The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-01-15

Roger came, I had so much else to thinl
of, in the busy preparations for my mar
riage and my sky was so blue, that | coul'
not bear to risk upon it single cloud.
The coloneI's words seemed very idl'
now As though any misery could grow
out of the deep heart-love Roger and l fel
for each other! How small, how unworth.
of him and of myself, had been my idl'
coquctries of the past. Never mind; hat
all my future to atone.
Then came my wedding day, when the
outer world gave me its smiling benson
in bright sunshine and balmy breezes.
l was Rogers now-his very own-and
could have defed the universe, in my ex
quisite happiness.
Six months later my husband entered
our little sitting-room, one morning, bear,
ing in his hand a letter stamped with an
official SEAL
"Be," he said-my name was Beatrice,
but | was too undgnified for its posses
sion, and so they shortened it to Be-and
his voice trembled little-"it is very
soon, darling to remind you that you are
a soldiers wife; but [ am ordered to report
at once to Fort, under Colonel Lake s
command. They anticipate trouble with
81, Id, EoI hnu / hot m
leave you, my precious little wife, but there
is no alternative | must start within
twenty four hours"
"Leave me?" 1 cried starting to my
feet, and throwing myself sobbingly on his
breast. "You shall not leave me Take
me with you, Roger, or you will break my
heart"
"Child, it would be madness for you to
undertake the hardships of frontier life. I
cannot consent"
But | pleaded so pitifully that at last
reluctantly yet gladly, he promised we
should start on the evening of the next
day.
When [ had time to think it over, [
remembered he had said the post was un-
der Colonel Lakes command. I shudder-
ed. He it was, doubtless, whose influence
had ordered my husband from my side,
since he had not dreamed of my accom-
panying him. Oh, what further evil might
he not work him? Was it not my duty
to tell Roger all, and warn him against
him? My courage failed mel would
wait and watch. At least, he should only
strike at him through me.
Our journey lasted three weeks. Twas
worn and exhausted at its close. The Col.
himself met our ambulance on its arrival.
"You have brought your wife p 1 heard
him say, in amazed tones, in answer to
some remarks of Rogers, after the first
greeting. ave will do all we can to make
her comfortable, but it is very little. Be-
Sides
He added something, in voice so low
that l failed to catch it.
A moment later, I caught sight of his
face as Roger lifted me down in his arms.
1 almost cried out in my surprise. His
hair which had been black as a ravens
wing one short year ago, was almost white.
He looked fully fifty years of age. The
sight caused my fear and resentment to
vanish, and held out my hand.
"Won't you, welcome me, Col.?" said.
He bowed without seeming to notice my
outstretched hand; murmured some cour-
teous word of greeting, then turned away,
to give command to an orderly standing
near.
[ saw very little of him in the weeks
that followed. They were weeks full of
excitement, for the Indians were constant
ly molesting us, and fears were entertained
that they were meditating an attack. In
deed, they had expected one on the very
night of our arrival, and this was what the
colonel had confded to my husband.
Still, in spite of all, I was glad to be
here. Away from Roger, 1 should have
sickened of suspense. Now was by his
side, to meet and know the worst.
"Why are not you and Lake better
friends" he said to me one day. II can
not understand it,
Nor could I explain, now that 1 had
kept silence so long; besides, my distrust
was wearing away. Although distant and
reserved, quietly repulsing all my advances,
l felt that Coloael Lake would work Roger
no active wrong.
Until one morning my sophistries fed
The Indians had made sortie No one
knew their numbers or their strength. 1t
was necessary to send out an advance guard
from our little garrison, thoug h each man
who went we'll knew that he might never
return.
At eleven o'clock, my husband, to my
amazement, entered the room in full uni
form.
"Good-by, little Be'' he said. "Pray
for my safe return, dear. l am ordered
to command the advance p
"You shall not go o!' cried, wildly. "lt
is his revenge? Fool that l have been to
have trusted him"
"My darling, calm yourself. What do
you mean ?"
"Wait here a moment p exclaimed.
Leaving him transfxed with astonish-
ment | few across to the coloners room.
He was buckliOg on his sword as I en-
tered.