El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-03
The Herald's
Daily Shert Stsry
Major Brownies BIunder

word. How could he ever have thought
otherwise
She was very kind to him at dinner.
but just at the end. as he pushed back
his chair, she looked up at him and
laughed
Il bought very nice photograph
frame for my housekeeper with those
five shillings," she said.
It was during this some autumn
that a tribal war broke out, and
Brownies regiment was one of the first
to be sent to the front. And at first
Maj. Browne did very well in the cam
paign. But this unfortunate column
commander was caught one day In a
trap. and it was, rare good fortune
that his senseless figure. with deep
wound in its head and useless, dang
ling arm, was carried away by, troop
er. who also escaped being made a
prisoner.
so poor old Bumptious Brownies
spoilt his chances,r said a more sue
cessful leader to his colonel one day
later on.
Yes. poor wretch In my opinion
he's been Internally hardly treated.
But, he's done for now from a soldier
ing point of view. in any case. with
that cursed enteric on the top OF his
wounds"
Some bad news that reached Maj
Browne just before he embarked for
England was not conducive to any
Improvement in his physical condition
With a dull ache at his heart, he read
his mothers money was nearly all
lost to her, owing to foolish specula-
nd no of frQ
solicitor All the bumptiousness had
been knocked out of the major long
before these evil tidings reached him.
and it was a very hlmbled and broken
down man whom his poor old mother
awaited so eagerly and s.tearfully at
Southampton.
You know Haudley street has had
to be let" she whispered, "and I've
shut up dear old Washlands. I'm try
ing to sub along for a bit, in lodging
with a couple Of maids, till 1 see my
way a little"
A dreary lodging it was, near Mary
lebone road. Sometimes, if the sun
shone, Maj. Browne would wish that
he might go out int the Regents park
but he was too weak and listless to
care much He was just a shade more
interested when his mother told him
that lady Merivale had been to see
her
YES. she called more than once,
Pelham, might be a sparrow alone on
this 'ouse top for all the notice most
people take of me now, That's when
you can't mistake a real ladyi And
she has sent her brougham for me-
Mrs. Browne always spoke Of this
carriage as a "brawm"-"to take me
round the park
On a foggy evening lady Merivale
came again wearing set Of sables that
made her look slighter than ever. and
such very pretty hat that she seem
ed much younger than her 40 years.
Her face grew crimson when she
caught sight of Maj. Brownies figure
lying on the sofa. There was still
bandage round his head and his para
lyzed left arm lay useless at his side.
He smiled up at her
We'll. I've made a 'hideous hash of
everything, haven't l. as usual?" he
said, and he tried to laugh, while lady
throat felt too sore for any
words Of hers to come in answer.
Often, during those long. dark even
ings she came again and sat beside
him till he grew to long for her COM
ing with an intensity that surprised
himself. Plain. how could he have !
and beautiful teeth. and that indescrib-
able charm Of smile and gesture One
day she told him that the next would
be her last visit. Old Mrs. Browne
was not in the room. or she. at least
would have noticed the change in his
face, the great sudden pain that made
his eyes look so large and dark.
Going" he said; mot going? You!
Oh. 1 am sorry, 1 am sorry.' That
was all.
She moved restlessly to the window
You must tell some other friends
TO come and see YOU" she murmured
hoarsely. But there was no answer
He merely turned his sunken face
round and the light fell full on it,
There was surely no need for him to
say anything more.
Then lady Merivale crossed the room
swiftly ard laid her hand on his gaunt
0ne with the scar across it.
Maj Browne" she whispered. when
7ou rode over that day, long ago, do
you remember"
,cOh. don't, DON'T bes-ech youi"
Never mind You said when you
anne to Perryn-Lacey, that you wished
t was yours
He covered his face with his hands. |
Il want to tell you-that-why-it's |
yours new-if you care to have it. |
ls-housekeeper." She tried to laugh. |
tut the laugh ended IN sob as he ]
tut the one strong arm that was left |
o him round her shoulders and held |
Ter heart against his.