The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-02-26

"You know how impossible il Is for me |
to tell you how thank you. Mr.. Perry
and he had simply bowed over 1t. long.
ing to say what he thought. blu, power
less to think of anything else; and then |
he had gone TO his own quarters and |
shut himself in. Mrs. Sprague-bless |
her!-had invited him to call after re- |
treat, and he had totally forgotten the |
Lawrences' dinner when he said he |
would be only too glad to come.
At the sounding Of stable call his darky |
servant banged at the door and reused [
him from his reverie. He rose mechan-
ically and went out into the broad SUM-
shine. glancing first along the row to
see how things were looking at the
Sprag,ies' and wishing with all his heart |
that they were somewhere within reach |
Of a conservatory, that he might send q
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 to some one with
whom he had danced the german the
night before and never expected to see
again! What wouldn't he give now for
just few of those wasted, faded. for
gotten flowers! Stables that afternoon
proved sore trial to him.
When at last the men went swinging
homeward in their white canvas frocks
and Perry could return to his quarters 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 ladies were there
at the gate. Mr.. 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
a 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
IF 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; bat, this time, no
consideration Of etiquette stood in tho
way.
''It couldn't be helped" she said, in
low hurried tone, her kind eyes search
ing his, so clouded in the bitterness OF
his disappointment. 1T couldn't be
helped. The news of her accident-or
something-brought on seizure of some
kind Mr.. Maitland was taken very ill,
and they sent for her. The manager
came, and with him her old nurse, Mrs.
Cowan, and DR.. Quin said she could be
moved without trouble: so she had to 60.
hated to have her. too, for I've hardly
had 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 retreating vehicle. 1t
would take him but 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
he realize how he was betraying himself.
Then he rallied, but with evident effort
The colonel was standing but few
PAGES away, chatting with Mra Law
renee and his faithful adjutant Mrs.
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 q sug-
gestion of Mrs Sprague's, suddenly
started, exclaiming, "Why. by all
meansw and then called aloud:
"Ohl Perry, why not gallop down and
overtake the Dunraven carriage and say
good-by2 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 colonera
manner that Peryy's face flushed despite
his effort at nonchalance. The thought
Of seeing her again and hearing her
sweet voice was a powerful incentive.
ton was equivalent to an excuse from
parade. There was no reason why be
should not go. He was on the very
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 moi
wanted, nor any other man. when Dr.
Quin is with her."
Perry's hesitation vanished. Thank
you, colonel I believe I don't care ia
1 Co." he answered, and, raising his CAP
to the ladies, turned on his heel and
hurried to his quarters. Mrs. Belknar
stood watching him one moment. then
calmly rejoined the party at the gate.
"Well," said she. with the anguid
drawl that her regimental associates had
learned to know 60 well. "this has beel
day OF surprises. has 1t not2 Onl,,
fancy our having beautiful Engiisl
heiress here within reach and neve
knowing it until todayT
"But you had a surprise Of your own
had you not?" interposed Mrs. Sprague
who was still chafing over the fact tina
her lovely and dangerous neighbor shoui'
have SO monopolized the guest she con
4 sidered hers by prior right, and VIII
meant to remind her thus publicly O
the neglect Of which she had been guilty
"Mrs. Page, you meanr responde
Mrs Belknap, with the same languid
imperturbable manner. Eyes; poor Jen
niel She Is alxavs utterly ueed ND afte