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

less ana patient, Winifred clung to her
mothers arm and would take no other
Ridgeway. who had scampered over to
the office among the dozen departed,
rame painting back up the stairway
is it true?a asked Mrs Berrien.
Eyes; the first battalion goes at day
break. The major says he viii beover
in few moments
eMrs. Berrien, permit me TO escort
you home, said Major Kenyon, hasten
ing after Ridgeway up the stair. 81
have just seen Berrien: he has to go to
the barracks a few minutes"
Miss Winifred, may have the pleas
ure: Mr. Brewster is Of course needed
with his troop, and mine does not 90,
said Ridgeway, proffering his arm. The
girl hesitated one moment, half clinging
to her mothers side, and casting one
swift, appealing glance into her face.
eyes, daughter, we'll go home at
once, was the low toned answer as Mrs.
Berrien took old Kenyon's arm, and
with bowed head moved toward the
stairs, her escort eagerly, yolubly ex-
planning to her that he felt sure the OBJ
ject Of the sudden move was merely to
oyerawe the Indians by display of
force. 1T is exactly what was done
here WIN such success a few years ago,
Mrs. Berrien. The Cheyennes were wild
for an outbreak, and Sheridan simply
called III troops from everywhere, and
when the Indians saw the great array of
cavalry and infantry they caved at once.
Nax-a1. had +a fra =, r1.nt Yn.,I.,r,, AnI
that's the proper way to handle this
matter. That's what this means. The
Sioux viii be SO disheartened they won't
dare resist even if orders are given to
disarm them-God forgive me the liel'
he muttered under his breath "Of
course its exasperating to think of the
Twelfth being sent so far away at such
a time, but better now. believe me. than
later, after those misguided wretches
had had a chance to jump"
But Mrs. Berrien had lived, heaven
only knows how, through many sim
liar experience. She had seen time and
again her husbands command hurried
forth on the trail or across the path Of
savage foe. Never yet lad they returned
unscathed, 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
reached the gate tall form came spring
ing after them through the darkness,
and Brewsters voice was heard:
Il hurried back to the hoproom, Miss
Winifred, only to find you gone. had
expected to escort you home You have
heard the news: You Enow our orders
have come: He glared at Ridgeway,
as much as to say, Leave, man; you
are 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.
i 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 daybreal0, fear.
cannot hope to see you again before we
have to go, he went on desperately.
Wont you come in, Mr.. Brewster"
called Mrs. Berrien from the steps.
'.You and Mr.. Ridgeway can spare
moment, can you nots Oh. Dick, here
you are.'' she cried, as with quick, ener-
getic step the major sprang across the
road and appeared under the dim light
Of the garrison lamp, and back to the
gate she sped to meet him and to twine
her arm in his.
ssIll say good night, ladies" said Ken
yon. 'sTll call in in the morning to see
if can be Of any service. Now | must
trot 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. ''Tll be with you at the
barracks in few moments, gentlemen"
Slowly but obediently Winifred step
ped forward.
Good night, Mr.. Ridgeway,n she
murmured, holding out her little hand.
"Thank you very much"
Berrien stood impatiently at the gate,
as 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 mu11nur as he seized her hand,
clinging to it one miserable moment
with both his own.
"Goodby," she said, in low, tremu-
lous tone, but withdrawing her hand,
Withholding her glance. The major
threw his arm about her and almost
thrust her through the gate.
ssIt is good night only not goodby,
Mr. Brewster, said Mrs. Berrien, kind
ly 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-
ment neither spoke.
Have you lost your crossed sabers."
said Brewster finally, noting that the
handsome cap badge of solid gold which
Ridgeway 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 Holden's quarters.
Already the lights We're beginning to
gleam from the various houses around
the lig quadrangle Of the parade, where
dozen Of the cavalry officers were now
basily engaged i'll 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 lamp was
alight in the sitting room, and that door,
too, was wide open. A tall form passed
across the illu,nined space as Kenyon
drew near. He stopped for moment
at 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 inuttered to himself. "In thirty-six
hours they'll be freezing, poor devils,
for not a man in the battalion has win
ter kit; and just hear them laugh and
sing, as though the world had no JOY
like soldiering God guard them-and
these poor wives and sweethearts here.
Why isn't it my lot to go instead of Ber-
lien's. Who the devil would shed tear
for Ine." He shook himself together and