Telegram-herald., 1891-11-29
CHAPTER ur

with Mrs. Allen or her sister, they
thought they would go early and have
a coy little time before ths others ar
rived.
May and Eva Grant, Mrs. Aliens sis
ter. were sitting in little alcove which
was curtaincd CT from the parlor.
They partly drew the curtains so that
their littlc retreat was in deep shadow
ard they themselves not perceived by
the first comers. They sat by win
dow, which opened on TO one end of the
verarda, and watched the people come
up the walk to the house.
Presently few gentlemen congre-
gated on the porch at the opposite end
from them. They were discussing q
purchase that Capt. Armstrong hst.
made that morning. 1t was beautiful
panther's skin. and the captain had
paid so high price to get 1t that q
great deal Of curiosity was felt as to
what he mont to do with it.
The party were just about TO enter
the house when Capt. Armstrong was
seen crossing the parade; they waited
for him and rs he came up the steps
one Of them hailed him with:
~ say. Armstrong! Where's the cats
skin? We expected nothing less than
to see it draped around your graceful
shoulders tonight"
Armstrong laughed. Nevertheless
it's on its way to Washington by this
time" he answered.
One OF the young fellows gave q
significant whistle, and another re-
marked in a very innocent tone:
al suppose it's for your uncle, tho
senator?"
Curiosity is Your besetting sin, ros-
ter" the captain answered, gravely.
Then as the young men passed into tho
hall ne turned with a smile to Carleton,
who had come up the steps and now
stood beside him.
II knew IL would delight Edith's ar
tistic soul" ne said, land make good
hearth rug for her new house."
II should think so!' his friend re-
piled, but when are we all to present
substantial tokens of cur esteem?"
"Oh. about the holidays, / hope. I
cannot possibly go east before then"
IL suppose you viii apply for long
leave?''
"Ies, rather"
"Lucly dog. but, old man, don't be-
grudge you any of your privileges. You
deserve them ALL"
Carleton put his hand through his
friends arm and they walked to tho
other end of the moonlit piazza. The
two fair eavesdroppers heard him say
something in low, earnest voice, and
saw him grasp for moment the cap
tain's hand.
He is con9ratulating him." Eva
whispered
"Ah mel really have got 70 give In
that our handsome captain has q sweet
heart in the east. have half believed
all summer that IL was just garrison
gossip"
May stood up. "fet us not eavesdrop
any longer. Come" she said. holding
out her hand. and together they went
into the parlor. where anxious inquir-
les were bcing made for them.
Meanwhile oat in the moonlight Capt.
Armstrong was listening 70 a story told
in boyish, impetuous way. Carleton
had begun il By saying suddenly:
Ralph, would give few years Of
my life to have been in your place yes
terday. bat bless you Just the same for
what ron didi Sac was under my caro-
and IL she had been-hurt lhis voice fall
tered a l;ttlel would have blamed my
self all my life"
Then sitting down he rested his el-
bows en- tie railing and bis chin In his
hands. ard looking away to the glim-
rrering mountains told In short, Inn
pulsive sentences his story of the sum-
rner. his hopes. and above all his fears,
and The captain listened to him. CARED
too AZ The FAR ct mountains. and when
he had ssished wrunr his hand silent
". finding No word of comfort for his
friend.
May was he center ef an animated
rroup wher the two gentlemen en-
tered the parior She had been all ami
nation before their entrance, but as
they advanced toward the sofa where
she sst, she felt sudden nervousness
take possession Of her. She had meant
&c make her greeting very kind and was
arroyes 80 6ud how constrained IL was
All gayety seemed sudaeniy te have
left the iits'e xroup and conversation
becsnss di6lculA Capt Armstrong. too,
se~r,eS lsherinx with . feeling Of eon-
straint, and Llsn&- Carieton gar spirits
seemed suffering from an eclipse. After
fsw rsorents IRE FTcup began -
break ur: p~rkaps the others theught
that the twe esief scsors u what cams