News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-09-28
anywhere away from it."

| anywhere away from it..
Oh, Curly, Curly What fools these
mortals bet' You should have sense
enough to see how utterly the situation
has changed. You ought to know that
something more than gratitude has
| prompted all old Berrien's clumsy eff
forts at cordiality. You ought to see
| by Mrs. Berrien's unaffected kindliness
that the cloud has been dispelled. Why
stand in your own light, victim to this
bumptious pride, striving to persuade
yourself that had it not been for the for
tunes of war her father would have in
terposed today as sternly and positively
as he did before and she-she would
probably have as meekly, tamely sub
mitted as she did that bitter night of
parting at the gate? Can you never for
give that unresponsive hand, that half
shrinking, constrained goodby?
He is silent, waiting for her reply.
He will not look at her, for her beauty
dazzles, almost drives him wild with
passionate love and longing. He has
worshiped her, adored her as loyal knight
!! might worship his queen of love and
beauty. Down in his heart of hearts her
image has lived through every instant of
the fierce campaign and reigns there
now, rebel against it as he may Her
silence daunts him. If he had thought
to pique or trap her into questioning, it
was unworthy of his love and her Her
little hands are clasping now. She has
started, raised her head, is listening in
tently. Absorbed only in her, in his
love, in his wrongs, Brewster has lost all
ear for the thrilling, martial music
growing fainter and fainter down the
street, but the look in her sweet face
startles him. The color has fled The
dark eyes are dilating. One little hand
is uplifted, as if to ward off any other
sound. Borne on the night wind the
strains come full and rich upon the ear.
No wonder the girl is silenced, stunned.
Oh, for the clasping mothers arms nowl
Oh, for the love, the wordless sympathy,
that was hers that cold, gray wintry
morning when the battalion with its
loved ones strobe buoyantly away down
the winding road at Pawnee! All the
heart breaking sorrow, all the vague.
throbbing, quivering pain, come back to
her again as now she leans breathless
against the easement listening to the
same sad, sweet, fearful old song:
Love not, love not, ye hapess sons of clayI
One instant only she stands trembling
there, then IL great sob surges up in her
throat, and, burying her face in her
hands, she bursts away, she runs she
knows not whittier. Out into the de-
serted corridor, along the carpeted aisle
she speeds. Then to her left, wide open,
brightly lighted, she spies the elevator,
and, with the leap of hunted hare to its
form, she springs within. No one there.
She tries to shut the sliding door, but
now some one is there-Brewster-
his one arm is too strong for her two.
An instant more and he is with her,
blessing the fates that had carried off
the attendant for surreptitiOus look at
the departing regiment. With quick de-
cision Curly pulls the starting rope, and
when the car has glided softly upward
just half way to the next floor checks its
motion, then springs to her side. Never
till that instant had he known the full
misery of a crippled and,useless arm.
''Winifred, sweet one, listenr' he cries,
seizing slender wrist and striving to
draw her hand away, as, sobbing, she
crouches in the corner of the cage, while
his brave young heart is humping with
Il joy and exultation it never knew be-
fore. His blue eyes are ahame with
love and gladness.
Listen! Don't cry sol | must tell
you"
R-r-r-r-ring! goes the confounded ele-
vator bell. She springs to her feet, sti-
fling her sobs, conquering her womanly
weakness.
"Oh, do let me outr she cries. dash
ing away the tears
81 won't" he answers, with such a
joyous, teasing triumph in his deep
tones. Though a million men min
ute ring that bell, I'll never let you go
nOw-never. You cruel, wicked, heart
less girl, you sent me away
ooh, do let me out, Mr.. Brewsterl"
she pleads. Indeed you must. IR-r-
r-r-r-ring. There's that awful bell
again"
"You sent me away" he calmly con-
tinues, while his eyes dance and CLEAN.
utterly miserable because of your cold |
ness and constraint. You knew wor-
SHIPPED the very ground you stood upon
You knew | loved you better than any
thing in the wide wOrld"- R-r-r-r-r-r-
B-r-r-r-r-r-ring0
81 must CO." she pleads, struggling |
hard to free the hand he has clasped. |
"Oh, do, Mr.. Brewster"
"You shall: you shall the very instant |
yOu have paid toll, Miss Berrien," he
laughs low. (R-r-r-r-r-r- B-r-r-r-r-ring0 |
I'll put you out on any floor you wish. |
when you have said just two words"
"Oh, quick! Do let me gor' and she |
makes Il frantic lunge at the starting |
rope. but too late. His daring arm is
around her now. He can use but one,
and that has enfolded and drawn her
close to his breast. The clatter of the
bell is deafening. "Oh, please" she
murmurs, struggling in vain and glanc-
ing up in his glorified face.
mot until you say, Yes, Carroll
Now, quick! Winifred, do you love me,
just Il little?' No answer Head bowed
again, and now On the only available
resting place. B-r-r-r- B-r-r-r-r-r- B-r-
r-r-r-ringD 81 can't hear" he laughs
low and joyously, and the blond head
bows until the curling mustache is
sweeping her flushed and tear wet cheek
did you speak, Miss Berrien?"
Eyes, Carroll" A mere whisper.
Louder, please, Miss Berrien." Oh,
what eloquence there is in that one
rlasping arm!
"Oh, please, let me go! Yes, yesl
yes!-if must" And then the bell
rattles madly, but unavailingly, and for
the instant neither hears. For the in
slant she can speak no more, for the soft,
red lips are sealed.
Two minutes later, as that brightly
lighted car glides down and comes to
stop at the parlor floor, flushed and
youth confronts the tall cav
alryman who calmly steps forth as
though on air and holds out warning
hand.
Young man, if ever | hear of you
quitting your post again and allowing a
novice to get caught between floors,
you'll get into trouble. It's lucky for
you I'm the only one who can tell any
thing about it this time" But the
wrath is gone, and with bulging eyes
the boy glares at the round gold piece
N his palm, then at the vanishing lieu
tenant and then into the empty car.
Homeward boundi The horses are all
aboard. The second battalion has steam
ed away. Berrien's men from the car
windows are answering the cheers of
,he crowds of citizens assembled to see
hem off. The ladies, safely enscOnced
n the cozy interior of the Pullman, are
saying adieu to the number of friends,
lrmy and civilian, who have accom-
thnI1 70 troi |