The Press., 1902-03-27
priscilla's
Peculiarly
Observation-Disclosures

"OdQ TO near from MIN again, @1LeT
all these years! I wonder what made
him write directly he reached South
amptonv'
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 wistfui melancholy Of her ex-
preston was due to an illness which
had left her almost totally deaf; though
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 hadn't been
deaf: men have a horror of deaf old
maids! But l needn't let him know
just at first-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.
81 will set him talking Of his cam
paigns."
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, filed up the
doorway.
Good gracious-a beard as weH!'
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, l mean"-she
corrected herself Observation-Disclosures
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
|
there as she watched his lips anxious
ly, holding the fan to her own.
"Yes-er-I have a little garden
here" she rejoined hesitatingly. 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 q
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 l 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 q lower tone, "that I've come here
directly 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.
interesting" he continued softly-"that
concerns you as well as myself. You've
no idea what pleasure it is to see you
agaili-and to find that you-that you
are not married"
''Really?" she exclaimed after q
slight pause, cleverly simulated sur
prise in her tone.
"Y&s, it has always been in my
thoughts" he rejoined eagerly, his
courage rising. II should have spoken
before l 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. THAI
was why exchanged and went
abroad. ! did think Of writing when
was out there but until these frontiel
affairs were quite settled l thought Il
|, fairer not to ask you to tie yourself tt
me, as IL I'd been hit 1t might have
been a blow to you. OF course tha'
was taking for granted you cared lit
tie for me-" And he concluded smiling
rather shamefacedly.
"Indeed!' She smiled also. feignini
establishment.
"Now. confess, Celia. this Is not alto
gether surprise to you. Even If it Il
you do not End it disagreeable?"
"Dear mellow stranger she ex
claimed hesitatingly, after q Sigh
pause. still keeping her eyes fixed OF
his face, while she bit the tip Of he
fan nervously.
She broke the silence at last with ,
little regretful sigh.
lis that all? 1t is most interesting"
"Ah. Celia" he sighed, "you are jus
as tantalizing and stand-offish as eve
but l like you all the better for it.
And he leaned forward with an admir-
ing glance at the fair face and SHAPED,
head, crowned with neat dark brown
coils.
Eyes, may people have told me tn
same" she replied complacently. catch
ting the end of his sentence, and, notinl
the appreciative glance, she concluded
that he alluded to the modern style o.
hairdressing she had adopted.
But you needn't be stand-ofish witt
an old-er-admirer." he added quietly
and reproachfully.
| ~ beg your pardOn-Wnar 0lQ yot
say?
"Oh, nothing, nothing" he respond
ed hastily, fearing he had been too pre-
cipitate. "What q charming room THU
ISL
'NOw you must have some tea" shl
said, after rather an awkward pause
laying down her fan, and moving q
the table,. "Being an old maid Tn
rather fussy, so you must not tall
while I'm making tit distracts m!
attention" she added with forced lit
tie laugh. ~
He watched her with growing pleas
ure as her hands busted with the cups
the lamp rays touching the gold in he
hair.
Its like old times. watching .yo'
make tea. Celia. wish it would b.
my privilege always"