New-York tribune., 1905-02-10
Sir Headsfrong's ENGAGEMENT.
BY "DRUSO."


pose and little fulhnent; indeed his intention do
to die and his inability ever to accomplish
well known that he was playfully called Sir
Headstrong." not only by his intimate friends and
enemies but by the very servants in the houses
where he visited. Very possibly no man had ever
at his age-which was twenty y-six-began
many imposing undertakings with unmistakable
note OF determination in his and allowed
them to gently flicker out when he satisfied
that there was a possibility OF their ultimate
success. Yet he had the alert. self-assured eyes
of who accompshes: and in regard to hls
personal appearance. if he had been advanced in
years. Sir Henry might have been pointed out
one OF those peculiarly English types OF men who
have seen everything. killed everything. endured
everything: and he would have had. all things being
equal impaired constitution and shiny cheek
bones
At this moment Sir Henry silvering sitting
at dining table in his club. opposite his downright
and Enthusiastically common-sensed friend, John
Boldero Sir Henry had just made one of his SUD
den and wholly unexpected announcements. and.
with narrowed lids. he was regarding the first de-
velopment of ash at the point OF a cigar.
The deuce you arer exclaimed John Bo!dero.
bluntly.
''Yes-marry." repeated Sir Henry. And then 1
sa s H9 rsS faFar se s
market, and knock the Fiscal fzze on the head
spring New-York Tor the summer and Japan to see
sns snow? ~ A asked his friend reteratns the pro-
Ny MY dear chap. do wish You wouldn,t oe so mar,
grasp the idea that the small things in life must
0g swept on one side by the big Mha{s as Mon1e,
thing that gives backbone 10 the country.
Harry! you've invented another submarine that
toyer oSS Stn9u5 an arsnlp s6 on he him n
gently
sfd sir Raf eh shaS pet gpesv ~ wh he
screwed himself sideways his chair
brain Then e you re 20 D that S' gons IN
for that awful domestic upheaval known as settling
sT.. Sr Henry 3f cut Pisss OF bread By his plate in
he stated once more. with corresponding determine
Who is shs?' inquired Boldsro. looking at him
She is one OF Natures ladies'" pronounced Sir
Henry. with beautiful reverence.
Boldsro laid his cheek upon his arm and groaned,
used three years ago. when he all but carried
through. through MS purpose Of robbng great London
And where is herher place of busness? asked
digst5y ggdFyTx d, ,h,. m., - -, - ~.a.
herr" corrected his friend.
III, "a can see her now. began Sir Harry. In tender
"ft ~Grsas at Scott cot - mani mani but yhsEsr.
evening OF Monday; Il was shooting Manning
My dear Harry broke in Bolsdro, bending for
ward wa d. Muriel Mannington! Congratulations. Let's
Henry Wnead and ISGP pu fnH m dIf his 6aad
,ngIy .Rodero wlsh toT Heavens @ 1'!S sake you
excellent girl but could never think of mar
i a
wife who has learnt in my school OF thought. who
can begin with me to grasp the great possibilities
my vs. side" - : O''' -'''' --'--1 y
Cranchurchs sirsP exclaimed Boldero. in astonish-
s,r5qj rs it Ike me to do commcnpace thing Of that
rising heroics; the girl who is to be my wife is
lack if you could have seen her. as did leaning
brown shadowNshs lives there i the Wood ber
arai1 as1rHer yer Ia1neT Is hadn Boldero groaned
ed but haven't seen her~so different from all
jazz gTs for Ta Rs sSs we have S meet Think Of
'he oh ohhannlnst19 ad woods sommTning with Nature.
for say moment aane Ga and phaR & ss 0TR
m sq1aTe ySud @ better put the mat
baiifg bainiagtons % place on Saturday. and you the
been washed-in the big wood you had one of your
msda am o s SpaSms GhHcked away the sport
or twice beforehand now you've got hopelessiy
King Cophetua and The beggar-maid business Come
down. man; come down, and break out into some
mortal gog ike hs bgs tyfn Sfrgcs s
20 an interesting rural brat for the rest of your
u5no1 Sr Henry rose with stiffness Of department
men OF the prese0 s'ut, excepting in regard
unlike his conteI '' was uui'e
..lfH ..lIf9odd.night; ddag fs,,o, a crisp information.
Si! my Gear teiIoN ed Boldero rising also.
sir Henry Silye, ii his back and walked
'oTas ~ ssvIa so fne caPfnd agGr; po,ao,o
Sir Henry motioned with dignity to the clerk an
tne deSk tnat his bill should follow him.
John Bodero whistled softly. raised his eyebrows
and sat down again.
Lord and Lady Mannington did nor more +bo-
smile Wnen Sir Henry Sverlng arrived suddenIv in
InelE Vllase ana IN spirited burst OF confidence
oa1llns daughter Lady Muriel smiled also v,bay
the news was passed to her: the Vicar s,oiiaJ
When the information was conidentally Impaired
70 MN ana the local actor laughed outright when
or that useful professional gentleman The sroiIes
may be accounted for by the fact that thoss w.
knew Sir Henry were familiar with his stronS
points S N'iO"s
Ostensibly. Sir Henry's visit to Manninsto, v,e
Tor the purpose of studying the practical Sids -
SsTIcuture previous to attacking the cause Of iIs
oecty, tlu chSIacteristcaily, he at the bust
ness root and branch, and meta phor Is intendad
py the expression. On the first ftar ~
ADVENT 10 the Green Man" the young n1an was -
oe seen IN rough furrow behind plough ainotng
ON a SUCK at the opposite side of the feId TEe
small crowd OF villagers. who watched the bi,lo1-,,
movements OF the plough il tackled and sIaweS
80 "i1dty across the land pronounced 1t won err
Few hours time the field looked remarIab,,t. III "a q
tAousn lt had been trenched for military onerafiOnS
ana or Henry himself took much rich soil bacI
TO the Green Man his own perso1 tba1 AEA IN
could not divest himself his Ieggings Wi+bn ~. ne
use of spade 9''eS without the
Upon the second day of his STAY the sn,b,,s,o.
ven mthI INTO the woods with an abnormal axe and
taxing up position well In sight of the s,cst; st,u;
nome of the Sheilys. executed some Tosr,aIIel al
neEculeSn Ieats. with eye upon the dinirv c'Is
S;ns Ct me cottage window Immediate vyooinp-
IN tnls way TO bring himself nearer the beart Spyu
lovely wood maiden, At length Overcome III oi tie
eAertIChs, and having badly bruised ne
Trees ne strode homeward TO the village wbe1a % %
the future as women 'strap hangers,