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

ears, even of hands and feet in some
cases, but for your attention. Maj
Stannard will add his thanks to mine
when he returns. Take a seat, sir, for
the present. You are acquainted with
the officers of your own regiment, doubt
less. Mr.. Billings, introduce Mr.. Hayne
to ours"
Whereat the adiutant courteously
greeted the newcomer, presented small
party of yellow strapped shoulders, and
then drew him into earnest talk about
the adventure of the train. 1t was no.
ticed that Mr.. Hayne neither by word
nor glance gave the slightest recogni-
ton of the presence of the officers of his
own regiment, and that they as studi-
ously avoided him. One or two of their
number had indeed risen and stepped
forward, as though to offer him the civil
greeting due to one of their own cloth;
but it was with evident doubt of the re-
suit, They Redeemed when he met their
tentative-which was that of a gentle
man-with a cold look of utter repudia-
ton. He did not choose to see them,
and, of course, that ended it.
Nor was his greeting hearty among the
cavalrymen. There were only few
present, as most of the til were still out
in the field and marching slowly home
ward. The introductions were courteous
and formal, there was even constraint
among two or three, but there was civil
ity and an evident desire to refer to his
services in behalf of their men, All such
attempts, however, Mr.. Hayne waved
aside by an immediate change of the sub
ject. 1t was plain that to them, too, he
had the manner of man who was at
odds with the world and desired to make
no friends.
The colonel quickly noted the general
silence and constraint, and resolved to
shorten it as much as possible. Dropping
his pen, he wheeled around in his chair
with determined cheerlulnesS:
Mr.. Hayne, you will need a day or
two to look about and select quarters and
get ready for work, presume.
"Thank you, colonel No sir. / shall
move in this afternoon and be on duty
tomorrow morning." was the calm reply.
There was an awkward pause for a
moment. The officers looked blankly
from one to another, and then began
craning their necks to search for the
post Quarternaster, who sat an absorbed
listener. Then the colonel spoke again:
Il appreciate your promptpess, MIR.
Hayne: but have you considered that in
choosing quarters according to your rank
you will necessarily move somebody out?
We are crowded now, and many of your
juniors are married, and the ladies will.
want time to pack"
An anxious silence again. Capt. Ray
ner was gazing at his boot toes and try
ing to appear utterly Indifferent; others
leaned forward, as though eager to hear
the answer A faint smile crossed Mr..
Haynes features; he seemed rather to
enjoy the situation:
Il have considered, colonel. | shall
turn nobody out, and nobody need be in
commoded in the least"
sob! then you will share quarters
with some of the bachclors:" asked the
colonel, with evident relief.
mo, sir and the answer was stern il.
tone, though perfectly respectful; Il
shall live as | have lived for years-ut-
One could have heard pin drop in the
oflice-even on the matted floor. The
colonel half arose:
"Why, Mr.. Hayne, there is not a va
cant set of quarters in the garrison. You
will have to move some one out if you
decide to live alone"
"There may be no quarters in the post,
sir, but, if you will permit me, can live
near my company and yet in officers
quarters"
GLOW SO, SIR"
"ln the house out there on the edge of
the gal!ison, facing the prairie 1t is
within stones throw of the barracks of
Company b, and is exactly like those built
for the officers in here along the parade.
"Why, Mr.. Hayne, no officers ever
lived there. 1t is utterly out of the way
and isolated. l believe it was built for
the sutler years ago, but was bought in
blythe government afterwards. Who lives
there now, Mr.. Quartermaster"
mo one, sir. 1t is being used as tail
ors' shop; half dozen of the company
tailors work there but can send them
back to their own barracks. The house
is in good repair, and, as Mr. lIayne says,
exactly like those built for officers use"
And you mean you want to live there
alone, Mr.. Hayne?'
81 do, sir, exactly"
The colonel turned sharply to his
desk once more. The strained silence
continued a moment. Then he faced his
officers.
Mr.. Hayne, will you remain few
moments? | wish to speak with you.
Gentlemen, that is all this morning."
And so the meeting adjourned.
While many of the cavalry officers
stroled into the neighboring club and
reading room it was noticed that their
comrades of the infantry lost no time at
intermediate points, but took the short
est road to the row of brown cottages
known as the officers quarters, The
feeling of constraint that had settled
upon all was still apparent in the group
that entered the club room, and for
moment no one spoke. There was
arpl ,,., II, 4