The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-12-08


stables, formed line in front of their
barracks and, dismounting, were await.
ing the sounding Of adjutant's call end
the formation of the squadron. Officers
were mounting every moment along the
row and trotting out to join their COM
mands, and presently, from the colo.
nePs big house on the edge Of the bluff,
camo three horsemen clad in heavy win
ter field garb, and even in the dim light
there was no difficulty in recognizing
Fenton's soldierly form. These were
Joined by the adjutant as they rode out
upon the parade, and then one Of the
group came jogging over toward the
chaplain, followed by an attendant or
derly. TWAS Jack Ormsby, and Kitty
huttered down to the gate to meet him.
You and Aunt Luoretia will have to
keep house by yourselves tonight, little
sister," said he laughingly as he bent
to kiss her goodby. Corporal Rorke
Is to sleep at the house, 80 that you will
not lack for guards. Where's Will2"
"He's with his mother in the parIor
and just too miserable for anything" ="
said Kitty, who, now that she could see
for herself the preparation for march,
began to feel far moro sympathy for her
lover, If not actually to wish that che
were q man and could go too. Ellis,
quick to notice Ormsby's coming, had
slipped back within the hall and par
italy closed the door. Glancing over
her shoulder. she could see that her
mother had left her reclining chair and
was bending fondly over Will, smooth
ing his tumbled hair and striving to
soothe and comfort him, but it was evil
dent that Will was sorely hurt, for he
turned away in irrepressible chagrin
and distress and covered his face with
his hands. Helen Daunton, forgetful
for tho moment of her own bitter trou-
Bile, had sought TO aid her friend in con-
soling the boy, but it was her first expe-
rience i'll such case. She had never
realized what it meant to proud and
ambitious young soldier to be held in
garrison when his comrades were being
sent to the field, and, finding presently
that she could be Of little aid, she drew
away toward the window to join the
chaplain and his wife, who were gaz-
ing out upon the parade, when the stir.
ring notes Of adjutant's call camo trill-
ing through the hazy moonlight, and,
with groan that seemed to rise from
the depths Of his heart, poor Will threw
himself face downward upon the sofa,
utterly refusing to be comforted.
Come, said the chaplain in low
tone, "they will be better left to them
selves Let US 60 out and see the troops
form line" and, hastily quitting the
parlor, they came suddenly upon Ellis
lingering at the outer door.
Mr.. Ormsby was saying goodby to
Kitty" she nervously explained, "and
remained here for moment He Is
still there"
Yes, still there, although he had said
adieu to his little sister, and the SQUAD
ron wns rapidly forming on the parade.
Still there and looking now and then
beyond Kitty's pretty, pathetic little
face, clouded with trouble altogether
nav to it. Still there, and longing for
sight Of tho face he loved rs he did no
other despite all it's coldncss and aver
sion. Then they came hurrying forth
the old dominic and his faithful help
meet, the two young and beautiful
wonderland at sight Of them Ormsby
suddenly dsmounted and passing the
reins to his orderly ran nimbly up the
steps and extended his hand. "Good
night, haplain--good night, Mrs.
Ransom. We count on eating our
Christmas dinner here despite the night
march. Good night, Miss Farrar," he
added grayely, gently. "Wo still hope
to be here TO wish you merry Christmas.
Please extond my sympathics to Will. I
knowshow hard it is for him to stay.
Good night, Mrs. F-Mrs. Daun-
ton," he stumbled on, and extended to
her the hand which he had withheld
from Ellis. "Oh, pardon mel Did Far
rar give you q note / intrusted to him
for your"
"Not yet, Mr.. Ormsby. He has hard
ly thought Of anything but his grief at
being retained here"
"Well, ask him for 1t before 10
o'clock. It"--and he was halting pain
fully now, for Ellis. withdrawing
pace from the group, was gazing straight
into his face--''it--it explains itself.
You'll understand It. Good night; good
night, all. I must hurry" And with
that he ran down the steps and out of
tho gate, mounted quickly, and without
backward glance rode quickly away
to take his place by the colonel's side
Another moment and the adjutant, gal
Looping out in front Of tho long line of
horses, had presented the squadron to
Major Wayne, and that distinguished
officer, unexpectedly awake and lively,
lost no timo in preliminaries, but broke
his command at once into column Of
fours, and with the band playing its
joyous march music, and with old Fen
ton himselfin the lead, away they went
down tho winding road to the flats to
the cast.
Once out Of the garrison the band
wheeled out Of column and played the
troopers by, then trotted back to unsad-
die for the night. Men, women and
children, tho populace of Fort Fraync,
gathered along the eastern edge Of tho
plateau and silently, and in not few
cases tearfully, watched the column out
Of sight in the dim, ghostly light, and
then little Trumpeter Meinecke came
out from the guardhouse and trilled the
martial curfew that sent them shiver.
ing homeward-.an ominous Christmas
| eve tattoo.
10 BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
A SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION.