Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-09-01

,iIicers, Brewster, "the swell OF the
ubs," keeping close to Winifred Ber-
len, and claiming moro and more of the
ylances of her big dark eyes. Down at
he gate, the moonlight glinting on his
polished saber, tho officer OF the day ia
exchanging a few low toned words with
Major Bcrrien. Rolfe, who with silent
md logged resolution has taken his
place at Miss Guthrie's side as she came
Down the stairs and escorted her to the
doctors, has turned from there and gone
slowly across the parade to his own
quarters on the other side. Everybody
seems to sec and know what has hap
tened, and many half whispered COM
ments are being made, not all in sym.
pathy with the widowed lover. Every
body respects Rolfc, yet among tho
younger officers are several who feel no
warmth of friendship for him, and, as
between man and man, garrison girls
can only side with the youngsters.
Their story of their slight differences is
sometimes told again and again; the
elders seldom, for theirs would hardly
be believed.
Little by little the rnat and ,lughtor
subside.
ooh, Why doesnt she come back
pouts Miss Berricn. "Tho ambulanccs
will be here in less than half an hour,
and we won't see anything of her" A
chorus of girlish voices echoes Winifred' 5
views. Mrs. Berrien and Mrs. Parker
at this moment come forth from the
house and look expectantly up the road.
GLOW long they are!' says Winnie
again. what can keep them, mGmmaT
Packing, doubt not, my child"
"Bnt the wagons gone. trunks and eli
It can't be that"
"Still, would not fret shout 1t, Win.
ME. Has she not promised to come next
spring and pay Us a long visitt'
YES, but who knows where We may
all be next spring, or what may harper
meantime: Every paper we get is full
of stories of the ghost dances among tn,
Sioux, and if there should be another II
dian war
Nonsense, Winifrcd. DONE JhinI: o
such thing. After all his regimen
has had to suffer in Indian battle, yot
don't suppos" we, of al others, woul
be sent from here to a winter campaign
in the northern department? We'v,
seen the last of such troubles, God b.
thanked"
Major Berrian, his interview with tn
officer of tic day ended, has just starteo
to rejoin the group on the vcranda wiz,
lie hears his wifc's pious words, Il
whirls around sharply.
"Oh, captain, there's one thing for
got to tell you" And the saber of til
officer Of the day clanlls against his le
as Captain Porter faces about. TIL
younger officers go on with their blith
chat; but Mrs. Berrien has known h.
lord twenty long years, and no soone
has the officer of the day departed tina
she hastens to join him.
= Dick" she falters, "surcly YOU
not believe that there is any chance c
the Twelfth going, even if there Shout
be trouble? Dick, tell me-"
"Berengaria, beloved inquisitor," h
begins, II didn't even know there was
= row anywhere
But she rcbules him by single glance
lei Ilt, DlCh, SLlt persists, all
clings to his arm. You don't thinl
after all we've been through, that, no.
that we are so happily settled here, thel
5 is IA possibility of such thing: 1t ism
only for myself now. list woul
, mean moro to Winifred than either {
3 us dreams Of"
+ He looks at her in silence and amaz
T. Then-then comes sudden distraction
. On the stiffness Of night there rises
L. scream of terror-a woman's voice "
: lifted in the expression Of an awfl
shock and agony. Then a dash towal
Holdcns quarters, every man joining.
. My God" shouts Berrien, its Mi
a Guthrie"
: Following the rush of soldiers fee
4 half dozen ladies' too, have hasteue,
Winifred Bcrrien foremost Of the 10
g AT the head of the stairs, ON the landir
/ of the second floor, dressed for her jou
r ney, lies the fair guest of the regimen
+ a senseless heap with the blood flown
from underneath her pallid face.