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

it worth while.
1T would be wasting time, Miss
Guthrie, and we are wasting time as il
is. Captain Hazlett will never forgive
you, Major Berrien. if you keep dinner
waiting another minute, Captain Rolfe
will you escort Miss Guthrie? Come
Richard. marchP
After you, Rolfe," says the major,
with a bow of extra ceremony. ..After
you
Before them, if you please, you blind
gooser" whispers his better half
Haven't you sense enough to see he
wants to speak with her and that this
may be the only opportunity
What. Rolfe wants to talk with
her? Why, Miss Guthrie, he booms
aloud, Il hadn't the faintest idea
But here the wife of his bosom lays firm
hand upon his sunburned ear and fairly
marches him forth upon the veranda
Miss Guthrie would indeed have been
glad to lead, but Rolfe's hand, tren-
bling slightly, as she cannot but note, is
laid upon her wrist. restraining her.
why didn't you tell me you wanted
to talk with Rolfe. Miss GuthrieY'
queries the major over his shoulder,
with every appearance of concern. 81
could have fixed it al for YOU"
Silence, Dick" sternly murmurs Mrs
Berrien. There is no fun in this affair
and warn you-not another word"
Twilight has fallen upon the garrison
as they stroll across the parade. The
men have vanished from the scene, but
the tinkle OF guitar and banjo tells
where they, have gathered Most of the
officers are at dinner. One or two
couples are Just entering the gateway Of
Eazletrs qaarters-guests invited to
meet tie fair visitor on this the Last
evening Of her stay. Dr. and Mrs
Holden can be seen among them, Mrs
Holden gazing somewhat anxiously at
Nina and her escort, for it is plain that
Rolfe seeks to detain the woman to
whom he has paid such unusual and de-
voted attention ever since the hour of
her arrival Silence and peace have
spread their wings abroad. lowering
with the twilight over the broad reser-
walton, and Tie Berriens, walking rapid
ly now, as the energetic lady can lead
her expostulaJing spouse, come suddenly
upon the sight OF the great golden moon
rising above the distant bluffs and peer
ing In upon the garrison through the
wide space that interposes between the
surgeon quarters and the barracks ut
the east end.
Now there is something Miss Guth-
rio really must see, says Berrien. halt
ing short. AS one of her admirers and
entertainers, feel bound to cali her at
tention TO it,
'.Dick.-atupid!- move on at once.
You must not speak to her now. Can't
you see?''
See? OF course 1 see. and want her
to see that's why | stop" Again half
teasingly, he attempts to turn as though
bent on looking back. She promptly
whiris him ;bout and faces him in the
proper direc, ion oh" he persists, ''if
it is something about her you wanted to
me tosee, cant you understand that |
have no eyes in the back of my head and
that therefore should be allowed to
look about
you see. sir. and understand the sit
uation perfectly well as it is. You're
simply bent on mischief. You know
that Rolfe has been her shadow all day
long hanging about hersto say his say. 4
He knows this to be his last chance.
Everybody will be there the moment
dinner is over. Everybody will sur
round her, and unless he speaks now he
must let her go without word
''Berengaria ,tyou amaze me! Are you
conniving. at His capture? Didn't you
tell me you knew she wouldn't have
him.
II did: | know it now; but he is
man who wants to hear his fate from
her own lips and plead his cause, too.
like man, unless am very much mis-
taken in him. No, sir, don't you dare
look back
Poor devil! Why couldn't he wait
till after dinner? she might be in softer
mood then always am. That's why
you always wait till after dinner. pre-
sumo. when you have anything special
to ask Nov this will take his appetite
away entirely.
''As if he had any in the first placel
Positively. Richard, you have no soul
above dinner. When man is as des-
perately in love as Rolfe. do you suppose
he cares much what he eats?''
..Well, seems to me | was never off
my feed. is Berriens reply with prefer
natural gravity, looking straight to the |
front now and refusing to meet his wife's |
dark eyes.
Your with fine scorn. 'sYoul Why, |
Richard Berrien. with all your amiable
qualities of heart and weaknesses of |
head no one on earth would ever asso-
ciate you and sentiment in the same
breath. Of course you and your appe-
lite are inseparable: but Rolfe is differ
ant: he Is a lover"