Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-12-23

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ty contrast for my gown"
at is very pretty"
"Are you annoyed, Cousin Jackl"
"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," he murmured.
Many Of the men lounging about the
room envied the little sergeant as he
passed with his partner. Her face was
flushed Her dark eyes shone brilliantly
II am tired" Mollie said suddenly
They went to the end of the room, where
portion was screened off. He took he,
fan, waiting it for her while they talked
II wish were rich enough to marry
you, Mollie."
Suppose the colonel refused his con
sent?'
"Well, we could run away and gel
married."
"You daren't."
"Oh, yes, dare, sweet little Mollie.
he whispered. II dare do something fol-
you"
"That is very brave of you. Will yor
fetch me an ice?"
The smile on Mollie's lips faded a,
Travers disappeared round the screen
She closed her eyes YEARLY.
"MollieW The sergeant major wa:
bending over her. II have come to say
good night, Mollie. One of the men who
is down with the fever has sent for me.
"But you needn't go!"
II must; he is dying"
| As he leaned over the chair his hani
| lightly touched her hair. One of thu
roses had fallen from her breast and lay
ON the folds of her gown.
"May have this| he asked, taking il
up gently.
eff 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 out of her sight as Traveri
came into it bearing the ice.
"Take it away" she said to him, pet
ulantly; Il don't want it.
Sergeant Major Boyne was down will
the fever. His comrades talked serious
ly together. Some of the men hung
round the hospital to which he had beer
removed and begged constantly for tn
latest bulletin.
Near the group of soldiers stood Molli,
Henderson. Every day she gathered
news Of her cousin from their fragmen
airy conversation.
Hes mortal bad,' remarked one.
"Aye. Sinking fast, / heard"
"He's sticking to his colors to the last,
spoke another. "They say he's calm;
out her name often"
Sand she don't care rap for him."
'She amt good enough for our ser
geant major" -they murmured together
"Praps she'll be sorry when"--
Some one pushed through the group
Each man fell aside as Mollie, her fac
white and strained, passed by them AM
obtained admittance into the hospital.
Presently one of the men looked up a
the sergeant majors window.
"Let's hope she'll be in time, mates,
he said huskily.
The sergeant major was convalescent
In the little back yard he practiced
broadsword exercise in the presence Q
Mollie Henderson.
Observation-Disclosures; right! One
two-three-four; leftv'
The girl sitting on the wall called on
to him:
"That will do. Come here and rest
minute.
"You must be obeyed, Cousin Mollie,
he said, gliding one hand into her muf1
"Of course. Haven't sworn to tax
care of you, Cousin Jack"
Their fingers interlaced inside tn
muff. She counted the branches of tn
skeleton tree; he reckoned up tn
notches in the wooden post.
"Cousin Molliep"
"Cousin Jack?"
Don't you think we might begin tn
new year.
The two little dangling feet moved
restlessly against the wall; the hant
within the sergeant's frightened it's clasp
He looked up at the face above his own
"Mollie, Mollier he cried softly, "ma,
hoist my colors in the new year,"
eyes, Jack, yes."
The boy in the next yard looked W
from spinning his top and remarked
upon the sudden disappearance of Mollie
into the sergeant majors arms, 81
thought she wouldn't want showing of
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