Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-31

which to find out what any one of these packages contains"
 Guessing is bad business. What ever these things are, they can add but little to the beauty of those who will wear them; for presume Mrs. Chadwick has some claim upon these bundles"
 Very adroitly worded," smiled Mrs. Chadwick, who loved a silken phrase.
 we shall see you at dinner to- night?"
 All the battalions of England could not keep me away from that festive board" the colonel vowed. (Another spasm for the groomD And how is that good father of yours?" AS kind and loving as ever"
 q wish you could have seen him in the old days in Virginia said the colo nel, who, like all old men, contin- ually fell back upon the reminiscent. "Handsomest man in the brigade, and a fight made him as happy as a bull pup. I was with him the day he met your mother, ,''-softly. How she hu- initiated him because he wore the blue! She was obliged to feed him-fortunes of war; but I could see that she hoped each mouthful would choke him."
 What. My mother wished that?'
 Mrs. Chadwick laughed. The groom s chin sank into his collar.
 Wait a moment! She wasn't in love with him then. We were camped on that beautiful Virginian home of yours for nearly a month. You know how courtly he always was and is. Well, to every rebuff he replied with a smile and some trif1ing favor. She never had to lift finger about the house But one thing he was firm in: she should sit at the same table during the meals. And when Johnston came laundering down that memorable day, and your father was shot in the lungs and fell with dozen saber cuts besides, you should have seen the change! He was the prisoner now, she the jailer. In her own white bed she had him placed, and for two months she nursed him. An, that was the prettiest love affair the world ever saw"
 And why have you not followed his exanple?" asked Mrs. Chadwick.
 The colonel gazed thoughtfully at his old comrades daughter, and he saw pity and unbounded respect in her eyes. "They say that for every heart there is a mate, but I do not believe it. Sometimes there are two hearts that seek the same mate. One or the other must win or lose. You will play for me to-night?'
 AS often and as long as you please. J -graciously. She was very fond of this upright old soldier, whom she had known since babyhood.
 It was now that the colonel casually turned his attention to the groom. He observed him. First, his gray eye brows arched abruptly in surprise, then sank in puzzlement.
 What is it?" inquired Betty, noting these signs.
 Nothing; nothing of importance, answered the colonel, growing violent Iy red.
 It would not be exaggerating to say that if the colonel turned red, his one- time orderly grew purple, only this purple quickly faded into chalky pallor.
 Well, perhaps I am keeping you, remarked the colonel. soberly. "I shall hold you to your promise about the music"
 We are to have plenty of music There will be a famous singer and a fine pianist"
 You will play that what-d' -ye-call-it from Schumann like so well. shall want you 10 play that. I want some thing in the way of memory to take back west with me. Good-by, then till tonight"
 "Good-by. All right, James; home, said the girl
 James relievedly touched his horses
 The colonel remained standing at the curb till the victoria disappeared. 0i what he was thinking I don't know; but he finally muttered James," in an tnquiring way. and made for the club shaking his head. as if suddenly con fronted by remarkably abstruse prob. lem
 Further on I shall tell you how solved it.