The National tribune., 1890-03-06

expanding under his kindly care; but for
herself she endeavOred at all times TO act as
would be expected of Capt DupOnt's widow.
it was hard work she had been such lit
tie time in the Army that she was not al
WAYS sure what would be
THE PROPER THING
Tor Mrs. Dupont to dO-indeed, Mt no time
had she so fully realized that she was Mrs.
Dupont rather than plain Katherine, rs now.
Distinctions of rank were not fully imbed-
ded In her gentle mind, and in the life she
had mostly led what a man was had more
weight than what he seemed. Miss Patience
did not hesitate TO rail at her little assump-
fions Of dignity. Mr.. R0emer was gentle
man, If She ever saw one aud she was sure
a man who knew so much was entitled TO
some consideration on that account.
But Katherine held firm. The shoulder
straps and sword. which she now occasion
ally unrolled, though il must be confessed
( with q shudder. pleaded for themselves; and
though she might meet SeTg't Roemer with
a smile and even flush of pleasure, the
chcvrons on his sleeve were like wall of
adamaut between them, and she would not
invite him 10 the house rs her guest.
".
The little cottage in the garden was very
still. Guy. the idol of ALL was sick unto
death. Nobody knew how he took the con
tagion. hut now he lay struggling through
malignant scarlet fever, and his mothers
heart was well-nigh broken. Miss Patience
was pale and anxious and every day found
Serg't Roemer at the door with anxious in
quiries and doWncast brow. But il matteTcd
not. The little fellow lay in a siupor from
nd tb.atr
felt the crisis had come. Minutes length
enediBto hours, and still he slept At length
the blue ewes opened. then closed again, and
then he whispered, Mamma" The anxious
mother took the little wasted fingers III her
own, and again he slept. But the breath
came more regularly, and when he woke
again. ihough feeble and wan he knew them
an, and the first danger was passed. Bat
what long convalescence it was! How he
begged Tor every thing he ought not TO have!
And how tired he grew OF everything! And
at last. Katherine never questioned how,
Aunt Patience smugglcd his soldier friend
into the little patient From that time
nursing became an easy task. Strong arms
carried the restless child by the hour; tales
were brought from every known land for his
entertainment: the quaintcst Of toys devised
for his amusement And when at last he was
able % 60 out no mother could have cared for
him more teHderly, more thOnghtiully. Aud
the Sumner DAYS sped into Autumn. As the
child recovered Adolphe gradually withdrew
from the cottage, and katherine wondered and
Guy asked fer him every day. In answer 10
his perpetual Why she said she supposed
be was busy; that strong men
HAD A DEAL OF WORK TO DO,
and little boys and their mammas must not ex-
pect TO take too much Of their time. Miss
Patience scolded. and was sure Katherine was
to blame. aHd for her part she would be
ashamed TO be so proud toward a man who had
al but saved the chIld's lie.
Katherine Dapont was no student still from
time 10 time she drew certain class Of books
from a library near by. The next day. feeling
restless. and perhaps q trife lonely, she cuvel-
Dped herself IN the long, black vail. without
which she never appeared 10 pnhiic, and start
I'd TO exchange a package Of books FOR new
supply. Pushing her way through the heavy
door, someone held il back that she might pass,
and, looking up. she was surprised 10 see SerE't
AOener. Both felt a momeniary emharrass-
ment but. recovering herself. Katherine thank
ed him. and made some indifferent remark
about the weather. 70 which he responded rs peO-
pie do who are trying 70 make conversation. But
bis thought was on the graceful little figure be-
fore him-on the gentle, appealing eyes, which
seemed fan Of reproach
Yes be was quite well; he had been very
much engaged Maj. Lyall was out Of the city.
How WAS Hiss Patience and Master GUY"
Katherine noticed the added distance and
respect in lis tone. and tried 10 dispcl il with
a smile. You viii have 70 come aud see for
yourself" she said. lie booked at her for =
moment with glad light in his eyes, and said,
softly, "8iay T."
The tone. rather than the words, startled
Katherine and brought the iTeacheFous blood
& - Z
her woods she had answered with the couyeu-
tionai Certainly" and passed on. u was
only ono word, aud she really meant nothing
by j. For months be bad been coming 60 the
house when lie pleased. bot has question today
evidently s;gBiGed more than a formal visit
Hitherto be had been Miss Patience's guest.
Guys friend. bot now be intended 90 bc her
guest or none. She was startled by the alferna-
tive, and said 10 herself =" He must be kept in
his place. u is strange how presuming some
people are"
As Ars. Dupont left the library Adolphe
watched her IN q dazed sort Of way till She q lis
appeared. and then turned slowly toward his
room. Fool. Idioti" be murmured over and
over. de Lad
SWORN 50 sAvkGELY
that he would not 20 near her again, and here
al The slightest ghost Of an invitation he was
thrown into as great 6Utter Of delight as a
Ssg u - H4-al war X 70 HlBl LHaL iAfh talTF-
like woman was 70 gracious and sYect-doubt-
Jess she Was 80 % every man she knew What
cid she care Tor his admiration-he an enlisted
man. q common soGic-y For the first time he
was ashamed Of lis uniform. aud. with "A gesture
Of contempt flung bis jacket and cap 10 the
fartbest corner u the room. Why had be been
such al idiot as % place himself in a position
from which there was DO retreaIT What right
bad BE- even 10 look on one 50 far above him
Thus lashiHg himself be paced the room hour
alter hour. hlth grim smile be pictured
the discomfort mayhap the disgrace, that
would await HIM ii tie situation was even sus.
pected lu the regiment He had never heard
81 an lugiaHcc where an enlisted man had
dared 10 love a member Of an officers family
peTchaucc il was such an unprecedented nlTenst
that 10 penalty was prescribed; but. all th,
same, he knew full well the penalty would
come, And Ac did love her. Il was Of no use Il
deny d, even though she should scorn him Ice
meath her feet In vain he tried 10 nerve him
self 70 q stern determination 10 keep ava,
from her His hungry heart cried out, Jus
OHee mOre-ouce more"
The next morning AdOlphe dragged hifnsel
through the daily duties at the Office. and tbei
counted the hours tili the evening when h,
knew be should find Mrg Dupont at nome
The Major Was more iTascible than usual ia,
men THAI were 10 be examined more slupid
bat IL TuattCrcd nOt-ior one day al least b
would think only Of happiness, and trige
should hot disturb him.
When be entered the parlOr Katherine wa
Al the ftiafIg FIawfn1 v,l,. af t. g.,