The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-12-01
CHAPTER TX.


the moon shone down through filmy
veil Of lace and cast black shadows on
the dazzling surface. Everywhere about
tho 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 were 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-
tertainments called together under one
roof or another almost oil the families
as we'll as tho bachelors Of tho garrison.
The children were rejoicing in their
great Christmas tree at the chapel. The
colonel had bidden them all to his big
house for Santa Claus party after the
public ceremony Of the post Sunday
school, and Aunt Lucretia, garrulous,
highty, feather Drained 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 perplexities and complications by
the dreamy, but devoted, Wayne. Kitty
was dining at the Farwolls'--a tenn.
porary truce having been patched up
between her end VIII about tsunset--and
Ellis, too, very, very much against her
wish, was one of this party. Ormsby
was, Of course, hidden, and had been
placed next tho 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 Amory.
who had taken her in, tho New Yorker
presently succeeded in interesting the
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 very courteous
but entirely ceremonious bow. Ellis
flushed, but, inolining 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,
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, "just to SEQ If the floor
was In good shape for tomorrow, and
jack well understood that Ellis did not
mean that he should be her escort, and,
as matters now stood, he did not desire
her to suppose that such was his wish.
Even as 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, "Hushp'
Out across the parade, quick, stirring
and spirited, the cavalry trumpet was
sounding "officers' CALL" and every
man sprang to his feet. "What can it
meanr" "What has happoned?" were
the questions that assailed them as they
came streaming out through tho parlor
in search Of their greatcoats.
"Did you ever know such regi.
mentr" exclaimed the hostess impu-
hvely. II do believe we never got
through Christmas without q tragedy
Of some kind" And then she bit her
tongue as she caught sight Of Ellis Far.
SAr g startled race.
II think IL you will excuse me, Mrs.
Barwell, will go to mother moment.
She Is at the chaplain's by this time
and Mrs Daunton is with her. Sti11, I
feel anxious. All this may exotic her
very much"
And so, while the officers went hur-
Tying away across to tho adjutant's Of
fee, Ormsby found himself, after ell,
rendering his arm to Miss Farrar He
was the only man left. Kitty, oxcttod
end agitated, che knew not why. had
made some comical attempts to detain
Will, but his long legs had by this time
carried him half way to the eoene Of the
sudden summons.
''Thank you, no. do nos need a, +"
said Ellis coldly. "Indeed, do not
need esooSs at all 60 90 60 shnGs @ dis
sanca."
'Is seems 60 be tho post custom mono
the less" was the grave answer. "Be-
Sides, think am justified In saying
you have tSeated mo with aversion SO
marked OF late thas 7 am entitled to
know the cause. What oan heve done
10 deserve IL, Elfis2 Let us understand
each otheH"
"Thexe Us only one way, then, Mr.
Ornsby," she answered, with gadden
impulse. "Who ia Helen Dauntonf"
'r1llis, ! oannos tell you now" was
che sorrowful, gentle answer. "Be pa
tient with mo yet O little while"
''Yet yop knowS"
''Yes-t knog.'
''Aud you say let us understand each
other" she answered bitterly.
"Ellia, I said to you befoFe when w
spoke of thia that there arc socret orders
@ soldier must obey and not eEplatn. h
these last few hours seores osdess hagt
come to ma"
"And Jon aooept seorea orderS,- ,-fUon
herr
'I accept them from my honor, Ellis
for have given my word. No, "he I'm
plored. as she.. hasteped as thopRh 4
leave him. ''listen, Tor II meg DO IN;
lest opportunity tonight I know 4
seems hard and strange TO You tina
when would lay my whole ife opel
before you, I muss not yet tell you this
But, Ellis, ! giye you my honor on
hiding nothing shameful 90 that poo
woman nor TO me- Il Is only for
time I must be silon& When oal
speak, you'll forgive me, dear. You Will
thank mo that do keep silence now
Trust me. Ella Gan You not look a
at nae and say you trust mef"
Ah, how pleading wns his tone, hoN
full Of love and fro and tondernee5 HI
....x,1s, Qona a.. Ia that akfl1 sr,iS,kaN ,,fef