San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-12


behind us. promptly answers Mrs. Der.
rIen. nun Ill, InaJsf; III wait IUI
Nita." Berrie1 looks as though he medi-
tated mischievous remark, but some
thing in her voice and manner tells him
that instant obedience is expected hs
gives one quick glance and steps into
the hall.
Presently. while chatting with Others
Of the arriving party, he is conscious Of
me swish Of skirts passing up the stair.
way. The door to the veranda is still
open, and glancing out Berrien can see
Rolfe alone ieaping against one of the
wooden pillars, his head dropping as
though plunged in deep thought.
Poor old chap! he's got his congo to,
night, and that's the end of his two
years romance. Odd about that girl.
She fancies nobody"
Three hours later, the moon being
we'll up in The heavens now, and the
whole parade shining revealed almost as
bright as day, both the verandas aud the
rarlor of Hazlett's coy home are
thronged with officers and ladies, chat
ting merrily together. The lights are
still blazing in the barracks. The trum-
peters in full force are grouped about
the flagstaff sounding the last notes of
tattoo. The Holdens have borne Miss
Guthrie away with them, that the ladies
might stow their evening gowns in the
waiting Saratogas and then don their
travelling garb while the quartermaster's
big wagon trundles the luggage downtI
the railway station. Presently this lum-
sering vehicle can be seen slowly roll
ing away from the Holdens' gate, and
everybody at Hazlett's waits impatient
" for the return of the party. Mrs
Holden is deservedly a favorite in the
garrison, and Mia Guthrie, as has been
said, has won golden opinions. The
evening air is growing chill, however,
md of the dozen ladies present only tn"
younger. the girls, remain longer upon
the veranda.
About this pretty group, laughing and
chatting, are four or five of the younger
officers, Brewster, the swell of the
subs" keeping close to Winifred Ber
rien, and claiming more and more of the
glances of her big dark eyes. Down at
the gate, the moonlight glinting on his
polished saber, the officer of the day is
exchanging a few low toned words with
Major Berrien. Rolfe, who with silent
and logged resolution has taken his
place at Miss Guthrie's side as she came
down the stairs and escorted her to the
doctors, has turned from there and gone
slowly across the parade to his own
quarters on the other side. Everybody
seems to see and know what has hap
pened, and many half whispered COM
nents are being made, not all in SYM
pathy with the widowed lover. Every
body respects ROlfe, yet among the
younger officers are several who feel no
warmth of friendship for him, and, as
between man and man, garrison girls
can only side with the youngsters.
Their story of their slight differences is
sometimes told again and again; the
elders seldom, for theirs would hardly
be believed.
Little by little the chat and laughter
spbside.
"Oh, why doesn't she come back2"
pouts Miss Berrien. 1.-The ambulances
will be here in less than half an hour,
and we won't see anything of her." A
chorus of girlish voices echoes Winifred's
views. Mrs. Berrien and Mrs. Parker
at this moment come forth from the
house and look expectantly up the road.
"How long they arer' says Winnie
again. What can keep them, mammal"
Packing, | doubt not, my child"
But the wagons gone, trunks and all
It can't be that"
Still, l would not fret about it, Win
ME. Has she not promised to come next
spring and pay us long visit?
Eyes, but who knows where we may
all be next spring, or what may happen
meantime? Every paper we get is full
of stories of the ghost dances among the
Sioux, and if there should be another In
dian war
Nonsense, Winifredl Don't think of
such thing. After all this regiment
has had to suffer in Indian battle, you
uoh SUPPOSE we, VI ali Outlets, would
be sent from here to a winter campaign
in the northern department.? We've
seen the last of such troubles, God be
thanked"
Major Berrien, his interview with the
officer of the day ended, has just started
to rejoin the group ON the veranda wher
he hears his wife's pious words HI
whirls around sharply.
"Oh, captain, there's one thing for
. got to tell YOU And the saber of tn,
officer of the day clanks against his LEI
= as Captain Porter faces about. Tn,
younger officers, go on with their bith,
chat but Mrs. Berrien- has known he
. lord twenty long years, and no soone
has the officer of tha dav denaTtad thar