Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-16
CHAPTER XII.

VI,
.SZE o USE the expression Of
Mr.. Dana, "Ned Perry
seemed off his feed" for
S- NsO day or two. The hunt
VIZ had been pronounced a
big success, despite the fact of Perrys
defection--he had not even Joined them
at luncheon-and it was agreed that it
should be repeated the first bright day
after muster. That ceremony came off
on Monday with due pomp and formality
and much rigidity of inspection on the
part OF the post commander. 1t was
watched with interest by the ladies', and
Mrs. Belknap even proposed that when
visited they should go along. Dana had
been her devotee ever since the day of
tho hunt. and announced his willingness
to carry her suggestion to tho colonel,
but Belknap declined. She wanted few
words with Perry, and did not know
how to effect her purpose. When he
stopped and spoke to her after parade on
Saturday evening and would have made
peace, she thought to complete her APP
parent conquest by show of womanly
displeasure at his conduct. and an as
surance that, thanks to Mr.. Dana, the
day had been delightful and his failure
to accompany her had been of no conse-
quence at all. The utterly unexpected
way in which he took 1t was simply
"stunner" to the little lady.
So far from being piqued and jealous
and huffy, as she expected, Mr.. Perry
justified the oft expressed opinion of her
sisterhood to the effect that "men were
simply past all comprehension" by
Frightening up instantly and expressing
such relief at her information that for a
moment she was too dazed to speak. BY
that time he had pleasantly said good
night and vanished; nor had he been
near her since, except to bow and look
pleased when she walked by with Dana
She never thought of him as an actor
before, but this, said Mrs. Belknap to
herself, looks like consummate acting.
Had she known of or even suspected the
existence of woman who had interposed
and cast her into the shade the explana-
ton would have occurred to her at once;
but that there was a goddess in the shape
of Gladys Maitland within days ride
of Rossiter she never dreamed for an in
slant. Believing that no other woman
could have unseated her, Mrs. Belknap
simply could not account for such utter,
such unutterable, complacency on the
part of her lately favored admirer in his
virtual dismissal. All Sunday and Mon
day she looked for signs Of sulking or
,,,rranlar hrt lpnl-aI IN vain
Perry seemed unusually grave and
silent, was Parkes report Of the situa-
ton; but whatever comfort she might
have derived from that knowledge was ut
terly destroyed by the way he frightened
up and looked pleased whenever they
chanced to meet. Monday evening he
stopped to speak with her on the walk,
holding out his hand and fairly beaming
upon her. she iciiy received these demon
strations, but failed to chill them or him.
Then she essayed to make him suffer the
pangs Of the Tilted by clinging to Dana's
arm and smiling up in Dana's face, and
then she suddenly started; "Oh, Mr..
Dana! How could have been so thought
less--and this 10 your wounded side!"
Dana protested that her slight weight
was soothing balm, not additional pain,
and Perry promptly asseverated that If
lie were Dana he would beg her not to
quit his arm, and her eyes looked scorn
at him as she said, "How can you know
anything about it, Mr.. Perry? You've
never been in action or got scratch,
while Mr.. Dana"-and now the dark
eyes spoke volumes rs they looked up
into those of her escort-"Mr. Dana is
one Of the heroes Of the fighting days of
the regiment" Even that failed to crush
him. while il had the effect of making
Dana feel mawkish and absurd. Perry
frankly responded that he only Won
dered the women ever could find time TO
show any civilty whatever to fellows
like him, when there were so many who
"had records" She was completely at a
loss to fathom him, and when tattoo
came on Monday night, and they were
all discussing the project of run with
The hounds for the coming morrow-a
May day celebration on new principles
Mrs. Belknap resolved upon Il change of
tactics.
Dana was officer of the guard and over
at the guard house, but nearly all the
other officers were chatting about the
yeranda and the gate of the colonel's
quarters. Thither had Capt. Belknap
escorted his pretty wife, and she was,
as usual, the center of an interested
group. Perry came strolling along after
reporting the result of tattoo roll call TO
the adjutant, and Capt. Stryker called
TO him and asked some question about
the men on stable guard. The orders Of
the colonel with regard to watching the
movements of the men after the night
roll call were being closely observed, and
when the trumpets sounded taps" few
moments later, several of the troop com
manders walked away together. and this
left smaller party, II was just at this
juncture that Mrs. Belknap's sweet voice
was heard addressing the commanding
officer;
"Oh, colonel! Ever since Thursday !
have been telling Capt. Belknap about
those lovely albums of yours; and he is
so anxious TO see them. Could lie have
look 81 them tonight"
why, certainly" exclaimed the colo
mel, all beartiness and pleasure. Come