The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-10-25
A door opened above. "Kate has gone


"Do YOU know where, Nellie:'
Over to the hospital, think; though
I cannot say"
She heard him sigh deeply, move ire
solutely about the hall for q moment,
4hen turn and so out.
At his gate he found two figures dimly
visible in the gathering darkness; they
had stopped on hearing his footstep.
One was an officer in uniform. wrapped
in heavy overcoat. with a fur cap, and
bandage over his eyes. The other was a
Chinese servant, and it was the latter
who asked:
"This Maize Waldlon'sg'
"No," said he. hastily. Maj. Wal
dron's is the third door beyond"
At the sound of his voice the officer
quickly started, but spoke in low, meas
ured tone: straight ahead, SAM" And
the Chinaman led him on.
Rayner stood a moment watching
them, bitter thoughts coursing through
his mind. Mr.. Hayne was evidently
sufficiently recovered to be up and out
for air, and now he was being invited
again. This time it was his old comrade,
Waldron, who honored him. Probably
| it was another dinner. Little by little,
at this rate, the time would soon come
when Mr.. Hayne would be asked every
where and he and his correspondingly
dropped. He turned missrably away
and went back 70 tho billiard rooms at
the store. When Mrs. Rayner rang her
bell for tea that evening he had not re-
appeared, and she sent messenger for
him.
1t was brilliant moonlit evening. A
strong prairie gale had begun to blow
from the northwest, and was banging
shutters and whirling pebbles at furi-
GUS rate. At the sound Of the trumpets'
wailing tattoo brace Of young officers
calling on the ladies took their leave.
The captain had retired to his den, or
study. where he shut himself up good
deal of late, and thither Mrs. Rayner fol-
lowed him and closed the door after her.
Throwing cloak over her shoulders
Miss TraverS stepped out OH the piazza
and gazed in delight upon the moonlit
panorama-the snow covered submits
to the south and west. the rolling ex-
panse of upland prairie between, the
rough outlines of the foothills softened
in the silvery light. the dark shadows of |
the barracks across the parade, the |
twinkling lights Of the serSeants as they
took their stations. the soldierly forms
of the officers Fastening to their COM
panies far across the frozen level.
Suddenly she became aware Of two
forms coming down the walk. They is
sued from Maj. Waldron's quarters, and
the door closed behind them. One was
young officer; the other, she speedily
made out, Chinese servant, who was
guiding his master. She knew the pair
in an instant, and her first impulse was
to retire. Then she reflected that he
could not see, and she wanted to look, so
she stayed. They had almost reached
her gate when a wild blast whirled the
officers cape about his ears and sent
some sheets of music flying across the
road Leaving his master at the fence.
he Chinanan sped in pursuit, and the
lext thing she noted was that Mr..
Haynes fur cap was blown from his
lead' and that he was cropping for it
lelplessly.
There was no one to call, no one to
ssisu. She hesituted one minute. looked
nxiously around, then sprang to the
,ate, picked up the cap. pulled it we'll
Town over the handarel eyes. seized the
'olnS officer frinly by tlr arm, drew
llm within the gate and led him to the
helter Of the piazza. Once out of the
ury OF the gale. she could hear his cues
ION, Did you &. /. I'll! SAM"
Not yer, she answered. Oh now she
onged for a deep tontralto! lie is COM
ng He will be here in q moment"
II am SO so.ry to have been q trouble
o you. he began again, vaguely.
"iou are no trouble to me I'm glad
was where happened to see you and
'osld help"
lie spoke no more for minute. She
TODD gazing at all that was visible of the
'alc face below the darkened eyes. It
vas SO clear cut, so refined in feature,
md the lips under the sweeping blonde
nustache. though set and compressed.
we're delicate and pink. lie turned his
head eagerly towards tho parade: but
sam was still far away. The music had
and was leading him a lively
lance.
Isn't my servant coming? he asked.
81 fear I'm keeping you.
lease do not wait. He will find me here.
You were going somewhere"
"No-unless it was here" She was
remblins now. 'Plcase be patient, Mr., ;
Jayne. Sam may be a minute or two t
ct, and here you are cut of the wind" {
Again she looked in his face. He was I
stening eagerly to her words, rs though d
triving to place" her voice. Could she f
@ mistaken? Was he, too, not trembling9 {