The San Francisco call., 1895-05-19

"Oh, not bit," said Kitty. "Nor any
body else-unless you should happen to
cut yourself
"Gibe away, Miss Ormsby," said the
officer OF the guard. "You cannot gibe me
into laying aside my saper, as duty forbids
me to appear without it; even your wishes
cannot be regarded"
what? You officer of the guard p, ex-
claimed Kitty. "Ah.' with sudden change
of manner, "then for one night the post is
safe" Here she seized Rorkes broom
and with a capital imitation came to the
position of charge bayonets. "Who comes
there?'' she cried. '.The enemy, a million
strong! Halt, enemy, and tremblel Run
for your lives! Do you know who is officer
of the guard2 1t is Masther Will" And
then, turning from him in saucy imitation
of his swagger and stride, with her broom
at right shoulder, away she marched for
the dressing-room.
"She's past patience, said poor Will to
| himself, Justly wrathful at such ignomini-
Gus treatment at the hands OF his love and
what made it worse was that numbers of
| people were rapidly arriving and that
many had witnessed and enjoyed Kitty s
saucy mockery; but right in the midst of
these new arrivals came an orderly trum-
peter with note which he lost no time in
delivering to Mr.. Farrar with the brief an
nouncement: "The officer of the days
compliments, sir, and he said the lieuten-
ant should have it Immediately
| Helen Daunton was among those who
marked the swift coming of the messenger,
and it was impossible for her to resist the
impulse that drew her toward the young
| officer. Intuitively she knew that the
IN essage in some wise concerned her
wretched husband, now the object of the
wrath and curses of the whole command.
Breathless, she watched Farrar as he tore
| open the envelope and rapidly read the
| brief inclosure.
'Crow Knife is dead There is intense
excitement among the men, especially the
Indians, and threats OF lynching have
been heard. Graice knows his peril, and
may try to escape. Look we'll to your
guard. Signed, Farwell, Officer of the
Day"
Escape from my guard" Helen heard
The next minute Will had caught up
his cap and overcoat and started for the
| door.
But already Kitty had begun to repent
of her experiment, and to question whether
she had not hazarded too much in thus
provoking her devoted but none the less
peppery lover. Peering from the dressing
room she saw him dart past Helen Daun.
ton, and, giving very brief answer to some
question asked, saw him pick up his cap
and coat, and that was more than enough
to bring her to terms. Unaware of the
coming OF the orderly, she looked upon
Will's preparation for departure as proof
as to have decided to quit the ballroom for
good and all. In an instant she came flut-
tering. to his side, catching him only at the
very doorway.
''Where are you going, Mr.. Farrar2''
she demanded, aggrieved and imploring.
both. You're engaged to me for the very
first dance, sir. Surely, you're not going
out2'
''I regret to have to ask for my release,
Miss Ormsby," answered Will, with infinite
dignity, "but duty of unusual Importance
called me at once. My saber and made
| sport for you moment ago, and now we
are going where both are needed" !" and
tic, the officer of the guard turned and alb
ruptly left the room, leaving his late tor.
mentor gazing after him with eyes that
suddenly filed and lips that quivered sus.