Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-18
XIX.
ssOh Mister R.,tlar,,,

ooh, Mister Butler.'
Warburton had never lacked that rare
and peculiar gift of Immediately adapting
himself to circumstances. To lie now would
be folly, worse than useless. He had ad-
dressed this man at his side by his military
title. He stood committed. He saw that
he must throw himself wholly on the col
onels mercy and his sense of the humorous.
He pointed toward the stables and drew the
colonel after him; but the colonel held back.
''That rose first; / insist upon having
that rose till you have gwen a satis-
factory account of yourself
Wafa1urton reluctantly surrendered his
treasure. Force of habit is a peculiar one.
The colonel had no real authority to de-
mand the rose; but Warburton would no
more have thought of dlsobeying than of
running away.
You will give it back to me?'
THAT remains to be seen. Go on; / am
ready to follow you. And / do not want
any dragging story, either" The colonel
spoke impatiently.
Warburton led him into his room and
turned on the light. The colonel seated him.
self on the edge of the cot and lighted a
fresh cigar.
well, sir. out with 1t. am waiting"
Warourton took several turns about the
room. Il don't know how the deuce to be-
gin, colonel. 1t began with joke that
turned out wrong"
enthusiastically. Let me hear
about this joke"
M'sieu Thames dallied no longer, but
plunged boldly into his narrative. Some
times the colonel stared at him as If he
5eheld a species of lunatic absolutely new
to him, sometimes he laughed silently,
sometimes he frowned.
That's ALL said Thames; and he stood
watching the colonel with dread in his
eyes.
. :WeIl. of all the damn foolsl"
"Of all the jackassesr
Warburton bit his lip angrily.
The colonel swung the rose to and fro.
Yes, sir, a damn fool!'
Il dare say that 1 am. sir. But I have
gone too far to back out now. Will you
give me back that rose, colonel?"
What do you mean by her'-celdly.
Il love her with all my heart'-hotly.
Il want her for my comrade, my wife.
my companion, my partner in all have
or do love her, and 1 don't care a hang
who knows it,
Not so loud, my friend; not SO loud"
oh, l do not care who hears'-discour-
aged:y.
This beats the very devil. You've got
me all balled up. Is Betty Annesley a
girl of the kind We read about in the pa
pers as clipping with her groom? What
earthly chance had you in this guise, I
should like to know"
Il only wanted to be near her; did not
look ahead"
well, should say not. How long were
you hidden behind that trellis?'
"A year, SO it seemed to me-"
Amy lunatics among your ancestors?"
Warburton shook his head smiling
wanly.
II can't make it out" declared the COL
onel. "A graduate of West Point, the fop
of Troop A, the hero of a hundred bali
rooms disguised as hostler and serving
soup
always keep the motive in MIND, COL
yyar al
The colonel thought of the girls mother
Yes, he had been young once, but not quite
so young as this cub of his.
What chance do you suppose you have
against the handsome Russian?'
"She has rejected im"-thoughtlessly.
dropping?''
wait a moment. colonel You know
that l am very fond of music. I was lis
tening to the music. 1t had ceased. and L
was waiting for It to begin again, when
heard voices.'
why did you not leave then?"
''And be observed? / dared not"
The colonel chewed the end Of his cigar
in silence.
'And now may I have that rose, sir?"
quietly.
The colonel observed him wariIy He
knew that quiet tone. 1t said that If he
refused to give up the rose he would have
to fight for it, and probably get licked
into the bargain.
We d Hotlon you might attempt to take
1t by force in case / refused"
surrendered ii peacefully enough SIR"
SO you did. Here" The colonel tossed
the flower across the room and Warburton
caught it.
Il should like to know. sir, If you are go
ing to expose me, It's no more than de-
serve"
The colonel studied the Autographs on the
walls. Your selection?'-with a wave of
the hand.
mo, sir. I should like to know what
you are going to do. 1t would relieve my
mind. AS matter of fact l confess that
1 am growing weary of the mask" War
burton waited
''You make very respectable butler.
though''-musingly.
Shall you expose me, sir?'-persistently.
mo, lad. / should not want it to get
about that former officer of mine could
possibly make such an ass of himself. You
have slept all night in Jail, you have groom
ed horses, you have worn livery which no
gentleman with any. self-respect would