Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-11-28
CHAPTER TX.

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 were still busily at work
hanging festoons Of green and oomplet-
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 all the families
as we'll as the bachelors Of the 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, O garruleus,
fighty, 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 perplexities and complications by
the dreamy, but devoted, Wayne. Kitty
was dining at the Farwells'-a tenn
porary 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. Ormsby
was, of course, hidden, and had been
placed next the 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 reprisals
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, the 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, inclining 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 the chapel,
and, mindful of his promise to Helen
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 see if the floor
was in good shape for tomorrow" and
Jack we'll 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, "Hushl'
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
mean?" What has happened!'' were
the questions that assailed them as they
came streaming out through the parlor
in search of their greatcoats
"Did you ever know such regi-
ment?" exclaimed the hostess impul-
sively. II do believe we never get
through Christmas without a tragedy
of some kind" And then she bit her
tongue as she caught sight of Ellis Far
rar's startled face
II think if you will excuse me, Mrs
Farwell, will 60 to mother moment.
She is at the chaplain's by this time
and Mrs Daunton is with her. Still, I
feel anxious. All this may excite her
very much.
And so, while the officers went hur-
rying away across to the adjutant's Of
fee, Ormsby found himself, after all,
rendering his arm to Miss Farrar. He
was the only man left. Kitty, excited
and agitated. she 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 scene Of the
sudden summons.