The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-10-23

officers, Brewster, s.the swell of the
subs" keeping close 10 Winifred Ber
rien, and claiming mo- nd more of the
glances of her big da yes. Down at
the gate, the moonlight glinting on his
polished saber, the officer of the day is
exchanging few low toned words with
Major Berrien. Rolfe. who with silent
and dogged resolution has taken his
place at Miss Guthrie's side as she came
down the stairs and escorted her 10 the
doctors, has turned from there and gone
slowly across the parade to his own
quarters on the other side. Everybody
seems TO see and know what has hap
pened, and many half whispered COM
ments are being made. not all in SYM
pathy with the widowed lover. Every
body respects Rolfe. yet among the
younger officers are several who feel no
warmth of friendship for him, and, as
between man and man, garrison girls
can only side with the youngsters.
Their story of their slight differences is
sometimes told again and again: the
elders seldom, for theirs would hardly
be believed.
Little by little the chat and laughter
subside.
''Oh, why doesn't she come back?
pouts Miss Berriep THE ambulances
will be here in less than half an hour.
and we won't see anything of her" A
chorus of girlish voices echoes Winifred S
views. Mrs. Berrien and Mrs. Parker
at this moment come forth from the
house and look expectantly up the road.
"How long. they are!' says Winnie
again. What can keep them. mammaE
Packing. doubt not. my child.
"But the wagons gone. trunks and all.
1t can't be that"
''Still, would not fret about it, Win
ME. Has she not promised to come next
spring aud pay us long visit?
Eyes, but who knows where we may
all be next spring. or what may happen
meantime? Every paper we get is full
of stories of the ghost dances among the
Sioux. and if there should be another In
dian war
Nonsense. Winifredl Don't think OF
such thing. After all this regiment
hss had to suffer in Indian battle. you
don't suppose we, of all others. would
be sent from here TO a winter campaign
in the northern department? We've
seen the last of such troubles, God bt
thanked!'
Major Berrien, his interview with tho
officer of the day ended, has just started
to rejoin the group on the yeranda wher
he hears his wife's pious words. HI
whirls around sharply.
"Oh. captain, there's one thing for
got TO tell you" And the saber of tht
officer of the day clanks against his Lee
as Captain Porter faces about. Tn,
younger officers go on with their blith'
chat: but Mrs. Berrien has known hel
lord twenty long years, and no sooner
has the officer Of the day departed than
she hastens to join him.
"Dick," she falters, surely you d,
not believe that there is any chance o.
the Twelfth going, even if there should
be trouble? Dick, tell me-"
"Berengaria, beloved inquisitor,' HI
begins. 81 didn't even know there was
row anywhere"
But she rebukes him by a single glance
"Tell me. Dick" she persists, ans
clings 10 his arm. You don't think
after all we've been through, that, now
that we are so happily settled here, ther,
is possibility of such a thing? 1t ism
only for myself now. It's-it woulC
mean more to Winifred than either O
US dreams Of"
He looks at her in silence and amaze
Then-then comes sudden distraction
On the stiffness of night there rises +;
scream Of terror-a woman's voice M
lifted in the expression of an awfG
shock and agony. Then dash towarj
Holden's quarters. every man joining.
My Godr' shouts Berrien. Its Nit
| Guthrie"
Following the rush Of soldiers feet
half a dozen ladies, too, have bastened
Winifred Bcrrien foremost Of the lot
| At the head of the stairs, on the landing
of the second floor. dressed for her jour
ney, lies the fair guest Of the regiment
a senseless heap. with the blood fOwin:
from underneath her pallid face.
| ToDf;u5,ed Ncrf UerE.l