The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-01-22
A Story of American Frontier Life.
AUTHOR OF nTHE COLoNEL's DAUGHTER" "FRONG TIE
"THE DEsERTER" ETC.
Copyrighted 1885, Philadelphia and Published
Special through the American Press Association

he realize how he was betraying himself.
Then, he rallied but with evident effort
The colonel was standing but few
PAGES away, chatting with Mrs Law,
renee and his faithful adjutant hrs.
Sprague stepped quickly towards him
and spoke few words in low tone
while Mrs. Belknap remained looking
straight into Perry's eyes. Before the
young fellow could gather himself. Col
Brainard, as though in reply to sug-
gestion of Mrs. Sprague's, suddenly
started, exclaiming, "Why by all
means!" and then called aloud:
''Oh! Perry, why not gallop down aud
overtake the Dunraven carriage and say
good-by? Here's my horse all saddled
now right in the yard. Take him and
go: would
There was something so hearty and
genial and sympathetic in the colonels
manner that Perry's face flushed despite
his effort at nonchaIance The thought
of seeing her again and hearing her
sweet voice was a powerful incentive.
He longed to go. The colonies invita-
3 Cionswas equivalent to an excuse from
parade There was no reason Why he
point of thankfully accepting the tempt
ing offer, when Mrs. Belknap's words
arrested him Clear and cutting, but
still so low that none but he could hear
she spoke:
''Take my word for it, you are not
wanted, nor any other man. when DR..
Quin is with her."
Perry's hesitation vanished. 'Tha1k
you, colonel l believe I don't care L.,
60" he answered. and, raising his cap
to the ladies, turned on his heel and
hurried to his quarters. Mrs. Belknap
stood watching him one moment, then
calmly rejoined the party at the gate
well" said she, with the languid
drawl that her regimental associates bad
learned to know so well. this has been
a day of surprises, has it not? Only
fancy our having a beautiful English
heiress here within reach and never
knowing it until todayl"
But you had surprise of your own
had you not?'' interposed Mrs. Sprague,
who was still chatting over the fact that
her lovely and dangerous neighbor should
have SO monopolized the guest she con-
sidered hers by prior right. and who
meant to remind her thus publicly of
the neglect of which she had been guilty
Mrs Page, you mean?" responded
Mrs. BeIknap, with the same languid,
imperturbable manner. Yes: poor Jen-
MEL She is always utterly used up after
one of those long ambulance journeys,
and can only take cup of tea and go to
bed in dsrkened room All she wants
is to be let alone, she says, until she gets
over it suppose she will sleep till
tattoo and then be up half the night
You'll come in and see her, won't you?
Au revoir
And SO, calmly and gracefully and
VIGOROUSLY. the dark eyed dame with
drew, leaving her honest hearted antag-
onist only the sense of evaporation and
defeat
1t was full quarter of an hour after
parade. and darkness was setting down
on the garrison, when Capt. Lawrence's
orderly tapped at the door of Mr. Perry's
quarters, and, being hidden Come in, :"
pushed on to. the sitting room, where he
found that young officer plunged deep
in an easy chair in front of the fireplace
his attitude one of profound detection.
beg pardon, lieutenant" said the
man, "Mrs. Lawrence and the captains
wairin dinner for you"