Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-10-10
LOVE ON A WALL.

LOVE ON A WALL.
The little hack yard presented a novel
appearance. The frostwas on the ground,
and the one skeleton tree in the corner
extended its leahess branches like gaunt
arms in various directions.
A wooden post was stuck in the cen
ter of the gravel square, its purpose
man practicing at hroadsword exercise.
Sergeant Major Boyne, pausing from
his exerbons, addressed some one sitting
on the wall to his right.
care you cold, MolIie?"
No, thanks; it is warming TO watch
you"
The sergeant continued his evolutions.
Standardization right One
-three5four; left!''
The girl clapped her hands. The SER
geant repeated the performance.
Glow jolly you look, cousin Jacllr
Mollie cried as the cuts and thrusts whis-
tied through the air.
.'Do I?' the sergeant queried, solemnly
regarding the post in the middle of the
ground.
.'You know that you look NICE she
said severely. Don't pretend
He returned the weapon to its sheath
and looked at the girl critically.
''You know that you look nice, Cousin
Molie," he said, with mock severity.
Don't pretend. You are the prettiest
girl in Linbrfdge. All the men at the
barracks say that of you.'
''Do they" she cried with gasp. al
am so glad"
Glad? silly girl! What is their opin-
ion worth?''
cas- much as yours, I suppose" she
answered.
"Oh, of course"
She leaned against the wall and re-
fastened buckle. She bit her lip and
tapped the red bricks with her heels.
Sergeant TraYers came off worsted
among the men the other night, heard"
''The odds were all against the one, as
usual, she said. Your barrack Jokes
are seldom funny"
He laughed. "Why do you care for
him, Mollie?' -7
81 don't"
"All right, Mollie, he said in tone
that indicated ''all wrong"
It's getting late" she remarked.
"They are setting the tea tray"
''Shall 1 help you down?r ea-
Her toes were on level withhis chest
as he fronted her. She carefully scru-
tinized the height from the ground.
''No, thank you"
ooh, all rightr he responded, with
the same dubious infection.
She heard his spurs click over the
frosty ground. She watched the patch
of scarlet merge into the gloom and re-
appear in the lighted room of the house.
Then the tears trickled down her cold
cheek and froze there.
A boy was spinning top in the next
garden. She leaned toward him.
Little boy she whispered, "give me
a push"
The little boy, mounting an inverted
bucket, pushed" and heard mufied
thud on the other side of the wall.
Every girl in the little garrison town
who possessed an invitation to the non
commissioned officers ball was prepar-
ing for the evening s festivity.
Mollie Henderson pirouetted round the
small limit of her chamber, gauzy be
ing in white. The circumscribed mirror
had been tilted up and tilted down, only
a quarter of her form being visioned at
one time.
The edge of her skirt and white satin
slippers were undergoing reflection when
her youngest brother shouted through
the keyhole;
''You'lldo, Molie! You'll beat Georgipa
Webb hollow"
"Oh, Bobby, darling, doyou think so?,'
she cried, opening the door.
Positive. Here are two boxes. Guess
ones from the sergeant"
Each box contained spray of flowers.
She held the red roses admiringly.
''Dear Mollie, please wear my flowers, !"
was penciled on sheet of paper bearing
the name of Sergeant Travers. The
lilies of the valley were accompanied by
scrap of paper From Jack"
(which shallI wear. BobbyF' she ask
ed excitediy, laying the roses and the
lilies together against her bodice.
"Both, the boy replied promptly.
''Oh, can't. tIIink-I think the red
looks better ON the white. The lilies are
a trife insipid, and yet-oh, must wear
the roses; the red looks 1ovely!H
She turned from her brothers inspec-
ton, with the roses clustered at her
breast.
t.stunningi Now stick the lilies in
your hair"
But they would look awful, Bobby
.Whats the odds? Cousin Jack might
feel hipped if you don't stick 'em some
where"
"Don't be so sillyi The men have
nothing to do with the flowers"
She gathered her gloves and fan to-
gether and fastened out of Bobby's
sight.
"well, sol1oquized the juvenile man,
81 guess I'll keep my money in my pock-
ct before Pm soft enough to waste 1t on
the rirls"
'.Did You receive the liliesy7 Sergeant
Major Boyne asked, while he and his
partner stood aside from the dancers for
Il moment.
seYesi thank you very much"
srYou are not wearing themr'