The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-21
FIFTHLY AND LASTLY
By CYRUS DERICKsON

But go ahead If you wish
THANK yo', sub" ="
Two hours later the colonel stood in the
presence Of the widow In the hotel parlor
and said:
Mrs. Rogers. I have asked yo'r brothers
permission to address yo on the subject OF
marriage. The fact Is, have fallen in love
with yo and crave the honor Of making 20,
my WIFE"
Mrs. Rogers was more than surprised. but
she managed to refuse him without lacerating
his feelings.
Very well, ma'arn. very well.' replied the
colonel as he withdrew. "It is perhaps q
little sudden, and will give yo' time to
think 1t over"
At the end OF ten days he renewed his
offer and met with a like refusal. Some
men would have jumped their hotel bill and
started for America by the next steamer, buS
the colonel was not one of that sort. Al
though tar from intruding on the party, he
kept pace with them as they Travelled and
met them every day or two. In Switzerland
he came over to their hotel one afternoon and
proposed for the third time. ~
There was no change in the answer.
But if he was persistent in bringing
about embarrassing situations he was also
earnest and respectful, and as he took his
departure she reflected that woman might
do worse than TO say yes to him
fortnight passed, and the Fitch party
moved on at the same time to the same place.
They had been in Milan a week when he
strolled into the hotel one day and found
Mr.. Fitch on the veranda and sat down be-
side him to say: .,-- ~
"suh, my love for yo'r sister has not de-
creased in the slightest, and / am somewhat
hopeful that her feelings toward me may
have undergone a change for the better. Have
yo'r permission to address her again on the
subject nearest my hearth? .-s--.-
Don't you think that three times ought
to settle the matter, colonel?' .-.fs'
Under ordinary crcumstances-yes; but
this is an extraordinary case, sub, an extraor.
dinary CASE
Mr. Fitch couldn't see how or why, but hs
gave his permission, and the colonel as
cended to the parlor to discover that Widow
Rogers hadn't changed her mind. He re-
treated for the fourth time in good order.
That night the party left for a week in the
shadow OF the Alps. Colonel Disbrow was
not with them They had been In NoVt three
days when they took drive toward the
Bochetta pass, and within two hours their
vehicle was held up by Ave brigands OF the
dirtiest and most picturesque type. Whils
Mr. Fitch was searched, his arms tied be-
hind him, the widow and daughter were
robbed of their jewelry and told that they
would be held for ransom. Brigandage in
that part Of Italy was supposed to be a lost
art, but here was a beautiful specimen Of
holdup within few miles Of a summer
hotel and a company of soldiers.
ALI was ready to conduct the captives into
the Businesses OF the mountains when Colonel
Disbrow appeared upon the back OF mule.
The hero OF dozen battles took in the situa-
| ton with military eye, and he moved down
on the enemy with commendable promptness.
There was NO mistaking his purpose as he
| rushed his mule into the thick Of his enc
miles and opened Are with a six-shooter.
| When he had killed one and wounded 1wo,
| victory was his.
| The ladies' were too overcome and Mr.
| Fitch was too mad to be agreeable cornpan-
| ions on the way back to Novl. As for Colonel
Disbrow, he figured that his time for talk
| ing would come later on. 1t did. On the
| afternoon Of the third day he casually OBJ
served to MT. Fitch as they sat smoking:
would 20 have any objections, sub, to
| my speakin to yo'r sister again on the sub
| ject of marriage?"
| For the fifth timer" queried the brother.
4 For the fifth time, suh."
/ "'And the last timer s-2-.,..- -
4 And the last time, sub" - e. =
And the colonel sought an interview ana
| spoke, and truly 1t was for the last time.
! She was won then and there.