Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-23
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for Queen Tiiania-wIsite brow, on which
clustered riugs Of gold In fascina&ion Of
Disorder chssk exgui,itely lair. win
tint upna II Of II sea sheIl-two little,
soft. h.'pless haDd@-two little. slippered
feet. AID ron have the picture before Roy
don Towards gaze. and the inventory
successirely dotted down by him in his
mental diary.
.'Awfully pretty" was the verdict rend-
cred. absolutely good for nothing else.
All. IT life .ere all summer. such women
would make perfect wives"
An audible sigh foil ,wed the latter
thought Of this most grave philosopher; 4
sigh 30 deep. so profound. that 1t started
the girl from her reverie.
"a penny for your thoughts. major. I"
she said, in low musical tone.
The voice suited her. it was like all else
about Fay Richings-in perfect attune.
..You bid too low" answered the man /:
land vet too high, since you ask upon a
subject Of whose reply you must be con-
scious. You forget, that. spending the last
hour in your society, my thoughts could
not wander far
"But YOU sigh. Must hold myself re-
sponsiblc for the sigh too?"
II fear so-in remembering that Inv
furlough is rapidly slipping away. and
that within = month ] must join my
regiment on the plains, leaving nv charm
ing companion Of this morning. do you
still bid penny to inquire into thing 80
deep AS a sigh"
The color deepened a little on the
beautiful cheek.
Ellis charming companion Of the morn
ing" This was how he regarded her
this man, whose brave deeds had proceed
ed him. until, before meeting, had as
signed him something akin to hero wor-
ship.
A little. sharp stab Of pain shot through
her heart, but she smiled bravely.
..Al that was scarcely worth Il sigh
from you," she said ut is not those who
20 amid new scenes who feel most keenly
the parting. but rather those who are left
behind, amid the old familiar surround
ings, and say, Yesterday he sat here or
Yesterday we heard bis laugh or per-
ck6Ace knd glove that he has dropped, or
a cigar half smoked-to them it is some
thing felt, something tangible
'.bo you think so? Does the sand sigh
for the retreating wave when already one
coming claims It's welcome ] should be
glad to feel that Miss Fay sometimes gave
me thought among the many new aspi-
rants for the. honor she has bestowed on
me. A soldiers life has many charms.
spite OF his hardships. and there is some
fascination in spite Of its pain. in the long
solitary musings he holds. sitting at the
door of his tent. when instead of the plain
stretching before him. he views the men.
tai panorama OF his past. I'm afraid
mine will confine itself to one figure
Can you guess whose. Miss Fay?"
There was an instant's pause-an in
slant when something stirred within Roy
don Towards heart prompting the inn
pulse 70 cry out "Who but yours? Make
Imagination reality. Come with me .
Share n soldiers life. and let our mutual
love smooth the rough placesn'
But scarcely was il born when he
strangled IT, lie had no reason to sup
pose that this girl cared for him; but even
so, Mt best. il was but passing fancy.
And In time of real danger where would
she be How would she fit him to ride
forth to meet n toe? Either with hysteri-
cal weeping or swoon. No. no! Here
under the green trees. in ball room, at
the head Of luxurious dining table.
such women were charming enough To
turn mans brain; but in moments of
peril. when death, no longer clothed in
the poets rhythm. stalked before them
bare and ungainly. it was little wonder
that they fled shrieking from his grim
presence.
Therefore the pause lasted an Instant
only. then Roydon answered his own
question with laugh.
81 declare | am almost growing senii-
mental II in anybodv's presence but
yours. Miss Fay. | should apologize for
30 unwonted mood. But you are wholly
responsible for it. and it must be with you
50 old story to inspire it that will not
waste the words. BY the way. there is my
horse. had no idea il was So late. IA
retufr, Remember. have the first and
laa waltzes this evening"
The girl stood motionless. watching him
~ be strobe nway-watching him vault
upon his horse. his tall, superb figure
showing to such splendid advantage.
watching horse and rider as they ca tered
Qua Of sight. the latter turning first 10 give
= farewell salute with his whip.
ssSo. in scarce a month. will he ride out
of my M, !" she murmured to herself with
white hpe. "Oh. koydon, - 1t that you
are too proud to ask me to share the perils
and privations of soldiers life. or that il
would give you no pleasure to have me
shire Il ?"
"Will you go out on the lake with me
thu afternoon. Miss Fay ?" asked Major
Howard a week later. ut looks a little
sqeAlly. but we will keep close in shore,
50 Is to run home il the clouds thicken."
"Of course / will come" assented Miss
Fay. "ami as 10 the clouds. don't watch
them too closely. rather like storms. p"
eWhat n perfect picture she makes
thonght Rcyticn. rs he promptly. at the
appointed time. assisted her into the sail
bon he had named in her hon"r. the
Yachting dress OF dark blue fitting closely
to NE exquisitely outlined figure. and on
the golden braids nestled ccqueitish
sai1pr hat. Fifteen minutes later. SPLEEN
didbreeze had carried them Tar out into
..rhe storm has concluded to postpone
itselti oar special favor" said Roydon.
glancing up at the blue sky. ''or perhaps
thew don't think soldiers should be too