Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-22


young mistress. When he did the break
ious to get the true story to care whether
they breaklas,od or not Each took q swal-
low of coffee, then fastened forth.
'That poor girl of minen said Doctor
Bayard. "Shc has very nervous, scnsi-
tive organization, and such II shock as that
fool of wench gave her this morning is apt
TO upset her completely, Now she has no
especial interest in any of TcrrY's party,
and yet YOU might suppose her own kith and
kin had been scalp,d and tortured"
But Holmes would not reply
Meantime Winnie had reached "Bedlam"
where TO her disgust, Celcstiuc had already
preached the tiding- TO the breakfast table,
and Mrs Forrest had been borne half faint
ing to her room. Pale but calm and col
lc"ted Miss Forrest returned and began
questioning the girl rs to the sources of her
information, and it was on hearing this col
loquv that Winnie took heart Of grace and
impulsively sp1ang up the steps into the
hallway to add her share to the general sen
saton. 1t was with feeling bordering on
cXultation that she found the local account
TO be lacking IN several of the most start
ling and dramatic particulars; CcrstinC had
not heard Of the massacre Of Captain Ter
rvs command. and it was h"r own proud
privilege to break the news to Miss Forrest
Here. however. She overohot the mark, Tor
/ that young lady looked determinedIy incred-
ulous; dismissed her colored mformants as
/ no longer worthy of consideration. and
/ taking a light wrap from the hatracli i'll the
/ hail, tapped at Mrs. Posts door.
"Will you kindly look after Mrs. Forrest
! q moment in case She should need anything
/ | will 20 to Major Millcr's and investigate
these stories They seem absurd -
And with that she sped swiftly around the
parade, along the broad walk, and was quick
. " mt the major door and ushered into the
parlor. There were Doctor Bayard and
Mr.. Holmes in earnest talk with the com
handing officer All three arose and greet
ed her with marked courtesy.
II am sorry that my wife is not here to
welcome you, Miss Forrest said the major,
but with the exception of her and yourself
the entire feminine element of this garrison
/ is stampeded this morning; the women have
frightened themselves out OF their senses.
Have you come for Doctor Bayard | hope
/ Mrs. Forrest has not collapsed as Mrs. Cor
don has. Mrs. Miller has gone to pull her
out of fit of Mysteries
''NIrs. Forrest will need nothing more, |
think than an assurance that there is little
| truth in these stories. =
"Upon my word. Miss Forrest | believe
they are as gromGles as-othcr sensational
yarns that have come to my ears Two bad
| ly scared TanChmen are responsible for kind
ling the fire, but the nWsemaids and cooks
have famed it into Chicago confiagration.
The Indians may have built fire down the
road beyond Eagles Rest, but I'll bet it
wasn't the stage. And as for Terry and
Mclean, we haven't n word of any kind
4 il luIll of
wind "
Then will you pardon me, Doctor Bay
ard if | suggest that it might be well if
some one in authority were to warn the hos
pita nurse who is with Mr.. Blunt to he sure
and let no one approach him with such
news as has been flying around the post. |
fear he had restless night.
"a most thoughtful suggestion, my dear
young lady, and, if you are going home, |
will escort you, and then go to Blunt at
once. May | have that pleasure? -
; chad hoped to see Mrs. Miller, doctor,
and | think | will go to the east side a mo-
ment and inquire for Mrs. Gordon
) by all means, Miss Forrest, and so will
~ answered Bayard, bowling magnificent
ly. "You will excuse me, MIR Holmes? Il will
be home in "A quarter of an hour
"Certanly, doctor certainly.'' was the
prompt reply, and both Major Miller anc
Mr. Holmes followed the two out upon the
$ piazza and stood watching them as they
; walked away"
"a singularly handsome and self-possess
ed young woman that Mr.. Homesn' re
2 marked the major CHOW there's the sor
of girl to marry in the army. She ha
nerve and courage and brains. By Jove
That's one reason, | suppose the womel
don't like her -
And they do not like her." queriec
| Holmes.
Cant bear her, I judge, from what
hear. She dresses so handsomely they Sa,
t that she's an object of boundless interest t,
1 them, like or no like"
t "Our friend the doctor seems decided,
an ardent a lmirer. He was showing him
= self off in most brilliant colors last nigh
= and evidently for her benefit
Il ooh, yes | rather fanced as much. The,
q would make very distinguished couple,
said the colonel, rehcctiyely land no ba
y match despite the disparity in years. Sh
refused the youngsters up at Red Cloud VIII
were ready to cut each others Threats o.
o her account. That's one reason | admir-
. her sense. Tue idea of woman like tina
! or any woman marrying Il second lieu
, tenant -
Il "You waited for your double bars, ms
IS jor :" smilingly quericd Mr.. Holmes.
= so Lord, no ~ laughed Miller elk
most people who preach, I'm past the praC
ticing age ! was married ON my gradua
Il ton leave-but things were different hefol
the war. Army people didn't live in II
" style they put on now. Our wives WEI
'f were content with two rooms aud Il kitche
"a thousand year-and one new dress
IS Christmas Now but the major stoI