The Somerset reporter., 1901-10-31
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

SOSOCoCOcOSOC SoSOSOSOCOSc
"Odd to hear from him again, after
all these years! l wonder what made
him write directly he reached South
ampton,'
Priscilla Bab"rley glanced inquiring-
ly from the open letter in her hand to
the mirror over her drawing room
mantelpiece as though her reelection
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, If only | hadn't been
deaf: men have n horror of deaf old
maids. But | needn't let him know
just ut tirst-he always spoke distinct
ly and was clean shaven, which means
a great deal to me now. I'm sure | can
manage it," she resumed meditatively
u will set 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 Il tall
military looking man, with IA flowing
gray beard and mustache, filled up the
doorway.
Good gracious-a beard as wcll"'
Miss Baberley murmured, horror
stricken, as she caught up her fan and
went to meet him, holding it graceful
ly to her lips.
"Ah, major colonel, | mean"-she
corrected herself agitatedly-"d delighted
to see You. It's like your good nature
to call so soon. How you have altered
l should scarcely have known you"
You haven't changed in the least
degree" he said CALAMITY, shaking her
hand between both his. "Why. it
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 a word here and
there as she watched his lips anxious
ly, holding the fan to her own.
"Yes-er-I have little garden
here" she rejoincd hesitatlngly. But
come and sit down. | want to hear all
about yourself and your campaigns.
OF course | learned a 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 notF-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 zone, that I've come here,
y
to talk about my campaigns:'
She heard the note of Interrogation
and dropped her eyes rather discon-
certedly mbrmurng an unintelligible
monosyllahle.
II want to talk something far moro
interesting" he continued softly-"that
concerns you as well rs myself. You've
no idea what pleasure it is to see you
again-and to find that you-that you
are not married"
Really? she exclaimed after a
slight pause, cleverly simulated sur.
prise in her tone.
"Yas. it 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 a 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 l thought II
fairer not to ask you to tie yourself to
me, as If I'd been hit 1t 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.
"Indeedm She smiled also, feigning
establishment.
"Now, confess, Celia, this is not alto
gether a surprise to you. Even If it Is
you do not find it disagreeable?"
Dear mellow strange" she ex
claimed hesitatingly, after a slight
pause, still keeping her eyes fixed on
his face. while she bit the tip of bel
fan nervously.
She broke the silence at last with 9
little regretful sigh.
us that all? 1t is most interesting"
"Ah, Celia" he sighed, you are just
as tantalizing and stand-offish as ever