The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-08-28
The Major.
BY CHARLES EDMUND BARKER.


held, Notwithstanding his acknowl.
edged IS years. When he had quite
finished, he drew from his pocket ar
important looking paper.
Miss Mitchell | have very par.
ticular matter | wish to speak about
NO, you needn't take my words down
on paper-I'm not debating. The fact
isl am-thinking of-well, giving you
the chance of debating some to me, il
you think proper"
"Why-what do you mean, Mr. Ebs-
! bourne" she asked her large, heavy
dashed eyes looking the utmost Won
der.
It's very simple matter, Miss
/ Mitchell--at least | used to think II
was when | Observed the symptoms il
other folks. But-don't look at me
like that-you might pretend YOU are
/ taking notes; some one will see and
wonder what we are talking about
oh if its anything--improper, you
mustn', say it, Mr. Ebsbourne' She
was plainly agitated.
Not the very least improper, little
one, but the most natural thing that
ever occurred to me in all my wild,
harum- scarum life. No, listen calmly;
it what | say is not pleasing you, |
will stop, and we will not talk about
it any more. | love you. Don't start
so, Miss Mitchell | have loved you
ever since the first time you looked
at me with those clear, liquid, honest,
pure eyes OF yours. | have read in
their depths more than | ever discov-
cred in my wanderings over two CONT
nents | will not bewilder you by try
ing to tell you all | feel; for in so
doing would only bewilder myself. |
want to give you just the idea and
leave you to think it over and get used
to it. | can't help loving you, any
more than could help breathing or
living if didn't breathe
"Why--Mr. Ebsbourne," she replied,
Il don't think | care for you in any
way like that"
Il didn't expect you to, little one.
But you can give me a little hope,
can't you? You don't dislike me, do |
you?"
81 think you are very kind"
That's enough - that's enough =
Don't need to say another word. I'll /
go now and let you get used to the 7
idea of having a lover"
Thank you" was all Miss Mitchell
could think Of to say.
True to his word, the major did not
urge his attentions upon the little
The sequel was none of the majors
planning: He only knew that he was
speeding down the river road one
when a young horse driven
by market gardener took fright and
plunged about, backing the heavy wag-
on directly across his way at the mo-
ment when he supposed the driver was
going to be able to manage his team
without further difficulty.
There was crash and the major
felt sharp twinge OF pain. When he
again oponed his eyes, they were car
rying him in at the ladies' entrance OF
the Windsor.
girlish form and white face
pushed through the tangled crowd OF
people about him, and pair of soft
pink arms slipped about his neck
The reactionary pains were settling in.
but the presence of those arms seemed
TO lift the tension from his CULVER
ing nerves, and he felt as comfortable
as baby on its mothers breast. And
there came flowers every day, and
many little home comforts that the
major had not seen or thought much
about since lie was chunk of a boy.
At last there came a day when the
1octor told the major he might see
lis friends. The major said something
n the strictest confidence to his nurse,
ind after very long time Miss Mitch
III came up accompanied by a sweet
acei, motherly little woman in black
whom the major knew by instinct
must be Miss MitchelPs mother.
"Mr. Ebsbourne," said Miss Mitchell,
mildly, 81 didn't know ! cared in that
way, but | do"
Copyright, 1906 by Daily Story Pub. Coz
The Bishop and the Bath.