The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
CHAPTER TX.

tho moon shOne down through filmy
veil Of luce and cast black shadows on
tho dazzling surface. Everywhere about
tho post lights wcro twinliling in the
quarters and sounds OF soldier mcrri-
mont and rcvelry canc from the bar
racks Over at the assembly room Rorlc
and his party wclo still busily at work
hanging fcstoons Of green and complct-
ing tho decorations for the morrow
while in tho several households among
the officers dinner parties or similar ell
tertainmcnts called together under one
roof or another almost all tho families
as we'll rs tho bachelors Of tho garrison.
Tho children wero rejoicing in their
great Christmas tree at tho chapel. Tho
colonel had biddcn them all to his big
house for Santa Claus party after tho
public ceremony OF tho post Sunday
school, and Aunt Lucrctia, IL garrulous,
highty, feather bruinod fairy of 40
summers Or more, was doing her best
to get tho little gifts in proper order
against their coming, being aided in
her pcrplexitics and complications by
tho dreamy, but devoted, Wayne Kitty
was dining at tho Farwclls'--a tcm-
porary truce having been patched up
between her and viii about sunsct-and
Ellis, too, very, very much against her
wish, was one of this party Ornsby
was, Of course biddcn, and had been
avortod eyes and mOnOsyllabic answers
wcrc the only returns of his devotion.
Grievcd and hurt at first, the sterling
fellow was finally stung to roprisals.
Ho was guilty of no wrong. IIo was
Inv for |,
hands, and, noting her apparent de
termination to talk only with the men
across the table or with Captain Amory,
who had t"kcn her in, tho Now Yorker
presently succeeded in interesting the
lady on his right, and, when dinner
was over and the women passed out into
tho parlor, was enabled to make way
for Miss Farrar with very courteous
but entirely ceremonious bow. Ellis
flushed, but, inclining her head, passed
him by without word.
1T was then nearly $3.50 O'Clock, and
the gleeful voices of the children could
be heard returning from tho chapel,
and, mindful of his promise to Hclon
DauDton, Ormsby was already figuring
for an opportunity Of temporary escape
1t had been arranged that most Of tho
officers and ladies were to gather at tho
hoproom after 10, "just to SEQ if the floor
was in good shape for tomorrow" and
Jack we'll understood that Ellis did not
mean that he should be her escort, and,
as matters now stood, ho did not desire
her to suppose that such was his wish.
Even as ho was pondcring over the
cigarettes and coffee how he should
manage tho matter and giving but alb
sentminded attention to the checry chat
about him Captain Amory suddenly
lifted his hand and said, "Hushp'
Out across the.paradc, quick, stirring
and Spirited the cavalry trumpet was
sounding "oiliccrs' CALL" and ovcry
man sprang to his feet "What can it
mcan2" "What has happcncd?" were
tho questions that assailcd them as they
came streaming out through tho parlor
IN search Of their grcatcoats
"Did you ever know suoh rcgi-
ment?' exclaimed tho hostess impul-
sivoly. 81 do bolievo wo mover get
through Christmas without tragedy
of some kind" And then she bit her
tongue as she caught sight Of Ellis Far
r,,r's startled face.
II think If you will excuse mo, Mrs.
Farwoll, will 90 to mother moment.
She Is at tho chaplain's by this time
and Mrs. Daunton is with her Still,
feel anxious. All this may excite her
very much.
And so, while tho officers went hur-
rying away across to the adjutant's Of
fico, Ormsby found himself. after all,
rendering his arm to Miss Farrar Ho
was the only man left. Kitty, excited
and agitatcd, shc knew not why, had
made somo comical attempts to dctain
Will, but his long legs had by this timo
carried him half way to tho scone OF tho
sudden summons.
"Thank you, no. do not need It,"
said Ellis coldly. "Indccd, I do not
noed escort at all to go 30 short dis.
tanCc."
'Tt scoma to be tho post custom mono
tho less," was tho grave answer. "Bo-
sides, think am justified in saying
you have treated mo with aversion so
marked Of lato that 1 am entitled to
know tho cause What can have done
to deserve it, Ellis? Let us understand
zach other"
"rhcro is only ono way, thcn, Mr..
Ormsby," sho answered, with sudden
impulse. "Who is Helen Daunton?"
"Ellis, cannot tell you now" Wac
tho sorrowful, gcntlo answer. "Bo pa
ticnt with mo yet Il little whilo."
"Yet You know2'
"Ycs--I know"
"And you say lot ua understand each
other," Hho answered bitterly.
'Ellis, said TO you before when we
spoke of this that there arc secret orders
soldier must oboy and not explain. In
thcso last few hours secret orders have
como to me-"
"And you accept secret ordors--from
hor2''
"I accept them from my honor, Ellis,
for I have given my word No, ho inn
ploged. as sho hastened as though te