Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-11

II Thought So" said Farquhar. Mar
raw. the division superintendent, was
with us in the Shenandoah and at Eive
Forks. He wires that the train Will De
here at five o'clock at the latest-two
engines. twenty freight or cattle cars,
two baggage cars, four passenger day
cars and a Pullman. 1t is eleven now.
II ANYTHING is wanted you'll find me
here"
Back again into the chill night air,
under the shining, starry vault, Berrien
and his four troop leaders paused for
moment on the gravel walk.
'.Hazlett, suppose you Will need 70
see Mrs. Hazlett home, and you, Thorpe
Better 90 and rouse your sergeants first
then come back to the hoproom; but,
mind YOU. not a word there. Rolte, you
and Brewster are among the blessed to-
night; you have no wives 10 break the
news 10. will give your subalterns the
Tip TO report to you just as soon as we
break up.
Three hands went to the cap visor IN
salute. three officers turned away. War
rem. the adiutant. came hurrying out.
"Oh. major, Colonel Farquhar begs
that YOU will step in moment.
"You had something TO say, Brew
sterY' asked the major coldly.
Eyes, sir, III hope to hurry back in
time to escort Miss Berrien home"
mo, don't trouble yourself. I'll at
tend to that You have other matters
10 occupy you." And if ever ia
theirs tone signified that dismissal was
intended, and that further attentions
were forbidden, Berrien's did as he abb
ruptly turned, leaving Brewster stunned
and silent at the edge of the parade.
In ten minutes lights were dancing
like will-o'-the-wisp about the galleries
of the mems quarters. Quick, bound
ing footsteps could be heard, and the
low. brief orders of the sergeants as they
went fitting from door TO door Then
half suppressed EXPLANATIONS, an occa-
sional smothered yell of excitement or
delight from some enthusiastic Paddy
ever ready for frolic or fight. Then
a gradually swelling murmur of voices,
the rapid scurry Of booted feet, clat-
tering up and down the stairways, the
slamming and banging of barrack doors,
the dragging forth Of heavy chests and
boxes, the clank Of dropped saber, and
then people at the hoproom. strolling out
on the broad veranda for fresh air or
Irritation, became aware Of the unusual
illumination over across the parade, and
listening heard the sounds of hustle and
preparation. And then lights began
TO pop up among the windows of the
! second battalion, where the news had
rapidly spread, and where dozens Of
troopers tumbled out of their blankets
and into their boots forthwith and went
charging en- masse upon their own ser
geants 10 know what il meant that
"them fellers in the first battalion had
had orders TO be upand getting and none
had come for us.
In less time than it takes to tell il
the tidings spread from porch to hall
that something was up, and other
people, men and women, old officers and
Young. matrons and maids, quit their
places in the Lancers and came stream
ing forth upon the gallery. Whats
the natter rs 1t fire. | heard no
alarm" The trumpets haven't sound
ed See. there's the orderly trumpeter
going across the parade now, running
10 the Office "Why, the office is
lighted too where's Warren
What does it meang These and doz-
ems of other verbal conjectures and sug-
gestions flew from lip 10 lip. Men ex-
cused themselves TO their fair partners
seized their caps, scurried away down
the steps and sped over toward the
lights at headquarters. A dozen or
more suddenly disappeared in this way
and then it was found that the colonel
and Berrien and Hazlett and Thorpe
and Brewster, too, were all missing. And
then Mrs. Thorpe's voice was heard
wailing out upon the night air:
"Oh, Mrs. Berrien! Mrs Berrien!
know what it means. | saw the tele-
graph operator coming up the steps. Its
orders-orders for the field"
And then indeed
There was hurrying to and fro
4 And gathering tears, and tremblings Of dis
tress,
And cheeks all pale which but an hour ago
Blushed at the praise OF their own lovelness.
And the dance was forgotten, and the
musicians. astonished, found the lighted
hall rapidly emptying of the jewellers,
and women pressed, pallid and fearful,
into the dressing room, gathering up
their wraps with hasty hand and hurry
ing forth to take the arm of husband or
lover, as though claiming that right to
the very last. And then in some way
the word went around, "Only one battal-
ion goes-only Berrian's," and those
whose lords were attached to the other
plucked up heart and spirit for mo-
ment, and in the midst of it all, pale but
fearless, Mrs. Berrien stood waiting pa
tiently for Dicks return, and by her
side, even paler, but as brave and tear
less and patient, Winifred chung to her
mothers arm and would take no other
Ridgeway, who had scampered over to
the Office among the dozen departed,
u Il