The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-11-14


court his young love openly under the
same roof with his former fame. 1t
would have been no more than Ella
deserved after her inexplicable but
most opportunate display Of heartless-
ness; but he was not that sort of man,
he said to himself, as he settled him
self comfortably In the London ex-
press. As the train moved out Of the
station he felt quite glow of virtue
in having torn himself away from his
young love. He had to report himself
to his new chief, and there was some
the few days before Maudie returned
home, and then he would go and claim
her openly.
General Warning was known to Ma
jor Sandbrook, as he is to the greater
part Of the English-speaking world, by
name, but the two men had not met
before. Basil was conscious Of being
subjected to an almost intentionally
keen scrutiny at first, as If his chief
were trying to reconcile the man be-
fore him with what he might have
heard of him; but the business part
| of the interview was soon over, and
| the two men talked for time pleas
| antly enough, as they had abundant
subjects in common. At last, when
Basil rose to go, General Warning said
a little stif1y, and in tone that sug,
gested certain strain Of effort:
"By-the-bye, Major Sandbrook,
ought to congratulate you. 1 happen
ed to be a good deal in Brookshire
last summer, and as my friends place
was near Sheldon, heard all about
your good fortune, and had the pleas.
ure Of making Miss Durand's acquaint-
ance. You're lucky man."
well, I think so, of course" said
Basil. feeling little foolish, and con,
scious that he was-yes, actually flush,
ing. Il am engaged to a Miss Du
rand, certainly-to the-er-youngel
Miss Durand-Miss Maud"
"WhatW calculated General Warning
leaping involuntarily to his feet. Fol
a moment the two men stood staring
at each other, but that one monosyl
liable conveyed a world oY meaning to
Basil Sandbrook's reddening ears.
Il beg your pardon" said General
Waring, recovering himself somewhat
after a moment, Il was a little sur
prised; the report was SO positive, but
daresay 1 was misinformed. Gossip
often gets hold Of the wrong end OF
the stick. l think I saw Miss Maud
Durand, tOO-a sweet young creature
congratulate you all the same, I'm
sure" And he wrung Basil's hand or
parting as If his new acquaintance
had laid him under some eternal obi
cation.
From the Horse Guards Major Sand
brook walked to his club with his eyes
on the pavement. So Warning haC
been at Sheldon; Warning admired Ella
that was plain enough; and woman
whom Warning would admire must bt
but he hastily turned from that. Die
this account for his dismissal? Like
enough! So much for the loyalty o.
women. But she might at least have
|
An absent Major could not hope tt
compete with a Generation the spot
too, forcing laugh. And he haC
wasted seven years Of his life for her
All, we'll, the best Of the laugh wa
on his side after all. He had Maud!
| adoring love, and Maud's young beau
ty; and in the smoking-room, behinC
screen of newspapers, he hastil.
drew out the photograph. But for 1
second it was not the pictured fac
that he saw, but one full of the digni
ty of thought and experience, cultured
spiritual, refined; then it vanished, ant
the fair young face smiled it's limo
cent smile at him again.
"a sweet young creature"
That was what Waring had said
Oh, yes, sweet enough, and fresh ant
simple as pure water or the morning
sunlight-but-but- English
woman.