The National tribune., 1890-03-06

times that he loved to do things for you and
me. Didn't You? ?" he asked, turning TO his
friend. 1t WIS an embarrassing question, but
he met ii bravcly.
Certainly did, and. If mamma pleases, you
and ! will 90 for walk tomorrow and we
will see if we cannot find new house for the
guineas."
1t was Guys bedtime, but his mother clnng
TO him in scll-defenSe. Never had he been
encouraged 10 talk so unreservedly. Katherine,
too, spoke in a nervous, excited manner that
surprised herself, In truth, she dreaded any
pause. fearing she knew not what, and Adolphe
was quite content TO listen Guy might chat
ter and his mamma talk nonscnse-he was near
his idOl-hc could almost touch her gown and
that was happiness enough
Adolphe Rocmer went homo that night well
pleased with all the world He was man
peculiarly susceptible TO domcsticity, and the
quiet evening with Katherine had filled him
with eager longings How sweet she looked |!
How gentle! She seemed the model hausfrau.
and he likcncd her to his mother, and every
good woman he had ever known.
But with the morning another mood swept
over him, and he was filed with self-loathing
and contempt;
THE BARRIER BETWEEN THEM
seemed mountain high again, and he cursed
himself for his folly. For hours he passed al
ternatcly from despair TO ioy-never TO hope in
his widest moments; but Guys bchests must
be obCycd; 10 please the child was TO please tho
mother and 10 be near her was heaven.
Under the new order of things Katherine
tried IN vain TO nurse her pride and keep in
good repair the wall or PARTITION between them;
her natural self would assert itself rs the days
went ON, the ready smile would como when
Guy was pleased and so at length it came to
pass that her sense of dignity was crushed back
out Of sight and heavy stone rolled upon its
diShonorcd grave.
Bocmcr was not insensihle to the change and
endeayoTed in every way to fill the void in
these two lonely lives. He had much leisure
time. and as the Winter evenings heightened
he told them tales of the Fatberland; he read
10 them, and Katherine was surprised TO find
how much more she enjoyed books than she
ever had before; he hantcd places where men
c0nEreEaicd. that he might bring them bits of
news: he planned games for the child; till at
last Miss Patience frankly declared she did not
know how they ever got along without him!
But despite thcso sunny days ROcmer had
many secret misgiving. The dreaded awak
cniug from his fairy dream stood ever like
spcctcr before him. II he alone suffered il did
not matter, hut even while he said it he felt n
deatby sinking of his heart at thought of
losing her forever. He dare not take ad vantage
OF her innocent trust, and il she loved him, rs
he began TO hope she did. God help them both
From time 70 time Maj. Lyall had asked his
assistant how he put i'm his leisure time but
had never received any more satisfactory
answer than that he had some friends in town
whom he visited The Major had too many
complications Of his own 10 burden himself
with anxiety about 4 subordinate who was
always on time in business hours, sober and
ready 10 attend to his duties. but with so many
outside interests there came a day when his
necessary correspondence began to suffer, aud
one evening hc hade Rocmer come back and
write it up FOR him. IL was one Of the evenings
when he was expected at the little cottage, and
he asked respectfully il IL would not do in the
morning?
The Major turned on him fcrcely and said,
why. srg"
made an engagement for this evening"
was the reply, not knowing you would want
me. can easily write the letters in the morn
ing before mail time, If you arc willing"
"BUT AN NOT WILLING.
See that you do il tonight. What business
has fellow like Son TO make an engagement"
And slatnIning the door with what someone has
called wooden oath, Maj. I.yalI went out
IL was Of 40 use FOR the Sergeant 70 bite his
lip with disappointment aud vexation-the
order must be oheyed. and for the first time
Katherine looked Tor him in vain.
When Maj. Iyall came to the Office in the
morning, he had pain in his head and some
very ugly words on his tongue; but the letters
were all neatly written, awaiting his signature
and his assistant was on hand, neat orderly
and respectful rs usual. lie would gladly have
found some object on which 10 vent his not
over-pleasaut humor. and fcowiiug nj the Ser
geant be said, Did you 20 out last night"
Rocmcr sprang 10 lis feet aud answered
quietly, =" No sir"
{" hv didn't Won ?"
Because you ordered me TO write the letters,
and they kept me too late"
Hnmph! Aud where were you goiug?"
% bad an engagement. sir
To 20 to thc lheaterI"
No, SIR
"Confound you, what do you mean by your
mlncIug Yes, siTs, and No. sirs Why don t
you tell me where you were going?"
3" had rather not, sir" The tone was low
and respectful, but determined
Maj. LyaIi gloweTcd for moment behind
his glasses-he was ia a mood 10 punish some.
body; but there was limit even % his author
ity, aud turning augrily on his stool he said
" You sneak. you shall pay for this"
Maj. Lyal Was not much Of d correspondent,
but that night after Office hours he came back
long enough 10 write note 10 his Colonel
IL was not very long, but it took his unsteady
hand good while 10 get it just as he wanted
II. At last IL read IN this fashion:
BUiFALo, Nov. TO- ls-.
Col. J. W. CARVER. til Inf
DEAH COLONEL: This recruiting n slow business
but still nu getting few good men. By the end
Of tlc month think will have a squad of 20
who ought 10 be forwarded 30 headquarters soon
a. possible. ! don't know what your object was
ia detailing Segge ROcneT 10 this place but illinl.
II mistake. He las got into some con.
founded woman scFnpc here, aud would respect
fully suggest that tie sooner hc returns TO his
regiment the better.
Very respectfully. your obedicni servant.
HEsEY j. LYALL. InjOr, --th Inf
When he had finished the letter, the Major
folded it carefully and posted il himself, thai
there might be no mistake about it.
V.
Mai. Lyall waited long for an answer TO hi,
valued letter, and with each days waiting hi
impatence with his Sergeant grew more pro
nounced. In vain he tried TO find out Tn,
I secret bis assistant guarded 50 carefully: IN
/ vain he looked for him at any place Of amnsc
\ mcnt, or set traps 10 catch him unguardedly
/ lie had even condesccnded, On more than one
occasion, 20 follow him at "A distance, but all tt
4 no purpose. Where his Sergeant spent hi
leisure time remained a secret still. Why Il,
/ should care WAS a question Iocmcr often asked
I himself, bat whether from idlcuess or malicious
ness, he did care, aud IL became the younger
mans dearest object to keep his sweet idyl /,
| himself
But everything is said to come 10 him VIII,
waits, aud at last the Major received the long
1 expected letter from Col. Carver. After dealin,
/ with purely official matters, the writer said: