The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-01
General Agent.

1 received from the war department to-
day." he answered.
Nov, papa, don't think that you can
fool me-" she said sternly, shaking her
finger; remember mamma-and Grand
father Haworth."
The colonel colored perceptibly under
his tan, and returned to his paper The
slight tinge of color had told the story to
the daughter, as some of the colonel s
doings in Washington had become known
TO her talented mother.
When Lieut. Harris returned to his
quarters that evening he sat long at his
desk, writing letters the longest being
addressed to his mother, from which we
extract the following:
These are piping times of peace in
deed! That is, as far as actual warfare
is concerned But l would prefer the
b,oodest battle in history to the mean,
sneaking intrigue of the officials in the
army and the war department. AS a re-
suit of this unhappy state of affairs am
cordered to Fort Dawson Mont, where l
shall act as a pioneer of civilization to a
desert! 1t is strange that this should
come, just as l had asked Bessie Willard
to be my wife and received her yes
making me the happiest man alive. Col.
Willard, as l think you have reason to
ton. He has spent most of his life study
ing the social matchmaking of the cap
itaI. He apparently noticed that Bessie
and I were becoming strong friends. Elk
perience has taught me that man loves
revenge more dearly than he loves his
life, and will die for ii as quickly as he
will for his country. / am we'll aware
that there can be no personal objection
to my marrying Bessie, and l fully expect
to do so. Now l see how the colonel has
made two strokes by this act of his; he
has paid me back for having him retired
from Washington, a fact which you are
not learning for the first time; and also
saving both you and him from a situation
which would have made you happy, per-
haps. but would have made me blush:
Some years have passed since that time.
| am now in love myself. cannot bear
the idea of remaining long In Montana.
Now, mother, in spite of all. we have
been mother and son for all my lifetime
To this little social war within the army
you alone hod the key. You alone can
make the colonel surrender. You alone
can make me happy"
Six months later the Army and Navy
Journal announced The return of Colonel
Alexander Willard to his old place in the
photographic bureau, where his admira-
BILE service during the three adminstra-
tions he remained fixture there, is well
remembered EN en- influence in army cir
cles moves slowly; nothing but war goes
with quickstep. When Lieut. Harris read
this his brow lighted with hope. That
n ght he wrote to Bessie.
1.-The end is coming dearest. My moth
er's hand is beginning to work. Prepare to
lay down your arms. You will soon know
the secret of that which / mentioned to
YOU in the arbor last summer. The Colo
mel and I are placed in queer position.
But don't fail to tell Col. Millard that
give him my warmest congratulations on
his return to the more salubrious climate
of Washington. And listen softly, my love
for he will soon tell you something that
will spell Yes
Two months later Col. Millard linger-
ing in the salon over which Mrs. Harris
presided, found much to his delight that
he had that fascinating woman to him
self The Colonel was swift in coming to
the point.
Have you heard from Harold recently,
Mrs. Harr 50" he asked. II was sincerely
Try to be obi ged to hand him his sum
mons to Montana"
WED better talk plainly about this
matter, Colonel" Mrs. Harris began. In
the first place let me ask how 1t happens
that YOU object so strongly to his en-
where. in Washington, although am not
aware that any one is Informed of your
nosition. You are credited with being
strangely silent when any mention is
made of the affair"
II am glad you have spoken so frankly
Edith" the reply came, given in very
different tone and manner. from the
Colonel's habit "You have known FOR
long time that l love you, but IN some
way / have been unable to tell you so
souarely. At the time Of my summons to
san Anton hardly knew whether 1t was
due to YOU or Harold. When he asked me
for Bessie thought had a way Of find
ing ont. | succeeded When / was re-
turned to Washington 1 realized that II
could not be due to you. / beieve, in
some way, your influence was USED with
the Secretary Of War. | now have come
to the time VIII n feel can tell you that
have worshipped you for years-that
can ask you to be my Wife"
zone could not fail to be hattered py
a proposal from Col. Millard" Mrs. Har-
r,s renlied. at had never expected to mar
nv again. and l can tell you truly Col.
Willard. that the only man / have met
who could move me from my determina-
tiop would be yourself. But have not
nv own happiness alone to consider, ana
for that reason l once yielded TO the re-
quest of my son that should use what
ever influence / had to secure your ap-
pointment to post Of duty. was lenlent;
gave you the best place In the couh-
try. But | did so at sacrihce' LOT
had observed your attentions and ] had
thought we could spend our declining
wears here in Washington In much happ'-
ness and content. But before l answer
YOU I must tell Harold, and you must tell
me what you intend 10 do for him ms
was spoken in the firm easy manner for
which Mrs. Harris had achieved repu-
tation In diplomatic circles.
''rhis is the question as 1t stands the
colonel explained, drawing himself up.
'If your son loves my daughter wen
enough TO let me be his father-in-law or
step-father-n-law, he shah have her. IL
he does not the war will continue. I'm
der the former conditions l have place
ready for him here in Washington, which
will be superior to what he had before.