Evening star., 1913-12-07

by Pick with a handbag, and then Arabella
herself, smiling, radiant, and so beautiful
that every man on the platform stared
| And as they came down the steps in pro-
cession the Colonel, stricken dumb by the
/ sight of so many home faces, embraced ore
after the other and repeated to each, "Why,
bless nv SOUL" But at sight of Arabella he
could no longer restrain himself ;sohecrtlshed
her in his arms, and kissed her on the fore
head the lips, the hair, the tip of her pretty
ear, and her upturned throat, while she
clung to him iovousy, needless of disarray.
The Colonel released her, held her at arms
length, and critically surveyed her, from the
depths of her candid, violet eyes to the tips
of her shoes.
| "Why, Arabel1a, you haven't changed a
particle!' he exclaimed as if expecting that
she would show gray hairs after being ,sepa-
rated from him for whole three weeks:
"You look just like you used to, my sweet
little lassie!"
He paused as he caught sight of something
huge, like trained bear in a linen duster,
numbering down the steps and carrying a
heap of wilted flowers 1t was Little Billy
bringing up the rear The Colonel dropped
back to his "Why, bless my soul" and
rushed to Billy, who promptly unloaded the
flowers on him. The Colonel accepted them
much as he would bale of hay, and APP
/ pCtIeu puZZleQ anu Hall IlCilllcQ W dlOp
them on the platform.
"What-what's this ness" he began.
| @Flowers, Dad, just flowers flowers from
Tennessee that | saved for you" exclaimed
his daughter.
He suddenly buried his face in the wilted
foliage, and inhaled deeply. The very hold
of his hands changed from reluctance to
reverence. As if the blossoms were alive and
tender he clutched them little closer to his
breast, and they saw that his eyes were
moist, and filled with homesickness.
"Flowers. Flowers from home!' he whis-
pered, and Arabella relieved him of the
burden and brought him back to realities.
"Oh, Dad" she exclaimed. isn't it
lovely, the way the boys decided to come
through with me2 | don't know what |
should have done without them. We've had
such good time all the way, and it is SO far!
And we were all SO glad to know that you
had made fortunel'
Behind her small, retiring fat man
WINGED and looked uncomfortable. So that
was what this fine old simpleton had wired,
was it, That he had already made fortune!
Burmah Jones rarely lacked plenty of self
assurance; but for once in his life he was
timid and constrained, and devoutly wished
that he was at least two thousand miles
away. But he was not to escape; for the
Colonel, suddenly remembering him, wheeled
and caught him by the arm.
"Arabella,T said the Colonel graciously,
II wish to have permission to present to your
attention and friendship one who has been
my most invaluable, sympathetic, and un-
derstanding lieutenant, MIR. William Bur
NAH Jonesi'
He doffed his hat and bowed as if present
ing an Ambassador to Queen, and Burmah
got red in the face, and blinked like an owl,
and with difficulty restrained desire to
scrape his feet and tell her that she was "a
peach He felt more at home in meeting
the quartet of hopefuls who accompanied
her, and mentally decided, with his custom
airy quick appraisement, that they were all
young men of means and address, and that
from both viewpoints they would prove
desirable assets. Besides, if he should be
compelled to leave for parts unknown on
some real fast train, this quartet should be
able at least to save the Colonel's life.
A SHOUT of laughter disturbed them, and
the people in the immediate vicinity
of the party began to crane necks in the di-
rection of the front end of the train A
querulous old voice, filled with Indignation,
was heagd above the noise of the station
shouting, "Heah, white man. Yo' leave
dem baggage alone! Don tex dem away!'
And on tPp of that rose another and more
| ,,oi1ifant ydno 0n1t orc Mice Araha11a'c <