The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-17

a mouth fit for Queen Titania-
white brow, on which clustered
rings of gold, in a fascination of dis
order-a check exquisitly fair, with
a tint upon it OF the sea-shell, two
little. soft, helpless hands-two BIT
tie. slippered feet, and you have the
picture before Roydon Howard's 5
gaze, and the inventory successive
IL dotted down by him in his men
tai diary.
"Awfully pretty" WAS the verdict
rendered, absolutely good for moth
ing else. All. il life were all sum-
mer. such women would make per
feet wives.
An audily sigh followed the latter
thought of this most grave phlioso-
pher; a sigh so deep, so profound,
that it started the girl from her
reverie.
"A penny for your thoughts
major" 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, and vet too high, since you
ask upon subject Of whose reply
YOU must be conscious. You forget
that, spending the last hour in your
society, my thoughts could not
wander far. "
@But you sigh. Must l hold my
self responsible for the sigh, too ?"
4 fear so-in remembering that
my furlough is rapidly slipping
away, and that within a month |
must Join my regiment on the plains,
leaving my charming companion OF
this morning. Do you still bid a
penny TO inquire into thing SO
deep as a sigh ?'
The color deepened a little on the
beautiful cheek.
His charming companion Of the
morning" This was how he re-
garded her, this man whose brave
deeds had preceded him, until, be-
fore meeting, had assigned him
something akin to hero worship.
A little, sharp stab OF pain shot
through her but she smiled brayely.
"All that was scarcely worth a
sigh from YOU" she said. at is
never those who go amid new scenes
who feel most keenly the parting,
but rather those who are left behind.
amid the old familiar surroundings,
and say, Yesterday he had sat here,
or Yesterday he sat there or per-
charce find glove that he has
dropped, or a cigar half smoked-to
them it is something felt, something
tangible"
"Do YOU think so? Does the sand
sigh for the retreating wave when
already one coming claims its well
come? | should indeed be glad to
feel that Miss Fay sometimes gave
me thought among the many new
aspirants for the honor she has
bestowed on me" a soldiers life
has many charms, spite of his hard
ships, and there is some fascination,
spite of its pain, in the long solitar-
ry musings he holds sitting at the
door Of his tent. when, instead OF
the plain stretching before him, ne
views the mental panorama OF his
past. I'm afraid mine viii coniine
itself to one figure. Can YOU guess
whose, Miss Fay ?'
There was an instsnt's pause-an
instant when something gstlrred with
in Roydon Howard's heart, prompt
ing the'impulse TO cry ont:
Whose but yours? Make imagina-
ton reality Come with me Share
soldiers lie, and let our mutual
love smooth the rough places.
But scarcely was it born than he
strangled It. lie had 20 reason TO
suppose that this girl cared for him !;
but even SO, at best ii WAS but a
passing fancy.
And in time OF real danger where
would she be? How would she fit
him to ride forth to meet a foe :?
Either with hysterical weeping or
a swoon.
NO. no, Here, under the green
tree, il ballroom, at the head OF q
luxurious dinner table. such women
were charming enough to turn a
mans brain; but in moments of
peril, when death, no longer clothed
in poets rhythm, stalked before
them, ,..bare and ungainly, is ita little
wonder that they fled shrieking
from his grim presence.
Therefore the pause lasted an in
ant only, then Roydon answered
his own question with laugh:
Il declare, ! am almost growing
sentimental. If in anybodv's pres
ence but yours, Miss Fay, should
apologize for so unwonted a mood.
But you are wholly responsible for
it. and il must be with YOU so old a
story to inspire it that / win not
waste words. By the way there is
my horse. / had no idea it was SO
late. IA rcrior. Remember have
the first and last waltzes this even
ing"
The girl stood motionless, watch
ing him as be strobe away--watch-
ing him vault upon his horse, his
tall, superb figure, showing to such
splendid advantage, watching horse
and rider as they cantered out of
sight, the latter turning first TO give
her farewell salute with his whip.
$50, in scarce a month, will he
ride out of my life" she murmured
10 herself with white lips. "0h,
Roydon, is ii that you arc to proud
10 ask me to share the peril and pri-
yations Of a soldiers life, or that il
will give yon no pleasure 10 have
me share it2"
Il
~Will you go out on the lake with
me this afternoon, Miss Fay?" ask
ed Major Howard a week latter. 1T
looks n little squally. but we viii