The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-10-14
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"A GOOD STRATEGIST <
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and held ii aloft In the tongs Her el.
bow rested on the table. shamng the
cloth by It's whteness. and the lace
sleeve falling back displayed her per-
fectly formed wrist, with its network
of blue veins on the warm surface
From fngertip 10 shoulder the arm
was perfect, and she knew H.
"One or two?" she asked. smllingly.
II can never remember"
"Oh! either, thanks; 1t doesn't mat
ter" answered the general absently.
The effort he was making 10 say what
was on his mind was great, ana he felt
| inclined to rush II and get 1t over He
resumed. speaking rapidly.
"As | was saying, dear. you won't
mind, will you. II have 10 go against
your wish? II Is the first time. |
know. that you have ever asked for
anything" dhls was hardly accurate,
but even Commander In Chief Is
sometimes inaccurate when hustered),
and OF course, If 1t were possible. I
should like-I mean--I hope you won't
think"
81 shall think you are doing abso-
lutely right. dear, whatever course you
adopt" she replied 81 am sorry,
| though. that you don't like Colonel
Max Melton" she added muslngly.
"He has always been great friend
Of mine, and in long ago days. when |
was a girl | prided myself on having
none but nice friends. You were one
Of them. you knowY
Sir Sampson beamed
You little hatterer," he said. "But
you mustn't think have anything
against Max Melton personally. He is
n smart officer, and. ns far as know,
n good fellow. A trine 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 ana an
expression OF almost austere virtue
gathered on her brow and straightcned
her red lips. She shook her head in
credulously.
"You are very kind, dear. but
know you too well to believe for n
moment that you would say a word
| hSbliNl du plllNil NiAllNuL Eppi lfuNbh.
even TO me. or course, | do not ask
what ii is, though have heard ru-
mors which have never hitherto be-
lleved. But now | see that there is
something"
"Rumorsw calculated Sir Sampson.
aghast. what rumors? | have heard
nothing"
"Oh, | couldn't tell you If you
haven't heard It wouldn't be fair. OF
course, every one will believe them
now; but that Is nothing 1 would al
ways go 10y 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 fdgcted unComfortably.
But | don't dsapprovc Of Max Mel
ton, my love. He has very many good
points. He has seen a lot OF service.
and has always done most crcditably."
Lady Dooms air of purltanical sever
ity did not relax.
Il quite follow your meaning,
Sampson" she said you wish me To
understand that although you consider
Colonel Max Melton a 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
IL mean nothing of the kind, nothing
of the kind" he vociferatcd hotly. IL
don't say he Is saint, no men are, but
know nothing against him personally.
AS TO the - rumors. don't believe
word OF them. nor is he unsuited 10
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 | am a very fool
ish. stupid girl and have been fright
ening myself at a 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 verc old one He was
, fathers friend. and for that reason
have always liked him. Have you
I heard he is TO be married soon?
, should like to send him a wire telling
him he will be gazetted TO a command.
He would be ~ pleased"
= Again Sir Sampson bit his long
{ thumb In obvious hesitation.
). Very well. my dear" he said after
Il a moments deliberatlon. You are n
d little witch. and always get your own
II way. But don't mention names. II
r wouldn't look well IL il got about. you
d know"
"Oh. thank ron. I'll be most careful
u You leave II to me. Sam. I'll be q
a model OF discretion"
le But the wording of the telegram
Lady Doom sent would have evoked
'e more than one opinion on that point
Ii ran:
y "Your desire granted Our weddln.
~ present to you"
Sc The telegram once dispatched. Lad,
be Doom metaphorically drew a long sigl
is Of relief and began to enumerate al
We the possible advantages TO herself o
Sc her victory. The Belsetts 'comman.
: ''ei"s IN her husbands division 1t fol