The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-07-08
Mark said, abruptly, disengaging his

mean that at all; but DO let me lntr0-
duce you to my sweet young friend
Grace Brentwood" and with an air OF
prorrietorship he took the soldier across
the loom and made him known to Miss
Brentwood, with as much sangfroid as
though he had been familiar with that
young person from girlhood. A few
hours later Mark heard him talking OF
Mrs. Besant's niece as "my dear young
friend Kate Lester" and wondered
what there was in the clerical profess
sion that permitted such breaches of
social etiquette, or, es he called it, am
sorry to say, unlimited gall"
Grace and the Captain became fast
friends, and when he told her delicious
little anecdotes of Franks bravery and
general heroism, you may be sure he
did not lose favor in her eyes, which
literally shone with qualification. Then
he had the delightful privilege of lead
ing Kate Lester in to supper and sitting
beside her. Beautiful! Well, he knew
not which to admire most, the prettiness
Of her face or the piquancy of her man
ner.
Miss Ruth sat on the other side of him
at the table, and took perhaps a little
more than her share of the soldiers at
tention--at least so thought Miss Les
ter, If one could judge from her looks.
The conversation was general and OF
course about the war, for in those
stirring days no two or three could
gather together without drifting into
the thrilling channels of that prolific
subject. This person and that known
TO the party personally or by hearsay
were mentioned and their actions dis
cussed, Frank Besant, of course, COM
ing in for more than his share Of the
general interest, when Miss Ruth pro-
pounded a question which seemed to
cause little flutter among the par
sonage party.
"Did you, when you were with Frank
Besant, hear any thing of a young man
named James Lawsonp" she asked her
military neighbor. There was lull in
the conversation, so the question was
painfully distinct.
Before he could reply Mr. Lubin Fer
ry stretched his long neck forward, and
speaking across the table began:
"Ma says she has heard that James
Lawson is"
81 was not asking what your ma said,
brother Ferry" Miss Ruth snapped,
severely. 'Now, perhaps, you'll allow
Captain Henderson to answer my ques-
tion."
"Really, marm," Mark replied, with
a smile at the lady's petulance, 81 don't
think have the pleasure of the gentle
mans acquaintance. Is he one Of Lieu
tenant Besant's brother officers?"
81 suppose he is-he enlisted at the
same time and in the same regiment. l
have only heard once from him since he
left"-how defantly she looked at her
brother-''and then he said he was a
full-private, which / suppose is a step
on the ladder Of rank"
"You surely don't mean tall, ungain-
ly fellow with light hair and eyes that
look two ways at once-ah, yes, think
Besant did say he came from the same
place he did-well, II that is the man
you allude TO, Miss Brentwood, did
see him the very night before left the
camp. He was full private still, Miss
Ruth-so full, that corporals guard
was hustling him OF to the caboose."
A general laugh greeted this unhappy
reminiscence, and from that moment
Captain Henderson sank many degrees
below zero in Miss Brentwood's estima-
ton.
Notwithstanding this little contre-
temp, they spent a most delightful even
ing, TO which Mark Henderson's mind
often wandered in the lone hours by
the campfire, with Kate Testers sweet
face as the crowning centcr-piece Of the
whole delightful reflection.
After supper he enjoyed charming
talk with the two young ladies, which
was only interrupted at nine o'clock,
when Rev. Lubin came to bid them
goodnight, as ma didn't approve Of his
keeping late hours.
When he was gone Harry Burrows
brought forth some excellent cigars and
Mr.. Brentwood and the younger men
by the gracious consent of the ladies
were soon in the full enjoyment Of the
fragrant weed
81 don't suppose BROTHER Ferry
smokes" Harry Burrows explained.
"Im sure he doesn't" Miss Ruth
snapped. "His ma wouldn't let him."
BY and by they drifted into more Sc
rious conversation, and Mrs. Besant
explained plan she had matured of es'
tablishinga woman's working club for
the preparation Of necessnries and COM
forts for the soldiers, appealing to
Mark henderson for suggestions, which
she accepted with an air Of Difference
that was very gratifying to the young
man, who had nHttering opinion OF
his own judgment, and liked, as we all
do, TO be considered an authority.
Then all too soon they went homo,
and Flossie forthwith began to cate
chise her brother, who seemed in no
wise reluctant to crafty her curiosity.
"Well, Mark, what do you think OF
my pretty widow?"
"She is charming"
Sand Grace Brentwood?''
pretty as peach. But Miss Lester
is the sweetest, loveliest girl / ever met
in all my life"
"Oh"
It was all his sister said, but the little
monosyllable expressed a volume.
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CHAPTER VIII
FORT DoNELsoH.