Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-08-04

procession, kelfeS men were leading
their chargers, cuveting ana prancing
in the keen air, down the winding road
to the valley, the quartermasters
wagons following with chest and box
and bale and bundles Of tentage and
camp equipage. la fifteen minutes more
the word went up to send down the next
troop, and the train pulled forward four
car lengths, so as to bring the next lot
Of horse cars opposite the platform and
chutes, while Thorpe's handsome sorrels
were led wondering from the dimly
lighted gangway; and SO, by few
minutes after five, even the officers
chargers aud the spare horses Of the first
battalion We're all aboard, and some
where across the stream, Just as the
major acknowledged the report, "All
aboard and secure, sir," in Hazletts
soldierly tones, sprightly chanticleer,
whose ears had at last caught those
mufiled sounds Of hoof and voice over
under the garrison bluffs, concluded ii
time to challenge, and woke the echoes
with shril ck-a-doodle-doo, whereat
there came a low chuckle Of delight
from Hazlett's men.
every good, sir. Now get aboard all
your baggage as quick as you can.
''All aboard now, sir"
''Then march up to quarters for coffee
and breakfast the others are at theirs
now-and form under arms right after
ward"
Precious little sleep has there been
this night-no time among the men, no
inclination among the women. Wives
and daughters who had devoutlv
thanked heaven that only the first bat
talon was to go were soon undeceived
and found that but ten hours respite
was to be theirs. All tile night long the
note of preparation could be heard in
barracks and in quarters. The colonel.
with his adjutant and quartermaster.
hardly left the office at all. Berrien
hustled from barracks to his home. from
there to stables. At two o'clock, find
ing all his own campaigning kit in per
feet readiness, and Winifred and her
mother still huddling over the parlor
fire, lie noted the pall0r iii his daughters
face, the deep trouble in her pathetic
eyes, and, taking her i'll his arms, he
kissed her fondly again and again.
$50 to your room now, little daugh-
ter" he said huslzily; ..go, dear, and try
to sleep. | viii not leave without com
ing to say bye-bye, just as l always did. -
She slnyered and hid her face and clung
to his neck, saying 10 word, shedding
no tear. Gently lie unclasped her hands.
Yes, my child, do as bid you now; |
want to speak with mother awhile. -
And then reluctantly she turned, but
the one brief look into his eyes was 50
full Of worlless sorrow that lie was for
an instant unnamed sMy little girl.
my little Winniei don't look at YOUR old
daddy that way he almost sobbed, as
again he threw his arm around her, lead
ing her to the stairs We won't be gone
long. We're all coming back, dear; and
We'll have lovely Christmas, and you
shall have the jolliest kind Of party,
pet But be brave little woman now.
It-it'n all come right She turned
with quick convulsiye sob and threw
herself uDon his breast. again twining
her soft arms about his neck, her beau
tiful dark hair streaming iii ripping,
shimmering masses down over the
creamy white wrapper The burst Of
tears would have been a blessed relief,
but it never came. A quick, soldierly
tread was heard Oh the plank walk with
out, and then springing up the steps.
Even before the rat-tat-tat at the door
she had torn herself from his arms and
sped like a startled fawn upthe carpeted
stair.
1T is Mr.. Brewster said Mrs. Ber-
rien, in low tone, quickly. Berrien
threw open the door. "Anything for a
pretext to come here again, he NUT
tered angrily to himself, as he confronted
the unwelcome intruder. 1t was Brew
ster.
Major Berrien, the colonel's compli-
ments, and he desires you to know that
the train Will be here at four instead Of
five" And Brewster's eyes glanced but
an instant into those Of his superior,
and then went wandering longingly over
his shoulder.
Il had already heard it. sir. You
have everything readyy'
II beg pardon, then, for disturbing
you, major. | have just left the col
onel, and he thought you might not have
heard Yes, sir, everything will be
ready, though the rations are not yet
cooked"
Then be ready to get your horses
aboard the moment I has finished load
ing. Anything else, Mr.. Brewster
Poor fellow, there was something else
something that filed heart and soul and
dominated every thought. Gazing
wistfully up the stairs, his sad eyes had
caught one glimpse Of that white, fleet
ing form, one glimpse Of the lovely
pallid face all framed in dark, falling
tresses, as, clinging to the balustrade,
Winifred turned, unable to resist the
longing to hear what LIE might have to
say.
Nothing nothing more, believe,
sir" And, mechanically raising his
hand in salute. poor Curly turned away,
the door promptly closing behind him.
Berrien came back into the parlor
clincling his fists, speechless indigna-
ton in his face Mrs. Berrien saw the
unmistakable signs. and, though in hei
heart she felt full Of sympathy fol
Brewster, she knew it best to say moth
ing now.
"If l thought it as you said, he
hoarsely spoke at last, .'if | thought
that fellow had been trifing with Win
ME while all the time carrying on this
- Faugh! it makes me feel as though
could throttle him!' And Berrien
strobe up and down the coy room,
beating one brawny fist into the palm Of
the other hand.
But, Richard dear, why do you think
there has been anything serious between
him and this-this woman? / think she
deliberately assumed that manner at the
hop tonight | think she called him
Carroll solely for Winifred's benefit
and mine. | saw how astonished and
annoyed he was"
But Berrien held up a warning hand.
'She came down the stairs weeping and
he striving to soothe her. She was sob
bing aloud when he put her in the car
riage. Rolfe and both saw and heard.
Don't tell me there wasn't anything be-
tween them. Very possibly he does
want to make mp to Winifred new, but
damn him! he shan't. | wont have her
degraded by any such offer if have to
send her and you to Europe to get her
away from him. 1t is no imagination