San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-29

Guthrie. Will she be here after the
dinner?"
II doubt it, Mr.. Randolph. Miss
Guthrie is not at all we'll. She had a
sinking spell of some kind this after
noon during the parade, and has not
left her room since. Say to Mr.. Brew
ster for me that we shall hope to see
him before he leaves, will you? Well
be back about ten o'clock"
But it is after ten, long after, that now
they are gathered in the parlors, and
music, laughter and the sound of merry
voices ring through the wide corridors.
Winifred, the wistful look gone from
her dark eyes, a-soft flush on her cheek.
is standing neal me of the high win
dows, the center of a group of ladies and
officers, among whom at this moment is
Brewster, his right arm still in its sling.
Though she strives after her first fiutter-
ing welcome not to glance at him again.
just now at least she cannot quiet con-
troll her eyes. She cannot but mark
with shy delight how her fathers broad
palm is laid upon her hero's shoulder as
the veteran trooper looks into the
younger soldiers face with an express
sion she is thankful to see. All around
the big, stif1y furnished, formal room,
with laughter and with gladness old
friends are meeting again for the first
time in years-one at least of the joys of
our nomad army life. The buzz of con-
versation, the remarks of Mr.. Ridge
way, who clings to her side, and the
sweet, thrilling strains of "Rigoletto'
floating up from the rotunda, fall upon
listless ears. Winifred is striving to
catch his words. for now her mother has
joined them, and her cordial, kindly
voice mingles with those about her.
She cannot hear what is said except in
mere snatches, a word here and there,
but she can and does see that, though
thoroughly courteous, Brewster is dig
nified, almost unresponsive. When her
father makes some jovial allusion to his
narrow escape at the P~orcupine and
would apparently refer to Brewster's
rush to the rescue, the latter seems to
waive it aside and turn at once to another
Why will he be $3.50 unlike
his old self?
Hank! From the street below the
call of the bugle! Randolph
pokes his head in through the other win
dow:
Come out, all of you. Come and
see them march away" 1t is that hand
some regiment from the Queen City.
And in a trice, men and women, they
are pouring ont upon the roof of the
pOrticO.
Come along!' shouts old Berrien.
Come along! Let's give 'em a cavalry
send off" And away he goes at the
heels of the throng. .'Come, Berenga-
ria, you want to see this regiment, | tell
you. It's a beauty. And such a bapdy'
But Berengaria holds back an instant.
"Winifred, dear, your wraps are not
here, and | fear it is too chilly for you"
"Oh, I'll throw my cape over her."
bursts in Ridgeway. "Just the thing!
Miss Berrien. Where's our cape,
You bring Mrs. Berrien, will
your" And, rejoicing in his ~finesse, Mr..
Ridgeway offers his arm.
my cape's down stairs in the office"
answers Brewster, shortly.
Yes, and whatever you do, Brewster,
don't you go out in the night air with
out it" quietly remarks DR.. Holden at
this juncture, as he follows the party.
"Orders are ORDERS" laughs Mrs. Ber-
Sorry for you, Mr.. Brewster,
but you'll have to see them through our
eyes. Yes, thank you, MI. Ridgeway,"
as she possesses herself Of that young
troopers arm, Il shall be very glad of
your cape" And Ridgeway, with one
stupefed backward glance, RECEIVERS
himself and goes.
Winifred is still standing by the cur
tanned window, half hidden by the pro-
lection of the chimney and its mar BILE
mantel. Very, very lovely she is in her
dinner toilet, a simple gown, clinging
i'll its soft, creamy folds about her slen-
der form, Il necklace Of rare pearls, a
beautiful quaint old heirloom, looped
below her fair, rounded throat, its
pendant rising and falling rapidly, I'M
evenly now for her heart is throbbing
hard. One M Brewster hesitates,
casts Il quick glance around, then steps
forward to her side.
Possibly, We a see from this win
dow, Miss Berrien," he says, as he raises
the shade. And together they disap-
pear into the curtained alcOve.
But thew cannot see. This window
like the other, looks upon the roof of the
portico, and the backs of their numer-
u friends are visible, but not the
street-nOt the departing soldiery in
whom such interest is felt. 1t is chilly
here by the cold, CLASSY barrier. A
bright coal fire is blazing in the CRATE:
Both have been warned not to take
cold, yet neither seems to think of that
fire.