The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-04-23
W0oIH6 OF THE MAJOR

By c Z BARKER.

He was one Of the kind OF people
who coEe naturally by . nickname.
The major was one OF the most
meth0dic2l OF men. Promptly al nine
o'clock he came down fresh and pink
from breakfast. read his mail in the
comfortable seclusion Of the writing
room. dictated the answers to his let
ters 70 the hotel stenogrzpher. Lit q
fresh cigar az the cigar stand, and
then dull bHzsnsss cares we're brushed
aside and be repaired with spgishfly
steps to the bar
One day in the midst o. the letters,
Miss Mitchell booked up for an instant
sf q lady Who was passing through
the lobby.
What an exquisite bunch Of vio-
let's she said
VERY pretty replied the major.
following her glance. and then they
went on with their work.
The next morning q neighboring
florists boy placed fne bunch q
English beauties in the little bud vase
on Miss MitcheIl's desk. and morning
after morning this was repeated
After the morning dictation during
one OF the little chats which the major
had come to allow himself. Miss
Mitchell. one day expressed a very zG-
verse opinion about the men who
drank and were ''faEt"
This speech had marked effect
upon the major.
The very next day. after his busi-
ness routine. the major left forward
ing address with the clerk on duty and
registered out
A month-two months passed, and
still the major had not returned TO his
old corner in the Windsor bar The
only mark OF his long residence at the
hotel was the little bunch OF fresh Tio-
lets which daily adorned Miss Mitch
ellis desk
One day. as unheralded as had been
his departure, the major returned TO
the Windsor. Hin complexion was
whittier and his eyes were clearer. 9th
erwise he was the same old major.
careless, lively and jovial.
He dictated his letters to Miss
Mitchell as usual the next morning.
but il was observed and marked with
much special notice thar he did not
follow his old habit OF turning toward
the bar i-smediately thereafter. In
stead Of this. he stepped into big
automobile that stood at the door, and
was away In a trice.
At least once he asked Miss Mitchell
to ride with him, but she met the pro
posal with a cheerful mo. thank you"
that left no room for doubt about her
decision
A morning came on which he at
tended to his correspondence with
more than usual care. In addition to
the regular grind OF business he wrote
some long delayed missives to old col
lege Misunderstanding brilliant, uncon-
ventionaI letters they we're. full Of the
boyfsh spirit which the major still
held, Notwithstanding his acknowl-
edged thirty-eight years. When he had
quite finished. he drew from his
pocket an important looking pzper.
Miss Mitchell, have a very par
ticular matter l wish to speak about
No. you needn't take my words
down on paper-Ilm not debating. The
fact isl am-thipking of-weIl. Civ
ing you the chance Of debating some
to me. If you think proper"
"Why-what do you mean. Mr.. Ebs-
bourne" she asked. her large, heavy
lashed eyes looking the utmost wonder.
'.Its a very simple matter. Miss
Mitchell-at least used TO think it
was when I observed the symptoms in
other folks. But--dont look at me
like that--you might pretend you are
taking notes; come one viii see and
wonder what We are talking about"
@Ch, II it's anything you
mustn't say IL. Mr.. Ebsbourne.T She
was plainly agitated.
Not the vers least improper. little
one, but the most natural thing that
ever occurred to me in all my wild,
harumscarum life. Now. listen calmly:
II what say Is not pleasing you, will
stop, and we will not talk about It any
more. love you. cant help loving
you, any more than could help breath
ing or living If didn't breathe"
sWhy-Mr. Ebsbourne." she replied.
Il don't think / care for you in any
way like that"
4 didn't expect you 10. little one
But you can give me a little hope.
can't you? You don't dislike me. do
your"
4 think you are very kind"
That's enough--that's enough
Don't need to say another word. III
go now and let you get used to the
idea OF having lover"
Thank you" was all Miss Mitchell
could think Of TO say.
The sequel was none OF the majors
planning. He only knew that he was
speeding down the river road one
afternoon. when young horse driven
BIZ market gardener took fright and
plunged about. backing the heavy
wagon directly across his way at the
moment when he supposed tho driver
vas going to be able 10 manage his
team without further difficulty.
There was crash and the major
felt sharp twinge Of palm When be
again opened hls eyes, they were
carrying him in at the ladies' entrance