Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-09-12

Coming at once; only a few steps
behind us, promptly answers Mrs. Ber-
rien. Run in, major; I'll wait for
Nita." Berrien looks as though he medi-
tated mischievous remark, but some
thing in her voice and manner tells him
that instant obedience is expected. He
! gives one quick glance and steps into
| the hall.
Presently, while chatting with others
of the arriving party, he is conscious of
the swish Of skirts passing up the stair
way The door to the veranda is still
open. and CHANGING out Berrien can see
| Rolfe alone leaning 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
well up in the heavens now, and the
whole parade shining revealed almost as
bright as day. both the verandas and the
parlor Of Hazlett's cozy 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 Roldens have borne Miss
Guthrie away with them, that the ladies
might stow tneir evening gowns in the
waiting Sara -ogas and then don their
travelling garo while the quartermaster
big wagon trlndles the luggage down TO
the railway station. Presently this lum-
boring vehicle can be seen slowly roll
ing away from the Holdens' gate, and
everybody at Hazletts waits impatient
ly for the return of the party. Mrs
Holden is deservedly a favorite in the
garrison, and Nita Guthrie. as has been
said, has won golden opinions. The
evening air is growing chill, however
and of the dozen ladies present only the
younger the girls. remain longer upon
the veranda
About this pretty group, laughing and
chatting, are four or five of the younger
officers, Brewster, 1.-The swell Of the
subs" keeping close TO Winifred Bel-
rien. and claiming more and more of the
chances Of her big dark eyes. Down ut
the gate. the moonlight glinting on his
polished saber the officer of the day Is
exchanging few low toned words with
and dOggeG resolution has taken his
place at Miss Guthrle'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
ments 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
subside.
"Oh, why doesn't she come backy
pouts Miss Berrien. The ambulances
will be here IN less than half AN hour
and we won see anything of her" A
chorus of gil'lish voices echoes Winifred's
views. Mrs. Berrien and Mrs. Parker
at this moment come forth from tn,
house and look expectantly up the road.
How long they are!' says Winnie
again. Nv hat can keep them. mammal.
Packing, | doubt not, my child"
But the wagons gone, trunks and all
It can't be that
Still, | would not fret about it. Win
ME. Has she not promised to come next
spring and pay us long visit?'
Yes. 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
don't suppose we, of all others. would
be sent from here to winter campaign
in the northern department? We've
seen the last of such troubles. God be
thankedr
Major Berrien, his interview with the
officer Of the day ended, has just started
to rejoin the group on the veranda when
he hears his wife's pious words. He
whirls around sharply.
s'Oh. captain. there's one thing l for
got to tell you" And the saber of the
officer of the day clanks against his leg
as Captain Porter faces about. The
younger officers go on with their blithe
chat: but Mrs. Berrien has known her
lord twenty long years. and no sooner
has the officer of-the day departed than
she hastens to join him.
Dick" she falters, surely you do