Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-22
be found He doesn't know who wrote the

note and"
Two shots rang out in the midnight air,
followed by a scream and a soldier oath.
Mistress and maid ran to the window. They
saw light in an old deserted house just
outside the post In a few minutes they
saw a little procession moving toward
the guard house Quick steps were coming
up the board walk. Some one raped sharp
ly at the coloners quarters next door.
I've got the paymaster's money and the
thief" they heard Capt. Knight say to the
of my COMPANY, sir. and he has confessed
how he slipped into the room at the ranch"
Then the girl softly closed her window,
and while thu tears of joy dimmed her
pretty eyes, she forgot that she was the
mistress and Mary the maid. She forgot
everything except that suspicion no longer
existed at Fort Barrenall. She forgot. and
she took Mary, the maid, in her arms and
Rugged her and kissed her until the happy
maid remembered their differences, and
with a cry of 10y fled from the room.
Lieut.. Crossing walked Up the officers
line on the following morning. and politely
declined six invitations to go up and sit on
as many different porches. Past the col
oners quarters he walked, but when he
came to the next house, the majors, he
turned in. Miss Whyting was swinging in
her hammock on the porch.
Good morning" said she. with slim
hand outstretched. why didn't you come
to see me yesterday"
She was ignoring even the thought that
hs had been under a cloud; and he saw
something in her brown eyes that told him
he would have to pay for his doubts of
her The band was playing for guard
mounting; and every porch along the line
had its occupants. all looking, not at the
guard nor the adjutants military brace
which was the pride of the regiment-but
straight at the girl and the man on the
majors porch.
There was no Mr.. Crossing at this post
yesterday" began he. Instead there was
STOP" said the girl. softly. Zone does
doubt"
sweet and charming, and great wave
of feeling swept over him. But he realized
that the girl was mistress of the situation
There is no Mr.. Crossing at this post
today" he began again. Instead. there
is only a poor devil who is nothing. who
has nothing but his love and his hope for
its success. 'Oh, Helen" he cried, for
give me for ever thinking that you were
are so good and SO sweet-it wasn't that
thought you would believe such thing
of met was only because felt 1t would
be wrong for me to come near you when
much for that, Helen. But now. I'm here
with you. and I'm happy because l am
at your side, and because the money has
been found. 1 am happy; but oh, want to
be happier still. 1 want to be the happiest
man in the world. Helen
His voice dropped to a mere whisper, but
there was ring of joy in it. Won't you
make my happiness complete. Helen? Won't
you let me tell every one that you believed
in me all the time? Oh, Helen, 1 love you,
l love you, l love you. When l heard
that the paymaster's money had been
found, I felt great and strong, and able to
do anything. Hut now, before you, dear,
I am poor, and weak-weak except in my
love for you-for that is the greatest and
the strongest thing in the world. Will you
not be merciful in your power, dear? Can't
you give me word, a look?"
A small hand was stretched out TO him
from the hammock, and very reverently
he bent over and touched 1t with his lips.
Their eyes met for moment, but the girl
quickly lowered hers, with little, salts
fled laugh.
"I would like to look over some of your
late music, sweetheart" said Crossing.
with queer look about the corners OF his
mouth.
TT is in its usual place. laughed the
girl.
Yes. but I want you to show it to me.
sweetheart"
But l am too comfortable to be moved"
THE sun is shining all over the world
now" said Crossing. But 1 wish it were
night for a moment"
Some one was coming along the hall
way of the house, and moment later
Mary, the maid, appeared in the doorway.
What is it. Mary?" asked Miss Whyt-
'The major is asking for you Miss Hell
en-" answered Mary, and then she went
Il suppose will have to go in-for pa
pa"
Crossing followed her. AS he entered the
door, he saw that he and Miss Whyting
were alone in the hallway. Mary, the
maid. had vanished.
Heaven bless that maid of yours, sweet
heart" said he, taking a long stride to her
side. And now" he continued, using two
OBTAINING arms. land now, my sweetheart,
will you not tell me something before l
go?"
Heaven bless the maid-Ill tell you why
some day-and heaven bless the paymas-
ter's money-and-and God bless you,
d-d-dear."