Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-11-21
; PriSCilla'S
; Popularity
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-Odd to hear from him again, after
all these years | wonder what made
him write directly he reached South
ampton"
Priscilla Baberley glanced inquiring
Iy from the open letter in her hand to
the mirror over her drawing room
mantelplece as though her reflection
might possibly answer the query.
The wistful melancholy of her ex-
preston was due to an Illness which
had left her almost totally deaf; though
the fact was scarcely noticeable, thanks
to the knowledge OF lip reading she
had acquired, and when this means
failed she reSorted to the use of an ear
trumpet, or an ingeniOuSly constructed
fan.
"Oh, dear. II only l hadn't been
deaf: men have n horror of deaf old
maids. But | needn't let him know
Just at first-he always spoke distinct
" and was clean shaven, which means
great deal TO me now. I'm sure l can
manage it, she resumed meditatively.
Il will ser him talking of his cam
paignS.'
She crossed the room and touched
the bell.
Catherine. she said To the maid.
'Major-I mean Colonel Ewart will be
here presently. Send up hot toast with
the tea and extra cream"
\ moment after the maid held aside
the heavy plush pOrtiere and a tall,
military looking man, with flowing
gray beard and mustache filed up the
doorway.
Good graclOus-a beard as well"
Miss Baberley murmured, horror
stricken, as she caught mp her fan and
went to meet him, holding 1t graceful
ly to her lips.
''Ah, major-cOlOnel, | mean"-she
corrected herself delighted
to see you. It's like your good nature
10 call so soon. How you have altered!
/ should scarcely have known YOU
You haven't changed In the least
degree" he said gallantly, shaking her
hand between both his. why, 1t
seems only yesterday that we said
'gOOdby' at your sisters garden party"
His tone was gruff, but hearty, and
somewhat above the normal pitch, and
she managed to catch word here and
there as she watched his lips anxious
ly, holding the fan to her own.
here" she rejoined hesitatingly. But
come and sit down. l want to hear all
about yourself and your campaigns.
OF course | learned great deal from
the papers, but it isn't the same as a
personal narrative, SO you must just
tell me from the very beginning" She
seated herself opposite him, her eyes
still fixed on his face.
Really, Celia-I may call you the old
name. may | not?-there Is nothing to
tell, just the usual changes from hill
stations to the plains, and vice versa;
then the outbreak, which we quelled
after some sharp fighting and losing
some of our best fellows, and that's
all. You don't suppose" he resumed
In lower tone, that I've come here,
directly | set foot In the old country,
70 talk about my campaigrsf'
She heard the note of Interrogation
and dropped her eyes rather discon-
certedly, murmuriug an unintelligible
mOnOSyllable.
Il want to talk something far more
interesting" he continued softly-''that
concerns you as well as myself. You've
no idea what pleasure ii Is TO see you
again-and to find that you-that you
are not married"
Really" she exclaimed after
slight pause cleverly simulated sur
prise In her tone.
Yes, II has always been in my
thoughts" he rejOined eagerly, his
courage rising. Il should have spoken
before | went away, but do you re
member remarking once that you never
intended to marry unless the man who
asked you had something more to his
credit than II banking account. That
was why l exchanged and went
abroad. ] did think Of writing when /
was out there, but until these frontier
affairs were quite settled | thought 1t
fairer not 10 ask you TO tie yourself to
me, as If I'd been hit it might have
been a blow TO you. OF course that
was taking for granted you cared lit
tie for me" And he concluded smiling
rather shamefacedly.
Indeed She smiled also, feigning
astonishment.
Now, confess, Celia, this Is not alto
gether surprise to you, Even if 1t IS
you do not find 1t disagreeableT"
Dear mellow stranger she ex-
claimed hesitatingly, after slight
pause, still keeping her eyes fixed on
his face, while she bit the tip Of her
fan neryously
She broke the silence ar last with q
little regretful sigh
Is that all: 1t Is most interesting"
"Ah, Celia" he sighed, you are Just
az tantal:zing and stand-offish as ever
but like you all the better for It."
And he leaned forward with an admir-
ing glance at the fair face and shapely
head, crowned with neat dark brown
coils.
Yes, may people have told me the
same" she replied complacently, catch.
ing the end Of his sentence, and, noting
the appreciatiye glance she concluded
that he alluded TO the modern style OF
haIrdresslng she had adopted.
But you needn't be stand oftish with
an older admirer," he added quietly
and reproachfully.
II beg your pardOn-wbat did YOU
say"
"Oh, nothing, nothing" he respond
ed hastily, fearing he had been too pre-.
Cipitate What a charming room this
isw
Now you must have some tea she
said, after rather an awkward pause
laying down her fan, and moving TO
the table. Being an old maid I'm
rather fussy, so you must not talk
while I'm making tit distracts my
attention" she added with forced 1T