Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20

Mrs. Rayner, who hated the baptismal
name as much as did her sister, and used
it only when she desired to be especially
and desperately impressive: Il found it
by accident. I never dreamed of such
possibility as this. l never, even after
what have seen and heard, could have
believed you guilty of this; but, now that
l have found it, have the right TO ask,
what are its contents?'
81 decline to tell you"
"Do you deny my right to inquirer"
81 will not discuss that question now.
The other is far graver l will not tell
| you, Kate, except this: there is no word
there that an engaged girl should not
write"
'Of that mean to satisfy myself, or
rather
"You will not open it, Kate. No!
| Put that letter down. You have never
known me to prevaricate in the faintest
degree, and you have no excuse for
doubling. | will furnish a copy of that
for Mr.. Van Antwerp at any time; but
you cannot see it,
You still persist in your wicked and
unnatural intimacy with that man, even
after all that | have told you. Now for
the last time hear me; have striven not
to tell you this; l have striven not to
sully your thoughts by such revelation;
but, since nothing else will check you,
tell it | must, and what | tell YOU my
husband told me in sacred confidence,
though soon enough it will be a scandal
to the whole garrison
A,,1 i IL
Fort Warrcncr that starlit April evening
and the first warm breeze from the south
came signing about the easements, and
one by one the lights appeared along Of
ticers' row, there was no light in Nellie
Travers' window. The little note lay in
ashes on the hearth and she, with burn
ing, shame stricken checks, with black,
scorching, gnawing pain at her heart,
was hiding her face in her pillow.
And yet it was jolly evening after
all-that is, for some hours and for some
people. AS Mrs. Rayner and her sister
were so soon to go, probably by the NOR
rows train if their section could be Sc
cured the garrison had decided to have
an informal dance as suitable farewell.
Their announcement of impending de-
parture had come SO suddenly and un-
expectedly that there was no time to
prepare anything elaborate, such as a
german with faVors, etc; but good nu-
sic and an eXtemporized supper could be
had without trouble. The colonel's wife
and most of the cavalry ladies, on con-
sultation, had decided that it was the
very thing to do and the young officers
took hold with a will: they were always
ready for dance.
Now that Mrs. Ravner was really go
ing, the quarrel should be ignored, and
the ladies would all be as pleasant to her
as though nothing had happened, pro-
vided, of course, she dropped her absurd
airs of injured womanhood and behaved
with courtesy. The colonel had had a
brief talk with his better half before
starting for the train, and suggested that
it was very probable that Mrs. Rayner
had seen the folly Of her ways by that
time-the captain certainly had been
behaving as though he regretted the
estrangement-and if encouraged by q
: ''let's -drop-the- whole-thing" sort of man
ner she would be glad to reciprocate
lie felt far less anxiety herein than nc
did in leaving the post to the command
| of Capt, Buxton. So scrupulously haC
he been courteous to that intractablt
veteran that Buxton had no doubt in hi:
) own mind that the colonel looked upOr
, him as the model officer of the regiment
, 1t was singularly unfortunate that he
, should have to be left in command, bu
q his one or two seniors among the cap
) tains were away ON long leave, and there
was no help for it. The colonel seriously
disquieted, had few words of earnes
{ talk with him before leaving the post
cautioning him SO particularly not t.
I interfere with any of the established de
I tails and customs that Buxton got very
{ much annoyed, and showed it.
| "If your evidence were not imperative
9 ly necessary before this court | declare
e believe I'd leave you behind" said tn,
= colonel to his adjutart There is NJ
/ telling what mischief Capt. Buxton
: won't do if left to himself
5 1t must have been near midnight, ant
D the hop was going along beautifully, anC
: Capt. Rayner, who was officer of the day
was Just escorting his wife into supper
r and Nellie although looking trifle tire,
G and pale, was chatting brightly with
G knot Of young officers, when a corpora
/ of the guard came to the door: 9Th
t commanding officers compliments, an,
r he desires to see the officer of the day a
/ once"
i There was general laugh. "Isn't tina
: Buxton all over? The colonel woul,
1, never think OF sending for an officer il
V the dead of night, except for q fire o
: alarm; but old Bux. begins putting o.
d frills the moment he gets a chance
n Thank God, I'm not on guard tonight!
!, said Mr.. Royce.
}. "W nat can he want with your asked
= Mrs. Rayner, pcttishly. 1.-The idea o
: one captain ordering another around lik,
this'
I'm be back in five minutes" sail
Rayner, as he picked up his sword anC
> disappeared
j But ten s-fifteen-passed, an,
he came not, Mrs. Rayner grew worried
t. Id =, 4