Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-09-21
OCTOBER AND JUNE.

The captain gazed gloomily 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 long, long time it
seemed since those days of war alarms.
And now, veteran that he was of his
Icountry's strenuous times, lie had been
reduced to abject surrender by a wom'-
ans soft eyes and smiling lips As he
sat i'll 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 in 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 a happy one. |
am sorry to have to refer to this. but |
believe that you will appreciate my hon
esty in 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-
ton of age? Besides. he was almos. sure
that she cared for him.
The captain was a man Of prompt ac-
ton. In the field he had been distin-
guished 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 If
the large, old fashioned house, enjoying
the summer twilight. when the captain
entered the gate and came mp the garden
path. She met him with a smile that
was free from embarra ssment. 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 Thea
dora, but now that YOU have come YOU
may stay for while on the porch.
Didn't you get my letter."
Il did," said the captain. "and that's
why l came. | say, now, Theo. recon
slider your answer, won't your
Theodore smiled softly upon him. He
carried his years well. She was really
fond of his strength, his wholesome
looks, his manliness-perhaps if
mo. no. she said, shaking her head
positively: ''its out of the question. ]
like you immensely. but wife-no My
age and your age-but don't make me
say it again-I told you in my letter.
The captain flushed a little through his
sunburn. He was silent for while
gazing sadly into the twilight. Beyond
line of woods that he could see was
a field where he used TO play cricket
How long ago it seemed nowi 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. Sh,
felt, at least, that sentiment that is akin
to love.
Don't take it so hard, please" She
said gently. Its all for the best. Nv,
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 il
isn't exactly January and May, it's clear
| Iy a case of October and early June"
Il would always do what you wanted
me to do. Theo. III you wanted To-
mo. you wouldn't. You think now
that you would. but you wouldn't. Please
don't ask me any more.
| The captain had lost his battle. But
he was gallant warrior, and when ID
! rose to make his final adeux his mouth
was grimly set and his shoulders Were
squared.
He took the train home that night. On
| the next evening he was back in his room
where his sword was hanging against
the wall. He was dressing for dinner
| tying his white tie into very careful
, bow And at the same time he was in
dulging in a pensive siloloquy.
| "'Pon my honor, | believe Theo was
right. after all Nobody can deny thai
| she is fascinating. but she must be .
at the very kindest calculation.
| For you see, the captain was only -
land his sword had never been drawn
except on the parade ground at Sand
hurst, which was the nearest point ht
got 10 the South African war.-Philadel
uhia Bulletin.
|