THE LADY LAND THE TELEGRAPH.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 42, 6 March 1878, Page 3

THE LADY LAND THE TELEGRAPH.

A story is going the rounds (says the " Bombay Gaaette,") which it not striotly vero, is at any rate hen travato. and too good to he lost. A young sub* lieutenant left his regiment a short time ago on sick leave and put up at the best hotel, not a hundred miles from Pqona, wKexe he was immediately smitten by the attractions of a lovely maiden, who was staying- there j he proposed, was accepted, and the happy day was fixed. The colonel, however, disapproved of sub-lieutenants getting married, and particularly of the marriage of the sub m question. As he happened to he. a friend of the young man's father, he thought to prevent the union of the fond couple by sending a peremptory telegram; couched m the following words ; "Join at once." The son of Mars was m despair. He presented himself before his intended, with the fatal missive m his hand, and anything but a look of pleasure m his countenance ; but the lady was equal .to the occasion. "With a plush of maidenly simplicity and virgin, innocence she cast her eyes on the ground, and remarked " Dear- me ! I'm glad your colonel approves of the match, but what a hurry he is m! I don't think I can get ready so soon, but I'U do my best, because, of course, love, the commands of your colonel must be obeyed." The young warrior was puzaled. "JRon't you see, my darling," he said, " that this confounded telegram puts a stopper on o\ir plans. You don't seem to understand the telegram. Hesars peremptorily, ' Join at once.' " The lady's blushes redoubled, but with a look of arch simplicity she raised her lovely eyes to her fianck and replied, "It is you, my darling, who don't seem to understand it. Your colonel says plainly* k Join at once,' by which he, of course, means get married immediately^ What else can he possk bly mean ?" A look of intelligence replaces the air of bewilderment m the young hero's classic features and bestowing a regul&r fetich- jioie of chaste salutes on heivroay lips, he accepted the explanation, and was enabled to answer the colonel's telegram m 48 hours after-, wards m .these- words —^^'Your orders are obeyed. We were joined at once."