News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-09-21
TERMS $I.5O.

JlIul MONIES OF the city. The solemn ma
ture of the duty that has called them
hither precludes the possibility of any
general gathering, but the dinner to
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 strove to appear joyous
and appreciative, her daughter longed
to leave the scene and return to the ho-
tel, where, as was well known, many of
the officers were to spend the evening.
Not until nightfall had the Twelfth
passed by on its return from the march
y ther Instant cemetery, and as they
Joggs< D iOng at ease one or two of the
tro1lf statoon commanders, in answer
to yJyous hail from the sidewalk, had
refined out of column by old Berrien's
permission and dismounted under the
portico, but Brewster, smiling, had
shaken his head and gone on with his
blacks to the muddy cantonment far
down at the southern verge. Winifred
was already dressed for dinner. She
had hastened to her room as soon as
they returned from the Guthries', and
Mrs. Berrien made no comment. She
well understood that the girls one
thought was to be ready to welcome If
he should come. There was no telling
at what minute he might be announced.
And though they were not to leave the
hotel until nearly seven, Winifred was
ready at four. The mother heart yearned
over her child as she saw how the shadows
deepened in her dark eyes when the col
umn went on out of sight in the wintry
cleaning, Brewster with it.
At that moment she could almost
share her husbands idea of bringing the
young man to his knees then and there.
What business had he playing the indif-
ferent in this utterly unsoldierly fashion?
How dare he treat Winifred with cold
ness? She had done him no wrong. Not
since that night of the last hop at Paw
nee, the night the marching orders came,
had there been opportunity Tor the girl
to speak to him at all. OF course the
major had been brusque and repellent
and had virtually forbidden his further
attentions; but, heavens. that was not
Winifred's doing, and 18th the major
Rnd herself had endeavored to show
him, without unnecessary allusion to
the matter, that whatsoever might have
been the suspicious or impressions
aroused by the singular conduct of that
middle aged married fiirt at Pawnee,
they no longer entertained the faintest
III opinion Of him. Indeed, Mrs. Berrien
never had. Blue blooded herself, her
faith in bon sang was deep rooted. She
had always liked Brewster, but she was
loyal wife and would III no wise act
counter to her husbands wishes. 1t
was now, when Mr.. Brewster seemed
allowing his pride and resentment to
prompt him 10 this undeserved and cruel
wounding Of her daughters heart, that
Mrs. Berrien first felt any unkindhness.
She could have made him suffer for it,
but that she knew it would hurt Wini-
fred as well. Without n word, but Just
SO soon as the last of the yellow cane
Innings disappeared from view, Wini-
fred had turned from the parlor and
again sought her room. Mrs. Berrien
sent bell boy for Mr.. Randolph, who,
having dismounted at the entrance, was
standing, the center of group Of
friends, in the marble floored Office be-
low, and Randolph came up with the
next trip of the elevator.
do you go with us to the dinner at
the As tonight. Mr.. Randolph"
mo, Mrs. Berrien; believe only
those who are so fortunate as to be the
husbands of certain ladies of the Twelfth
are hidden. We are going to have lit
tie gathering here to see Curly off"
"And where does Curly go-and
when?"
"Back to Washington by the first
train, Mrs. Berrien. He's been offered
a detail at the war department"
"How delightful that is for Mr.. Brew
ster! Why, the Twelfth is getting some
little recognition after all. Up to this
moment the generals welcome home is
the only word we've had from a soul.
Then you'll all be here tonight, will
you"
"Most of us. Rolfe's here, too"
laughed Randolph, "but he sat in deep
window during the procession and
doesn't mean to show in public yet. I'm
told he wants to make up with Curly
before he goes tonight, but Curly won't
let him." And Randolph knit his
brows. 81 wouldn't if | were Brewster.
Wouldn't it be odd if they took the same
train, though? l suppose he won't care
to exhibit that new cheek of his to Miss
Guthrie. VIII she be here sfter the
dinner"
Il doubt it, Mr.. Randolph. Miss
is not at all well. She had a
sinking spell of some kind this after
aeon during the parade, and has not
left her room since. Say to Mr.. Brew
ster for me that we shall hope to see
him before he leaves, will you? Well
be back about ten O'Clock"
But it is after ten, long after, that now
they are gathered ip the parlors, and
music, laughter and the sound of merry |
voices ring through the wide corridors. |
the wistful look gone from |
her dark eyes. a soft flush on her cheek, |
u standing near one of the high win
dows, the center of o group of ladies and |
officers, among whom at this moment is
Brewster, his right arm still in its sling. |
Though she strives after her first hutter-
ing welcome not to glance at him again,
just now at least she cannot quiet con-
with shy delight how her fathers broad
palm is laid upon her hero's shoulder as
the veteran trooper looks into the
soldiers face with an express
sion she is thankful to see. All around
the big, stiffly furnished, formal room,
with laughter and with gladness old
friends are meeting again for the first
time in years-one at least of the joys of
our nomad army life. The buzz of con-
versation, the remarks of Mr.. Ridge
way, who clings to her side, and the
sweet, thrilling strains of "Rigoletto"
floating up from the rotunda, fall upon
Iistless ears. Winifred is striving to
catch his words, for now her mother has
joined them, and her cordial, kindly
voice mingles with those about her.
She cannot hear what is said except in
mere snatches, a word here and there,
but she can and does see that, though
thoroughly courteous, Brewster is dig
nified, almost unresponsiye. When her
father makes some jovial allusion to his
narrow escape at the Porcupine and
would apparently refer to Brewster's
rush to the rescue, the latter seems to
waive it aside and turn at once to another
subject. Why will he be $3.50 unlike
lis old self?
Harkl From the street below the
'inging call of the buglel Randolph
Dokes his head in through the other win
low:
"Come out, all of you. Come and
zee them march away" 1t is that hand
ome regiment from the Queen City.