Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-07-21

course bear. But now she continues,
with much decision Of manner, '.if you
are partially restored to sanity we will
go, or keep dinner longer waiting. Miss
\ Guthrie. do they allow lunatics at large
in the streets of st. Louis? Major Ber-
rien spoke Of getting months leave this
winter and going thither."
"Oh send him by all means, and he
shall be treated at our own asylum
Father would rejoice in him-as | do,
Mrs. Berrien'
"And shall get the colonel to detail
Rolfe here to conduct me thither and
turn me over to the asylum authorities"
queries the major, with knowing cock
Of the head "Rolfe hates city life as
general thing, but he would accept that
duty, fancy
Captain Rolfe will be very welcome.
Indeed, | only wish you might bring the
whole regiment, major. Just think
what a good time the girls would have
this winter if that were only possible. F"
'Berengaria says" bursts in the major
again, ''that if / only show you proper
attention on this visit you'll be sure to
send us invitations to bring the whole
family and spend six weeks at least
Father, you outrageous fibberr
gasps Winifred, rushing at him and
placing one slim hand upon his mouth,
while twining the other, with its soft,
white arm, about his neck. Indeed,
Miss Guthrie, you must be told that
father is perpetually poling fun at
mother, making her say all manner of
things she never thought Of 1t is all
well enough in the regiment, where
people understand it and are prepared
for his nonsense, but many strangers
are completely deceived at times, and
mamma never so much as remon-
strates."
Evidently mamma does not consider
it worth while.
s'It would be wasting time, Miss
Guthrie, and we are wasting time as it
is. Captain Hazlett will never forgive
you, Major Berrien, if you keep dinner
waiting another minute Captain Rolfe,
viii you escort Miss Guthrie? Come,
Richard march,
after you, Rolfe, says the major,
with 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, trem-
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 Guthrieg"
queries the major over his shoulder,
with every appearance of concern. Il
could have fixed it all for you"
"Siience, Dick, sternly murmurs Mrs.
Berrien. 'sThere 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
4 Hazlett's quarters-guests invited to
meet the 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-
vation, and the Berriens, walking rapid
ly now, as the energetic lady can lead
! her expostulating 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
surgeons quarters and the barracks at
the east end.
'Now there is something Miss Guth-
RE really must see" says Berrien, halt
ing short. ''As of her admirers and
entertainers, feel bound to call her at
tention to it.
"Dick!-stupidl-m on at once.
You must not speak to her cow. Can't
you see?"
''See? OF course 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
4 whirls him about and faces him in the
proper direction. 'Oh,'' he persists, IF
it is something about her you wanted to
me to see, can't you understand that l
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 her to say his say.
Hesknows 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, you amaze mel Are you
conniving at his capture? Didn't You
tell me you knew she wouldn't have
hims'
Il did; know it now; but he is a
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 Now this will take his appetite
away entirely"
"Asif he had any in the first place!
Positively, Richard, you have no soul
above dinner. When a man is as des-
perately in love as Rolfe, do you suppose
he cares much what he eats?"
"Well, seems to me l was never off
my feed" is Berrien's reply with prefer
natural gravity, looking straight to the
front now and refusing to meet his wife's
dark eyes.
..Youp with fine seorn. "Youl Why,
Richard Berrien, with all your amiable
qualities Of heart and weaknesses of