appealing to
her with a wistful face, and endeavoring
to possess himself Of her hand.
mo, l can be nothing more than a
friend to you always" she replied, ignor-
ing his hand. and stepping back two
PAGES. perilously near the edge Of a ditch.
And why? why? Tell me the rea
son."
You know the reason" she returned.
now averting her face, which had borrow
ed its complexion from his scarlet coat.
You have heard" she proceeded, in
still lower voice, .'of my cousin Miles,
Yes, but l don't mind a bit," very
eagerly, and quite misunderstanding her
meaning. "He treated you vilely. He
was a confounded-"
Stop, stop, before you say anything
MORE" cried Esme, ''and listen to what 1
have to tell you" And thereupon. with
rapid, almost incoherent, utterances. and
faltering breathless sentences, she told
the whole story Of Teddy's secret and
of Miles mistake-a tale which the young
man beside her heard with sinking heart
and remarkable and various changes of
countenance. When she brought her story
to a close he put this one abrupt and
crucial question:
And you like him stilly''
Yes" in a very low voice.
And would marry him after all!"
YES" in a whisper.
Then there is no more to be said,' Civ
ing his innocent horse an angry chuck
of the bride. "Of course, if had knowr
wouldn't have made such an awful fool
of myself" turning away with ill-assumed
dignity.
"You are angry with me-" said Esme.
''and don't know what am
to say to you," OBTAINING him by q ges-
turs. III had known or dreamed Of
this, Of course would have told you; but
1 never dreamed Of it, and now l sup
pose." with trembling lips. you will hate
me, and never be friends with me again 2"
Mr.. Hepburn was very much cut up:
but at the same time he had a soft heart. |
and to see q very pretty girl with large
tears In her eyes, deploring the loss OF
his friendship. considerably cooled his in !
and he FASTENED to assure her |
that when he had got over it a bit he |
would still be her friend. or course it |
was a facer. But he was not such a dog |
in the manger as to grudge the other |
fellow what he could not have himself.
Il don't understand it, you know. not |
a bit; for Mrs. BrabazOn told the mater |
that you never had cared a straw for him. |
nor he for you. 1t was all a mere ques' |
ton Of money, and you know. Esme.
can give you heaps Of that. The gov
ernor said he'd let us start with five
thousand 4 year. He is very much taken |
with you himself"
II don't care for money" said thc
young lady. hastily. Mrs. Brabazon was
cuite wrong. was &c. going 10 marry
Miles for money, nor he me, and would
be proud to marry him without shh-
ling"
..And live on love-" suggested Mr.. Hep
burn. whose heart was still very sore IN
deed. and could not refrain from this one
gibe.
Esme colored painfully, and was about
90 n,ke some angry retort when he add
ed:
"For1ive me. I cannot help 1t. l envy
.h.y Milea of yours. He is lucky TEL
Low IT'S not every pretty girl in these
days that says she doesn't care Tor tnou-
s.nds a year, and will take chap wltn-
ont = nenny. Well" with one foot now
in the stirrup, holding out his hand'
ood-by." wringing her fingers IN wise
,;Ie grasp. "What can't be cured must
be endured" taking off his hat to her as
no uttered this truism; and IN aho'nei
n,omen< he was trotting away down Ine
-o.a on his brown hunter. leaving Esme
alone. h. hid
o.necially from a lynx-eyed lady. such as
Nr. Brabazon Mr.. Hepburns inla'
ot;on for her stepdaughter was one y.
.hom She was alarmed about a "eeH
iats, IN casually Overhear at an aftelnoon
Toe that ..young Hepburn had sent nAs
h,,n,ors IN to Tattersalrs and was GOING
.h-o.d Immediately, to Nice or Monle
Corlo" What did 1t mean! Hao ne pi
,,osed or not? She must see Esme .uou.
!, at once. and her mind was IN per,e
,.-nent of impatience till she reAeneu
800 and rang for Nokes to seno Miss
Droh.,on TO her in her own room % sooN
40 nossible. Esme was soon on tne 81"
..Sh',+ the door" said her stepmotneI
a.. instant she appeared, land come owe.
no wish to speak to you. . van
- rou . question" she proceeoea' ~
in. Sredlv at her stepdaughter. near,
to.a.v that young Hepburn had s11ueny ,, ~
.ent all his hunters up to Tatters.n .s.t
zone - abroad. Perhaps you Know VIZ.