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

Bcrrien. "Thcre Is no fun in This affair,
and warn you-not anothc. 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 tho
officers are at dinner. One or two
couples are just entering the gateway OF
Hazletts 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 detaln tho 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, aud the Berriens, walking rapid
ly now. as the energetic lady can lead
her erpostulating spouse, come suddenly
upon the sight of the greatgolden moon
rising above the distant bluffs and peer
ing in upon the garrison through tho
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 one of her admirers and
entertainers, feel bound to call her at
tention to it,"
"Dick.-s;upid'-m on at once.
You must not speak to her row. 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
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 |
have no eyes in the back of my head and
| that therefore | should DO allowed to
| look about
You see, sir, ard 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.
He knows this to be his last chance.
Everybody will be there tho moment
dinner is over. Everybody will sur.
round her, and unless he speaks now he
must let her go without a word"
"Berengaria, You amaze me! Are yor
conniving at his capture: Didn't you
tell me you knew she wouldn't have
him."
Il did; l know it now; but he Is &
man who wants to hear his fate from
her own lips and plead his cause, too
like a man, unless am very much mis-
taken in him. No, sir, don't you dare
look back"
poor devil! Why couldn't he wal
till after dinner? she might he in softol
you always wait till after dinner, pre-
sumo, when You have anything specia
to ask. Now this will take his appetit,
away entirely"
AS if he had any in the first place
Positively, Richard, You have no sou
above dinner. When a man is as DIES
perately in love as Rolfe, do you suppos
he cares much what he eats:'
"Well, seems to me | was never of
: my feed" is Berrien's reply with prefer
natural gravity, looking straight to tn
, front now ard refusing to meet his wife
dark eyes.
, "You" with fine scorn. "You. Why
, Richard Berrien, with all your amiabl
qualities of heart and Weaknesses 0
head no one ON earth would ever assC
ciate You and sentiment in the sam
g. ! nd
tite are inscparable; but Rolfe is differ
ent he is a lover"
well, what am I?'
| "You are simply a goose tonight
| Come, don't stop at the gate now; pus
> right on into the house after the HOLD
( ems. III run up to Mrs. Hazletts rool
, with Mia"
t a dozen of the fort people only hav
been hidden to dinner, for hardly din
y. ing room at the post is big enough fc
o more, and on the porch anxiously avail
< ing the coming of his guests is Hazlett
e Where are Rolfe and Miss Guthrie,
y asks he as men will ask All here no
+ but thom."
7 Coming at once; only few stel
o behind u.s." promptly answers Mrs. Be
e ricn. Run i'll, major; I'll wait fl
Mia" Bem'ien looks as though he lned
" tatcd q mischcvous remark, but som
i thing in her voice and manner tells hi,
/, that instant obedience is expected. I
/, gives one quick glance and steps in
|, the hail.
It Presently, while chatting with othe
It of the arriving party, he is conscious
# the swish OF skirts passing up the stai
Il way, TIE door to the yeranda is SIT
e open, and CHANGING out Begrien can st
d Role alone leaning against one of Il
IS wooden pillars, his head dropping
d though plunged in deep thought.
l. ''poor old chap! he's got his congo t
night, and that's tie end of his tv
II years romance. ODD about that Cii
She fancies nobody"
IS Three hours later, the moon boil
it we'll up III the heavens now, and II
70 whole parade shining revealed almost
r bright as day, both the verandas and h
2, parlor OF Hazlctt's cozy home a
, l,,,,. ,,,-J.l ,,.;tl, ,,tlfraIS a,I 1oJ;ne olo