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

dies come sauntering forth, gathering
opposite the center nearer the coloneVs
house. from which point they generally
watched the closing ceremony of the
day. But still o5lIvious to any music
bat that OF her voice a dozen Of their
number hover about Miss Guthrie. Even
c-uufire fails to distract their attention.
Il Is not until the major himself returns,
tossing off his helmet and tugging al his
waist belt. that they realize that parade
IS over and dinner waiting.
Now, yoa VIII come back next
spring. '.You viii write:" You won't
forget 70 send me the photograph-mind,
ca}inst size-Miss Nita:" Indeed IF
ever / get anywhere near St. Louis you'll
be She first soul | shall come in search Of >
Il Is 4 little flock of enthusiastic army
girls surrounding her. maidens whose
early lives had been spent wandering
from river 10 mountain, from the gulf
to the Columbia. TO whom city life was
almost revelation, and city bellies be-
iues from another world WiuIfrei
Barsien is the leader Of the coterie,
girl whose eyes are as dark ai Nita's are
blue. and they are ready 10 blim over al
this very instant.
Here comes Captain Rolfe for You
now. and we've got to let you go; but
wen all be down 10 see you OH at tram
time.
The man who enters - the moment
ana stands lust within tie heavy Nava-
10 portiere. snilingly looking upon the
group and quite unconscious Of the al
taost vengetEl glances ii the eyes of the
Young girls, Is a cavalry officer about
thirtv-fiye years Of age. He Is tall fel-
low. somewhat heavily built, yet well
proportioned and athletic. His face is
tanned By long exposure TO the sun and
wind of the wide frontier His brown
+ hair. close cropped, has a suspicion Of
gray lust silverin- the temples. His
. eyebrows are thick and strongly marked.
. The ewes beneath are deep set and
fringed with heavy lasheS. The mus
f tache. sweeping from his upper LIP. Is Of
q lighter brown than his hair. but
! eG-ally ihicl5, heavy and curling. Other
! wise his face Is smoothly shaved, and is
one which impresses those who look
upln +. even carelessly. as strong and
resolute. He sJill wears the double
breasted coat. with shoulder knots and
/ fourragere. inst IS he had come of
/ parade. though he has exchanged hel-
lllrJ TCr forage cap, when latter mead
gear At this moment l. being dandled in
one hand, while the fingers Of the other
beat rapid tattoo upon the visor. Com
rades Of Rclfe would tell you this Is a
sign that he Is nervous: yet to look at
him there, smiling upCn the group. quite
IS though reuarEins what Z pretty pic
ture they make. uo one else would be
apt 10 think of snch thing.
Ready il a moment, Rolfe, shouts
tie major from an inner room You
ready. Bereugaria:
i am always ready. Richard. as you
wen know" is Mrs. BeIriens placid re
/ spoase y think never kept you wait
( ing so much rs q moment.
"Pr0uptest WOMEN in TIE army OF
cut of it." booms the major from his
sSnctum. his jovial voice resembling
through the rooms Of the bright garTi-
. son home. "Never knew anything like
it. Miss Guthrie. Why. do ycu know.
even when I wasn't half proposing she
never let me finish the sentence.
'Twasn't II all what I was going 10 ask
bsr-ilat day. at least. Meant to
/ eventually, q course, if ever could
muster Up courage, but this time ! had
only found grit enough to ask for hes
picture. and was engaged IL less than
ten seconds.
Winnie Berrien rushes from TIE par
lor into ,he pa;crnal den, voiUb!e with
( protcsta-i0as against such scsulaloas
stories II mammals exper-C: Uvt Mrs.
Ber1ien. slowly tanning hen Elf. remains
calmly seated, IS though i-lPuryig1s 10
these damaging shots. 1t waich every
body else is laughing rsrrily.
Possibly you don't believe me, again
boons the major. his Jolly red face
/ aglow. as he IS dragged forth from the
den, stil struggling with tie Sleeve
links q his cuff. ''Wil.ifred. my child
uuhaEI nc You'll never bring your
cid fathers gray hairs II sorrow 70 tie
grave by such uHwoI;,..;,iy Urcc. ...i5.lccy
unless its a civilian wiki ten thousand q
year: vii you. dearest: Miss Guthrie.
Rver expect 10 be rich man.
hadn't IS many dollars when fell IL
love with Miss De Lancy as bad bat
tons. and We oaly wore single breasted
coats il those days, and was tie junior
captain. Ipledge you my word never
would h2ye had the cheek TO ofTer my
self. Twas the wclnan did 1t. was
gcing away for a week, and said, 'Yol
can give me one thing. if YOU VIII
only meant - beg for that picture, and,
by Joye! she slipped her hand into mine.
/ was shaking ali over. 'l-b-beg par
don stammered, i was only going to
beg for your p-p-p- 'Mypromise:
said Bercu-aria. sweesly. looking mp
into my cvcs. 'YCu have it, Richard.
Prompt? Why. SIZE just Jumped al me.
Splendid arrangement, though, Miss
Guthrie. She furnished the quarters
and all the money. and the vivacity
and beauty Of the household, until Win
ME came; she contributes a little toward
ii now. But were model couple, aren I
we. Berengaria:~ And the major bends
with playful tenderness, the fun spar
ssA.-l- - i=-@ y - s-lslElA " l4A4es anu hASSts
his handsome helpmeet's rosy cheek.
we have few crosses. certainly" re-
plies Mrs. Borrien. whose own name Is
anything bat Berengaria, that being. as
she Is frequently called upon 70 explain.
some Ct the majors historical nonsense.
I'VE have few crosses, and those Of
course hear. But nav" she coatiaaes.
with much decision of manner, If you
axe partially restored TO sanity We viii
! 80. or keep dinner longer waiting. Miss
Guthrie. 90 they allow lunatics al large
IN tie streets Of st. Louis. Major Ber-
rien spoke Of getting months leave this
winter and soing thither."
"Oh, send him by al means. and he
shall be treated ar our own asylum
Father wonld rejoice in him-as do.
Airs. Berfien."
And shall get the colonel TO detail
Roife here TO conduct me thither and
turn me over TO the asylum authorities:
queries the major. with a knowing cock
Of the head "Rolfc hates city life as a
general thing. but he would accept that
duty. fancy"
Captain Rolfe viii be very welcome.
Indeed. OILY wish You nigh; bring tie
/ whole regiment, major. Just thin.