Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-09-01

gear at this moment is being handled in
one hand, while the fingers of the other
beat rapid tattoo upon the visor. Com
rades of Rofe would tell you this is q
sign that he is nervous; yet to look at
him there, smiling upon the group, quite
as though remarking what q pretty pic
ture they make, no one else would be
apt to think of such a thing.
Ready in q moment, Rolfe," shouts
the major from an inner room. "You
ready, BerengariaI'
81 am always ready, Richard, as you
well know" is Mrs. Berriens placid re-
sponse. 81 think never kept you wait
ing so much as moment"
"Promptest woman in the army or
out of it," booms the major from his
sanctum, his jovial voice resOunding
through the rooms of the bright garri-
son home. "Never knew anything like
it, Miss Guthrie. Why, do you know,
even when wasn't half proposing she
never let me finish the sentence!
'Twasn't at all what was going to ask
| her-that day, at least. Meant to
eventually, of course, if I ever could
muster up courage, but this time l had
only found grit enough to ask for her
picture, and l was engaged in less than
! ten seconds"
Winnie Berrien rushes from the par
lor into the paternal den, voluble with
protestations against such scandalous
stories at mammals expense; but Mrs
Bcrricn, slowly tanning herself remains
calmly seated, as though impervious to
these damaging shots, at which every
body else is laughing merrily.
Possibly you don't believe me, again
booms the major, his jolly red face
aglow, as he is dragged forth from the
den, still struggling with the sleeve
links of his cuff. "Winifred, my child,
unhand me. You'll never bring your
old fathers gray hairs in sorrow to the
grave by such unwomanly precipitancy,
unless it's civilian with ten thousand Il
year: will you, dearest; Miss Guthrie,
/ never expect to be -irh man.
hadn't as many dollars when / fell il
love with Miss De Lancy as | had but
tons, and we only wore single breasted
coats in those days, and was the junior
captain. pledge you my wore | never
would bave had the cheek to offer my
self. Twas the woman did 1t. / Wa,
going away for week, and | said, Ior
can give me one thing, Il you WILL
only meant to beg for that picture, and
by Jove! she slipped her hand into mine
was shaking all over. I-b-beg par
dom | stammered, i was only going tC
beg for your p-p-p--' My promise:
said Berengaria, sweetly, looking u
into my eyes. You have it, Richard.
Prompt? Why, she just jumped at me
Splendid arrangement, though, Mis-
Guthrie. She furnished the quarter
and all the money, and l the vivacit,
and beauty of the household, until Win
mic came; she contributes a little toward
it now. But we're model couple, aren'
we. Bcrcngaria:" And the major bend
with playful tenderness, the fun spar
king in his eyes meanwhile, and kisse
his handsome helpmeet's rosy check.
1--WE have few crosses, certainly" re
plies Mrs. Berrien, whose own name i
anything but Berengaria, that being, a
she is frequently called upon to explain
some of the ma Or's historical nonsense
1--WE have few crosses, and those O
with much decision of manner, "if 20
are partially restored to sanity we Wi
y go, or keep dinner longer waiting. Mis-
y Guthrie, do they allow lunatics at larg
in the streets of st. Louis? Major Bel
rien spoke of getting a months leave thi
y. winter and going thither."
: ooh, send him by all means, and h
:, shall be treated at our own asylum
! Father would rejoice in him-as / Dc
= Mrs. Berrien."
"And shall get the colonel to deta
Rolfe here to conduct me thither an
- turn me over to the asylum authorities:
) queries the major, with a knowing COG
- of the head. "Rolfe hates city life as
general thing, but he would accept thu
; duty, fancy"
" Captain Rolfe will be very welcom
, Indeed, only wish you might bring IL
- whole regiment, major. just thin
~ what good time the girls would hay
- this winter if that We're only possible
i" "Berengaria says" bursts in the maiC
i again, "that if ! only show you prop
- attention on this visit you'll be sure
= send us invitations to bring the who
- family and spend six weeks at least"
,, "Father, you outrageous tibber
:. gasps Winifred, rushing at him al
! placing one slim hand upon his mout
- while twining the other, with It's sol
- white arm, about his neck. "Indee
- Miss Guthrie, you must be told tn
=, father is pcrpetually polSing fun
> mother, making her say all manner
things she never thought of. 1t is {
- well enough III the regiment, whe
- people understand it and are prepar,
% for his nonsense, hut many strange
u are completely deceived at times, NJ
~ mamma never 50 much as reno
-" strates."
10 Evidently mamma docs not consid
~ it worth while.
at would be wasting time, Nj
~ Guthrie, and we are wasting timo as
~ is. Captain Hazlett will never forgi
- you, Major Berrien, if you keep dim
NJ waiting another minute. Captain Rolt
N 900, o1D,r+ Nj, EutL,,i,y (',,,