Telegram-herald., 1890-02-14

You know how impossible II Is for me
- tell you how thank you. Nr. Perry.
and he had simply bowed over IL long
ing 20 say what he thought. buI power
less 10 think Of anything else. and then
be had gone TO his own quarters and
shut himself IN Nrs. prsgue-bless
her,-had invited him 70 call after re-
treat. and he had totally forgotten the
Lawrences' dinner when he said he
would De only too glad 10 come.
AT the sounding OF stable cal his darky
servant banged az the door and reused
him from his reverie. He rose mechan-
ically and went out into the broad sun
shine, glancing first along the row 10
see how things were looking al the
Spragues' and wishing with all his heart
that they were somewhere within reach
OF a conservatory, that be 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 10 some one with
whom he had danced the german the
night before and never expected 10 see
agsinl What wouldn't he give now for
Just few OF those wasted. faded. for
gotten fowersl Stables that afternoon
proved a sore trial to him
When at last the men went swinging
homeward in their white canvas frocks
and Perry could return 70 hisquarters to
dress for his eagerly anticipated call. the
first thing that met his eyes as he came
in sight of officers row was huge. bulky,
covered travelling carriage in front Of
Spragues'. Two or three lstiies were there
at the gate. bIr. 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 fastened towards them For many
long day afterwards mess call always
made him think of Mrs. Belknap's smile,
and Mrs Belknap's smile of mess call.
He shuddered at the sound Of one or sight
Of the other.
1t was Mrs. Sprague who stepped for
ward to greet him, her womanly heart
filed 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.
at couldn't be helped" she said, In
low hurried tone, her kind eyes search
ing his, so clOuded in the bitterness Of
his disappointment. lit couldn't be
something-brought on a seizure Of some
kind. Dir. Maitland was taken very i'll.
and they sent for her. The manager
came, and with him her old nurse, Mrs
Cowan, and Or. Quin said she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to 90
hated to have her. too, for I've hardly
had a word with her: Mrs. Belknap has
been there most OF the afternoon. even
when she had 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 retreatiDg vehicle. It
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
fixed In close scrutiny upon his face did
hs realize how he was betravinS himself.
Then he rallied. but with evident effort.
The colonel vas standing but few
PAGES away. chatting with Mrs Law
renee and his faithful adiutant Mrs.
Spragus stepped quickly towards him
and spoke few words in low tone.
while DIrs Beiknap remained looking
straisht into Psrry's eyes Before the
young fellow could gather himself. Col
Braiuard, as though in reply to sug-
Eestion of BIS Spragues. suddenly
started eTclaiming. why. by all
meansT and then called aloud:
"Oh. Perry. why not ga.lop down and
overtake The Duuraveu carriage and say
zood b7' Here's nv horse an saddIed
now right ia ths gard Take bim and
so- I would"
There vas soUethi1E 80 hearty ar3
genial ani svmpatnetic in tie colonel 8
manner that perrv's face dGshed despite
bis effort at nonchaa7ca Ire thought
- seeing her again sni hearing her
sweet voice was a powerful incentive.
lie io7ged 70 GO The coloneIs invi-s-
ton VS. equivalents % an excuse from
parade. There vas no reason Fhv be
should not 50. he was on tie very
Qoiut of thar SfuI.T accepting the tempt
i0z cTer. when M-s Ee snsps words
arrested h.n- Clear and cutting rut
sua so I'w that none but he could hesr,
she srose,
.Tase M word FOR F.. you ere not
va-tei. rcr arv ether man. when Dr.
slio is ch her,
t'rrTs hesitation vanished. Thank
Tr1. colonel believe DONE care ~
g. he answered.. and. raising he cap
.' re lasies. rarnei -n his Zee. and
hurried ~ his quarters Mrs Belknsp
s-'oa watching hln ore moment then
calmly -s5oinei the rarr7 st tla gaze
Wen zii see w-h tre laneuif
3-swl trsr aer rrcl lr'eursI assoc ares lad