Connecticut western news., 1901-11-07
Priscilla'S PeCuliarity

oocooococococoooooooooooco todd to hear from him again, after all these years! I wonder what made him write directly he reached South amptonr'
 Priscilla Baberley glanced inquiring- ly from the open letter in her hand to the mirror over her drawing room mantelpiece as though her reflection might possibly answer the query. The wistful melancholy of her ex- pression 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 I hadn't been deaf: men have horror of deaf old maids! But l needn't let him know just at first-he always spoke distinct ty and was clean shaven, which means a great deal to me now. I'm sure can manage It." she resumed meditatively. 'I 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"
 A moment after the maid held aside the heavy plush portiere and tall, military looking man, with flowing gray beard and mustache, filled up the doorway.
 Good gracious-a beard as wellr' 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-""delighte to see you! It's like your good nature to call so soon. How you have altered! should scarcely have known you"
 You haven't changed in the least degree" be said gallantly, 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 come and sit down. I want to hear all about yourself and your campaigns. Of course I learned great deal from the papers, but 1t 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 I 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 I set foot in the old country. to talk about my campaigns?" She heard the note of Interrogation and dropped her eyes rather discon- certedly, murmuring an unintelligible | monosyllable.
 'I want to talk something far more interesting" he continued softly-''that concerns you as we'll as 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.
 "Ye, 1t has always been In my | thoughts" he rejoined eagerly, his courage rising. q should have spoken before I 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 banking account. That was why I exchanged and went | abroad. I did think of writing when | was out there, but until these frontier affairs were quite settled I thought 1t 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.
 "Indeedp' She smiled also, feigning astonishment.
 Now, confess, Celia. this Is not alto gether a surprise to you. Even if 1t is l-you do not find 1t disagreeable?'
 Dear mellow stranger she ex claimed hesitatingly, after a slight
 pause, still keeping her eyes fixed or
 his face, while she bit the tip of hel
 fan nervously.
 She broke the silence at last with |
 little regretful sigh.
 ''Is that all? It Is most interesting"
 "Ah, Celia" he sighed, you are jus
 as tantallzing and stand-offish as evel
 but like you all the better for it.
 And he leaned forward with an admir-
 ing glance at the fair face and shapel.
 head, crowned with neat dark browI
 coils.
 "Yes, may people have told me tn,
 same," she replied complacently, catch
 ing the end of his sentence, and, noting the appreciative glance, she concluded that he alluded to the modern style oi hairdressing she had adopted.
 But you needn't be stand-offish witt an old-er-admirer," he added quietly and reproachfully.
 Fl beg your pardon-what did yot sayT
 "Oh, nothing, nothing" he respond ed hastily, fearing he had been too pre- cipitate. What a charming room thii
 isv'
 .Now you must have some tea" sh'
 said, after rather an awkward pause
 laying down her fan, and moving t