The Democratic advocate., 1894-08-18

euSO vi tue stah llSntiy Will hls Cdue'
His glance fingered on Kitty's slender
form, taking in every detail of its grace
and charm; the sky-blue dress with its
broad sash; the shady black hat resting on
her light-brown hair. In the words of a
far more famous sergeant he might well
have said: THANK you for the sight of
such beautiful face" His eyes, however,
told her as much, and the faintest pink
flush overspread Miss Kitty neck and her
soft cheeks.
81 am afraid" said the sergeant, taking
up a large bouquet of shaded carnations,
''that you have fewer people at your sale
than you expected"
1t was a commonplace remark, but Miss
Malone started. The voice was that of a
gentleman, and equally so the easy grace
of his manner. ''Yes, indeed" she ans
wered. "It's most disappointing. And
one would have thought just now that SO
much sympathy would have been felt with
the wives and children Of our soldiers who
are going to fight"
The sergeant was leaning forward on the
counter, his cane under one arm, his eyes
fixed on the young girls fair face. She,
for her part, noted how exactly his uni
form fitted his square shoulders and thin
waist, how well his cap with its shining
badge became him.
"Ahl | am afraid the inhabitants of this
town don't feel any sorrow at our depar-
ture," he said awe are not very much
beloved here. For my part, I rejoice to
get away
Have you seen service before?''
"0h, no. Now is my chance" She fan
cied he sighed little.
''lt's no use my offering you any Of my
lovely roses?" And the girl held up a
large bunch on which the dew seemed
hardly dry. The sergeant took them from
her hand and smelt them.
"Alas ! no. They are no good to ne.
| can't carry a nosegay about in the streets.
All there are some people, coming to buy
flowers. am taking up your time"
'Not in the least, | assure you. And
Kitty Malone actually blushed as she met
once more the earnest gaze Of those reck-
less dark eyes.
'The sale will go on this evening, won't
it?"
"Oh, yes; it will all look much prettier
lighted up And there will be colored lamps
in the little garden at the back, where the
gypsy sits, telling fortunes.
"a fortune-teller? a genuine gypsy"
"Well, no; I'm afraid only friend of
mine dressed up. But she's very clever all
the same. Why don't you have your for
tune in this war foretold?"
"Ah p'-and he certainly did sigh this
time, there was no mistake about it-''my
fortune is told long ago.
'But think of what may happen to you
in Egypt Oh, beg your pardon, Lady
Celbridge. Which would you like of these
lilies-these orange ones or the lovely
variegated ones above?''
Look at Kitty - murmured Miss Nora
0'Shaughnessy to her sister. "What a
hirt she is She even allowed that ser
geant to stand and makes eyes at her y
'But we agreed just now that he was
certainly gentleman.
ayes, but it is so often scamps who en-
list-men whose fathers will have nothing
raore to say to them"
A band at the far end of the room be-
gan to play, and more people to troop in
through the heavy doors. Mrs. Dowse
was becoming crimson and hilarious over
her urns and jugs of orangeade. The SER
geant stopped at her stall and drank some
champagne-cup. Then he glanced over
his shoulder at the Aowerstall and the little
blue figure among the blossoms, and began
to pace slowly round the great hall. A
counter with some photographs attracted
his attention. The owner, lady who was
a great admirer of Miss Malone, had fast
ened one of this young lady's portraits in a
plush frame. The sergeant stopped.
Chow much for this" he asked.
"Oh, the photo of the lovely Miss Ma
lone?"
Exactly"
"Well, ye can have ut for rfoive-and-six.
The soldier paid the money, and the
tied up the parcel.
"Put into rattle, please, sergeant Y said
a childish voice at his side.
He looked round and smiled pleasantly
at a little girl carrying large cushion re-
presenting in woodwork Joseph and all his
Brethren.
The sergeant laughed. an take two
tickets, if you like"
"Aud where shall [ send it if you win?
asked the child
"Color-Sergt. Rhodes, Bar
racks. But no, stay-it's no use to me;
keep it for yourself if l win"
When he had arrived at the end of the
room the young soldier turned his head
once more. He fancied that those large
blue eyes behind the roses were actually
watching him, and his thin brown cheeks
grew shade redder.
Toward seven o'clock the hall was light
ed up, and, to the delight of the sellers
was at last thronged with townspeople.
Miss Kitty had changed her blue dress for
a cooler one of white muslin, with fresh
bunch of forget-me-nots pinned at her
breast. By nine o'clock her stall bore the
appearance of forsaken garden. Only
few struggling plants which had been earli-
er in the day relegated to the back rows
remained. Every bunch of carnation and
each neatly made button-hole was sold.
And Kitty thought that, considering the
assiduous way in which she had worked,
and the now sitting atmosphere of the
room, she would allow herself breath of
fresh air in the garden. A few groups of
dark figures stood on the gravel-path
among the little twinkling red and green
lights. The air was soft aud cool, the sky
of dark velvety blue, with pale stars COM
ing out Round the little tent where the
supposed gypsy sat some dozen people were
standing, and among them Kitty saw a tall
slight figure dressed in scarlet. One Of
the fairy lights illuminated the three gold
stripes on his arm As if owing to some
magnetic influence, the soldier turned his
head sharply round as she advanced, and
once more their eyes met, this time in a
longeg@s s;lance. The soft languorous air
crept round Kitty, rustling her white skirts