The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-07-03

seemed dead black, the omen OF lmpend-
ing harm. 1t futtered for an instant,
dazzled and wind-beaten; fluttered and
circled around, then, spreading its
shadow wings, it foated steadily, re-
lentlessly upon Taunton and the girl
beside him. She watched it with parted
lips and frightened eyes as it came
toward her out of the lightning
streaked night, and neither moved until
it sank and settled on her light hair.
Then she threw up both arms and
brushed it off with heavy blow. The
creature of the night flew out into the
storm again with dropping wing.
An orderly crossed the hop-room TO
the adjutant. who was speaking to the
band-master, but none of the listening
ears could hear the soldiers message.
"Well, play it if you can find the
music" the adjutant said, coolly, then
wheeled about and followed the order
ly.
He was back again in ten minutes,
speaking hurriedly to Taunton. Taun-
ton answered, bowed his head, and,
turning away, crossed the room to
where Capt. Rossini stood with his
daughter.
Good evening, captain" he said, and
waiting for no reply, put his hand on
Lucia's arm and drew her aside with an
cir of proprietorship that left the father
aghast.
Lucia. listen, dear. I've hardly time
for even the good-by. Don't look so
frightened; it amounts to nothing.
Simply some trouble over at the agency
that makes it necessary for me to go up
there instantly with detachment. You
know there has been expectation of
trouble for some time. My dear child.
Won must not look like that; how silly
of soldiers daughter! I tell you I'll
be back in few days. Ifyou are going
to faint, come out in the air; the rain
has stopped"
She took his arm and let him drag
her out upon the steps. The music came
to them from within and smothered the
sound of their voices.
marion, you aren't going to go
away? How can you, how can you?"
she said, in a whisper.
"How can L? Why, because I'm
ordered. But I've an order for you, in
turn"
"Well?" She bent her fan and worked
her fingers nervously, still leaning hard
on his arm.
"You must go with me instantly and
tell your father"
81 WON'T" she answered, with set
teeth.
''Why, but Lucia, you will if I say 30"
81 won't"
"Then I'll do it alone"
81 can't stop you, but if you do shall
hate you-as much as Aave loved you"
''But why? He must be told some
time I'm in fearful hurry. AS a
matter of fact, I've no right to be here
now; if the C. o. catches me, I'll get
the dickens. Come along and tell him."
81 said 1 wouldn't, and won't"
"What makes you so obstinate? It's
not like you
cts like me sometimes. It's like me
when I'm afraid"
"Afraid of what2"
'Of papa. wouldn't mind so dread
fully if you were going to be here, but
/ think it's mean and cowardly Of you
to leave me to bear the brunt of it all
alone for days and days. It might kill
me. III WOTTleu III OcdIkl uOW
A tear dropped on Taunton's hand
and melted his firmness in moment.
He began to plead. But, Lucia, he
must know in a few weeks at most. I've
let you persuade me too long already.
We ought to have been brave and open
in the first place, or else have gone up
and made our confession Immediately.
What the deuce ever made me give in to
your silly fears, can't understand"
"You were glad enough to get me
most anyway"
81 suppose that's it. But let me tell
your father now. It would be so much
better in case-anything were to hap
pen to me-"
ooh, Marion, there's no danger, is
there?"
probably not. But you can't always
be sure. You see, it would be better
to have it over with if should get
hurt"
"You won't, I'm sure you won't.
Don't tell him yet, Marion, please don't,
and oh, don't get killed! Do you think
the black butterfly meant anything
do you?"
''Of course not. Lucia, I'm doing
wrong to give in to you, 1 know it, and
but here comes Murray; he mustn't
catch me here. Good-by, little girl,
good-by. wish you were drawer.
| Adios!"
Taunton ran down the steps, and,
keeping in the shadows of the build
ings, strode off to the troop quarters. And
the girl stood there in the darkness,
looking with wide eyes up at the sky,
where gray, thick clouds drifted to-
gether and apart, showing patches of
starry, black heavens, and COW
ering them over as quickly. The
cottonwoods rustled in the wind,
| and her hair blew over her
face, all damp and clinging. She bent
her fan until one of the sticks snapped,
and started at the sound. She turned
about and looked at the barracks where
| F troop was making ready to depart
a portion of the troop, that is. Men
ran by alone, or leading horses; order.
lies galloped beneath the shadow Of the
trees. Shaking with cold, she stood
there, her heart seeming numb and still
From the open doors Of the soldiers
quarters fell bars of LIGHT. and mi.
formed figures passed in and out, for
ward and backward. She saw Taunton
RIM along and hurry To his house Tn