Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-04

night before and never expected to see
again! What wouldn't he give now for
Just Few of those wasted, faded, for
gotten flowers! Stables that afternoon
proved sore trial to him.
When at last the men went swinging
homev ard 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 sigh Of officers row was huge, bulky,
covered travelling carriage in front of
Spragu es'. Two or three ladies were there
at the gate. Mr.. Even, the English man.
ager, vas just mounting his horse; DIR.
Quln, too, was there and already in sad
die; ard before poor Perry could get half
way across the parade, and just as the
trumpets were sounding mess call for
supper the bulky vehicle started; the
ladies waved their handkerchiefs and
kissed heir hands, and, escorted by Even
and the doctor, saluted by Col. Brainard
and the adjutant 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 FASTENED towards them. For MANY
long lay afterwards mess call always
made i'm think of Mrs. Belknap's smile
and Mrs. Belknaps smile of mess call
He shuddered at the sound Of one OF sight
OF the other.
1t 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
considt ration of etiquette stood in the
way.
1T couldn't be helped" she said, in
low hu -ried tone, her kind ewes search
ing his so clouded in the bitterness of
his disappointment. 1T couldn't be
helped. The news of her accident-or
something-broughto on a seizure of some
kind. Mr.. Maitland was taken very i'll.
and tley sent for her. The manager
came, and with him her old nurse, Mrs.
Cowan and DIR. Quin said she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to go.
l hated TO have her. too. for I've hardly
had word with her; Mrs Belknap 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 axe him but a few minutes 10
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
or II no. IL l. 4
saw that Mrs. Belknap's dark eyes were
fixed ii close scrutiny upon his face did
he realize how lie was betraying himself.
Then lie rallied, but with evident effort.
The colonel was standing but few
PAGES away, chatting with Mrs. Law
renee and his faithful adiutant. Mrs
Spragus stepped quickly towards him
and poke a few words in low tone.
while Hrs. Belknap remained looking
straight into Perry's eyes. Before the
young fellow could gather himself, Col.
BrainaId, as though in reply to sug-
gestion of Mrs. Sprague's, suddenly
started, exclaiming, why, by all
means' and then called aloud:
"Oh! Perry, why not gallop down and
overtake the Dunraven carriage and say
good-by? Here's my horse all saddled
now right in the yard Take him and
go: l would"
There was something so hearty and
genial and sympathetic in the colonel's
manner that Perry's face flushed despite
his effort at nonchalance The thought
of seeing her again and hearing her
sweet voice was powerful incentive
H.A I'D 70
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. Belknap's words
arrested him. Clear and cutting. but
still so low that none but he could hear.
she spoke:
Take my word for it, you are not
wanted, nor any other man, when DIR.
Quin is with her."
Perry 5 hesitation vanished. Thank
you, colonel. l believe l don't care to
go" he answered, and, raising his cap
to the aides, 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 Il at her regimental associates had
learned 10 know so well, this has been
a day of surprises. has it not? Only
fancy our having a beautiful English
heiress here within reach and never
knowing it until todayr
But you had a surprise OF your own,
had you mott" interposed Mrs. Sprague,
who was still chatting over the fact that
her lovely and dangerous neighbor should
have so nonopoiized the guest she con-
hers by prior right, and who
meant TO remind her thus publicly of
the neglect of which she had been guilty.
Mrs. Page, you mean" responded
Mrs. Belknap, with the same languid,
imperturbable manner. Eyes; 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 ct alone, she says, until she gets
over 1t. / suppose she will sleep till
tattoo and then be- up half the night.
You'll come in and see her, won't you?
Au revoir."
And 30, calmly and gracefully and
victoriolIsly, the dark eyed dame with
drew, leaving her honest hearted antag-
onist on the sense Of evaporation and
defeat.
1t was full quarter Of an hour after
parade, and darkness was setting down
on the garrison, when Capt Lawrence's
orderly .apped at the door Of Mr.. Perry's
quarters, and, being hidden Come in"
pushed ON to the sitting room, where he
found Il at young officer plunged deep
In an eagy chair in front of the firenlace
his attitude one of profound detection.
BEG pardon, lieutenant" said the
man, Mrs. Lawrence and the captains
waitin' dinner for you"
fro Re CoNTISrrD1