El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-03
BY the Hen. Mrs. Arthur Henniker.

TITS brother officers liked him well
enough, or they recognized that
. his heart was as good as his
manners were aggressive, that he was
brave as lion. and as they expressed
it, always ran straight" But his
faults. like all those that lie most on
the surface of a character. were often
remembered when his solid worth was
forgot.
pity old Bumptious Brownies so
fond of swells." grunted the colonel.
when his second in-command asked for
leave to shoot al Jimmy Lampson's."
For the colonel knew that Maj. Browne
did not call lord Lampson Jimmy" to
his face.
There was one trait in Brownies
character which everyone who knew
him well could not fail to appreciate;
this being his kindness and devotion
to his mother. an old woman who felt
aggrieved If her friends failed to re-
member the vowel &c" at the end of
her surname, but who were fongetful
of the consonant ''h" in daily CONVEX
sation.
Rich, vulgar, and tender-hearted.
Mrs. Browne worshiped her hand
some soldier son; and he. for his part.
was condescendingly kind-for her
lived near the villa where she was far
more in her element than in the house
which she rented in South Audley
street only to please her SON
To Lampson hall went Maj. Browne
one mild day in November, and as he
was remarkably handsome, cheerful
and good natured, the daughters Of the
house were kind to him.
The major was invited to stay over
Sunday, and on Saturday afternoon,
lady Lampson suggested to him that.
as the girls were busy with a school
treat he should ride over and inspect
the one show place Of the neighber-
hood, Perryn-Lacy, the property of a
widow, lady Merivale.
she's a dear little woman" said
lady Lampson, "and 1 wish you could
have met her, but if you mention our
name 1 am sure the housekeeper will
take you round the house"
So to Perryn-Lacey trotted Maj.
Browne. very spruce and handsome,
and wearing almost too beautifully
made clothes. He had some artistic
sense, enough at least, to feel glad
dened by the sight Of a magnificent
red brick house, with zigzag pat
tern of blue running through the walls
and picturesque garden sloping down
flicked some dust off his riding
breeches and boots, vainly tried to
catch a reflection of his figure in one
of the windows, and rang the bell.
After a few minutes the door was
opened by a small woman demurely
dressed in brown, with smoothly part
ed hair She had evidently been ar
ranging some garden tools for she
held a hoe and rake in one hand.
Il understand" said Maj Browne
gra ciously, that lady Merivale is
away but that 1 may have the pleas
ure of going over the house. I pre-
sumo 1 am addressing the housekeep-
er-Mrs.-er-"
The little woman bowed
81 manage the house." she said.
But, may 1 ask, have you card or
a note from anyone? 1t is only shown
to strangers on Tuesdays
81 am the guest of lord Lampson,"
he replied, with calm dignity.
''Oh, that is all right?. Then I will
take you round"
The housekeeper deposited the gar
den tools in the corner. smoothed her
already neat hair, and led the way
through the great hail.
"Ahi" cried the major. pointing TO a
portrait over a chimneypiece as they
copy. An uncle of mine has the ORR
ginal."
1--WE have always considered this an
original Romrey, and one Of his best
said the housekeper meekly.
Bumptious Browne laughed
Don't you betray me to lady Meri- |
vale" he said gaily. Il hope she will |
always think the same about all her |
pictures. All, If this were my house. |
[ would do away with that awful stair /
carpetI It's unworthy-now don't you |
think so? It really is!''
Through many more rooms they |
went, the guide civil and silent. the |
visitor continuing to impart many val !
ia bic suggestions as he strelled along /
"Ahl / wish this place was mine" |
he said at last. with emphasis. II |
could do a hundred things to improve |
It At every turn now, do you know, !
see something?"
The housekeeper looked thoughtful. /
Then Pelham Browne wondered what |
sort of a tip she deserved Had she |
been younger and better looking. per-
laps half a sovereign. But no doubt /
his little, ordinary woman would be
more than satisfied with five shillings.
he made her a charming bow as he
ode off, with the red glare of the
lying November sun lighting up his /
handsome face.
At Easter in the following year, the
major paid another visit to Lampson.
On arriving he was told that there
vas to be small dinner party of
COUNTRY neighbors.
Maj. Browne was the last to enter |
he drawing room before dinner, and L
or one moment he ardently wished
hat the door had never opened to adj
nit him. For there, standing on the
ug. and laughing with lord Lamp
ION, was the little housekeeper of
'erryn-Lacey, but dressed now in
White satin, with one string of huge
,lack pearls round her neck. And
3umptious Browne thought that he
eft the floor shake under his feet.
Il want to introduce Maj. Browne,
o you. lady Merivale."
It was like a horrible dream; his
airs buzzed and his hands were death
Y cold as lady MeTivale smiled very
pleasantly, and said she fancied that
hey had met somewhere before. Only
he major noticed the faint irony in
Ter charming voice. For charming 1t
vas. and he wondered dumbly at his
ross stupidity as he looked at her
'raeeful. small head and slender hands
es, a lady in the truest sense of the