Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-26
CHAPTER TX.

"A eNOW ClO0Q wa 0Nn8lu8 OVeS ~V1S
Frayne that lovely OhriSt1nas eve, and
the moon shone down through = 1almy
veil Of lace and cast black shadows on
the dazzling surface. Everywhere about
the post lights were tWinkling IN the
uussters and sounds Of soldier mesri-
ment and revelry came from the bar
racks. Over at the assembly room Rorke
and his party were still busily At work
hanging festoons Of green and oomplet-
Ing the decorations for the morrow,
while in the several households among
the officers dinner parties or similar en-.
tertainments called together under one
roof OF another almost all the families
a. we'll a. the bachelors Of the garrison
The children were rejoicing in their
great Christmas tree at tho chapel. Tho
colonel had hidden them all to his big
house for Santa Claus party after the
public ceremony Of the post Sunday
school, and Aunt Lucretia, . garrulous,
Eighty, feather Drained fairy OF 20
summers OF more, was doing her best
10 get the little gifts In proper order
against their coming, being aided In
her perplexities and complications By
the dreamy, but devoted, Wayne. Kitty
was dining at the Farwells'-a tenn.
porary truce having been patched up
between her and Will about sunset-and
Ellis, too, very very much against her
wish, was one Of this party. Ormsby
waa Of course, hidden, and had been
placed next the lady Of his love, but
averted eyes and monosyllabic answers
were the only returns Of his devotion.
Grieved and hurt at first. the sterling
fellow was finally stung to reprisala
He was guilty Of no wrong. He was
worthy far kinder treatment at her
hands, and, noting her apparent de-
termination to talk only with the men
across the table or with Captain Amoey,
who had taken her In, the New Yorker
presently succeeded in interesting tho
lady on his right. and, when dinner
was over and the women passed out Into
the parlor, was enabled to make way
for Miss Farrar with q very courteous
but entirely ceremonious bow. Ellis
flushed, but, inclining her head. passed
him by without word.
It was then nearly $3.50 O'Clock, and
the gleeful voices of the children could
be heard returning from the chapel,
and, mindful Of his promise to Helen
Daunton, Ormsby was already figuring
for an opportunity Of temporary escape.
It had been arranged that most Of the
officers and ladies were to gather at the
hoproom after 10, lust 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,
a. matters now stood, he did not desire
her to suppose that such was bis wish.
Even a. he was pondering over the
cigarettes and coffee how he should
manage the matter and giving but alb
sentminded attention to the CHEEKY chat
about him Captain Amory suddenly
lifted his hand and said, "Hushl'
Out across the parade, quick. stirring
and spirited, the cavalry trumpet was
sounding "of1cers' CALL" and every
man sprang to his feet. What can 1t
mean7" what has happened?" wers
the questions that assailed them as they
came streaming out through the parlor
In search Of their greatooata
Ibid you ever know such q regi.
mentl' exclaimed the hostess impul-
sively. II do believe we never get
through Christmas without . tragedy
Of some kind" And then she bit hef
tongue as she caught sight Of Ellis Far
rar's startled face.
II think II you will excuse me. Mira
Farwell, will 60 to mother moment
She u at the ohaplain's by this time
and Mrs. Daunton Ia with her. Still, I
feel anxious. All this may excite her
very much"
And 20, while the officers went hur.
rying away across to the adjutant's Of.
foe, Ormsby found himself. after all,
rendering his arm to Miss Farrar. He
was the only man left. Kitty. excited
and agitated, she knew not why. had
made some oomioal attempts to detain
Will. but his long legs had by this time
carried him half way to the scene Of tho
sudden summons
"Thank you, no. I do not need It,"
said Ellis ooldly. "Indeed. I do not
need escort at all to go 90 short . dis
lance"
ut seems to be the post custom none
the less," was the grave answer. BE
sides, think I am justified in saying
you have treated me with aversion so
marked of late that l am entitled to
know the cause. What can have done
10 deserve 1t, Ellis? Let u understand
each other"
"There is only one way, then, MIR.
Ormsby," she answered, with sudden
impulse. "Who IL Helen Dauntoni''
"El]is. I cannot tell you now" was
the sorrowful. gentle answer. "Be pa
tient with me yet little while"
"Yet you know!'
"Yes-I know"
"And you say let as understand each
other" she answered bitterly.
"Ellis, said to you before when We
spoke Of this that there are secret orders
. soldier must obey and not explain. In
these last few hours secret orders have
come to me"
"And you accept secret orders-from
herr"
II accept them from my honor, Ellis.
for I have given my word. No, he i'm
plored, as she hastened as though to
leave him, ''listen, for 1t may be my
last opportunity tonight ! know 1t
sssms hard and strange to you that