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

poor JACK, Tallylng TO the rescue now tndt
danger threatened. II will do whatever
you wish, whatever you say. You shall
have what money / have here and more
can follow. You're brave woman. For
give me that doubted you"
oh, never think of that now. Only
keep my secret yet little, and let me see
you before 10 tonight. That's the hour
that relief goes on again. I've watched
them SO often. And-and all the money
you think-even $1OO-S2OO. oh, God bless
you for the help you give mel Now
know you wish to see her, and L must get
into the open air awhile''
Calling the maidservant, she babe her
take Mr.. Ormsby's card to Miss Farrar,
then hastened from the house.
But the answer brought to honest Jack
poor teilow-was that Miss Farrar begged
to be excused.
CHAPTER X.
A new cloud was hanging over Fort
Frayne that lovely Christmas eve, and
the moon shone down through a filmy
ven OF lace and cast black shadows on the
dazzling surface. Everywhere about the
post lights were twinkling in the quarters,
and sounds OF soldier merriment and rev.
elry came from the barracks. Over at the
assembly-room Rorke and his party were
still buslly at work hanging festoons of
green and completing the decorations for
the morrow, while in the several house
holds among the officers dinner
parties or similar entertainments called
together almost all the families as we'll as
the bachelors, of the garrison. The children
were rejoicing in their great Christmas
them all to his big house for Santa Claus
party after the public ceremony of the post
Sunday-school, and Aunt Lucretia, a
garrulous, Eighty, feather-b Drained fairy of
forty summers or more, was doing her best
to get the little gifts in proper order
against their coming, being aided in her
perplexities and complications by the
dreamy but devoted Wayne. Kitty was
dining at the Farwells'-a temporary truce
having been patched up between her and
Will about sunset-and Ellis, too, very,
very much against her wish, was
one of this party. Ormsby was, OF
course, hidden, and had been placed next
the lady of his love, but aFerted eyes and
monosyllable answers were the only re-
turns of his devotion. Grieved and hurt
at first, the sterling fellow was finally
stung to reprisals. He was guilty of no
wrong. He was worthy far kinder treat
ment at her hands, and, noting her appar-
ent determination to talk only with the
men across the table or with Captain
Amory, who had taken her IN, the New
Yorker presently succeeded in interesting
ner was over and the women passed out
into the parlor, was enabled to make way
for Miss Farrar with very courteous but
entirely ceremodious bow. Ellis flushed,
but, inclining her head, passed him by
without word.
1t was then nearly $50 o'clock, and the
gleeful voices of the children could be
heard returning from the chapel, and,
mindful of his promise TO Helen Daunton,
Ormsby was already figuring for an oppor-
tunity of temporary escape. 1t had been
arranged that most of the officers and
ladies were TO gather at the hoproom after
10. lust to see if the floor was in good
shape for tomorrow" and Jack we'll I'M
derstood that Ellis did not mean that he
should be her escort, and as matters now
stood he did not desire her to suppose that
such was his wish. Even as he was pom
dering over the cigarettes and coffee, how
he should manage the matter, and giving
but absent-minded attention TO the CHEEKY
chat about him, Captain Amory suddenly
lifted his hand and said, "Hush!"
Out across the parade, quick, stirring
and spirited the cavalry trumpet was
sounding "officers' call, and every man
sprang to his feet "What can it mean?"
What has happened?'' were the questions
that assailed them as they came streaming
out through the parlor Ill searching OF
their greatcoats.
Ibid you ever know such a regiment?"
exclaimed the hostess, impulsively. II do
believe we never get through Christmas
without a tragedy OF some kind! - and then
she bit her tongue as she caught sight OF
Ellis Farrars startled face.
II think, if you will excuse me, Mrs.
Farwell, l will go to mother moment
She is at the chaplain's by this time, and
Mrs Daunton is with her. STILL l feel
anxious. All this may excite her very
much"
And so, while the officers went hurrying
away across to the adjutant's office, Orms-
by found himself, after all, rendering his
arm to Miss Farrar He was the only man
left. Kitty, excited and agitated, she knew
not why, had made some comical at
tempts to detain Will, bat his long legs
had by this time carried him half way TO
the scene of the sudden summons.
Thank you, no. do not need it, said
Ellis, coldly Indeed / do not need es-
cort at all to go so short a distance"
sit seems to be the post custom none the
less" was the grave answer. Besides.
think l am justified in saying you have
treated me with aversion so marked OF late
that l am entitled to, know the cause.
What can l have done to deserve il, Ell
lis? Let US understand each other"
There is only one way, then, Mr..
0rmsby," she answered, with sudden i'm
pulse. ''Who is Helen Daunton?"
Ellis, | cannot tell you now was the
sorrowful, gentle answer. 'Be patient
with me yet little while
yet you know?"
"Yes-I know
"And you say let US understand each
other?" she answered, bitterly.
Ellis, l said to you before when we
spoke of this, there are secret orders a sol
der must obey and not explain. In these
last few hours secret orders have come to
me-"
"And you accept secret orders-from
herr"
~ accept them from my honor, Ellis, for
1 have given my word. No." he implored,
as she fastened as though to leave him,
listen, for it may be my last opportunity
tonight. Iknow it seems hard and strange
to you that when 1 would lay my whole
life open before you, l must not tell You
this. But, Ellis, give you my honor, L
am hiding nothing shameful to that poor
woman, nor TO me. 1t is only for time
| must be silent. When ! can speak you'll
forgive me, dear. You will thank me that
| do keep silence now. Trust me, Ellis.
Can you not look up at me and say you
trust me?"
All, how pleading was his tone, how full
OF love and fire and tenderness his manly
face, and in that still winter night he
looked down into her eyes. Over at the
barracks there IraS sudden sion 70 Ill the