CHAPTER II.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1148, 4 September 1896, Page 7

CHAPTER 11.

The Colonel's attentions grew, and upon Mrs Kennedy their effect was marked. She became curiously gracious by fits and starts to her daughter-in-Jaw, and the aoid undercurrent slipped out of her talk. Rosebud was greatly puzzled, but rpjpcted the suggestion that Archie proffered, with disdain. Her father — her dear, faithful soldier father could not have any such intention. It was not likely ! So Archie held his peace. • i > • t • • • ' Come over to tea with me some afternoon,' said the Colonel once, and Mrs Kennedy, who took all his speeches to herself, responded : ' Charmed !' He fetched them in the dogcart, and Mrs Kennedy got up as lightly as she was able, and fancying that enly old ladies were supposed to dread accidents, would not show her terror, but sat smiling nervously, while the horse capered round and round. Rose held on behind and wondered. It was a lovely day. They skimmed along with glimpses of moor and sea beyond the Rowan-fringed high-road. Mrs Kennedy chattered happily, pointing out little bits cf scenery to the Colonel, who, fully occupied, could only glance at them out of the corner of his eye, and mutter ' Beautiful !' There were houses here and there, showing through trees dimly, as became country mansions. Mrs Kennedy did not omit to take note of these. ' Do you see Castle Whin V she said. 'It is quite deserted now, since Sir James went abroad. He has been frequenting some foreign bath place for his gout. lam sure it must be Monte Carlo really — because he was always rakish. He was an old admirer of jnine, by the way !' She laughed, a little high-pitched laugh and' kissed her hand to the chimneys of Castle. Whin. Then she looked behind graciously. 'My dear Rcse are you comfortable?' They turned in at the gate, and the Colonel made a pretty speech. Mrs Kennedy skipped up the steps, expressing her curiousity to see the wonderful trophies of his adventuiep. c I shall; be delighted, if it will not hore you, 1 said the Colonel courteously. Rosebud rolled up her gloves, and ran out into the garden to fill her hands with flowers from the dear old «ot«Jy tiorae, She could bear the

Colonel' throw up the windows to let Mrs Kennedy see the view;-and— she could hear her mother-in-law making exclamations in a young, affected voice. But the flowers, the familiar flowers were smiling up, and Rosebud forgot everything else, bending eagerly over the borders. The Colonel was taking Mrs Kennedy all over the house, sparing her no tiger story, no pigsticking talp. There was only one door that he did not unlock, walking past it hastily. 1 And this V inquired the visitor in passing j but he did not seem to hear. Lastly, he invited her to behold his study, and the treasures it contained. • What a delightful room !' said Mrs Kennedy, sinking deep into a shabby old leather chair. She was slightly fatigued by her royal progress from room to room, although she did not show it, as her color was not able to come and go. The Colonel looked wistfully round his den, • 'A few little touches would make it charming,' went on Mrs Kennedy. ' At present it gives too much of a brown effict. A lighter paper — and art serge drapery — and a few frilled cushions, woiild make it" lovely. And then these old swords want polishing.' ' Whom have I to do that for me V said the Colonel suddenly, leaning against the oak mantlepiece, grizzled and brown himself. ' I am only a solitary old toldier, , as rusty as my swords, and who would take pity on me in the kind way you suggest? I havo nobody to— ah — to frill my cushion". ' Rosebud's mother-in-law, sighed gingerly, and said nothing. The blush was fixed in her cheek. « » . . • . The tea-table was brought in. Rose waited, making her flowers into bunches, and rubbing her roses against her cheek. The other two were long. Perhaps the. Colonel was wearying out her mother-in-law with his old Indian stories — and then Mrs Kennedy would be tired and cross, and she would suffer. Oh, if only she and Archie could have a home to themselves ! no house could be lr'g enough for them, as she had discovered. It was of no use bothering Archie ; poor Archie, who could not help it, and who must not know that his little wife was unhappy, that she could hardly bear the tyranny of his own mother. . . . She was not sorry — oh no, she dared not imagine she regretted having persuaded the Colonel not to make them wait. He had said that it would be better for them to marry when Archie's success had made his position as good as his birth : ha had looked higher for his little Rosp. But she had been wilful and had got her way, and — oh, she was not, would not be sorry. But it was very hard. . . Her mother-in-law came in, followed by the' Colonel, who shut the door. { I have some news for yon, Rose,' said he, standing awkwardly in front of his daughter. ' Mrs Kennedy has done me the honor to promise to be my wife.' (To be continued.)