Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-03-14


Us, if he's an officer"
Probably he doesn't know vou-of
we-are connected with the army. Kate"
"Oh yes, he does. The porter knows
perfectly WELL and told him just before
he left"
eyes, but he didn't know before that
time, did he?'
lie ought to have known " said Mrs,
Rayncr, uncompromisingly cat least,
he should if he had taken the faintest
interest. | mentioned Capt. Rayner SO
that he could not help hearing"
This statement being ono that Miss
Travers could in no wise contradict-as
it was one, indeed, that Mrs. Rayner
could have dispensed with as unneces-
eary-tho younger lady again betook
herself to silence and pulling the kittens
ears.
Even if he didn't know BEFORE" CON
tinued her sister, after a pause in which
she had apparently been brooding over
the indifference Of the young man in
| question, che ought to have made him
self known after told him who | was
Another pause. That's what | did it
for she wound up, c1nclusivelv.
"And that's what thought" said Miss
! Travers, with quiet smile. "However,
! he had no time then; he was hurrying
! of to sec whether any of the soldiers
| had come on board. lie took his flask
with him, and apparently was in haste
to offer some one drink. I'm sure that
is what papa used TO do she added, as
she saw frown gathering on her sisters
| face.
what papa did just after the war-a
| time when everybody drank-is not at
all the proper thing now. Capt. Rayner
never touches it, and don't allow it in
the house.
still l should think it very useful
article when n lot of frozen and eX-
aausted men are on ones hands," said
! Miss TraVerS. That was but a small
flask he had and I'm sure they'll need
more"
There came rush of cold air from the
front. and the swinging door blew open
ahead of the porter, who was heard
Banging shut the outer portal. Then he
! hurried in.
Can some of YOU gentlemen oblige
me with some whisky or brandy he
asked. "Wc've got some frozen soldiers
aboard. Two Of EN- are pretty nearly
gone"
Two OF the card players dropped their
hands and started for their section at
once. Before they could rummage in
their bags for the required article Mrs.
Rayners voice WAS heard Take this,
porter" And she held forth a little sill
Huc1- Il lo- -,
1t is needed she added, while a blush
mounted to her forehead as she saw the
quizzical smile on her sisters face.
You know | always carry it in travel
ing. Nellie-in case of accident or i'll
ness. and I'm most thankful | have it
now.
Ever 50 much obliged ma'am,' said
the porter, "but this would be only a
rhimbcful and can get quart bottle
of this gcntlcman.'
Where are they?" said the person
thus referred to, as lie came down the
aisle with big brown bottle in his
hand. Come. Jim. let's go and see
what we can do. One of you gentlemen
take my place in the game" he contin-
ued. indicating the commercial gents
two of whom. nothing loath. dropped
INTO nc vacated seats, white the others
pushed on 10 the front Of the train. The
porter hrsitatod one moment.
"Ycs, take my flask | shouldn't feel
satisfied without doing something. And
please say to the officer that I'm Mrs
Rayner-AIrs. Capt. Rayner, of the in
fantry-and ask il there isn't something
| can do to help"
YES, ma'am; | will, ma'am. Oh, he
knows who YOU are; / done told him last
night. He's goin to Fort Warrcner,
too" And, touching his cap, away went
the porter,
"There. He did know all along" said
Mrs. Rayner triumphanty. at is most
extraordinary
"Well, is il the proper thing for peo-
pie in the army to introduce themselves
! when travelling: How are they to know
it will be agreeable:'
agreeable? Why, Nellie, it's always
done, especially when ladies are travel
ing without an escort, as we are. The
commonest civility should prompt it, and
| officers always send their cards by the
porter the moment they fin7 army ladies
are on tl.a train. l don't understand this
| one at all, especially But here she
5 broke of abruptly.
t Especially WHAT" asked Miss Nell
with an inspiration of maidenly curios.
S ity
Especially nothing. Never mind
3 now And here the baby began tc
tidget, and stir about, and stretch forth
| his chubby hands, and thrust hi:
/ knuckles in his eyes, and quicker up his
e face in alarming contortions preparatory
; to a wall, and after one or two soothing
t and tentative sounds of "sh-sl-sh-
sh" from the maternal lips the matror
Q abandoned the attempt to induce 4 sec
4 ond nap, and picked him up in her arms
t where he presently began to take gra
a cious notice of his pretty aunt and the
= kitten.
Two hours later, just as the porter haC
/ notified them that Wawcner Station
I would be i'll sight in five minutes, tn,