The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-11-20


that's the proper way to handle TINS
matter. That's what this means. The
Sioux will be so disheartened they won't
dare resist even if orders are given TO
disarm them-God forgive me the he.'
he muttered under his breath 'Of
course it's exasperating TO think OF the
Twelfth being sent so far away at such
a time, but better now, believe me, than
later. after those misguided wretches
had had chance to jump.
But Mrs. Berrien had lived, heaven
only knows how, through many sim
liar experience. She had seen time and
again her husbands command hurried
forth on the trail or across the path OF
savage foe. Never yet had they returned
unscathed, never yet without serious
loss of officers and men. She could only
bow her head the lower while her lips
moved in silent prayer. just as they
reached the gate tall form came spring
ing after them through the darkness,
and Brewster's voice was heard:
81 hurried back TO the hoproom, Miss
Winifred, only to find you gone. had
expected 10 escort you home. You have
heard the news? You know our orders
have Gomez He glared at Ridgeway,
as much as to say, Leave, man; You
are one too many, as you ought to see.
But the Junior lieutenant stoutly held
his ground, nor did Winifred withdraw
her hand from his arm.
Il have heard; yes, II seems very sud
den," was all she could or would say.
and the dark eyes were shrouded from
his longing gaze.
"Well be off by daybreak, | fear. l
cannot hope to ses you again before we
have to go" he went on desperately.
Won't you come in, Mr.. Brewster
called Mrs. Berrien from the steps.
..You and Mr.. Ridgeway can spare
moment, can you not? Oh, Dick, here
you arel" she cried, as with quick, ener-
getic step the major sprang across the
road and appeared under the dim light
of the garrison lamp, and back to the
gate she sped to meet him and to twlne
her arm in his.
''I'u say good night. ladies. said Ken
Won. "I'll call in in the morning to see
! if / can be of any service. Now l must
trot over and help Holden TO pack.
And, unrestrained. he went.
Brewster, Ridgeway. won't ask you
in now. You have much TO attend to
and but little time Run in, Winifred,
said the major. "rll be with you at the
barracks in few moments, gentlemen
Slowly but obediently Winifred step
ped forward.
GOOD night, Mr.. Ridgeway," she
murmured, holding out her little hand.
''Thank you very much"
Berrien stood impatiently at the gate,
as though TO see her safely through.
With trembling lips Brewster spoke as
he sprang to her side.
"Goodby. Don't forget, was all he
| could murmur as he seized her hand,
clinging to it one miserable moment
with both his own.
"Goodby," she said, in low, tremu-
lous tone, but Withdrawing her hand,
Withholding her glance. The major
threw his arm about her and almost
thrust her through the gate.
1T is good night only, not goOdby,
Mr.. Brewster" said Mrs. Berrien, kind
ly forgetting her own misery for the
moment in the contemplation of the woe
in his face. Then they hurried within
doors. Winifred dropping before them,
and then the door closed and Brewster
and Ridgeway stood there confronting
each other under the light. For mo
ment neither spoke.
Have you lost your crossed sabers:
said Brewster finally, noting that the
handsome cap badge of solid gold which
Ridgeway ordinarily wore upon the
front of his forage capwas now missing.
mo; took it off TO pin Miss Berrien's
wrap about her throat"
A moment more Brewster stood as
though he would ask another question,
then abruptly turned and plunged into
the darkness.
Meantime Major Kenyon had trudged
ND the row toward Holden's quarters.
Already the lights were beginning TO
| CLEAN from the various houses around
the big quadrangle of the parade, where
a dozen of the cavalry officers We're now
busily engaged in preparation for the
sudden move. Over at the hospital, too,
the lamps were being lighted in the
stewards room and the dispensary
| Holden's hall door stood wide open. The
hall itself was dark, but a lamp was
alight in the sitting room, and that door,
too, was wide open. A tail form passed
across the illumined space as Kenyon
drew near. He stopped for a moment
at the gate, listening TO the sound of
hustle, the whistliDg and singing of the
meh at the barracks. Hardship, hun
ger, priyation, suffering ahead of them,
even if they don't have hard fighting"
he muttered to himself. ''In thirty-six
hours they'll be freezing, poor devils,
for not man in :he battalion has win
ter kit; and just hear them laugh and
sing. as though the world had no Joy
like soldering! God guard then-and
these poor wives and sweethearts here
Why isn't it my lot to go instead of Ber-
rien's? Who the devil would shed tear
for me:" lie shook himself together and
tramped heavily into the gate and up
the steps.
'Doc.' he called at the doorway
'Oh, Docr'
No answer. The house was silent.
"Oh, Holdeni Where are yoG:' Still
no reply. odd" said Kenyon: Il
thought l saw him III here. VINO could
that haye beenT' With the confidence
of army intimacy he tramped through
the sitting room on the left of the hall,
then into the dining room beyond. No
one there. Then across the hall again
and into Holden's own sleeping room at
the rear of the house. The kerosene
lamp was burning ON the dressing table
The bed had been occupied. Evidently
Holden had turned in carly. only to be
routed out by the orders of the colonel
| The floor creaked somewhere overhead.
Then he was sure he heard a quick,
light football on the stair. "Oh. Doci
Here l am. It's Kenyon" he cried.
But no answer came. Once more re-
turning to the hall, and thence TO the
sitting room, he found them empty as
before. The parlor door ON the west
side was closed. Slowly he strolled ont
on the front piazza, Just in time to catch
sight of a tall form in the dark circular
cape striding up TO the gate. Surely
that was Holden. Then he heard a
hail:
Hello, Rolfe. That you:"
"Yes. You go with Us, do you?"
81 do. Won't You come in:1
mot just now; I've got to 90 to my
quarters a moment III be in by and
by. Wen have TO make night of it,
"All right. Kathleen viii get US some
coffee after a while. Bring in some Of