Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-09-02

disquieting. Grave and sweet, she
seemed to be doing penance for her past.
One day she saw new face among
the officers who promenaded past, smok-
ing, chatting and laughing. In mo-
ment she was transported to the gen.
erals ballroom and she saw again her
timid lover motionless in a corner, de-
vouring her with his eyes.
Mamma, there is the lieutenant!"
He saw her, too, for he grew pale and
with kept in hand came up to her. The
widow hastily folded her paper and,
pointing to vacant chair, said with q
kindly smile:
"Ah, is that you, lieutenant? What
long time since we have metl We are
truly glad to see you. But pardon me; !
called you lieutenant, but see you
have a third stripe on your sleeve. +"
Then, blushing, he related how at the
end of six months campaign he had
been promoted to captaincy after the
affair of Nam Dimh. After that he had
been shut up in Tuyen-Quan with his
commander. This terrible siege lasted
five weeks and they had to constantly
beat back the furious Chinese, whose
living waves dashed against the walls
of the ruined fortress. He had been
wounded the last day in supreme Ell
fort; then from afar above the clamor
of the yellow hordes he had heard the
bugler of the French sounding deliv-
erance. Oh, the joy of that momenti
He saw the enemy flee, the tricolor ap-
pear; then he sank down without regret
His condition appeared SO serious that
he was sent back decorated with the
cross. During the voyage be had rapidly
recovered, and on his arrival he found
that he had been recommended for pro-
motion to the rank Of major. The ladies
listened In silence. The mother, with
her knowledge Of the profession, knew
that he was ten years in advance Of his
former comrades The daughter looked
closely at the young officer and found
him scarcely recognizable; his pallor
! gave him decidedly distinguished air.
Was it possible they had ever disdained
this brave soldier who, paying for bis
honors with his blood, had returned to
an assured future?
He, too, looked critically at the girl.
Gould the serious, reflective woman be-
fore him be the frivolous, capriciegs
girl he had once knowns She was a
thousand times more attractive to him
in her new guise. She was all he had
ever dreamed Of and he was filled with
wild delight. Their eyes met, and his
were filled with such alteration that the
girls lids dropped in embarrassment.
| When evening came, the women arose,
and the officer accompanied them to
their home. They met regularly in the
park on the days that followed. The
mother read the papers and the young
| people talked. AS autumn advanced and
| the vel'ov leaves covered the walks it
~ chilly 20 sit, so they promenaded
up aud down the deserted park, happy in
each others company.
December passed in an intimacy daily
growing more tender. Still at times the
captain seemed to be nervous and wor-
ried. One day, losing his usual self con-
troll, he pressed the girls arm which
was passed through his, and the express
sion OF hia eyes made her believe that
he was about to declare his love. He
was silent, however, and fell into a
gloomy meditation.
His agitation increased as the new
year approached. He made frequent
trips to Paris and neglected the ladies.
They feared they had been deceived as
| to his intentions, and could not account
for his behavior.
At O'Clock on the evening Of Dec.
81 the widow sat reading the papers
which contained list Of the promotions
in the army. Suddenly she exclaimed:
"Here is his name. He has been pro-
moted!''
At the same moment hurried foot
steps were heard in the hall The door
was thrown open and the one so long
expected entered the room. He smiled,
flushed with pleasure. He paused before
the two women. The widow said, ex-
tending her hand:
"My dear boyl So this was what wor-
ried you sc"
He replied with loving pride:
"Mademoiselle, I have future now
to offer you. I love you. VIII You be
my wife?''
| She grew pale at the remembrance Of
her first refusal; then, thinking of all
this brave boy had done to deserve hap
piness, she went close to him, laid her
head on his shoulder, and with her lips
pressed against the rough GALLON sc
valiantly earned she wept for joy
From the French Fer Short Stories.