Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-25
CHAPTER IN.

a snow cloud was hanging over Fort
Frayne that lovely Christmas eve, and
the moon shone down through filmy
veil Of lace and cast black shadows on
the dazzling surface. Everywhere about
the post lights were twinkling in the
quarters and sounds Of soldier merri-
ment and revelry came from the bar
racks. Over at the assembly room Rorke
and his party weIe still busily at work
hanging festoons of green and cOmplet-
ing the decorations for the morrow,
while in the several households among
the officers dinner parties or similar en-
tertainmcnts called together under one
roof or another almost all the families
as well as the bachelors Of the garrison.
The children were rejoicing i'll their
great Christmas tree ut the chapel. The
colonel had hidden them all To his big
house for santa Claus party after the
public ceremony If the post Sunday
school, and Aunt Lucretia, ~ garrulous,
fiighty. feather Drained fairy Of 40
summers or more. was doing her best
to get the little gifts IN proper order
against their coming. being aided in
her pcrplexitics and complications by
the dreamy. but devoted, Wayne. Kitty
was dining at the Farwells'-a tenn.
porMy 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. Orn,shy
was ~ course. hidden, and had been
placed next tho lady Ut his love. but
averted eyes and monosyllabic answers
were the only returns of his devotion.
t'ricved and hurt at first. tue sterling
fellow was finally stung to reprisals.
lie was guilty of no wrong. lie was
worthy far kinder treatment ut hci
hands, and, noting her apparent de.
termination to- talk only with the men
across the table or with Captain Amory.
who had taken her in. the New Yorker
presently succeeded in interesting tn,
lady ON his right, and. when dinner
was over and the women passed ont into
the parlor, was enabled to make way
for Miss Farrar with very courtcou
but entirely ccremoniuus bow. Eli
flushed, hut. inclinins her head. passc,
him by without 10 word
IL was then nearly $3.50 o'clock, an,
the 81 cful voices of the children coul,
I've II nd returning from the chapel
and, indful of his promise to Heller
DauG IN, Ormsby was already hgurin:
for an opportunity of temporary escape
it had been arranged that most of th,
officers and ladies wcrc to- gather ut tn,
hoproom after 10, Just To- see If the foo
was in good shape for tomorrow, an,
Jack well Understood that Ellis did no
mean that he should be her escort, ami
M matters now stood. he did not desir
her To suppose that such was his wish,
Even rs he was bordering over tin
cigarettes and coffee how he shout,
manage the matter and giving but ali
scntnindcd attention To the CHEEKY cha
about him Captain Amory suddenI
lifted his hand and said. "Hushr'
Out acr9ss The parade. quick, s,i,rin
and spirited, the cavalry trumpet W.
sounding Officers call" and ever
man sprang tn his feet. What can
mean:' What has happcned:" we,
the questions that assailed them rs tine
came streaming out through the parl,
in search of their greatcoats.
Did you ever know such reg
ment:" exclaimed the hostess impu
sively. Il do believe we never Z
through Christmas without TRACED
of some kind" And then she bit h
tongue AS she caught sight Of Ellis Ia
rAr's startled face
II think IL you will excuse NE. Nj
Farwell. 1 will go to mother moinei
She " Mt the chaplain's by this til
and Mrs. Daunton is with her. Still
feel anxious. All this may excite /
very much
And So, while the officers went h,
rying away across to the adjutant
flee. Ormsby found himself. after a
rendering his arm to Miss Farrar
was the only man left. Kitty, excii
and agi,ated. she knew not why. h
made some comical attempts TO dets
Will. but his long legs had by this iii
carried him half way to the scene of /,
sudden summons.
Thank you. 10. I do &c; need i;
said Ellis colby. Indeed. I do /