Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-09-25

sious ns thcy continued their walk
They went into the park to enjoy the
sunshine of u fine autumn which gilded
the marble statues and the turning
leaves of tho great horse chestnuts.
They sat down and, listening to the mil
itary band, seemed to 200 u CLEAN Of
their lost happiness, 1t seemed to them
as IL nothing had changed and as If they
might hear behind them at any moment
the colonel's voice saying: Good after
noon, ladies. Today the One Hundred
and Twonty-fourth In giving the con-
cert. Its music does not equal ours
But the shouts of children playing OH
the grass near by were the only sound
they heard. The mother, with sigh.
tried to read tho paper through glasses
dimmed by tears, while the daughter
cast longing glance toward her former
admirers. who scarcely knew hor now.
She was nearly 20. but her face, refined
by sorrow, was more beautiful than
ever. She was like flower refreshed
and purified by storm. She had lost
all that had made her so capricious and
disquieting. Grave and sweet, she
seemed to be doing penance for her past.
One day she saw new face among
the officers who promenaded past, smok-
ing. chatting and laughing. In mo-
ment she was transported to the gem
erals ballroom and she saw again her
timid lover motionleHs in q corner, dest
vouring her with his eyes,
Mamma, there IL the lieutenanti"
He saw her, too, for he grew pale and
with kept in hand came up to her. The
widow hastily folded her paper and,
pointing to vacant chair, said with
kindly smile:
"Ah, ia that you, lieutenantr What
long time since we have metl We arc
truly glad to SEQ you. But pardon me;
called you lieutenant, but ! SEQ you
have a third stripe on your sleeve. "
Then, blushing, he related how ut the
end Of six months campaign he had
been promoted to captaincy after the
affair Of Nam Dimh. After that he had
been shut up In Tuyen- Guam with his
commander. This terrible siege listed
five weeks and they had to constantly
boat back the furious Chinese. whose
living waves dashed against the walls
of the ruined fortress. He had been
wounded the last day in u supreme Of
fort then from afar above the clamor
of the yellow hordes he had heard the
bugler Of the French sounding deliv-
erance. Oh. the joy Of that momentl
He saw the enemy foe, the tricolor ap- :
pear then he sank down without regret
His condition appeared 80 serious that
he was sent back decorated with the
Cross During the voyage he had rapidly
recovered. and on his arrival he found
that he had been recommended for pro-
motion to the rank Of major. The ladies
listened In silence. The mother, with
her knowledge Of the profession, knew
that he was ten years in advance Of his
former comrades. The daughter looked
closely at the young officer and found
him scarcely recognizable; his pallor
gave him decidedly distinguished air.
Was IL possible they had ever disdained
this brave soldier who. paying for his
honora with his blood, had returned to
an assured future2
He, too, looked critically at the girl.
Gould tho serious, reflective woman be-
fore him be tho frivolous, capricious
girl no had once known She was
thousand times more attractive TO him
In her new guise. She was oil no had
ever dreamed Of and he was filled with
wild delight. Their eyes met, and his
were filled with such alteration that the
girls lids dropped in embarrassment
When evening came, tho women arose.
and the officer accompanied them TO
their home They met regularly In the
park on the days that followed. The
mother read tho papers and the young
people talked. AS autumn advanced and
the yellow leaves covered tho walks ID
was too chilly 10 sit, 80 they promenaded
up and down the deserted park, happy In
each others company.
December passed In an intimacy daily
growing more tender. Still Mt times the
captain seemed to DO nervous and wor-
ried. One day. losing his usual self con-
troll, he pressed the girls arm which
was passed through his, and the express
sion Of his eyes made her believe that
he was about to declare his love- He
was silent. however, and fell into q
gloomy meditation.
His agitation increased as tho new
year approached. He made frequent
trips to Paris and neglected tho ladies.
They feared they had been deceived AZ
to his intentions, and could not account
for his behavior.
At o O'Clock on the evening Of Dec.
81 the widow sat reading the papers
which contained list Of the promotions
In the army. Suddenly she exclaimed:
Here IL his name. He has been pro-
moted"
At the same moment hurried foot
steps were heard In the hall. The door
was thrown open and tho one 30 long
expected entered tho room. He smiled,
flushed with pleasure. He paused before
the two women. The widow said, ex-
tending her hand:
my dear boyi SO this was what wor-
ried you 30"
He replied with loving pride:
"Mademoiselle, have "a future now
to offer you. ] love you. Will you BIO
my wifcp"
She grew pale ut the remembrance of
her first refusal; then, thinking Of all
this brave boy had done to deserve hap
pinoss, she went close TO him, laid her
head on his shoulder, and with her lips
pressed against the rough GALLON 10
valiantly earned she wept for joy. -
From the French For Short Stories.
Measuring Medicine.
Use a medicine glass with the amount
Of each spoonful and drop marked upon
II. q 4 -.