Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-23
DUNRAYEN RANCH.
"A Story Of American Frontier Life.
By CAPT. CHARLES KING, U, S. A.,
AUTHOR or aTHn coLoNELs DAUGHTER" "FRon'
sTHr DtsERrER" ETC.
cspysAe 1853 By j. Lppncot Company Philadelphia Published
speciai Arrangement houg Association

ically and went out into the broad sun
shine, glancing first along the row to
see how things were looking at tho
Spragues' and wishing with all his heart
that they were somewhere within reach
of conservatory, that he might send
heaping box Of fresh and dewy roses 70
that sacred room where she lay. How
many q time, he thought, had he strolled
into some odorous shop In the cities
where his "leaves" were spent, and care.
lessly ordered cut flowers by the cubic
foot sent with his card to somo one with
whom he had danced the german the
night before and never expected TO see
againi What wouldn't he give now for
Just few Of those wasted, faded, for
gotten Aowersi Stables that afternoon
proved sore trial to him.
When at last the men went swinging
homeward In their white canvas frocks
and Perry could return to his quarters to
dress for his eagerly anticipated call. the
first thing that met his eyes as he came
In sight of officers row was huge, bulky,
covered travelling carriage In front OF
Spragues. Two or three ladies were there
at the gate. Mr.. Even, the English man
nger, was Just mounting his horse; DIR.
Ouin, too, was there and already in sad
die; and before poor Perry could get half
way across the parade. and just rs the
trumpets were sounding mess call for
supper, the bulky vehicle started, the
ladies' waved their handkerchiefs and
kissed their hands, and, escorted by Even
and the doctor. saluted by Col Brainard
and the adiutant with raised forage caps.
Gladys Maitland was driven slowly away,
and Mrs. Belknap stood there In the little
group of ladies smiling sweetly upon him
as he hastencd towards them. For many
long day afterwards mess call always
made him think Of Mrs Bellnap's smile,
and Mrs Belknap's smile of mess call
He shuddcred at the sound Of one or sight
Of the other.
Il was Mrs Sprague who stepped for
ward to greet him, her womanly heart
filed with sympathy for the sentiment
she suspected. She had to push by Mrs.
Belknap TO reach him; but, this time, no
consideration Of etiquette stood in tho
way.
ut couldn't be helped" she said, In
low hurried tone, her kind eyes search
ing his, so clouded In the bitterness of
his disappointment. at couldn't be
helped. The news Of her accident--or
something--brought on seizure of somo
kind. Mr. Maitland was taken very i'll,
and they sent for her The manager
came, and with him her old nurse. Mrs,
Cowan, and DIR. Qun s;id she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to go.
hated to have her, too, for I've hardly
had word with her; Mrs. Bclknap has
been there most of the afternoon even
when she had guest of her own just
arrived, too" And Mrs. Sprague could
not but show her vexation at this retro
spect
Perry stood in silence. looking yearn-
ingly after the retreating vehicle. 1t
would take him but few minutes to
hasten to stables and saddle Nolan; he
could easily catch them before they had
gone two miles, but there was parade,
and he could not ask to be excused.
Not until hesuddeniy looked around and
saw that Mrs. Belknap's dark eyes were
fixed in close scrutiny upon his face did
he realize how he was betraying himself.
Then he rallied. but with evident effort,
The colonel was standing but few
PAGES away, chatting with Mrs Law
renee and his faithful adjutant Mrs
Sprague stepped quickly towards him
and spoke "a few words in low tone,
while Mrs. Belknap remained looking
straight into Perrys eyes Before the
young fellow could gather himself Col.
Brainard, rs though in reply to sug-
gestion Of Mrs Spragues, suddenly
started, exclaiming, "Why, by all
means!" and then called aloud:
"oh! Perry, why not galiop down and
overtake the Dunrayen carriage and say
good-by2 Here's my horse all saddled
now right in the yard. Take him and
go: would"
There was something 50 hearty and
genial and sympathetic in rhe coIonel's
manner that Perry's face ilushed despite
his effort ut nonchalance The thought
Of seeing her again and hearing her
sweet voice was a powerful incentive.
| He lonGed to go The colouels invita-
! ton was equivalent to an excuse from
| parade, There was no reason why he
should not go - He was on the very
| point of thankfully accepting the tempt
ing offer. when Mrs Belknaps words
arrested him Clear and cutting, but
still 80 low that none but he could hear.
| she spoke:
Take my word for it, you are not
wanted, nor any other man, when DR..
! Quin is with her"
Perry's hesitation vanished. THANK
you. colonel ] believe | don't care TO
GO" he answered, and, raising his cap
| 10 the ladies, turned on his heel and
| hurried to his quarters Mrs Belknap
stood watching him one moment, then
calmly rejoined the party at the gate.
well" said she, with the languid
! drawl that her regimental associates had
! 'carneu 70 know so well, this has been
day Of surprises, has 1t not? Only
fancy our having beautiful English
| heiress here within reach and never
knowing it until today!"
But you had a surprise of your own,
had you not?" interposed Mrs. Sprague,
who was still chatting over the fact that
her lovely and dangerous neighbor should
have so monopolized the guest she con-
sidered hers by prior right, and who
meant to remind her thus publicly of
the neglect Of which she had been guilty
mrs. Page, you meanT' responded
Mrs. Belknap, with the same languid,
imperturbable manner. "Yes; poor Jen-
MEL She Is always utterly used up after
one Of those long ambulance journeys,
and can only take cup of tea and go to
bed in darkened room. All she wants
Is to be let alone, she says, until she gets
over it, ! suppose she will sleep till
tattoo and then be up half the night.
You'll come in and see her, won't your
Au revoir."
And so, calmly and gracefully and
VIGOROUSLY, the dark eyed dame with
drew, leaving her honest hearted antag-