Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-09-20
OCTOBER AND JUNE.

The captain gazed gloomiIy at his
sword hanging upon the walk. In the
cupboard near was stored his faded uni
form, stained and worn by weather and
service. What a long. long time it
seemed since those days of war alarms,
And now veteran that he was of his
country's strenuous times, he had been
reduced to abject surrender by vom'-
ans soft eyes and smiling lips AS he
sat III his quiet room he held in his hand
the letter he had just received from her
the letter that caused him to wear that
look Of gloom. He re-read the fatal
paragraph that had destroyed his hope.
In declining the honor you have done
me i'll asking me to be your wife | feel
that ought to speak frankly. The raa-
son | have for SO doing is the great diff
ference between our ages. | like YOU
very, very much, but | am sure that our
marriage would not be Il happy one.
am sorry to have to refer to this, but
believe that you will appreciate my hon
esty i'll giving you the true reason
The captain sighed, and leaned his
head upon his hand. Yes there were
many years between them. But he was
strong and rugged: he had position and
wealth. Would not his love, his tender
care. and the advantages he could be
stow upon her make her forget the ques-
that she cared for him.
The captain was Il man of prompt ac-
ton. In the field he had been distin-
@uiShed for his decision and energy. He
would see her and plead his cause again
in person. Age.-what was that to come
between him and the one he loved?
In two hours he stood ready, in light
marching order, for his greatest battle
He took the train for the old country
town where she lived
Theodore Deming was on the steps Ct
the large. old fashioned house. enjoying
the summer twilight, when the captain
entered the gate and came up the garden
path. She met him with a smile that
was free from embarra ssn?ent AS the
captain stood on the step below her. the
difference in their ages did not appear
SO great. He was tall and straight,
clear eyed and bronzed. She was in the
bloom of lovely womanhood.
Il wasn't expecting YOU" said Theo-
dora, hut now that YOU have come YOU
may stay for while on the porch.
Didn't you get my letter?'
Il did, said the captain. land that's
why l came. l say, how, Theo, recon
slider your answer. won't you?
Theodore smiled softly upon him. He
carried his years we'll. She was really
fond of his strength, his wholesome
looks, his neutrality-suspicious.. if
NO, no. sue S'id' Striking hei heaQ
positively: Its out of the question. l
like you immensely. but wife-no. My
age and your age-but don't make me
say it again. told you in my letter.
The captain flushed little through his
sunburn. He was silent for a while.
gazing sadly into the twilight. Beyond
a line of woods that he could see was
field where he used to play cricket.
How long ago it seemed now! Truly,
Fate. and Father Time had tricked him
sorely. Just a few years interposed be-
tween himself and happiness!
Theodora's hand crept down and rested
on the clasp of his firm. brown one She
felt, at least, that sentiment that is akin
to love.
Don't take it 50 hard. please she
said gently It's all for the best. I've
reasoned it out very wisely all by myself.
Some day you'll be glad | didn't marry
YOU 1t would be all right for a time
but just think! In only few short
years what different tastes we should
have; One of us would want to SIT by
the fire and read, and, perhaps, nurse
neuralgia or rheumatism, while the other
would want balls and theaters, and late
suppers No, my dear friend. While 1t
isn't exactly January and May, it's clear
ly case of October and early June
Il would always do what You wanted
me to do, Theo. Ii you wanted To-
t.
that YOU would but you wouldn't. Please
don't ask me any more.
The captain had lost his battle. But
he was Il gallant warrior, and when ne
rose to make his final adieuX his mouth
was grimly set and his shoulders were
squared.
He took the train home that night. On
the next evening he was back III his room
where his sword was hanging against
the wall. He was dressing for dinner;
tying his white tie into a very careful
bow. And at the same time he was IN
duIging in a pensive siloloquy;;r ~
Pom my honor. | believe Theo was
right, after all. Nobody can deny that
She is fascinating. but she must be Is
at the very kindest calculation -
For you see. the captain was only ~
except on the parade ground at Sand
hurst, which was the nearest point ne
cot to the South African war.-Phladel-
uhia Bulletin.