San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-29

"I1l put you out ~on any floor you wish,
when you have said just two words"
"Oh, quick! Do let me go!" and she
makes a frantic lunge at the starting
rope, but too late. His daring arm is
around her now. He can use but one,
and that has embodied and drawn her
close to his breast. The clatter of the
bell is deafening. 'Oh, please" she
murmurs, struggling in vain and glanc-
ing up in his gloriied face.
"Not until you say, Yes, Carroll
Now, quick! Winifred, do you love me,
just a little?" No answer Head bowed
again, and now on the only available
resting place. (B-rr-r- B-r-r-r-r-r- B-r-
r-r-r-ringD 81 can't hear" he laughs
low and ~joyously, and the blond head
bows until the curling mustache is
sweeping her flushed and tear wet cheek.
did you speak, Miss BerrienT"
Eyes, Carroll" A mere whisper.
Louder, please, Miss Berrien." Oh,
what eloquence there is in that one
clasping arm!
"Oh, please, let RE go! Yes, yes!
yes!-if | must" And then the bell
rattles madly, but unavailingly, and for
the instant neither hears. For the in
slant she can speak no more, for the soft,
red lips are sealed.
Two minutes later, as that brightly
lighted car glides down and comes to a
stop at the parlor floor, a flushed and
wrathful youth confronts the tall cav
alryman who calmly steps forth as
though on air and holds out a warning
hand.
Young man, if ever | hear of you
quitting your post again and allowing a
novice to get caught between floors,
you'll get into trouble. It's lucky for
you I'm the only one who can tell any
thing about it this time" But the
wrath is gone, and with bullying eyes
the boy glares at the round gold piece
in his palm, then at the vanishing lieu
tenant and then into the empty car.
Homeward bound! The horses are all
aboard. The second battalion has steam
ed away. Berrien's men from the Car
windows are answering the cheers of
the crowds of citizens assembled to see
them off: The ladies, safely enscOnced
in the cozy interior of the Pullman, are
saying adieu to the number of friends,
army and civilian, who have accom-
panied them to the train. The conduc-
tor has just reported "All ready, sir"
to Major Berrien, who goes back in
command, and Winifred, clinging to
her mothers side, peers eagerly over the
heads of the surrounding throng. Hol-
den signals to his better half to come off,
unless she prefers going back to Paw
nee without him, and with much laugh
ter and playful effort to keep her aboard,
in which the jovial major is most prom
inent, that popular young matron is
finally lifted from the rear platform.
Nh. Ridgeway, who has attached him
self to Miss Berrien's side, becomes sud
denly aware that she has disappeared
and returned to the interior, also that
Curly Brewster, waving a brown'tele-
graph envelope over his head, has Shout
dered his way into the crowd and is
making for the car. Wants another
goodby word, | suppose" growls Ridge
way to himself, in deep disgust, yet
comforted with the thought that the
train will be off in a moment, leaving
Brewster behind. Far forward a bell
begins to ring, the steam to hiss; the
couplings of the box cars jerk and
strain; the horses snort and stamp in
their wooden cages; the motion reaches
the rear of the train, and the Pullman
leaps forward with sudden start, then
settles into slow, gentle glide along the
polished rails.
Tumble off, Brewster!" shouts Ridge
way in feverish anxiety. You'll be car
ried away if you don't"
"Shut up, Ridge" whispers Randolph
unsympathetically. "He's carried away
for good. It's you that's left"
"Why hello! here's Brewster!' booms
the major as he enters the sunshiny car,
when at last the crowded station has
faded from view. Thought you were
ordered to Washington, lad? Changed
your mind, Ell? What, Berengaria?"
"Be quiet, Dick" whispers his smil-
ing wife. He hasn't changed his mind.
Neither has Winifred."
But Holden is not the only one of the
Pawnee party who remains. Sergeant
Ellis has a furlough to visit Louisville,
and is to take the train thither. In his
cavalry uniform he was at the station
to see his comrades safely started, and
the last cheers of the troopers were for
him as he stood with kindling eye and
flushing cheek, the center of a crowd of
curious citizens. Asthe train disappears
around the distant curve Holden touches
his shoulder.
"At noon, Ellis?"
"At noon, sir" is the prompt response;
and the sergeant recovers himself and,
~springing to attention, raises his hand in
salute. Holden smiles.