The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-07

toaneo lfaPpl&x oroI0ernoo0, or some thing of that sort"
 "Ah-just SO Do you like the new anse.room carpet? Too much red in it, isn't therer was Smylie's somewhat in- consequent response, but Loxdale per- severed.
 "I don't believe we've heard the last of that story yet, Smylie. Doesn't it strike you as odd that we should be sent home hereto Marlborough to the very place where. it all happened-at exactly the same time of the year, tooT'
 "Yes, yes" broke in Smylie, hurriedly. Manners has left since then; Graves and OConnor gone, too all the old set, Ia fact. except ourselves and the colonel Pity to rake up the story"
 Smylie looked SO unhappy that won- dered at Loxdale's cruelty or obtuseness in pursuing the subject but he did so to my secret joy.
 "Poor old Ormsby! He was a nice lad. I've seen a few young se.lows going the same road since, but none as weighs on my mind as he did. often wonder, Smylie, if we could have interfered to any purpose. His face haunts me"
 Smylie was silent.
 By Iove!" broke out Loxdale, en- erge,ically, after moments pause it was tonight! This night ten years, mean. We were sitting as we are now you and l, and Vandeleur between us- when saw Ormsby's face through that window. Hello what's thatT'
 Loxdale sprang from his seat, so did Smylie, who stood for moment leaning against my chair, which felt shake with his nervous trembling. Every one look ed at Roxdale, who resumed his seat quietly, merely observing, "very ab- surd! a man passed and looked in, so like fellow knew-really startled me for moment"
 There was such a dead silence after this apparently innocent remark, that l could not help noticing 1t; also that the colonel had turned in his chair and was glaring ferociously across the table at US.
 "Oh, dare say" broke in a youthful voice belonging to a funny subaltern, whose presence had added another ex- asperation to the woes of our exile. "As if we didn't know what to expect when you come home! Goes with the regi- mental plate, doesn't he? Accounts for the smell of sulphur and grave clothes about, doesn't it? Will anyone pass the holy water? feel faint n'
 Then followed a chorus of testing voices, all in reference evidently to some standard joke of which was ignorant.
 Loxdale took it all very calmly. "I suppose it is all very funny" he said, " but wish someone would explain the Joke. only saw a man pass the win dow"
 So did l." put in, "a young fellow in multi"
 saw no one,' said Loxdale's other neighbor.
 The colonel sat stolidly scowling through all this Smylic maintained a dead silence. A few more small tests flashed up here and there, but the fever soon f1icke5ed out, quenched by Lox- dales polite imperturbability.
 When we rose to leave, Loxdale said " lust come out here, Smylie, for a few minutes. want to see if can find the man who passed just now"
 followed uninvited. The barrack square lay white and empty in the cold moonlight. The space in front of the mess-room windows was bare and shadow less, and blaze oi gas came through the open door of the orderly-room opposite, through which we could see the orderly room clerk buttoning himself into his greatcoat before leaving. He turned out the gas and came away as we approach. ed. He had seen nobody. If anybody had been lurking about he must have heard their steps on the gravel No, hA h.l sl
 Hes sharp enough, is Sergean. Druitt, too" said Loxdale, as we turned away to question the sentry. No results No one had passed. We looked at one another in bewilderment.
 saw it most distinctly" declared. " A young face-light hair, falling in a heavy curl on the forehead-curiously light, luminous eyes-that was all could make out, except that he wasn't in uniform"
 Symlie stopped shor, with a sort of groan.
 "What does il mean p said Loxdale, impatiently. "Laugh if you like. Rivers, but if ever troubled spirit walked this earth it is Harry Ormsoy's face that you have seen tonight"
 "l can't stand ,!'' Symiie broke in suddenly, in high pitched voice, quiver- ing with nervous evaporation. "l'd leave the regiment tomorrow if were a richer man. l thought that we had heard the end of that nonsense years ago! It's sickening. Making laughing stock ofthe regiment wherever it goes. They said Nandeleur's brain was giving way, and l don't wonder. Mine is.''
 "What? You have seen him tso ?" asked Loxdale, impressively, his keen little eyes fixed on the other.
 Last night, on our saircase," Smylie began, in a shame-faced, reluctant way "l could have sworn 1t was Ormsby. But, for heavens sake, not a word to my wife" !" he implored, piteously. "I should never hear the end off
 None of us ever will hear the end of it, it's my belief" said Loxdale. solemnly. ]" Do you remember the poor boys last words to me-that he could not rest quiet in his grave with a disgraced memoyi"
 Then why couldn't he stop out of it
 II ls r. A 4 q