Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-10

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Lifted hts hand IN gesture of fare,reu and
turned abruptly aWay.
ing Mt the screened threshold before TAX
ing his departure, turned for one long
look at Helen Daunton's face. Some
intense fascination had drawn her once
more to the east window, and there, as
the dancers formed, alone, almost un-
noticed, she slowly turned and her eyes
mot his Ono last, long, intense gaze
and. in one impulsive movement. as
though he read in her glorious eyes the
kindling light Of love that matched
his own, he would have sprung to her
side, but, with sudden recollection Of
the barrier between them, he gathered
himself. lifted his hand in gesture OF
farewell and turned abruptly away.
The music crashed into the opening bars
Of the lancers and the dance began.
For q moment longer Helen stood
there Again that powerful fascination
seemed to lure her to draw aside the
curtain and gaze forth across the white
expanse Of the parade to where tho
guarded prison stood. within whose
walls was Gagged the savage creature
whose life was linked 80 closely with
those Of many there besides her own.
Then the thought Of that other, the
man whose love, all unwittingly, she
had won and the fear that, glancing
back, he might see her shadow as when
be came, caused her to draw hastily
away. In all that gay and animated
scene, as once more she faced the merry
throng, Helen Daunton stood alone.
The dance went blithely on. Chat and
laughter and the gliding. rhy thmic
steps Of many feet mingled with the
spirited music Of Fort Frayne's capital
orchestra Even Mrs Farrar's sweet
face, so long shadowed by sorrow.
beamed with the reflected light Of the
gladness that shone on many another.
Longing to be alone with her misery,
Helen turned to seek the seclusion of the
dressing room and had almost reached
Its threshold, when. over or through the
strains Of the lancers and the howl Of the
wind without, there came some strange
sound that gave her pause
Somewhere out upon the parade she
heard the distant, muffled crack Of the
cavalry carbine. Another. another far
ther away, and then, mingling with
them, o hoarse, low murmur as Of many
voices and Of commands indistinguish-
able through the gale. Louder grew the
clamor, nearer came the sounds; then the
added rush Of many feet in the adjoin-
ing barracks Of K troop, the quick. STIR
ring peal Of trumpet, sounding some
unfamiliar call Overstrained and ex-
oited as were her nerves, fearing for
him against whom the wrath of the gar
rison was reused. she could only con-
meet tho sounds Of alarm and confusion
with him and his hapless fate. She
started forward to call the colonels at
tention, for among the dancers the
sound was still unheard
Again the shots and shouts, the rush
of hurrying feet on the broad veranda
without. Again and nearer, quick and
imperative, the thrilling trumpet call.
Then, close at hand the loud bang Of
the sentry's carbine and the stentorian
shout Of "Firel" And then, just as the
music abruptly ceased in response to
the colonel's signal, bursting in at the
door, followed by couple Of troopers,
came Rorke, rushing for ladder that
had been in use during the day.
Its that madman. Graice. sorrl"
he cried In answer to the look in his
commanders face. Hes fred the tow
er, and he's burnin to death"
Springing to the window, Helen
Daunton dashed aside the curtain. and,
all one glare Of fame. the guardhouse
burst upon the view. A black ladder,
silhouetted against the blaze, was being
raised at the instant the curtain fell
from her nerveless hand. Will seized his
cap, made one leap to the door, despite
Kitty's frantic effort TO seize him then,
missing his saber, whirled about and
rushed from point to point in search OF
It Divining his object, the girl threw
herself in front Of the settee, behind
which she had concealed 1t, and, when
he sought to reach around her, desper-
ately, determinedly fought him of.
Seizing cap. the colonel vanished into
the night Throwing over his shoulders
the nrst mantle he could lay his hands
on, which happened to be Lucretia's,
Wayne followed his leader. Will, de-
layed and maddened, only succeeded in
capturing his saber by forcibly lifting
Kitty out Of the way; then he sprang to
the doorway to join the men hunying
from distant points to the scene. Orms-
hy. ton. had rushed after the colonel.