Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-10

"oK. MISTER BUTLER"

CHAPTER XIX.
"OH. MISTER BUTLER"
warburton had never lacked that
care and peculiar cift Of Immediately
adapting himself TO circumstances. To
now would De folly. worse than
useless. He had addressed this man
AZ his side by his military title He
stood committed. He saw that he must
throw himself wholly on the colonel's
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 hrst. insist upon hav-
Ing that rose till YOU have given me
a satisfactory account OF yourself"
Warburton reluctantly surrendered
his treasure Force of habit Is a pecu-
liar one The colonel had no real
authority 10 demand tho rose; but
Warhurton would no more have
thought OF disoboying than Of running
away.
! You will give it back to me7"
THAT remains 20 be seen. Go on:
I am ready 10 follow you. And do not
want any draggine story. either" The
solonel spoke impatiently.
Warburton led him into his room
and turned on the lisht The colonel
'eated himself on the edge OF the cot
aud lighted a fresh cigar.
Well. sir out with IT, am wait
ing"
Warburton took several turns about
The room. 81 don't Know how the deuce
to begin. Colonel. IL BEGAN with a
Joke that turned out wrong"
Indeed 7'-sarcastically. let me
hear about this joke"
M'sieu thames dallied no longer.
but plunged boldly into his narrative.
Sometimes the colonel stared at him as
| II he beheld a species of lunatic abso-
Iutely new 10 him. sometimes he
aughed silently. sometimes he frowned.
That's all ' said thames; and he
stood watching the colonel with dread
IN his eyes
well Of all the damn foolsl"
"Sir?"
"Of all the jackassest"
Warburton BIT his lip angrily.
The colonel swung the rose to and
fro. Yes. sir. a damn fool"
Il dare say that I am, sir. But
have gone too far 90 back out now
VIII you give me back that rose. Colo
nel?"
What do you mean by herY"-
coldly.
Il love her with all my heart, -
holly Il want her for my comrade,
my wife. my companion. my partner
In all have TO do. love her. and
don't care hang who knows it"
mot so loud. my friend; not go
loud"
ooh. don't care who hears."-dis-
couragedly
THAT beats the very devil, You've
J got me all hailed up. Is Betty Annes-
4 ley a girl Of the kind we read about
In the papers as clipping with her
groom. What earthly chance had you
in this guise. should like to known
Il only wanted TO be near her; I
did not look ahead"
We'll, shoald say not How long
were you behind that trellis?"
"a year. so It seemed TO me"
ANY lunatics among your ances-
tors?"
Warburton shook his head. smiling
wanly
II can't make II out" declared the
colonel. a graduate of West Point.
the fop OF Troop A. the hero OF hun
dred balloons. disguised as a hostler
and serviue SOUP"
"Alway keep the motive in mind.
Colonel; you we're young yourself
once"
The colonel thought OF the girls
mother Yes he had been young once,
but not quite 50 young as this cub Of
his.
What chance do you suppose you
| have against the handsome Russian"
"She has rejected him. thought
lessly.
"Ha."-frowning so you were
housekeeping"
wait moment, Colonel. You know
that am very fond OF music. was
| listening to the music. II had ceased
land was waiting for it TO begin again.
kwhen l heard voices"
why did you not leave then?"
And be observed dared mott"
I The colonel chewcd the end OF his