The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-04-12
DEAR OLD BOY.
How a Prosecuted Girl
Took His Advice.

"You are particular tonight" said Sec
ond Lieutenant Dill. "Your ties all
right, and what does it matter, anyway?
It's only a little hop, and you don't
dance"
Major Sayres, retired, rather bald, his
mustache iron gray, grinned grimly at
Dills reflection In. the looking glass.
Then he glanced downward at waist
band of comfortable dimensions and
pair of neatly shod feet. Finally he
pirouetted with great agility and kicked
high at the electric light. The lieutenant
laughed loudly and clapped his hands.
"Bravo!" cried he, with boyish imper-
Thence. Rather good for has been."
The toe Of the majors right shoe wig
gled gently, as though it were tempted.
The major said simply:
(Which would you rather be called,
Dill, by Miss Bain-uncle or brotherT
THAT'S not fair, major" he said.
"When asked your counsel, I did not
think you would taunt me-"
"Pshaw, my lad" said the major pater-
nally. "You once told me yourself that
was old enough to take the place Of your
father. Accept the Jest flially then. /
I
Prince Paccadini."
"Of course she doesn'tw cried Dill.
"But-the title, and-she's ridiculously
obedient to her mother. As for loving
him, why, honestly, major, think she
loves even you better"
"See IL the carriage Is ready" said the
major, slipping on light greatcoat.
"I've a good mind" the young lieuten-
ho RI
ask old Sayres to put in a word for
me with Kitty. I guess he would. He's
such a good old boy, and he says himself
it's shame such wealth should leave the
country"
He laughed again as he recalled the
pas seul of the retired warrior.
"High kicking, like colt, and he must
be so. shall make her laugh over that
Poor old boy"
They drove together to the Balm cot
tage and found the music already play
ing. The popularity Of "old Sayres"
was very evident.
"Dear old major-so obliging and un-
selfish and SO reliable!" said the chaper-
ons.
"Dear cid major! It's a pity he's so
poor and getting old. He's more fun
than half the younger men," said the
girls.
"Good old boy! When a mans in doubt,
ask the major" said the young men.
The major managed to enjoy two
dances, the second with his little favor
lite, the heiress, Emily Balm. Then he
handed her over to Dill with laugh and
an elaborate sigh.
"1t's sad, when could dance all night.
However, yield you to good hands, Miss
Balm. Dills my peculiar care, you know,
and, though he's only an untitled Amer
lean officer, beseech your goodness for
him. Princes are proverbially"-
Major" said the girl, chow often have
| told you that I would rather be, IL I
were a man, an American officer than
anything else?
A young looking matron, who would
hardly have been taken for Miss Bain's
mother, signed to the veteran with her
eyes to come to her. AS she did SO, Prince
Paccadini moved from her side. The
man of age worn titles looked sullen.
Mrs. Balm looked annoyed.
MAJOR" she said, 81 think we had bet
ter do it tonight and put stop to Ems
caprices."
sis she naughty again" Sayres asked.
"She promised me to be good"
Good! The poor prince is furiously
Jealous, and no wonder. Look at her!
Her eyes are simply beaming upon that
young pauper, Dill. You have such in
f1uence over these young men I wonder
you do not tell him at once that he's max
ing "a fool of himself. Ems not going
to marry poor nobody. wish you
would, major, like the dear old fellow
you always are"
"Old?" said the major.
II am old, and you are immensely older
than am; SO don't be angry. At any
rate, you are old enough to trust"
"What Is it you are going to do to-
night? Sayres asked abruptly.
Announce Ems engagement to the
prince and put a stop to all this non
sense"
without Ems consentT'
"She's a good, sensible girl when she
takes time to think. She will see the
folly Of throwing away such a chance"
"For happinessr'
"Of course. For place and power, with
wealth. Is not that happiness?"
The major smiled. Mothers are very
young sometimes and have not lost the
traditional sel6shness of youth. The ma.
jor fancied that Mrs. Balm realized very
well that place and power would accrue in
their just measure to the still youthful
and handsome mother-in-law of prince
$780," said the lady determinedly, "you
have my full authority to announce the
betrothal."
wouldn't you-ah-wait to speak To
Emp 1t might be something of shock ~
"No. Take her by surprise. Shell
yield, the foolish child"
Sayres moved off into the crowd OF
guests and sought out Dill.
"Dill," he said, "don't shy; don't
swear; don't give yourself away. I have
our hostess authority to announce Miss
Bain's engagement to Prince Paccadini.'
Dill turned white, but never moved.
"Emil-Miss Bain-has just told me
that she was not engaged to the prince
or anybody else, and, and-in fact,
hoped that-oh, da"-
Don't swear. The best thing Miss
Balm can do, if she won't be forced into
this marriage, is to assert herself boldly
and at once. Why don't you assist her?
"T? What can I DOR
"'Oh, young Lochinvar is come out Of
the west,'" the major quoted with q
wink.
Dill jumped at the spur.
Major" he said, as his eyes lit up, "ii
It were possible! Would she? By Jove!
could do 1t. Her mother would never
consent, and-and enough of our beauties
have gone to foreign countries already"
"And Of our wealth"
"Two Million" said Dill excitedly. "It'e
CHASTITY shame! Though, of course, az
you know, major, that is nothing to me-"
Certainly not" said the good old boy.
81 might, for Miss Bain's sake, help her
out Of the very unpleasant position her
mother has forced her into, Dill"
"You dear old chap! What shall do !
I shall speak to EN- at once"
"'Twould tract 'tenshun," the major
murmured, catching Dills arm. 1T shall
see her myself. Leave 1t to me-"
Major" cried Dill, "you are the best
old fellow in the world, and EN- and !
shall never forget it. OF course we all
know you are sometimes pressed. Any.
thing can do after my marriage
The major pulled a little bit. Men of
his age, growing stout, are liable to puff.
Dill did not notice it.
"This night will be worth ten thousand
to you," whispered Dill enthusiastically,
and again the toe of Sayres' right boot
wiggled instinctively.
1t was toward the end of the supper
that the daring elopement became known
toward the end Of a supper during
which Prince Paccadini had been con-
graduated until his graceful smile SEEM