The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-01-22
CHAPTER XIT.-Continued.

At the sounding OF stable call his darky
servant banged at the door and reused
him from his revere 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
againi What wouldn't he give now for
just few of those. wasted faded, for
gotten fowersl Stables. that. afternoon
proved sore trial to. him.
When at last the men went swinging
homeward in, their white canvas frocks
and Perry could return to his quarters to
dress for his eagerly anticipated cSl!. the
i'll sight OF officers row WAS u huge, bulky
covered travelling carriage in front of
Spragues' Two or three ladies were there
at the gate. Mr.. Even, the English man
ager, was just mounting his horse. DR.
Quin. too, was there and already in sad
die; and before poor Perry could get half
way across the parade, and just as the
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 adjutant with raised forage caps
Gladys Maitland was driven slowly away
and Mrs. Belknap stood there in the little
group of ladies smiling sweetly upon him
as he hastened towards them For many
a long day afterwards mess call always
made him think of Mrs. BeIknap's smile,
and Mrs. Belknap's smile of mess call
He shuddered at the sound of once 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.
Belknap to reach him, but. this time, no
consideration of etiquette stood in the
way
1T couldn't be helped" she said, in
low hurried tone, her kind eyes search
ing his, so clouded in the bitterness OF
his disappointment. 1T couldn't be
helped The news of her accident-o1
something-brought on seizure of some
kind Mr.. Maitland was taken very ill,
and they sent for her. The manager
came. and with him her old nurse, Mrs
Cowan, and DR.. Quin said she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to go.
hated to have her. too, for I've hardly
had 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 a 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 he could not ask to be excused.
Not until he suddenly looked around and
saw that Mrs Belknap's dark eyes were