Sometimes he had a chance for a long talk, but oftener
he was forced to content himself with shorter interviews. More than once he
noticed General Braxton join his daughter when he approached, and he found
that old warrior's manner growing more and more cold.
"He's a loser," thought the Colonel, to whom it never for a moment occurred
that his own presence might be disagreeable to any one. "A man oughtn't to
bet when he can't stand a-losing," he concluded, philosophically, and then
he dismissed the matter from his mind.
On the last day of the races, after waiting for an hour or more to speak
alone to Miss Braxton, and finding her constantly guarded by her father,
who looked fiercer than usual, Colonel Bill was finally compelled to join
her as she and the General were leaving the grand-stand. She saw him
coming, and stopped, a pleased look on her face. The General, with a frigid
nod, moved on a few paces and left them together.
"I have come to ask if I might call on you this evening, Miss Braxton,"
said the Colonel, timidly, "if you have no other engagement."
"I shall be very glad indeed to have you call," she replied, cordially,
adding, with a smile, "You know, Lexington is not so wildly gay that we
haven't ample time to see our friends.
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