Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-11-04

barracks say that of you"
''Do they" she cried with a gasp. 81
am so glad"
Glad? Silly girl! What is their opin-
ion WORTH
"As much as yours, l 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 Travers came off worsted
among the men the other night, / heard"
1.-The odds We're all against the one, as
usual" she said. Your barrack jokes
are seldom funny
He laughed. why do you care for
him, Mollief'
Il don't"
"All right, Mollie," he said in tone
that indicated ''all wrong"
Its getting late" she remarked.
They are setting the tea tray"
''Shall help you DOWN.
Her toes were On level with his chest
as he fronted her. She carefully scru-
tinted the height from the ground.
mo, thank you
''Oh, 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 i'll the lighted room of the house.
Then the tears trickled down her cold
cheek and froze there.
A boy was spinning a 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 a mutiied
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 evenings 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
quarter of her form being visioned at
one time.
The edge of her skirt and white satin
slippers We're undergoing reflection when
her youngest brother shouted through
the keyhole:
you'll do, Mollie! You'll beat Georgina
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 containeda 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 We're accompanied by
a scrap of paper From Jack"
(Which shall wear, Bobby she ask
ed excitedly, laying the roses and thu
lilies together against her bodice.
''Both," the boy replied promptly.
sob, can't. l think-I think the rel
looks better on the white. The lilies arr
a trifie insipid, and yet-oh, must veal
the roses; the red looks lovely"
She turned from her brothers inspec
ton. with the roses clustered ut hel
lreast.
stunning! Now stick the lilies ii
your hair
but they would look awful, Bobby.
Whats tine odds? Cousin Jack might
feel hipped if you don't stick 'em some
where"
Don't be so silly! The men have
nothing to do with the flowers"
She gathered her gloves and fan to
gether and fastened out of Bobby
sight.
"Well," soliloquized the juvenile man
Il guess Til keep my money in my peck
ct before I'm soft enough to waste it OF
the girls"
''Did you receive the lilies?" Sergeant
Major Boyne asked, while he and hi
partner stood aside from the dancers fol
moment.
ayes; thank you very much"
"You are not wearing them"
"'These roses arrived at the same time
II thought their color was such pref
ty contrast for my gown"
sit is very pretty"
care you annoyed, Cousin Jack:"
Not at all. Shall we finish this
valse?"
"Ye-es."
Later on Travers claimed Mollie for q
dance.
How good of you to wear my flow.
ers," lie murmured.
Many of the men iounging about the
room envied the little sergeant as he
passed with his partner. Her face wa:
flushed. Her dark eyes shone brilliantly
II am tired" Mollie said suddenly
They went to the end CT the room, where
portion was screened Off He took hei
fan. waiting it for her While they talked
II wish were rich enough to marry
you, Mollie."
Suppose the colonel refused his con
sent?'
"wel, we could run away and ger
married
"You daren't."
"Oh, yes, dare. sweet little Mollie.
he whispered. Il dare do something fol
you"
THAT is very brave Of you. viii Igor
fetch me an ice?'
The smile on Mollie's lips faded a.
Travers disappeared round the screen
She closed her eyes YEARLY.
"5iollie~' The sergeant major wa.
bending over her. Il have come to say
good night. Mollie. One Of the men WIKI
is down with the fever has sent for me.
But you needn't go:'
81 must; he is dying"
As he leaned over the chair his ham
lightly touched her hair. One Of ths
roses had fallen from her breast and lay
on the folds Of her gown.
May have this" he asked, taking il
up gently.
IF you like The freshness had gone
from her voice. But the other mar
gave it to me, Jack
''Never mind; you have worn IT,"
He passed ont Of her sight as Travers
came into it bearing the ice.
Take it away. she said TO him, pet,
ulantiy; Il don't want il"
Sergeant Major Boyne was down with
the fever. His comrades talked Sc ious
ly together. Some of the men hung
round the hospital 10 which he had beer
removed and begged constantly for thu
1a4 xn< 4.xxIl<t.,.