The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-03-16

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 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 como
when Mr.. Hayne would be asked every
where AID he and his correspondingly
dropped. He turned miserably away
and went back to the billiard rooms at
the store. When Mrs. Rayner rang her
bell for tea that evening he had not re-
appeared, and she sent a messenger for
MIN.
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 a cloak over her shoulders
Miss Travers stepped out on the piazza
and gazed in delight upon the moonht
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 sergeants 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,
the Chinaman sped in pursuit, and the
next thing she noted was that Mr..
HAYNES fur cap was blown from his
head, and that he was cropping for il
helplessly.
There was no one to call, no one to
assist. She hesitated one minute, looked
anxiously around, then sprang to the
gate, picked up the cap, pulled it well
down over the bandaged eyes, seized the
young officer firmly by the arm, drew
him within the gate and led him to the
shelter of the piazza. Once out of the
fury of the gale, she could hear his ques-
ton, "Did you get it all, Sam?'
'Not yet" she answered. Oh, how she
longed for a deep contradict ''He is COM
ing. He viii be here in moment"
II ana so sorry to have been a trouble
to you," ne began again, vaguely.
s'You are no trouble to me. I'm glad
1 was where happened to see you and
could help"
He spoke no more for a minute. She
stood gazing at all that was visible of the
: pale face below the darkened eyes, Il
was so clear cut, so refined in feature,
and the lips under the sweeping blonde
uustache, though set and compressed,
were delicate and pink. He turned his
head eagerly towards the parade; but
Sam was still far away. The music had
scattered and was leading him lively
dance.
''Isn't my servant coming" he asked,
constrainedly. 81 fear I'm keeping you.
Please do not wait. He will find me here.
You were going somewhere"
"No-unless it was here" She was
trembling now. 'Please be patient, Mr..
Hayne. Sam may be minute or two
yet, and here you are out of the wind"
Again she looked in his face. He was
listening eagerly to her words, as though
striving to ''place" her voice. Could she
be mistaken? Was he, too, not tremblingf
Beyond all doubt his lips were quivering
now.
May l not know who it is that led me
here?' he asked, gently.
She hesitated, hardly knowing how to
tell him.
''Try and guess" she laughed, nerv-
ousiy. ''But you couldn't. You do not
know my name. 1t is my good fortune,
Mr.. Hayne. You-you saved my kitten;
I-your cap"
|
There was no installing his start. Be
yond doubt he had WINGED as though
stung, and was now striving to grope his
way to the railing. She OWNED his pur-
pose in an instant, and her slender hand
was laid pleadingly yet firmly on his arm
MIR. Hayne, don't go. Don't think Of
going. Stay here until Sam comes. He's
coming now" she faltered.
, SIS this Capt. Rayner's house?' he
asked, hoarse and low.
, No matter whose it Isl 1 welcome
you here. You shall not CO." she cried
;.npulsively, and both little hands were
Juggling at his arm. He had found the
railing, and was pulling himself toward
the gate, but her words, her clinging
hands, were too persuasive.
81 cannot realize this" he said. at
do not understand
do not try to understand it, Mr..
Hayne. If am only girl, 1 have q
right to think for myself. My father
was soldier-I am Nellie Travers-and
if he were alivesI know well he would
have had me do inst what r havp dona