Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-11

stand there for moment or two until
the ladys long suffering spouse should
be hunted up Che had been having a
cigar with one or two of the elders IN
the sanctity of the little smoking room;
but what made matters simply intoler-
able was that just at the foot of the
stairs, under the broad gallery, Just
where the lantern ON the big pillar
would shine full upon himself and his
lachrynose partner, stood Major Berrien
in earnest conversation, with Captain
Rolfe. and both looked up, glanced
quickly but searchingly at him and at
her, raising their forage caps in silent
salutation. and turned away. Poor
Curly! As in duty bound, he leaned
into the carriage. not too ardently beg
cling the weeping dame to say what had
| so distressed her. but she would not re-
ply.
Possibly she thought he might yet be
| induced 70 Chamber in after her, and
there in the dark interior tenderly be-
seech her TO speak; but he was all eager
ness to hasten back 10 the hoproom
If he could but have speech with Mrs.
Berrien a moment, he might make her
understand the situation; she had al
WAYS been cordial and sympathetic
But it was three or four minutes, per-
haps, before Knowles came, thanked
him for his attention 10 his wife,
stepped in, and-how her tears were
explained 70 her liege lord nobody
knows. Somebody who knew her, how
ever, was mean enough TO suggest that
they were of the theatrical and control
liable order, and, as Randolph expressed
il. "she braced up and grinned as soon
as Curly was left behind"
The instant the carriage rolled away
Brewster turned and sped up the stairs.
At the very top he met the colonel com
ing hastily down, a brown telegraph en-
velope in his hand, the soldier operator,
with look of repressed excitement on
his face. close at his heels.
Come with me. Brewster" said Far
quhar, in preoccupied but positive man
ner. Morgan, find the adjutant and
quartermaster, and say that | wish 10
see them at the Office.
I'm get my cap and follow you at
once, sir" answered Brewster. and has
tened into the dressing room. There he
met Hazlett and Thorpe just coming
out, throwing their cavalry capes over
their shoulders, silent and preoccupied
like their chief. Selling his cap, Brew
ster paused one longing instant for a
glance into the hoproom. Again the
floor was thronged. To the merriest of
music-"Toujours Galant"-the young
er dancers were fairly romping in the
half galop, half polka step the joyons
tune inspires, and in their midst, not
romping, but dancing with a slower, al
most languid grace, Winifred Berrien
appeared 10 his troubled gaze. her slen-
der waist half encircled by Randolphs
arm. her dark eyes downcast. her color
and animation gone.
Come, Brewster" called Hazlett
from the doorway, "Farquhar wants us
at once and does not want anybody else
to know"
Whats up
You'll know in a moment. The
colonel doesn't want il mentioned here. =
At the foot Of the stairs, under the
glare of the same big lamp, Farquhar,
with Berrien and Rolfe, stood waiting.
CHANGING impatiently up, as though TO
make sure Of his men, Farquhar took
Berrien by the arm and silently led the
way, Rolfe and Hazlett, Thorpe and
Brewster falling in behind. 1t was but
a few steps to the Office.
Pull down the shades, orderly. and
one lamp will be enough. Thatll do.
Close the door and remain outside. said
Farquhar, as he threw off his cape, then
silently waited until the sleepy trumpeter
had carried out his orders and vanished.
By this time, too, Warren and Drake,
the adjutant and the quartermaster, had
come bustling in, and, noting the silence
of those already on the ground, simply
removed their caps and waited the colo
nel's pleasure. For an instant Farquhar
stood tapping the lid of the desk with
the butt Of his pencil and studying the
long dispatch which he held in his hand.
Then he looked up.
Gentlemen. we are ordered to the
field; one battalion to go at once. the
other to follow in ten hours-just as soon
as cars can be provided. Berrien. you
will lead off"
For a moment not word from any
body; then the major spoke:
"How much time have we, sir"
Il cannot tell. You load mp the mo-
ment the railway company can get a
train here. They have plenty of engines
and cars at the junction and ought to
be able to furnish what we need by day
break. Meantime you will have to rouse
your men, pack up everything that is
not to be taken. cook three days rations
and be ready to get the horses aboard.
Go at it as quietly as possible. want
nobody at the hop to know of the orders.
Let the dance 90 on. Your men must
take all their blankets and the heaviest
clothing they have. Noone knows what
may be in store for us either in furs OF
fighting"
Again dead silence. broken only by