Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-04-13
a perfect lady. well bred, we'll con-

a perfect lady. well bred, well con-
nected. and"
| The effect Of this speech upon the
old colonel was electrical. He jumped
up from his end of the table, almost
upset Parker, who was handing him
the chalies, rushed toward his son,
and shook Ills hand heartily, his face
beaming with excitement and pleas
ure, as he exclaimed:
You're sure of what you say? It
isn't Fifine Of the Jollity, hey? A lady
well bred, we'll Connected"
I've been bit of a scamp, perhaps,
father" said the young man, but I've
never gone in for low form; So when
l tell you she's all that could be
wished you must believe me-"
''Of course l will; Of course I dovv
roared the colonel. who is she?"
well, 1 don't want to give her
name just now, for many reasons, but
you may take my word for it that
she's nobody to be ashamed Of" said
Gus.
"Ali right; all right; I won't ask
any more questions. So long as you
are going to steady down with good,
lady-like wife l don't care" said his
father. by CAD, Gus, l thought you
were going to be milestone around
my neck for the remainder Of my life.
And now, my boy, I'm going to aston.
1sh you. What do you think is about
the most unlikely thing 1 should do2"
Give up hunting" said Gus, ''or
sell your orchids; or put up for the
| county; Or"
NO, no; nothing of that kind" said
the colonel, chuckllng. ''Pm-Tm CO.
ing to be married, too"
| The son affected the greatest aston
| ishment The colonel continued
But look here, my boy, it won't
! interfere with your prospects, and
and, when 1 say I'm going to be mar
| ried l mean that l have my eye on
! some one, and | rather think-ahem.
that some one has q reciprocal eye
on me. I'm not such an old bird, eh?"
Not abit of it," replied Gus: and
| may | ask who the fortunate object
| Of your attentions is:'
| well. answered the colonel, laugh
| ing, I've good mind not to tell you,
| you dog, as You keep me in the dark
about your inamorata. But 1 will
| Do you know Miss yanjohn:"
Tall girl, brown hair, brown eyes,"
asked Gus, innocently.
Yes, yes-that's the one. She's
going to be Mrs Chopleigh. the Sec
ond," said the colonel, rubbing his
hands gleefully. Il think-ahem.-
that if l can screw up my pluck L
shall speak to her tomorrow"
That evening the Rev. AlOysius
Nanjohn received an unexpected Wis
itor in the shape of Augustus Chop
leigh. Urged by the desperate aspect
of matters, the young man had re-
solved to face the terrible parsOn, rs
he believed him to be. and to lay the
state of affairs before him. To his glad
surprise the reverend gentlemean,
who was really a good fellow, and
thought very we'll of Gus, laughed
heartily at the thought of the cOlOnel's
suit, and promised Gus that Millicent
should marry him when and where he
pleased.
Il say. Gus" roared the colonel, as
they were leaving the smoking-r0om
for bed, promise me you'll bring
Mrs. Chopleigh here directly after
you r. married.
A few days afterwards NIillicent
Vaniohn was quietly and unostenta-
tiously made Mrs. Augustus Chopleigh
in London. Faithful to his word. the
young man wrote his father of his
marriage, and telling him that he
should run down on the following day
to introduce his bride to her new
father.
The colonel was at dinner-that is
to say. he was playing at dinner-for
what with his own consuming passion
and the eager expectation with which
he awaited the arrival Of his son
and his daughter-in-law, he sent away
untasted every dish that was set be-
fore him.
jumped up to answer it himself, but
checked his movement suddenly.
NO, no." he said, I'll have it a sur
prise to the last"
Gus entered.
Here | am, father he said.
Eyes, yes: but where's said
the colonel, impatiently.
Gus went out, and reappeared with
Millicent
The colonel staggered at first, and
something like frOwn gathered on
his brow. But he recovered himself,
and with smile that Illuminated
his whole face said, heartily, address
ing Millicent
II am indeed delighted to welcome
you to my house as my daughter"
Then turning to his son he added:
Gus, my boy, you've had an uncom-
monty narrow escape.'-Indianapo
Sun.