Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1895-03-02
CHAPTER xvI.-coNr1nuEp.
Copyright. 1893. by ]. B. Llppineos Co.

CHAPTER XVL-CoNTIEUED
The snow blockade was such that
many children at the fort lost their
faith in Santa Claus. he who rode the
snow-drifts and the storm was barred
at Ransom, yet seemed to swoop in
force on Morgan's fireside. Brand new
sleds were there for Lot and Billy, and
another doll, and such stacks cf furni-
ture and boxes of leaden soldiers, be-
sides valuable of more practical sort.
All these, together with fruits and can
dies to be stuffed in their worn stock
ings, had been smuggled in through
the kitchen and the connivance of
Bertha, and with them were some cost
ly books, Schramm's gifts to his hon
ored captain and brown-eyed Connie.
He dared not offer half what his heart
longed to lay before them. They had
Christmas dinner, too, that Bertha
swore was her own production and in
spiration. They had remembrances
from the fort that Schramm packed"
in on horseback. Perry Thornton and
others had by no means forgotten
them, and Schramm had blushingly
called upon such kind friends to say he
should be only too glad to carry In any
thing they might wish to send. There
was no lack of Christmas cheer, even
where one heart was so heavy as poor
Morgan's, and no one was allowed to
dream how very much of all this ho1i-
day feasting was due to Schramm. And
SO all through the long hard winter,
patient and reserved, assiduous in
every duty at the fort, yet finding FREE
quent opportunity of visiting his
friends in Butte, Schramm held his
way. Old Hinkel was made an ord
nance sergeant along in March, and
with his wife and olive-branches took
departure for a far southern post,
Sehramm seeing them to the train and
receiving fearful warmth of blessing
from the honest frau by way of good
by, and In April the doctorsmade more
frequent trips to town, for Morgan raj
lied but little with the lengthening
days. 1t was evident that no bill of
relief could bring lasting benefit here.
But, despite pain and hopelessness,
Morgan clung to life with great deter
mination. Live he must for the babies
sakes, he said, and once more now his
days were frightened by visits from
old friends, once more in the sunny
afternoon Perry Thornton dropped in
for checkers and campaigns or to show
a new picture of his lady love, Connie
sometimes sitting contentedly by, but
generally busying herself with Bertha
about the house. And then, just as was
sure to happen, came the order for sum-
mer's work. Away to the Big Hornr'
said the colonel, as he refined up one
day at Morgan's open door. catching
Schramm in the act of blocking out
for Lot and Billy. And
that evening before parade the regi-
mental adjutant, seated at his desk,
was surprised by visit from Sergt. |
Schramm, who begged OF that intiuen-
tial officer a few moments interview.
Young man." said Tintop to his
staff officer, as he espied the latter trip
ping around from the clubroom just
before the first call, s.that's the third
time I've seen you coming out Of Cuf-
rams since four o'clock To which
.yas =. W
-amar rLad 81 ,,r,o. ~ -. s.e. .ass "e1A you
,ftsn tha+ .ha,nIt y suius - - :. snele 50
ia ,,-aoass - ) ~ ss ~ 49, !. .'..e y leverse
colonel the opportunity of giving
tray the good ralxing down he de
'erved, and, just as Gray had hoped
hat ~ 49,. olousns so,s ous 1ne leac1lon
That aran;na I,;a.. u % ou'oss
,fE,ca y, s.,,,e,,a p !. .a.ns use1 = 1llc
h s,,;ss e ~ up a1a enen' "nen
he @ snh;a"t 49, :. - Sahsa u.ay . uloacleu
! saan,s - - soai ainn in.slvieW'