The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-26
CHAPTER XIv-CoNr1NUED.

CHAPTER XIV-CoNTINUED.
every well, III notify Captain Farwell,"
said Leale, briefly, "and he will attend to
it," and he left the building on this quest
just as the second relief came tramping
out into the storm, leaving the guardhouse,
its few minor prisoners on the lower floor
and that one eXecrated criminal, his old
coloners first-bor and once beloved son,
cursing at his captors in the tower, all to
the care of the members of a single relief;
and the sentry on No. set up his watch
cry against the howl of the wind, and no
one dozen yards away could have heard,
nor did it pass around the chain of SEN
tries, nor was there other attempt to call
off the hour that memorable night. For
long days after men recalled the fact that
the last hour called from under the old
guardhouse porch was half-past 10 o'clock.
Meantime, having had two dances with
his now pleading and repentant sweet
heart, and having been cajoled into at least
partial forgiveness, VIII Farrar had sought
his colonel to say that he really ought
now to return to his guard, at least for q
little time, but Fenton, conscious of the
shadow that had overspread the garrison
earlier in the evening, seemed bent on be-
turn TO his immediate commanding officer
and obtain her consent before again COM
ing to him, and Kitty fatty refused. She
was dancing with Martin at the moment,
and that left Will to his own Devices and,
after fond word or two from his mother
he had stepped back of the seat occupied
by her little circle of chosen friends, and
was standing watching the animated scene
before him. Close at hand, not dozen
feet away, stood Helen Daunton, partially
screened from observation of the dancers.
1t was at this moment that Leale again
came striding in, glanced quickly around
until he caught Willis eye, and the young
officer promptly Joined him.
us Farwell here? '' he asked.
HE came in a moment ago. Yonder he
is now, sir" answered Will, indicating by
nod the figure of the officer of the day in
conversation with some of the guests at
the other end of the room.
Then ask him if he will join me in five
minutes at the guardhouse. l need to see
him, said Leale, and the youngster sped
promptly on his mission.
The music had just sounded, the signal
Tor the forming OF the sets for the lancers,
and with soldierly promptitude the officers
with their partners began taking their
positions. Floor managers have little labor
at garrison hop. Ellis Farrar, who had
reappeared upon the arm of Captain Vim
ton, mutely bowed her head and accepted
Ormsby's hand, as he led her opposite
Will and her now radiant Kitty, and Nal
colin Leale, ha ting at the screened thres-
hold before taking his departure, turned for
one long look at Helen Daunton's
face. Some intense fascination had
drawn her once more to the east
window. and there, as the dancers
formed, alone, almost unnoticed,
she slowly turned and her eyes met his.
One last, long, intense gaze; one impulsive
movement, as though he read in her glori-
Gus eyes the kindling light of a love
that matched his own. He could have
sprung to her side, but, with sudden recol-
lection of the barrier between them, gath
cred himself, lifted his hand in gesture of
farewell and turned abruptly away. The
music crashed into the opening bars of the
lancers and the dance began.
For moment longer Helen stood there
Again that powerful fascination seemed to
lure her to draw aside the curtain and
gaze forth across the white eXpanse of the,
parade to where the guarded prison stood,
within whose walls was Gagged the saw
age creature whose life was linked so
closely with those of many there besides
her own. Then the thought of that other
the man whose love, all unwittingly,
she had won, and the fear that, glancing
back, he might see her shadow as when
he came-caused her to draw hastily away.
In all that gay and animated scene, as
once more she faced the merry throng,
Helen Daunton stood alone. The dance
went blithely on. Chat and laughter and
the gliding, rhythmic steps of many feet
mingled with the spirited music of Fort
Frayne's capital orchestra. Even Mrs.
Farrar's sweet face, so long Swallowed by
sorrow, beamed with the reflected light of
the gladness that shone on many another
Longing to be alone with her misery,
Helen returned to seek the seclusion of the
dressing room, and had almost reached its
threshold, when over or through the
strains OF the lancers and the howl of the
wind without, there came some strange
sound that gave her pause.
somewhere out on the parade she heard
the distant muffied crack of the cavalry
carblne. Another-another, further away,
and then, mingling with them hoarse, low
murmur, as OF many voices and of com
mands undistinguishable through the
gale. Louder grew the clamor, nearer came
the sounds; then the added rush of MANY
feet in the adjoining barracks of K
Troop, the quick, stirring peal of trumpet,
sounding some unfamiliar call Over
strained and excited as were her nerves
fearing for him against whom the wrath OF
garrison was reused, she could only con-
meet the sounds of alarm and confusion
with him and his hapless fate She started
forward TO call the colonels attention, for
among the dancers the sound was still I'M
heard. Again the shots and shouts the
without. Again and nearer. quick and
imperative the thrilling trumpet cali.
Then, close at hand the loud bang of the
sentry's carbine and the stentorian shout
OF "FireW And then, just as the music
abruptly ceased in response to the colonePs
signal, bursting in at the door, followed by
couple of troopers, came Rorke, rushing
for ladder that had been in use during
the day.
'It's that mailman Graice, sorrp' he
cried, in answer to the look in his COM
mander's face. Hes fired the tower and
he's burning 10 death"
Springing to the window, Helen Daun-
ton dashed aside the curtain, and, all one
glare of fame, the guardhouse burst upon
the view, a black ladder, silhouetted against
the blaze, was being raised at the instant
the curtain fell from her nervless hand.
Will seized his cap, made one leap to the
door, despite Kitty's frantic effort to seize
him; then, missing his saber, whirled
about and rushed from point to point in
search OF it. Divining his object, the girl
threw herself in front of the settee, behind
which she had concealed it and, when he
sought to reach around her, desperately
determinedly fought him off. Selling a
cap the colonel vanished into the night