Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-11-17
Lady Doom's air of puritanical sever

Lady Doom's air 81 puritanical sever
ity did not relax.
II quite follow your meaning,
Sampson" she said. ..You wish me to
understand that although yoa consider
Colonel Max Melton good soldier, still
as man.
Sir Sampson almost sprang of his
chair. He was testy old gentleman
at best, and to-day for the first time
he found the lovely Connie just little
dense. He had never noticed this
characteristic before.
I mean nothing of the kind, nothing
of the kind,' he vociferated hotly. 81
don't say he is saint, no men are, but
| know nothing against him personally.
As to the rumors, don't believe
a word Of them. nor is he unsuited to
the command. On the contrary, he is
very capable officer, and very well
fitted for it. Only"
''Then, my dearest Sam" beamed
Lady Doom, rising and thus ending the
discussion, "there is nothing more to
be said, except that I am a very fool
ish, stupid girl, and have been fright
ening myself at bogey that doesn't
exist. But, do forgive me, darling.
was so distressed to think you didn't
like any one of my friends, and Colonel
Max Melton is a very old one. He was
fathers friend, and for that reason I
have always liked him. Have you
heard he is to be married soon? l
should like to send him a wire telling
him he will be gazetted to a command.
He would be so pleased"
Again Sir Sampson bit his long
thumb in obvious hesitation.
Every well, my DEAR" he said after
a moments deliberation. "You are
little witch, and always get your own
way. But don't mention names. It
wouldn't look well if it got about, you
know"
"Oh, thank you. I'll be most careful.
You leave it to me, Sam. I'll be q
model of discretion"
But the wording of the telegram
Lady Doom sent would have evoked
more than one opinion on that point.
It ran:
''Your desire granted. Our wedding
present to YOU
The telegram once dispatched. Lady
Doom metaphorically drew long sigh
of relief and began to enumerate all
the possible advantages to herself of
her victory. The Belsetta command
being in her husbands division, it fol-
lowed of necessity that her path and
that Of the newly appointed command
ant must intersect each other at fire.
quently recurring intervals. The
thought was not wholly displeasing.
Some people, doubtless, would con-
slider it dangerous game to play. But
Lady Doom knew better. The danger,
if any. would not be hers. The tools
might be edged, but she would not cut
herself. She smiled gently as she re-
called the horror she had always had
of wounds, especially self-inficted
ones, and she had never been rash.
Besides, as she reminded herself. she
was really fond of Sir Sampson. Ee
was an old dear, and so kind, though,
where she was concerned just little
blind.
Il really" thought the lovely Connie
to herself, as she concluded her ~reflec-
tions, "am better strategist than he
is, Commando. in Chief though he be-"
And I am not sure that most of her
friends and acquaintances would not
have indorsed her opinion.
''Would yon like to see the Gazette,
my love?" remarked Sir Sampson some
ten days later. @There is an announce
ment in it which may interest you"
Lady Doom took the paper with Ian
guild grace, and commenced turing
over it's pages with a fine assumption
of Indifference Suddenly the lines Of
her figure grew tense, her expression
puzzled, disappointed, alarmed.
"What does this mean?" she inquired
more hastily than was habitual to her.
II don't understand. Surely there is
a mistake here How can Colonel Max
Melton go home to take up command
when he is to have Belsetta? You
promised, you know"
$50 I did, my dear. But if you re-
member. I did not specify which COM
mand. I knew this would please you
even better than Belsetta; besides get
ting me out of the difficulty of passing
over others. Just before our talk on
the subject I had had telegram tell
ing me of the vacancy, and asking me
to recommend a good man to Fill it.
Then suddenly thought Of Max Mel
ton, and proposed him. That wire Of
yours was quite vague, hope?'
There was an indescribable some
thing in the generals tone that checked
Lady Doom's querulous complaint.
She looked up and caught his eye, and
any obvious reason fell to won
dering-for the first time in her mar
ried ife-whether, after all, her h1s-
band was not better strategist than
Truth.
She Gould Supply the Need.
II have a handsome heme,'' he sug-
gested.
with all the modern conveniences %.
she asked.
''No-o," he answered slowly; mot
a.