The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-10-17
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hc intended to put up. As he alighted
from the glarrie some one came hastily
down tn" steps who. on closer inspection.
turned ont to he the Hon. Barry Lnrron.
why, Colonel. | did not know you in
tended coming hero he calculated. in
some surprise.
Nor did |. Ii was an impulse moved
me"
And Il yer! good impulse. too. sir"
said his adjutant. Valentine Graemc.
coming np to them with his long. swing
ing strides. I'VE are having an nwfully
good time here"
I'm afraid you won't get a room. The
hotel was full when we arrived" said
Major i.arron. Did you bring a TENT"
The Colonel shook his head.
"IlI lend you mine. sir. | dare say
some one will pun nc up" said the ad
jutant.
you had better come in with me. |
SUPPOSE" observed Major Larron. some
what ungraciously. not caring to have
his privacy disturbed. yet unwilling 10
appear AZ inhosritahle as he felt.
Thanks, ! shall be very glad if Dcne
has not a spare tent. | fancy | heard
him say he had" answered Valentine. as
unwilling to avail himself Of the invita-
tion as his senior officer had been to rem
der it. You know" he explained to the
Colonel. I'VE are camping with the
Dcnes."
rs Mrs. Dene here
ooh. yes. ! wonder you had not heard.
Alipore is so desperately fond of gossip.
She and"
Hn " q uIn,,t ia Y.n,,.,. ~ ....
when Major Larron. whose ill-humor had
increased by the adiutant's evident re-
luctance 10 share his tent. pulled out his
watch.
II was nearly twelve O'Clock when Col
onel Prinsep entered the mess room of
the til Foot.
He had dined rather late, having ling
cred over his letter-writter longer than he
had intended. and then had stayed some
time smoking and thinking-not of Jane.
The prOvocation removed. she haunted
his thoughts no more. II therefore he
was the more surprised when the first
familiar face that met his view was that
of the quartermaster's daughter.
And yet. often as he had pictured it to
himself. IL scarcely seemed familiar now.
The face that had dropped and flushed be-
meath his gaze hat afternoon when he
saw il last, full of shy warmth and child
like worship. was radiant now. and bright
with saucy triumph. If he had thought
her sweet and pretty then in her blue cot
ton gown. how doubly fair he admitted
her 70 be now. in her soft draperies' Of
Sauzy white; with ~straw-colored ribbons
fluttering here and there. and a knot of
pale tca-roses ut her breast. Then there
had been something Of pity and condo
cension IN the admiration with which he
regarded her: row they met as equals.
At that moment she caught sight of
him. A glad light leapcd into her eyes.
but she did moi flush or falter in her
speech. rs she would have lone a week
before. She knew her power now. and
felt a natural womanly pleasure that he
should see her thus. the center Of an adj
niiring group. the acknowledged beauty
of the bail.
lyon have become quite a woman of
the world since | saw you last he said,
his voice unconsciously falling into that
caressing undortoir that SO many wo-
men have fonnd dangerously sweet.
what a long time il seemS!' sighed
Jane.
Then putting his arm about her waist.
he drew her in among the dancers. Car
ing little for dancing for dsncing's sake.
the Colonel was a man who did most
things well. while Jane. always light and
graceful in her movements. had prOfted
by practice. They did not stop till the
last Teutonic strain had died away.