Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-03
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'Where did I understand that you
were going, sir?' said he, with nook
severity Of manner. II gave you per-
mission to remain here, sir, and you'd
better jump at the chance Here's my,
niece telling me that you are engaged
to dance with her, and at this moment it|
seems you are about to leave the room.
OF with that overooat, or it's your saber
that will come of, sir, in arrest. What,
slight q member Of your oolonel's house.
hold! Lord bless me. sir, it's tanta-.
mount to mutinyr'
But, colonel, responded Farrar i'm
petuously, "the officer Of the day.
"Not another word, sir. Here is your
officer Of the day." said he. indicating
Kitty. land you will report for duty
instantly"
Irresolute, rejoicing, disappointed
and perturbed all In one, Farrar stood
one moment hardly knowing what to
do, when Kitty seized him by one arm,
and Leale, noting his embarrassment
stepped to his aid.
II am going to tho guardhouse, Will,
and I will look after your duties there.
Have your dance and return at your
convenience. The colonel will let you
90 after awhile"
And then Kitty resumed her sway.
II shan't dance one step with you until
you take that dreadful thing off," said
she, indicating his dangling saber and
utterly ignoring his protest that, as
officer Of the guard, it was an essential
part Of his uniform and equipment. Her
Only response was that he was to re-
member that he was then on duty to
her. "Take of that sword, sir, and hur-
~ about it, for there goes the band"
And so, unslinging the heavy weapon.
he handed 1t submissively to his impe.
rious queen, who promptly slowed 1t
away under the wooden settee against
the wall and then, oourtesying to her
partner, indicated to him that at last
he was at liberty to lead her to the
dance.
And now, smiling. joyous and once
more thrilling with mischievous de-
light az she bore her sulky prize across
the room. Kitty came suddenly upon
the major. standing incoming and preoc-
cupied, gazing apparently at the por.
trait Of Colonel Farrar. yet, as was
equally apparent to the little knot OF
laughing lockers on, seeing it not at all.
Kitty was on the point of acoosting and
bringing him to himself; but, with eager
whisper and gesticulations Amory, Mar
tin and others called her to them.
Don't wake him." they murmured.
"Do let Aunt Lou have that comfort.
See, she's coming to him now" And,
as what Kitty most wanted at that mo-
ment was an opportunity to restore her
interrupted dominion over her angered
lover, and as he was blind and deaf to
anything but the consideration Of his
own grievances, personal and official,
Wayne was left to become the central
object Of interest, while Kitty drew her
deposed officer of the guard to distant
corner.
Wayne was a study. That he was
struggling to recall some important
matter was evident to all who had long
known him, and for the time being he
was lost to all consciousness Of sur
rounding sights and sounds and had
foated off into that dreamland Of rem
iniscence in which only he was thorough
" at home. One or two Of the ladies
who were at the moment resting from
the dance stood leaning on the arms Of
their attendant cavaliers and watching
with them the result Of Luoretia's tim
i'd yet determined approach. Almost
tiptoeing, as though afraid that her
noiseless football might rudely awaken
him, she was stealing to his side, and
presently they saw her lay her hand up
on his arm and peer trustingly up into
his face Thinking only Of him and for
him, she, too, then, was almost unoon-,
scious Of any observation, kindly and
good natured though it was.
Unwilling to interrupt too suddenly
the current Of his meditations she hesi-
tated before speaking. Then, half tim,
idly, she suggested, "You like the pic
ture, MAORI"
Slowly his gaze came down from the
flag draped portrait, and through big
eyeglasses Wayne benignantly regarded
her. Finally his wandering wits return
ed, and he aroused himself to a falterins
answer to her repeated question. 1T
makes him look too DID," he said ~
can't bear anything that looks old. don't
You know" Then, dimly conscious OF
something he might have put in far
happier form. he quickly strove to re-
call his words "I-I don't mean wo-
men, of oourse-I like old women. You!
know liked you 30 years ago."
"You left me to guess it, then, " muir
INJURED she, vaguely grateful for even
this admission and DESTROYS Of encourage
ing avowals even thus late and luke
warm. !
yes" he went on, "you know, IL
seems to me-wasn't 1t that last night
we danced together at Jefferson bar.
racksy That was every day Of 20 years
ago" |
"Ah. WE'LL" answered Luoretia, You
know it ia so very difficult to reckon
from, because that was the 29th Of Feb,
ruary. and that coming only once in
four years. you'- |
Hal" Wayne laughingly interrupt
ed and then suddenly fell back again
into his old incoming way. and yet.
you know, there was something l want
ed to ask you that night, and was 60
confoundedly absentminded"-
"Oh, very" said she. "for you mem
| toned that there was something you