San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-18

lAar experience. one nad seen Clme ana
again her husbands command hurried
forth ON the trail or across the path OF
savage foe. Never yet had they returned
lnscathed, never yet without serious
loss of officers and men. She could only
bow her head the lower while her lips
moved in silent prayer. Just as they
ached the gate tall form came spring
-Ig after them through the darkness.
and Brewster's voice was heard:
81 hurried back to the hoproOm, Miss
Winifred, only to find you gone. l had
expected to escort you home. You have
have Gomez He glared at Ridgeway,
~ much as to say, Leave, man; you
ere one too many, as you ought to see"
But the junior lieutenant stoutly held
his ground, nor did Winifred withdraw
her hand from his arm.
81 have heard; yes, it seems very sud
den," was all she could or would say,
and the dark eyes were shrouded from
his longing gaze.
well be off by daybreak, fear
cannot hope to see you again before we
have to CO." he went on desperately.
won't you come in, Mr.. Brewster?
called Mrs. Berrien from the steps.
you and Mr.. Ridgeway can spare
moment, can you not? Oh, Dick, here
you arer' she cried, as with quick, ener-
setic step the major sprang across the
road and appeared under the dim light
sf the garrison lamp, and back to the
gate she sped to meet him and to Irvine
her arm in his.
"I'll say good night, ladies, said Ken
yen. I'll call in in the morning to see
if can be of any service. Now must
riot over and help Holden to pack.
And, unrestrained, he went.
brewster, Ridgeway, won't ask you
in now. You have much to attend to
and but little time. Run in, Winifred,"
said the major. "I'll be with you at the
barracks in few moments, gentlemen. e
Slowly but obediently Winifred step
ped forward.
"Good night, Mr.. Ridgeway,". she
nurmured, holding out her little hand.
THANK you very much"
Berrien stood impatiently at the gate,
a. though to see her safely through.
With trembling lips Brewster spoke as
he sprang to her side.
"Goodby. Don't forget" was all he
could murmur as he seized her hand,
slinging to it one miserable moment
with both his own.
"Goodby,' she said, in low, tremu-
leus tone, but withdrawing her hand,
withholding her glance. The major
threw his arm about her and almost
thrust her through the gate.
sit is good night only, not goodby,
Mr.. Brewster" said Mrs. Berrien, kind
~ forgetting her own misery for the
moment in the contemplation of the woe
IN his face. Then they hurried within
doors, Winifred dropping before them,
and then the door closed and Brewster
and Ridgeway stood there confronting
each other under the light For mo-
Hent neither spoke.
"Have you lost your crossed sabersF'
said Brewster finally, noting that the
handsome cap badge of solid gold which
kidgeway ordinarily wore upon the
front of his forage cap was now missing.
mo; took it off to pin Miss Berrien's
wrap about her throat"
A moment more Brewster stood as
though he would ask another question,
then abruptly turned and plunged into
the darkness.
Meantime Major Kenyon had trudged
up the row toward Holdens quarters.
Already the lights were beginning to
CLEAN from the various houses around
The big quadrangle of the parade, where
dozen of the cavalry officers were now
busily engaged in preparation for the
sudden move. Over at the hospital, too,
the lamps were being lighted in the
stewards room and the dispensary.
Holden's hall door stood wide open. The
hall itself was dark, but a lamp was
alight in the sitting room, and that door,
TOO, was wide open. A tall form passed
across the illumined space as Kenyon
drew near. He stopped for moment
ut the gate, listening to the sound of
hustle, the whistling and singing of the
men at the barracks. Hardship, hun
ger, privation, suffering ahead of them,
even if they don't have hard fighting -
he muttered to himself. "In thirty-si1
hours they'll be freezing, poor devils,
for not man in the battalion has win
Ter kit; and just hear them laugh and
ing, as though the world had no JOY
ike soldering! God guard them-and
these poor wives and sweethearts here
Why isn't it my lot to go instead Of Der.
Fien's? Who the devil would shed teal
for me?" He shook himself together and
tramped heavily into the gate and NJ
the steps. ..s
"Docp he called at the doorway
ooh, Docy"