Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-03-16
THE CABMEN AND
THE COLONEL,


foundedly idiotic war office had most un-
iustitiabIy placed him on half pay. There
was nothing left for him to do but play
country squire bully the village school
mistress and marry his only son to the
daughter of the owner of the adjoining
estate to the great advantage of all
concerned
And now even that scheme had gone
agley. His mutinous son had spoiled that
plan for ever by running away and mar
lying the orphan governess of his aunt 5
children, And. worse still the imperti-
nent young wretch had disregarded all
his fathers angry letters. and with the
camcst coolest cheek in the world had
written that morning to say that the
honeymoon being over. he intended 10
bring his bride to be introduced to her
father Flaw. As a postscript he added
that he forgavc the colonel all the un-
Kind things he had written-a piece of
Christian charity that nearly caused his
choleric parent to burst.
The truth was that Frank Leadforth
was one of those good natured casual
bcggars who laugh their way into every
hody'S heart and usually find all their
sins are forgiven them when they smile.
1t was thus that he had forced Miriam
to marry him, riding roughshod over her
~cruplcs; and it was thus he fully cx-
pectcd to meet his fathers wrath.
WAIT till Eve seen him and he sees
YOU" he told his bride. as they were APP
preaching the house. Hes got ter
,l- "a
soon laugh him into Il good temper"
And he kissed her furtivaly behind the
village ilyman's back and chafied her for
being so nervous and afraid.
But he had rather a shock when the
butler told him his orders were to shut
the door in his face However. Master
Frank had always been a favoritc with
that worthy. and hc was in no hurry to
carry out the cOionei's commdlr His
resistance was only half hearted when
Frank pushed past his portly form. And
he made no effort at all to stop Miriam.
who followed, blushing and trembling.
The colonel was in his study,
"Hallo!" he exclaimed. when Frank
burst in upon him unannounced What
the dickens do you want here?" He
turned to the butler. ignoring his sons
hand and his sons wife. "Porson." he
said, sternly. You leave my service at
once
Then Miriam spoke
col. Leadforth,' she said spiritedly,
that's not fair. Frank forced his way
int" The butler threw her a glance of
gratitude.
Pray, madam. be so good as to leave
me to manage my own servants" said
the colonel coldly.
Miriam bit her lip beneath the snub.
and Frank made desperate effort to
right matters
Come. father" he said, pleasantly.
Jump off your high horse! Shake hands
with me and kiss your daughter.in law
What do you think of her? Don't YOU
envy mc?"
For answer the colonel picked up his
newspaper and pretended to read. Frank
went very white, and his eyes cleaned
dangerously. Miriam went very red, and
placed a band on her husbands arm.
Let rs 90, Frank" she whispered.
You We're wrong not to make sure your
father would receive me before You made
me come"
Yes" he answered ont loud Il didn't
know my father was such a pig! 1t is
only the fact that re is my father that
saves his skin. If any other man in
suited YOU like this. Id kill him."
The colonel heard and his conscience
prickcd him. True, Frank had not APP
preached him properly. Had he begged
| forgiveness instead of taking this high
/ hand he might have consented to accept
the marriage as an evil that, being ac-
| complished must be endured. And vet
| hadn't he been ,ather too rude to a lady
ruder than the circumstances war
rantcd? The thought made him uncom-
Portable and angrier. lie grew purple
With rage.
such Internal impudence as yours I've
never heard Oft" he cried to his son.
The idea of calmly bringing your-your
wife home like this. Why-good
gracious. YOU must be mad"
Frank looked at him, unmoved by this
tutburst
You owe my wife an apology" he
said.
! Apology" ~pmttered the colonel
("Apology! Get out of my house the
! pair of YOU. I'm done with YOU. sir, for
ever, | never wish to see or hear OF You
agaiu!"
Miriam burst into tears, and her ms
! band seized her arm
Come darling" he said, we can dc
without him"
Pleased to hear it," sneerd his father
Not a tarthing win YOU ever have from
met
And with that Frank and the colonel
parted,
! IT.
/ On the way back to London in the
! train Frank and Miriam discussed the
| problem of What they were to do now
They counted their money and found
that between them they had only eight.
cen pounds.
! Frank of course, had not been brought
/ up 10 any trade or profession. lie had
wished to enter the army. but his father
| had lemmr,d. thinking that the hash he
/ had made of things might prevent hi~
/ sons advancement. 80 Frank had spent
his time hunting and loaiiug about the
/ patcrual estate with the result that lff