Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-10-15

know. that you have ever asked for
anything this was hardly accurate,
but even Commander in Chief Is
sometimes inaccurate when fustpred),
and of course, II it We're possible. !
should LIKE mean-l hone YOU won't
think"
81 shall think you are doing abso-
lutely right. dear, whatever course ynn
| alontv Oh. irplied. II am sorry,
| though. that You don't like Colonel
Max Melton" she added musingly.
He has always been n great friend
of mine. and in long ago days, when
was a girl prided myself on having
none but nice friends. You We're one
Of them. you know"
Sir Sampson beamed.
"You little fatterer," he said. "But
you mustn't think l have anything
against Max Melton personally. He is
a smart officer, and. as far as I know,
n good fellow. A tribe ambitious. per-
haps, but that is a fault on the right
side, after all. But"
A wave of Comics slender fingers
swept through his explanation and an
expression of almost austere virtue
gathered on her brow and Strengthened
her red lips. She shook her head in
credulOusly.
"You are very kind, dear. but
,know yOn too we'll to believe for n
moment that you would say n word
against an officer without good rea son.
even to me. OF course, do not ask
what it is. though l have heard ru-
mors which have never hitherto be-
lieved. But now see that there is
something"
"RumOrs!' calculated Sir Sampson.
aghast. What rumors? have heard
nothing"
"Oh. | couldn't tell you. II you
haven't heard 1t wouldn't be fair. OF
course, every one will believe them
now: but that is nothing. would al
ways 60 by your opinion blindfOld.
OF course. shall let Colonel Max Mel
ton see that he has forfeited my friend
ship. He may resent my attitude. but
can't help that / could never be
civil to man you don't think we'll Of"
Sir Sampson fidgeted uncOmfortably.
But don't disapprOve of Max Mel
| ton. my love. He has very many good
points. He has seen lot of service.
and has always done most creditabiy."
| Lady Doom's. air of purtanical sever
ity did not relax.
~ niIita fnlin"r .-""- -,e"rine'
Sampson she said. "YOu wish me to
understand that although you consider
Colonel Max Melton good soldier, still
as NAH"
Sir Sampson almost sprang off his
chair. He was testy old gentleman
at best. and to-day for the first time
he found the lovely Connie inst little
dense. He had never noticed this
characteristic before
II mean nothing of the kind, nothing
of the kind" he Moderated hotly. 81
don't say he is saint. no men are, but
| l know nothing against him personally.
AS to the rumorS, l don't believe
word of them. nor is he unsuited to
the command. On the contrary, he Is
very capable officer. and very we'll
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 am very fool
ish, stupid girl, and have been fright
enlng myself at a DOGGY that doesn't
exist. But, do forgive me. darling. I
was so distressed to think you didn't
like any one of my friends. and Colonel
Max Melton is very old one. He was
fathers friend. and for that reason !
have always liked him. Have you
heard he is to be married soon? !
should like to send him wire telling
him he will he gazetted to command.
He would be so pleased"
Again Sir Sampson bit his long
thumb in obvious hesitation.
Every well. my dear" he said after
little witch, and always get your own
way But don't mention names. 1t
wouldn't look we'll If it got about you
know"
VII .ou' ~ NC hiost 'ti u ui
You leave it to me, Sam. III be Il
model of discfetion.'
But the wording of the telegram
Lady Doom sent would have evoked
more than one opinion on that point.
1t ran:
"Your desire granted. Our wedding
present to YOU
The telegram once dispatched. Lady
Doom metnphorically drew a 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 interscct each other at fire.
quently recurring intervals. The
thought was not wholly displeasing.
Some people. doubtless. would con.
slider 1t dangerous game to play. But
Lady Doom knew better. The danger,
If any. would not be hers. The tools
might be edged. hut she would not cut
herself. She smiled gently as she re-
called the horror she had always had
of wounds. especially self-inhicted
ones. and she had never been RASH
Besides, as she reminded herself, she
was really fond ,of Sir Sampson. He
was an old dear. and SO kind. though
where she was concerned just a little
blind.
Il really" thought the lovely Connie
to herself, as she concluded her refiec-
tons, IAN better strategist than he
is. Commander in Chief though he be-"
And l am not sure that most of her
friends and acquaintance would not
have Endorsed her opinion.
would yon like to see the Gazette,
my loveT" 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