The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-02-01

ing to say what lie thought, but power.
less to think of anything else; and then
he had gone to his own quarters and
shut himself in. Mrs, Sprague-bles
her!-had invited him to call after re-
treat, and ho had totally forgotten the
Lawrenccs' dinner when he said he
would he only too glad to come.
At the sounding of stable call his darky
servant banged at tho door and reused
him from his reverie. He rose mechan-
ically and went out into the broad sun.
shine, glancing first along the row to
see how things were looking at the
Spragues' and wishing with all his heart
that they were somewhere within reach
of conservatory, that he might send a
heaping box of fresh and dewy roses to
that sacred room where she lay How
many time, he thought, had he strolled
into some odorous shop in the cities
where his "leaves" were spent, and care
lessly ordered cut flowers by the cubic
foot sent with his card to some one with
whom he had danced the german the
night before and never expected to see
againl What wouldn't he give now for
just few of those wasted, faded, for
gotten tlowersl Stables that afternoon
proved Il sore trial to him.
When at last tho men went swinging
homeward in their white canvas frocks
and Perry could return to hisquarters to
dress for his eagerly anticipated call, the
first thing that met his eyes as he came
in sight Of officers row was a huge, bulky
covered travelling carriage in front Of
Spragucs'. Two or three ladies were there
at the gate. Mr.. Even, the English man.
ager, was just mounting his horse; DIR.
Quin, too, was there and already in sad
die; and before poor Perry could get half
way across the parade, and just as tho
trumpets were sounding mess call for
supper, the bulky vehicle started; the
ladies waved their handkerchiefs and
kissed their hands, and, escorted by Even
and the doctor, saluted by Col. Brainard
and the adjutamt with raised forage caps,
Gladys Maitland was driven slowly away,
and Mrs. BelLnap stood there in the little
group of ladies smiling swectly upon him
as he fastened towards them. For many
a long day afterwards mess call always
made him think of Mrs. Belllnap's smile,
and Mrs. Bclknap's smile Of mess CALL
LIE shuddered at the sound of one or sight
Of the other.
1t was Mrs. Sprague who stepped for
ward to greet him, her womanly heart
filled with sympathy for the sentiment
she suspected. She had to push by Mrs
Bclknap to reach him; but, this time, no
consideration of etiquette stood in the
way.
at couldn't be helped" she said, in
low hurried tone, her kind eyes search
ing his, so clouded in tho bitterness of
his disappointment. "It couldn't bo
helped. The news of her accident-or
sometling-brought on seizure of some
kind. Mr.. Maitland was taken very ill,
and they sent for her. Tho manager
came, and with him her old nurse, Mrs.
Cowan, and DR.. Quin said she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to 60
hated to have her, too, for I've hardly
had a word with her: Mrs. Belknap has
been there most of the afternoon, even
when she had a 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 take him but few minutes to
hasten to stables and saddle Nolan; he
could easily catch them before they had
gone two miles; but there was parade,
and ho could not ask to be excused.
Not until he suddenly looked around and
saw that Mrs. Belknap's dark eyes were
fixed in close scrutiny upon his face did
he realize how he was betraying himself.
Then he rallied, but with evident effort.
The colonel was standing but few
PAGES away, chatting with Mrs Law
rence and his faithful adjutant. Mrs.
Sprague stepped quickly towards him
and spoke few words in low tone,
while Mrs. Belknap remained looking
straight into Perry's eyes. Before the
young fellow could gather himself. Col
Brainard, as though in reply to a 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
so: / 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.
He longcd to go. The colonels invita-
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 DR..
Quin is with her."
Pcrry's hesitation vanished. "Thauk
you, colonel. l believe l don't care to
so,' he answered, and, raising his cap
I" tin" ladi.'-. i, ru.! ON his hre. and
hurr,n,;~s2 hi Quarters Mrs. B.laa,ap
s'"''i watrh hin- Iii" on" moment, The"
calmly ro.iYinc,i the l,a:iv at the gate
"Well," said she, Will. the languil
tlrawl that her rc.imcntal associates had
learned to know so well, "this has been
a day of surprises, has it not? Only
fancy our having beautiful English
hciress here within reach ard never
knowing it until touay!'
"But you had a surprise of your own,
had you not:" interposed Mrs. Sprasuc,
who was still chatting over the fact that
her lovely and dangerous neighbor should
have so monopolizcd the guest she con-
sidered hers by prior right, and who
meant to remind her thus publicly of