Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-08-09


the back of her mothers chair and
shrinking behind her mothers form. 1t
is impossible for him not to see the flut-
tering signals. He half chances toward
that thronging gallery, and in a second
the light leaps to his eyes, flush TO his
pallid cheek. lnstinctively his arm
witches in the effort Of the hand TO
reach the cap visor, and the instant
twinge of shooting pain brings him to
his senses. He has one brief, fleeing
look, however, at the beaming face he
loves, and he has just time for a half
gesture with the bride hand, a little
nod and then. as on he rides, he feels
rather than sees that one sweet face
that beamed upon him has suddenly
paled, that one graceful form is now
staggering back into Holden's waiting
and expectant arms. Only two platoons
in the black troop today, for the others
sleep beneath the wintry sod or still Ian
guish in the hospital ward. Only two
platoons. Brewster heads the first;
tall dark eyed, dark mustached SER
geant the second.
"Theres Sergeant Ellisw cries Mrs.
Berrien, in her pride and pleasure
"And he's shaved off his beard. Did
you ever see him look so young and
well?7
But Mrs. Holden, too, has turned, and
does not heed. Her watchful eyes, her
attentive ears, have other work 10 do.
Obedient to her husbands touch, she has
drawn close to his side. IL is into her
arms and his that, with one quick, gasp
ing, stifled cry, Mia Guthrie has fallen
as though stricken by a bolt from heaven.
1t is by these loving arms the limp and
PROSTATE form is quickly borne within
and laid upon the sofa, and Holden
whispers to his devoted wife, 1T is all
clear now
That night, the long ceremonies Of the
day concluded, throng of fair women
and brave men are gathered in the par
lors and corridor Of the great hotel.
Down in the marbled court below some
Italian musicians are playing soft, sweet
music. Out in the street, under the
glare Of the electric light, fine regi-
ment Of state troops has drawn up in
long extended line and is standing at
ease while its officers are bidding fare
well to host Of friends upon the walks
below. Here and above are soldiers Of
all branches of the service, who with
the mornings sun will be scattering to
their stations again. Some are clustered
in the broad vestibules and on the Office
floor. Others, the juniors mainly, are
paying their respects to the wife Of the
commanding general and to the ladies
of the Twelfth, for on the morrow they,
too, with the regiment, take fight for
their prairie home.
The hour is late, and several of those
present have just come in from a some
what subdued and quiet entertainment
given in their honor at one Of the beau,
tiful homes Of the city. The solemn ma
ture of the duty that has called them
hither precludes the possibility Of any
general gathering, but tho dinner tC
which the Berriens and others were bid
den has lasted so long that Winifred be
gan to believe it would never end, and
Mrs. Berrien has seen all too plainly
that, though she stroye to appear joyous
and appreciative, her daughter longet
to leave the scene and return TO the no
tel, where, as was well known, many o.
the officers were to spend the evening
Not until nightfall had the Twelfth
passed by on its return from the marcel
to the distant cemetery, and as they
logged along at ease one or two of the
troop or platoon commanders, in answer
to Joyous hail from the sidewalk, Ia,
81 Il
permission and dismounted under tn
portico, but Brewster, smiling, ha,
shaken his head and gone on with hi
blacks TO the muddy environment ia
down at the southern verge. Winifre,
was already dressed for dinner. Sh
had FASTENED TO her room as soon a
they returned from the Guthries', an,
Mrs. Berrien made no comment. Sh
well understood that the girls Oh
thought was to be ready to welcome j
he should come. There was no tellin-
at what minute he might be announced
And though they were not to leave tn
hotel until nearly seven, Winifred wa
ready at four The mother heart yearne
over her child as she saw how the shadow
deepened in her dark eyes when the col
umn went on out Of sight in the wintr
cleaning, Brewster with it.
At that moment she could almos
share her husbands idea Of bringing tn
young man to his knees then and there
J What business had he playing the indii
ferent in this utterly unaoldierly fashion
How dare he treat Winifred with cold
ness? She had done him no wrong. Nc
since that night Of the last hop at Paw
! nee, the night the marching orders came
, had there been opportunity for the gil
} to speak to him at all. Of course tn
major had been brusque and repellen
= and had virtually forbidden his furthe
attentions; but, heavens, thss was nc
e Winifred's doing, and both the maiC
5 and herself had endeavored to sho'
him, without unnecessary allusion [
= the matter, that whatsoever might hay
z been the suspicious or impression
| aroused by the singular conduct Of thu
, middle aged married fiirt at PawneI
they no longer entertained the fainte.
l III opinion of him. Indeed, Mrs. Berrie
newer had. Blue blooded herself, he
$ faith in bon sang was deep rooted. 81
a l.tI al ,,-ntru Ilra1 Tra.,afat. 1,,t clio ~.