The Florida agriculturist., 1889-11-20


stranger staring in upon her solitude
from an open easement was shock that
served to paralyze the vocal cords. He
could see that she was making gallant
effort to control the tremor that had
seized upon her and to inquire the pur-
pose of his coming. He could see, too,
that the sight of the uniform had reas-
sured her, and that there was neither in
dignation nor displeasure in her beauti-
full eyes. Reserve. of course, he expected.
"Did you wish to see any one?' was
finally the form her question took; and
Perry had time to comment to himself,
"English, by Jovel' before he answered
Il did. but let me first ask your par
don for this intrusion | had no idea
there was a woman at Dunraven My
knocking at the front brought no answer
and hearing the piano. | followed the
veranda Believe me, | am as surprised
as you could possibly have been.
Perry's voice was something greatly in
his favor 1t was modulated and gentle
when in conversation. and with even a
caressing tone about it when he spoke to
women Evidently the sound was not
unwelcome to this one She stood erect
her fingers interlacing as she clasped her
hands in front of her and looked him
we'll over with her brave eyes The color
ebbed and flowed through the creamy
whiteness of her face, but the roses were
winning every moment-the red roses of
the house of Lancaster
"And-you wished to see-whomY
she presently asked with courtesy in
every word
why | hardly know" answered
Perry, with a smile that showed his
white teeth cleaning through the curl
ing blonde mustache. "A sergeant of
my troop has been missing since morn
ing His horse came back to the fort
just as we were on parade at sunset
bleeding and without his rider We
have searching parties out all over the
prairie. and | was ordered to come here
to the ranch to make inquiries
She hesitated moment-thinking
my father is at home. but fear he il
not we'll enough to see you Mr. Ever
is with him, and he might know Will
you-would you step in one moment, and
will go and ask?'
"Thank you very much. wish you
would not trouble yourself. presume
can go over to those stable building, OF
wherever it is the men sleep; they woulC
be most apt to know if our sergeant has
been seen.
"Oh, no! it is no trouble; besides, they
are all asleep over there by this time,
fancy They have to be out SO very early
don't you know"
But Perry had stepped inside even al
he offered to go elsewhere-a fact that
the girl had not been slow to notice, fol
quizzical little shadow of smile how
cred for an instant at the corners of he1
pretty mouth Pray sit down" she said
as she vanished into an adjoining room
leaving Ned Perry standing gazing after
her, spell bound.
He listened to the swish of her trailing
skirts through the dimly lighted room
beyond, through an invisible hal. LAY
and then to the quick pit-a-pat OF hel
feet up some uncarpeted stairway HI
heard her moving quickly, lightly, along
the corridor of the upper story until thu
footballs were lost at the rear of the
house, then distant tap upon a door
way, and soft voice, barely audible
calling, Papa" He heard her speal
again. as though in response to inquiry
from within; he heard her raise hel
voice, as though to repeat an answer tx