The Half-Back
THE HALF-BACK A Story of School, Football, and Golf By RALPH HENRY BARBOUR Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst [Illustration]
"So we are to make each other's acquaintance, are we, my love?" the
Marquise continued. "Do not be too much alarmed of me. I always try
not to be an old woman with young people."
On the way to the drawing-room, the Marquise ordered breakfast for her
guests in provincial fashion; but the Count checked his aunt's flow of
words by saying soberly that he could only remain in the house while
the horses were changing. On this the three hurried into the
drawing-room. The Colonel had barely time to tell the story of the
political and military events which had compelled him to ask his aunt
for a shelter for his young wife. While he talked on without
interruption, the older lady looked from her nephew to her niece, and
took the sadness in Julie's white face for grief at the enforced
separation. "Eh! eh!" her looks seemed to say, "these young things are
in love with each other."
The crack of the postilion's whip sounded outside in the silent old
grass-grown courtyard. Victor embraced his aunt once more, and rushed
out.
"Good-bye, dear," he said, kissing his wife, who had followed him down
to the carriage.
"Oh! Victor, let me come still further with you," she pleaded
coaxingly. "I do not want to leave you----"
THE HALF-BACK A Story of School, Football, and Golf By RALPH HENRY BARBOUR Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst [Illustration]