Part 31 (1/2)

”Captain Morris is of good family and very wealthy,” said Eugenia, reflectively. ”His father left a fine estate in the south of England, I understand; and the Captain is his eldest son and heir.”

”I don't care what estates he has,” was Maud's quick rejoinder; ”if I ever marry a man it must be for what he is, not what he has.”

”Very true, my dear,” returned Eugenia, who viewed things generally from a material standpoint. ”Quite correct sentiments, but I have sometimes noticed that incidental fortunes are not necessarily a bar to matrimony.

Usually they are the reverse. And Captain Morris himself is irreproachable.”

”I know that he's nice and all that,” said Maud, ”and has charming manners. I expect his regiment will remain here for a long time yet, as all the troops have been ordered to the front, so I shall have ample opportunities of seeing him again.”

”Well, my impression is that he is the best of the lot, and when desirous of winning your hand you should give him the chance----”

”Of winning my heart?”

”Certainly. Another thing, it is not a bit fair to entangle so many men, and then throw them overboard one after another.”

”But, my dear, I don't wish to entangle them. If they cannot control themselves it is surely not my fault.”

”Don't talk nonsense, Maud. You know very well it is not your face that does it.”

”'Pon my word, am I so ugly as all that?” interrupted Maud, with seeming surprise.

”It is your manner and what they call your character,” said Eugenia, with attempted severity.

”Well, Eugenia, I wish you'd leave me to myself. I really like them all.

I can tell you candidly that I have not positively refused any of them, and they are still my friends.”

”And how long is this condition to last?”

”Ask me a year hence and I will tell you.” And with a flushed face Maud left the room.

CHAPTER XXVII.

From the time he was stationed in Halifax Captain Morris had always been a welcome visitor at Judge Maxwell's. The possibility of being a suitor for the hand of one of the daughters only increased the cordiality of his reception, and notwithstanding Maud's seeming refusal, he still availed himself of every opportunity to press his suit. Social functions of one sort or other were also of frequent occurrence, and Maud accepted his attentions, although she effectually parried any direct renewal of the offer of marriage.

Captain Morris had seen a good deal of life. Having abundance of means, as well as his commission, he had always been lionized on returning home from the wars. Yet each time he had gone away again heart free. Perhaps he was getting a little bit blase. Possibly he overestimated his importance in his own particular set, when he imagined that much of the kindness extended to him was with an ulterior object.

Be that as it may, the first look he had of Maud Maxwell was a beatific vision to him--a picture that would not be blotted out. It planted itself on his inner consciousness, leaving an impression that deepened each time they met.

There was a freshness, beauty and mental vigor in this young maiden that were new to him, and the fact that his personal influence over her matured so slowly, made him all the more desirous to win her love.

As May opened, Halifax became additionally alive from the arrival of more troops from England. It was but a little place in those days, not numbering more than eight thousand people. Consequently, what interested one interested all, and the whole place was astir to witness the landing.

Colonel Battersby, the commanding officer, was under orders to remain in the Lower Province if necessary, but if not to push on by boat to Quebec, and from thence to Montreal. The first interview he had with Sir John Sherbrook and Colonel Mason settled the matter.

”We are well defended already,” said Sir John. ”War vessels command our harbor and coast line, and the regiments stationed here are all the Citadel needs. No, my dear Colonel, I am glad to say that in the east we do not require your services; but in the west, particularly in the Upper Province, we do. That part of the country has a good future before it, and we must stick to it, for when settled and developed it is destined to become the garden of Canada.”

”One of the chief reasons why the Yankees want it, and why we are bound to keep it,” returned Battersby. ”Will the St. Lawrence be clear of ice now?”

”Yes,” replied Colonel Mason. ”The season is early and the river open.

Molson's steamers can tug you as far as Montreal. If not wanted there, you can march overland to Kingston.”