Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-11-13

lSL
II don't knoW hon TO tell you hoW 4 re
grct haping 10 SAP No ar. Lane"
Never before had Fred Lane known the
sensation of being reluctant to reioin his
regiment. When the colonel wrote a per
sonal letter to him some eight or ten weeks
previous, telling him that Curran would
almost surely get the next vacancy on the
retired list and that he would expect his
old adjutant to come back to them at once
and restore efficiency and discipline to
Troop d, Mr.. Lane replied with the utmost
readiness: but this was before Mabel Vim
cent came into his life and changed its
whole current. How much and how de
votedly he loved her Lane himself never
realized until the day Of his promotion
reached HIM, and with it the news that his
successor was already designated He knew
that within the week he might expect
orders from the war department TO join his
troop mt Fort Graham as soon as he had
turned over his funds and property to the
officer designated to relieve him, he knew
Noel so well as to feel assured that he
would not wait for the arrival of formal
orders, but, if the colonel would permit,
would start the instant he received tele-
graphic notification from Washington that
"Old Riggs nomination had been APP
proved, "This is Wednesday, he unused;
''and by a week from today | can count on
his being here; and IN ten days | must 60"
There was a large party that night, and,
fully a week before, he had asked that he
might have the honor Of being Miss Vim
cents escort. 1t was with great disappoint-
mcnt that he received her answer, which
was spoken. however, in a tone Of such sor~
row that poor Lane felt that the barbs, at
least, of the arrow had been removed.
~ don't know how TO tell you how ! re
greet having TO say No Mr.. Lane" she
said, and there was a tremor in her voice
and a little culver at the corners Of her
pretty mouth. II have almost felt conf
dent that you were going to ask me-is that
a very bold thing to sayf-for you have
been $3.50 kind TO me since our first meet
ing, and indeed / wanted in some way TO
let you know that there wtee other ar
rangemeuts already made. But how could
| say anythings Mr.. Rossiter, the eldest
son of fathers former partner, comes to
pay us a visit Of four or five days before he
goes abroad again. And be is a great friend
Of the Chiltons, and, being our guest, he
goes with me, Indeed, I'm very sorry, Mr..
Lane, if you are disappointed"
Fred, OF course, begged that she should
give herself no unensiness. There was no
girl whom he had thought of taking.
Mn. hossiter was very much 10 Ike envied,
and he wc-ld like % call and pay his re-
speets to th1t gentleman when he arrived.
"By all means do. said Miss Vincent.
md, If not asking too much, would Mr..
Lane get him "a card at the cghs Brother
Rex was away. or she wouldn't trouble
him. But Lane was delighted TO be trou
jiel Anything she asNcd-lus service he
render her-he flew with untold
.agerness to accomplish; and, though prop
'rly Jealous of the coming mdI-this MIR. /
3oas.ter, of whom he had never before
mention-he was eager to meet and
.nteftain him, The gentleman was TO ar
i've pa Monday, and Lane spent "a delight
nj evening at the Nincents', wondering
Why be hadn't come. Tuesday would sure
y bring him, or an explanation, said Miss
and on Tuesday Lane WAS prompt
0 call, and glad to spend another long
40 the hospirable old homestead,
nd stoutly didhe hold his ground through
successive relays Of visitors, euuour
ged TO do so BY "a certain look IN his lady's
eyes that spoke volumes 10 his
hrobbing heart, ana THAT very next morn
lg at the club he found her dainty mis-
i've on his breakfast table.
How early she must have risen 10 write
land TO have seen the announcement of
is promotion in the Washington dis
atches. True, he remembered that it was
'equently her pleasure to be up betimes to
i've her father his coffee: for Vincent pere
-as a business man of the old school. who
ked to begin early in the day. OF course
e had seen the name ia the Washington
ews and had read the paragraph TO her;
lat was the way to count Tor IT, But
er note was a JOY to him in its sweet, half
half confidential wording She mere
wrote to say that Mr.. Rossiter had wired
nat he would be detained in New York
ntil the end Of the week; and now. if Capt.
ane nd really made no engagement. She
be glad indeed if he cared to renew
be invitation which with such regret she
compelled a week ago to decline. Lane
AoAEDl " ntNakAt-h ia lis AlA>lt AON
ush to the writing room and send her a
eply.
All The Queen City" had been quick to
se or hear of his sudden smite'' and con
devotion to Mabel Vincent, and
reat was The speculation a. TO the prob
BILE result
How can she encourage him as she
oess What can she see in that solemn
Indignantly demanded Miss Fanny
who had shown a marked interest
Mr.. Lane during his first six months in
and had danced with him all
through the season. "He is n Of the for
PRIEST, stupidest men | ever knew-ut-
arly unlike what | supposed a cavalry
ficer 70 be"
Aud yet, Fanny dear, you were very
much taken mp with him the first winter
asst year. l mean, was the reply Of her
devoted and intimate friend.