Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-18


camp eauipage. In fifteen minutes more
the word Went - to send down the next
troop. and the train pulled forward four
car lengths. so as to bring the next lot
Of horse cars opposite the platform and
chutes, while Thorpe's handsome sorrels
were led wondering from the dlmly
lighted gangway: and so, by few
minutes after five, even the officers
chargers aud the spare horses of the first
battalion were all aboard, and some
where across the stream, just as the
major acknowledged the report, "All
aboard and secure, sir" in Hazlett's
soldierly tones. a sprightly chanticleer,
whose ears had at last caught those
muffied sounds of hoof and voice over
under the garrison bluffs, concluded it
time to challenge, and woke the echoes
with shrill ck-a-doodle-doo, whereat
there came a low chuckle of delight
from Hazletts men.
Very good, sir. Now get aboard all
your baggage as quick as you can.
"All aboard now, sir.
..Then march up to quarters for coffee
and breakfast-the others are at theirs
now-and form under arms right after
ward"
Precious little sleep has there been
this nighttime time among the men, no
inclination among the women. Wives
and daughters who had devoutiy
thanked heaven that only the first bat
TALON was TO 20 were soon undeceived
and found that but ten hours respite
was to be theirs. All the night long the
note Of preparation could be heard in
barracks and in quarters. The colonel,
with his adiutant and quartermaster,
hardly left the Office at all. Berrien
hustled from barracks TO his home, from
there to stables. At two o'clock, find
ing all his own campaigning kit in per
feet readiness, and Winifred and her
mother still budding over the parlor
fire, he noted the pallor in his daughters
face, the deep trouble in her pathetic
eyes, and, taking her in his arms. he
kissed her fondly again and again.
$50 to your room now, little daugh-
ter" he said huskily; ''go, dear, and try
to sleep. ] will not leave without COM
ing to say bye-bye, just as always did. "
She shivered and hid her face and chung
to his neck, saying no word, shedding
no tear. Gently he unclasped her hands.
Eyes. my child. do as bid you now;
want to speak with mother awhile
And then reluctantly she turned, but
the one brief look into his eyes was SC
full of wordless sorrow that he was for
an instant unnamed. MY little girl
my little Winniel don't look at your old
daddy that wayl" he almost sobbed, as
again he threw his arm around her, lead.
ing her TO the stairs. I'VE won't be gone
long. We're all coming back, dear; and
we'll have lovely Christmas, and you
shall have the jolliest kind of party,
pet. But be a brave little woman now.
it'll all come right" She turned
with quick convulsive sob and threw
herself upon his breast, again twining
her soft arms about his neck, her beau.
tiful dark hair streaming in ripping
shimmering masses down over the
creamy white wrapper. The burst OF
tears would have been blessed relief
but it never came. A quick, soldierly
tread was heard on the plank walk with
out. and then springing up the steps
Even before the rat-tat-tat at the dooi
she had torn herself from his arms ant
sped like a startled fawn upthe carpetet
stair.
1T is Mr.. Brewster said Mrs Der
rien, In low tone, quickly Berriei
4 threw open the door Anything for I
pretext to come here again, he NUT
tered angrily to himself, as he confronted
the unwelcome intruder. 1t was Brew
ster.
Major Berrien. the colonels compli
ments, and he desires you TO know tina
the train win be here at four instead o
five" And Brewster's eyes glanced bu
an instant into those of his superior
and then went wandering longingly owe
his shoulder.
Il had already heard it. sir. Yo'
have everything ready
Il beg pardon. then, for disturbing
YOU, major. have just left the col
onel. and he thought you might not hav
heard. Yes, sir, everything viii b
ready, though the rations are not ye
cooked"
"Then be ready to get your horse
aboard the moment F has finished load
ing. Anything else, Mr.. Brewsters
Poor fellow, there was something else
something that filed heart and soul an
dominated every Thought. Gain
wistfully up the stairs, his sad eyes ha
caught one glimpse Of that white, fleet
ing form, one glimpse Of the Lowell
pallid face all framed in dark, fallin
tresses, as. clinging to the balustradt
Winifred turned, unable to resist tn
longing to hear what he might have I
say.
'Nothing-nothing more, believe
SIR" And, mechanically raising hi
hand in salute. poor Curly turned away
the door promptly closing behind him.
Berrien came back into the parlo
clinching his fists, SPECIFICS indigns
ton in his face. Mrs. Berrien saw tn
un,llistalxable signs. and. though in he