News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-08-03

nau come Tor us.
In less time than it takes to tell it
the tidings spread from porch to hall
that something was up" and other
people, men and women, old officers and
young, matrons and maids, quit their
places in the Lancers and came stream
ing forth upon the gallery. whats
the matterY' "Is it fire? | heard no
alarm" The trumpets haven't sound
ed" See! there's the orderly trumpeter
going across the parade now, running
to the office" "Why, the Office is
lighted too" where's Warren?"
"What does it mean?" These and doz-
ems of other verbal conjectures and sug-
gestions flew from lip to lip. Men ex-
cused themselves to their fair partners,
seized their caps, scurried away down
the steps and sped over toward the
lights at headquarters. A dozen or
more suddenly disappeared in this way,
and then it was found that the colonel
and Berrien and Hazlett and Thorpe
and Brewster, too, were all missing. And
then Mrs. Thorpe's voice was heard
wailing out upon the night air:
"Oh, Mrs. Berrienl Mrs. Berrienl !
know what it means. | saw the tele-
graph operator coming up the steps. It's
orders-orders for the field"
And then indeed
There was hurrying to and fro
And gathering tears, and tremblings Of dis
tress,
And cheeks all pale which but an hour ago
Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness.
And the dance was forgotten, and the
musicians, astonished, found the lighted
hall rapidly emptying of the revelers,
and women pressed, pallid and fearful,
into the dressing room, gathering up
their wraps with hasty hand and hurry
ing forth to take the arm of husband or
lover, as though claiming that right to
the very last And then in some way
the word went around, "Only one battal-
ion goes-only Berrien's," and those
whose lords were attached to the other
plucked up heart and spirit for mo-
ment, and in the midst of it all, pale but
fearless, Mrs. Berrien stood waiting pa
tiently for Dicks return, and by her
side, even paler, but as brave and tear
less and patient, Winifred clung to her
mothers arm and would take no other.
Ridgeway, who had scampered over to
the office among the dozen departed,
came painting back up the stairway.
''Is it true?' asked Mrs. Berrien.
eyes; the first battalion goes at day
break. The major says he will be over
| IN few moments"
"Mrs. Berrien, permit me to escort
you home," said Major Kenyon, hasten
ing after Ridgeway up the stair. 81
have Just seen Berrien; he has to go to
the barracks few minutes"
"Miss Winifred, may have the pleas
ure? Mr.. Brewster is of course needed
with his troop, and mine does not go,
said Ridgeway, proffering his arm. The
girl hesitated one moment, half clingina
to her mothers side, and casting one
swift, appealing glance into her face.
eyes, daughter, we'll go home a
once" was the low toned answer as Mrs
Berrien took old Kenyon's arm, anC
with bowed head moved toward tn
stairs, her escort eagerly, volubly eX
planning to her that he felt sure the OF
ject of the sudden move was merely I
overawe the Indians by n display {
force, ''It is exactly what was dor
f--rre With such success h few years ago
Mrs. BerrieII. The Cheyennes were viii
for an outbreak, and Sheridan simpl
called in troops from everywhere, ant
when the Indians saw the great array o
cavalry and infantry they caved at once
Never had to fire shot, madam. AnC
that's the proper way to handle thii
matter. That's what this means. The
Sioux will be so disheartened they won't
dare resist even if orders are given tC
disarm them-God forgive me the lie'
he muttered under his breath. "Oi
course it's exasperating to think of the
Twelfth being sent so far away at such
time, but better now, believe me, than
later, after those misguided wTetches
had had a chance to jump"
| But Mrs. Berrien had lived, heaven
only knows how, through many a sim
| liar experience. She had seen time and
again her husbands command hurried
forth on the trail or across the path of
savage foe. Never yet had they returned
unscathed, never yet without serious
loss of officers and men. She could only
bow her head the lower while her lips
moved in silent prayer. Just as they
reached the gate tall form came spring
ing after them through the darkness,
and Brewster's voice was heard:
Il hurried back to the hoproom, Miss
Winifred, only to find you gone. had
expected to escort you home. You have
heard the news? You know our orders
have Gomez He glared at Ridgeway,
as much as to say, "Leave, man; you
are one too many, as you ought to see."
But the junior lieutenant stoutly held
his ground, nor did Winifred withdraw
her hand from his arm.
81 have heard; yes, it seems very sud
den," was all she could or would say,
and the dark eyes were shrouded from
his longing gaze.
"We'll be off by daybreak, fear. /
cannot hope to see you again before we
have to go" he went ON desperately.
won't you come in, Mr.. Brewster"
called Mrs. Berrien from the steps.
"You and Mr.. Ridgeway can spare a
moment, can you not? Oh, Dick, here
you are!" she cried, as with quick, ener-
getic step the major sprang across the
road and appeared under the dim light
of the garrison lamp, and back to the
gate she sped to meet him and to twine
her arm in his.
"I'll say good night, ladies" said Ken
yon. "Ill call in in the morning to see
if can be of any service. Now must
trot over and help Holden to pack"
And, unrestrained, he went.
Brewster, Ridgeway, won't ask you
in now. You have much to attend to
and but little time. Run in, Winifred,"
said the major. "Ill be with you at the
barracks in few moments, gentlemen"
Slowly but obediently Winifred step
ped forward.
Good night, Mr. Ridgeway," she
murmured, holding out her little hand.
"Thank you very much"
Berrien stood impatiently at the gate,
as though to see her safely through.
With trembling lips Brewster spoke as
he sprang to her side.
"Goodby. Don't forget" was all he
could murmur as he seized her hand,
clinging to it one miserable moment
with both his own.
"Goodhy." she said, in low, tremu-
Ious tone, but withdrawing her hand,
Withholding her glance. The major
threw his arm about her and almost
thrust her through the gate
at is good night only, not goodby,
Mr. Brewster" said Mrs. Berrien, kind
" forgetting her own misery for the
moment in the contemplation of the woe
in his face. Then they hurried within
doors, Winifred dropping before them,
and then the door closed and Brewster
and Ridgeway stood there confronting
each other under the light. For mo-
ment neither spoke.
tsII,,,a ,.nu Lost your crossed sabersy' |