The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-05-26

emerged when Patterns form rose
against the horizon.
There came n time whca tho lady's
temper did not swecten for whole
wceks--it was whoa the troops were
ordered nway.
Patterns troop was among them. and
Capt Ruggles' company was not This
was bad; II meant that bertha would
be ''thc girl he left behind him" II she
did not manage 10 ''land her fish, be-
fore the appointed time, which
was only n fortnight hence. Time
wore on; only n week was left, and
things werc at standstill. Bertha
was nervous and her mother cross
The week became day, and still
things were tho same There re-
NAMED one more chance. however; IL
was for,orn hope.
The troops were To camp the first
night only ten miles away from tho
post, and most OF the ladies OF the
garrison were going out To take supper
with tho departing officers. then they
were TO ride back by moonlight Now
or never must Patton declare his inten-
tons When he rode away with his
troop that last morning. he stopped at
Iiertha's house and impressed upon her
that she must not fail TO como out thnt
evening. he wanted 10 ses her very
much." he added. In what the listening
MrR Ruggles considered very signifi-
cant way. The good woman actually
kissed Bertha after the lieutenant had
ridden away. aud tho child was so sur
priscd that Gle forgot 10 cry because
her warrior bold" had ridden "brave-
ly 10 tho fray"
She really looked very pretty when
she cantcrcl of TO the camp that after
noon; che felt quito confldsnt OF vic
tory; IL seemed % her that tho others
went very slowly through tic pine
wooda She would have run her little
bronco every step OF the way had she
been alone Lieut. Patton was mount
cd when the parry arrived, and he
suggested TINT he aud Bertha 60 for
little ride. IL sho were not too t.rcl.
Tircdl not she; she fairly Leaned with
delight But after an hours scramble
on the foothills. they camo back. and
matters had not progressed at all
Patten was lovely. but not quito lovely
enough. Nisions of maternal wrath
began to float Lcforc Bcrtha's eyes and
dimmel tho glory OF the sunset which
she aud the young cavalryman watched
together from under big pine. Sun
set Is the accepted timo for saying
those things which Patton should have
said; but he dill not seem to know it
Then they aad supper, cooked over
the camp fire. Tho married women
seemed to find II very jolly. Bertha
thought, wistfully. II was determined
after supper that couple OF "a" tents
should be prepared for the women, that
they might spcnd the night in camp
and IA courier was sent of To tell those
left behind.
There was etill life aad still hope
thought Bertha. but every moment
was precious Why. then. should those
women, with all tho traditional bar
bnrity Of chnpcrons, say that they
were tired and carry Miss Epgglcs Off
TO bed? But so IL was; and that even
ing, which might have turned out SO
we'll, was spoiled and lost forever
At daylight, However. Bertha
emerged from her tent She looked
hnggard after her Glcepless night. and
the cold, cruel light of the morning
was not becoming.
The soldiers had been up several
hours already, aud breakfast real
camp breakfast OF bacon. coffee, yeast
powder buscuit1, and canned beans
was nearly ready. Miss Eugglcs felt
her breath como In gaspS as Patten
strobe up TO her and dotted his cam
raign hat llo only mentioned the
weather and asked how she had olept.
Bertha said: Not WELL" In n tono that
should have melted the heart OF any Of
iiccr; but he only supposed It was tho
mosquitocs-thcy had bothered him,
too" Then they had breakfast, and
Miss Rugglcs hid her white face behind
tho regulation tin quartcup Of coffee.
After that tho tents wcro struck and
the wagons loaded with true soldicrly
dispatch, and the men stood, foot In
stirrup, awaiting tho order Mount"
Putten and Miss Ruggles stood n little
apart lie was already on horseback,
and she, In her habit, stood besde him,
giving him cup OF coffcc Her whole
rpxious little soul was in her cyel and
she beat the too OF her broad little boot
ncrvously with her willow riding
switch.
Patten leaned over her This Is a
stirrup-cup, suppose" no said; lots
call IL SO anyway; IL sounds romantic
and"-tcndcrly-"1 love romance, don't
your Bertha said: Yes" The lieu
tenant raised the cup to his lips. then
lowered 1t again; IL must drinls your
health Ia my stirrup-cup and"-an
awful pausc-"and / wonicr IL one
dare mention the word love 20 girl
30 young ns you?" Dcrtha'a lips part
ed dryly. and her head swan. Patton
continued: Il fancy may. Then Let
me drink your very good health, and
wish that the FIRST time you love II may
be hnpI iiy, and that you will let me, n
an old friend, be the first TO know the
name OF the happy man" lie cmptled
the cup and, nt the command, trottcd
away with lis troop, strapping the tin
cup TO his saddle. -GwcndClcn Overton,
N.s