The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-12-28

cloud settling on his brow. The colonel
resumed once more the newspaper he
had dropped upon the floor. After mo-
ment DR.. Quin came slowly back, stood
in front of the entrance few seconds
looking irresolutely at the soldier
sprawled at full length in his reclining
chair, stepped towards him with pre-
paratory clearing of his throat as though
about to speak, and then, suddenly and
helplessly abandoning the idea, he
plunged down the short flight of steps,
hurried out of the gate and disappeared
around the fence corner in the direction
of the hospital. Immersed in his paper,
the colonel never seemed to note that he
had gone; neither did he note tho fact
that two ladies were coming down the
walk.
The soft swish of trailing skirt being
insufficient to attract his attention rs
they arrived nearly opposite tho shaded
veranda, silvery peal of laughter broke
the stiffness of the early evening. Mrs.
Belknap's laugh was delicious-soft, me.
iodious, ripping rs a canary song, and
just as spontaneous. Neither lady had
said anything at the moment that was
incentive of merriment; but if Mrs. Law
renee had given utterance to tho quaint
est, oldest, most whimsical conceit i'm
aginable, Mrs. Belknap's laugh could not
have been more ready. and her great
dark eyes shot a sidelong glance to noto
the effect. Down went the paper, and
up, with considerable propping from his
muscular arms, camo the burly form of
the post commander. Two sweet, s,nil-
ing faces beamed upon him through an
aperture in the leafy screen, and Mrs.
Belknap's silvery voice hailed him in
laughing salutation:
"Did we spoil your sicsta, colonel?
How can make amends? You see, you
were so hidden by the vines that no one
would dream of your being there in am
BUSH"
"Oh, indeed, assure you l wasn't
asleep" answered tho colonel, hastily.
Wont you come in, ladies, and sit
hero in the shade awhile?"
1--WE thought we would stroll around
until parade" said Mrs. Lawrence, hesi-
tatingly, land then sit down and watch
it somewhere"
NO place better than this" promptly
answered the colonel "You can sit be-
hind the vines on that side and see, or,
what we would infinitely prefer, sit here
at tho entrance and be seen. Meantime,
I've been unpacking some photograph
albums this afternoon, and you can
amuse yourselves with those while put
on my harness. Gomez"
Tho colono1's colloct;on of ,,l,o, or,o,,,,,
was something the ladies had already
heard great deal of Ono of tho most
genial and popular officers of the army,
he had gathered together several large
albums full of pictures of prominent men
and attractive and distinguished women
not only those with whom he had been
associated in his long years of service,
but men eminent in national and state
affairs, and women leaders in society in
| many gay metropolis.
Both tho ladies had hoped to see this
famous collection the hecvcningAeforc, but
the colonel had not then unpacked the
albums, and they were disappointed
| Now, however, tho prospect was indeed
| alluring, and neither could resist. When
the first call sounded for parade a few
moments after, and tho commanding
officer was getting himself into his full
| dress uniform, tho two pretty heads were
close together, and two pairs Of very
lovely eyes-onc dark and deep and dan
gerous, the othera clear and honest gray
-were dilating over page after page of
photographed beauty. There was no
need to puzzle over tho identity of the
originals; under each picture the thought
full colonel had carefully written the
name and address Absorbed in this
treat, they could barely afford time to
look up and smile their thanks as the
colonel passed, clanking forth at the
sounding Of adjutant's call, and were too
completely engrossed in their delightful
occupation to notice what took place at
parade.
The long, slender line had formed
tho infantry companies on the right and
left flanks, their neat and tasteful dress
of blue and white contrasting favorably
with the gaudy yellow plumago Of the
four dismounted troops of the cavalry
Company after company had taken the
staturesque pose of "parado rest" and its
captain faced to the front again, the ad-
| Jutant was just about moving to his post
on the prolongation of the front rank,
and the colonel settling back into the
conventional attitude Of the command.
ing officer, when from outside the rect
angular inclosure of the parade ground
from somewhere beyond the mems
barracks-thcre camcsudden outcry and
commotion. There were shouts, indis-
tinguishable at first, but excited and
startling Some Of the men in ranks
twitched ncryously and partially turned
their heads, AZ though eager to look be-
hind them and see what was wrong;
whereat stern voices could be heard in
subdued but potent ccnsure: keep your
eyes to the front, there, sullivan!" "Stand
fast, there, center of Third company!"
The guard, too, paraded in front of its
quarters some distance behind the line,
was manifestly disturbed, and the voice
of the sergeant could be heard giving
hurried orders. Every man in the bat
talon seemed at the same instant to ar
rive at one Of two onclusions-prisoners
escaping, or fire over at the stablcs-and
all eyes were fixed on the imperturbable
form Of the commanding officer, as
though waiting the signal from him to
break and go to the rescue. But there
the colonel stood, placid, calm, and ap-
parently utterly unconscious of the dis
tant yet nearing clamor. The adjutant
hesitated moment before proceeding
further, and glanced appealingly at his
chief; whereupon there came from the
blue and gold and yellow statue out on
tho parade, in half reproachful tones,
the quiet order, Go on!'' and the adju-
tant, recalled to his senses and with evil
dent expression Of his sentiments to the
effect that if others could stand it he
could, brusquely turned his head to.
wards the band and growled, Sound
OFF, The boom and crash Of drum and
cymbal and the blare of brazen throats
drowned for moment the sound Of the