The Van Buren press., 1894-05-26

sure that his first love was yet 10 coinei
but Bertha was 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
a good berating from none too gentle
tongue. Fancy, then, her surprise and
delight ut 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.
lit happened, as 1t sometimes did,
that a day passed without Bertha's
spending several hours in the lieuten-
ants society. home was made generally
uncom Portable for her, for at such
times Mrs. Rugglcs' temper returned
to its natural state, from which 1t only
emerged when Patterns form rose
against the horizon.
There came time when the lady's
temper did not sweeten for whole
weeks-it was when the troops were
ordered away.
Pa:ten's troop was among them, and
Capt Ruggles' company was not This
was bad; 1t meant that Bertha would
be '.the girl he left behind him. II she
did not manage to 'land her fish" be-
fore the appointed time, which
was only fortnight hence. Time
wore on; only 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 Pattcn declare his inten-
tious- When he rode away with his
troop that last morning. he stopped at
Bertha'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 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
ly to the fray"
She really looked very pretty when
she cantered of 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 were not too tired
TiredI not she; she fairly beamed with
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. Sum
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 over
the camp fire. The married women
seemed to find 1t very jolly, Bertha
thought, wistfully. 1t was determined
after supper that a couple of IA" tents
should be prepared for the women, that
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 moment
was precious Why, then, should those
women, with all the traditional bar
barity OF chaperons, say that they
were tired and carry Miss Ruggles off
to bed? But SO 1t was; and that even
ing, which might have turned out SO
well, was spoiled and lost forever.
At daylight, however, Bertha
emerged from her tent She looked
haggard after her sleepless night, and
the cold, cruel light of the morning
was not becoming.
The soldiers had been up several
hours already, and break fast - real
camp breakfast of bacon. coffee, yeast
powder buscuits, and canned beans
was nearly ready. Miss Ruggles felt
her breath come in gasps as Patten
strobe up to her and doffed hi. cam
paign hat. He only mentioned the
weather and asked how she had slept
Bertha said: Not WE'LL" in tone that
should have melted the heart Of any Of
ficer; but he only supposed it was the
mosquitoes-they had bothered him,
too" Then they had breakfast, and
Miss Ruggles hid her white face behind
the regulation tin quartcup of coffee.
After that the tents were struck and
the wagons loaded with true soldierly
dispatch, and the men stood, foot In
stirrup, awaiting the order Mount"
Patten and Miss Rugglcs stood little
apart He was already on horseback,
and she, in her habit, stood beside him,
giving him cup of coffee. Her whole
anxious little soul was in her eyes and
she beat the toe Of her broad little boot
nervously with her willow riding
switch.
Patten leaned over her. "This is a
stirrup-cup, suppose" he said; "let's
call it SO anyway; 1t sounds romantic
and"-tenderly-"I love romance, don't
your" Bertha said: "Yes." The lieu
tenant raised the cup to his lips, then