The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-20

orderly, he had tossed ii uncersmon ,oosiy
into the fire, and after penning very
brief and formal note OF regrets, hao seen
Lieutenant Hammond and informed him
that as he had no engagement, he would
report as officer OF the day In Hammond's
place at guard mount on Christmas morn
ting, all of which Hammond heard with
infinite surprise and delight.
And now on Christmas night as Sum-
ner looks out Of the deserted clubroom
window upon as many of the officers
brilliantly lighted cottages that line the
western side OF the qusdrang ular-shape
parade grounds as can be seen through
tho veil Of lightly falling snow, he hear
the low sobbing strains of "Dss Liebe
Traumland," as they float out on the
quiet night air, and, like one enthralled,
listens till the last notes OF Roeder's su-
perb waltz die away In a burst o; rich,
melodious harmony. 1t was his favorite
piece and she had played it over ana over
again to please him, but never had she
thrown SO much expression and feeling
into 1t as she did tonight. For moment
he gazes steadily at the twinkling lights
In the ajor's quarters and then WALK
ing slowly back TO the CRATE DROPS into
the easy chair drawn up before 1t. He
had always liked nor; had thought 1t
jolly lark ID rumble cityward in the
heavy, leather covered army ambulance
and escort her on her yule tide shopping
trips; had delighted in being scoldeo for
draping this to that piece Of evergreen or
holly contrary to her directions; it had
been immense fun and he had enjoyed it
thoroughly, but not until the announce
mept OF her engagement did 1t dawn
upon him that he loved her, loved her
ss only manly man can.
He is sadly still lingering oper-these
"reminiscences when hurried footsteps
cresking on the snow-covered piazza are
heard and the non-comissioned officer of
the guard suddenly opens the door.
"What Is it, sergeant?" he ask, as the
grizzly old trooper brings his gauntleted
hand TO the brim OF bis battered cam
paign hat in soldierly salute.
"Boylan, sir; he's crazy or drunk.
Came ridin' in about tin minits ago an
nearly run over little Baker, the sentry
on number one, an devil OF time we
had gittin' him to the guard honse.
"He's a-ravin' over Lieutenant Wright
an that ha'nted ranch on the Crow an
a-pleadin' to see the officer OF the day.
Sure wish ye'd come sir for dom know
what to do with himr-and the old
sergeant's voice tremplos with pity and
anxiety.
whats he saying about Lieutenant
wright" asks Sumner, throwing his
cavalry cape over his broad shoulders
and picking up mis- forage cap.
81 couldn't say, sir. He's kind o.
mrublisg to himself"
A. .Svy cross the broad parade and pass
the warped aud weather beaten barracks,
the weird legend of the haunted ranch
comes back to the Lieutenant in q dim
end indefinable way.
Years ago the ranch had been built as
q library for an eccentric old bachelor,
who visited II two or three times year,
end spent q fortnight or 80 in the sol-
tude OF his place. poring over his be-
loved books. lie brought his newly
made bride with bin on his last trip, aud
after numbering her for some unknown
reason, had escaped.
The library, the room in which the
deed had been committed. was popularity
supposed TO be hsunted. and on especial
ly dark nights white uncsnny light