The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-05-19

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sure that his first love was yet to Gomez
but Bertha was q pastime, at any rate.
Things progressed nicely now. Pat
ten and Miss Ruggles took frequent
horseback rides, and often did not get
home until after dark. The first time
this happened, Bertha approached her
mammals presence with fear and
trembling; she did not know what her
mother would say, but she was sure of
good berating from none too gentle
tongue. Fancy, then, her sarprise and
delight at being met with sweet "go
and eat your dinner, dear; I've had 1t
kept warm" At the monthly hop
Patten danced most of the time with
Bertha, and forgot to complain of the
scratches she made on his beautifl
pumps Every one was sure they were
engaged: only Miss Ruggles and her
mother were the least bit uneasy.
1fit happened, as it sometimes did,
that day passed without Bertha's
spending several hours in the lieuten-
ants society, home was made generally
uncomfortable for her, for at such
times Mrs. Ruggles' temper returned
to its natural state, from which it only
emerged when Patterns form rose
against the horizon.
There came time when the lady's
temper did not sweeten for whole
weelSs--it was when the troops were
ordered away.
Patterns troop was among them, and
Capt. Ruggles' company was not. This
was bad; 1T meant that Bertha would
be 1.-The girl he left behind him" if she
did not manage to ''land her fish" be-
fore the appointed time, which
was only fortnight hence. Time
wore on; only a week was left, and
things were at a standstill. Bertha
was nervous and her mother cross.
The week became day, and still
things were the same. There re-
manned one more chance, however,; IL
was forlorn hope.
The troops were to camp the first
night only ten miles away from the
post, and most of the ladies of the
garrison were going out to take supper
with the departing officers, then they
were to ride back by moonlight. Now
or never must Patten declare his inten-
tions. When he rode away with his
troop that last morning. he stopped ut
Rertha's house and impressed upon her
that she must not fail to come out that
evening, he ''wauted to see her very
much" he added, in what the listening
Mrs. Ruggles considered a very signifi-
cant way. The good woman actually
kissed Bertha after the lieutenant had
ridden away, and the child was SO sur
prised that she forgot to cry because
her warrior bold' had ridden 'brave-
~ to the fray
She really looked very pretty when
she cantered off to the camp that after
noon; she felt quite confident of vic
tory; it seemed to her that the others
went very slowly through the pine
woods. She would have run her little
bronco every step of the way had she
been alone. Lieut. Patten was mount
cd when the party arrived, and he
suggested that he and Bertha go for a
little ride, il she We're not too tired.
Tired! not she; she fairly beamed will,
delight But after an hours scramble
on the foothills, they came back, and
matters had not progressed at all
Patten was lovely, but not quite lovely
enough Visions of maternal wrath
began to float before Bertha's eyes and
dimmed the glory of the sunset which
she and the young cavalryman watched
together from under big pine. Sun
set is the accepted time for saying
those things which Patten should have
said; but he did not seem to know it.
Then they had supper, cooked ovcl
the camp fire. The married womer
seemed to find it very jolly, Bertha
thought, wistfully. 1t was determined
after supper that a couple of "a" tent:
should be prepared for the women, tina,
they might spend the night in camp
and courier was sent off to tell those
left behind.
There was still life and still hope
thought Bertha, but every momen
was precious. Why, then, should those
women, with all the traditional bar
barity of chaperons, say that they
were tired and carry Miss Ruggles of
to bed? But so it was; and that even
ing, which might have turned out Sc
we'll, was spoiled and lost forever.
At daylight, however, Berth;
emerged from her tent. She looked
haggard after her sleepless night, ant
the cold, cruel light of the mornin.
was not becoming.
The soldiers had been up severa
hours already, and breakfast rea
camp breakfast of bacon, coffee, yeast
powder buscuits and canned beams
was nearly ready. Miss Ruggles fel
her breath come in gasps AS Pattel
strobe up to her and dotfed his cam
paign hat. He only mentioned tn,
weather and asked how she had slept
Bertha said: Not WE'LL" in tone tina
should have melted the heart of any of
ficer; but he only supposed it was tn
mosquitoes-they had bothered him
too" Then they had breakfast, an,
Miss Ruggles hid her white face behin'
the regulation tin quartcup of coffee.
After that the tents were struck an'
the wagons loaded with true soldierl,
dispatch, and the men stood, foot il
stirrup, awaiting the order Mount.
Patten and Miss Ruggles stood littl
apart. He was already on horseback
and she, in her habit stood beside him
giving him cup of coffee. Her who'll
anxious little soul was in her eyes an,
she beat the toe of her broad little boo
nervously with her willow riding
switch.
Patten leaned over her. This is
stirrup-cup, ! suppose" he said; ''let'