The Florence daily tribune., 1898-03-18

"chnds child"
ara;ion. lie had seen Hnyne n moment
and had been told that Mrs. Iiayne
would run back to Florence again as
soon as she had seen to the packing
ol his mess chest and field lsit. The
children We're TO be allowed to sit up
and see the regiment Off. Meri lam sup
posed when taps caine that by this timo
Mrs. Haync WAS with Florence, hut all
the same he left the guard in charge
oi the sergeant few minutes and hur-
ried away over the parade and up to
her room, and there he found her lying
almost as lie had left hcr--face down
ward upon the sofa, and all alone.
Throwing aside his belt and saber.
Randy knclt by her side and strove
gently 10 turn her toward him.
Have YOU no welcome for me now,
my little girl?' he murmured. DO You
realize this is the first trouble that has
ever come between us, and that I'm be-
ing veTy, yesy much abused for some
thing that is no fault of minef" His
tone and manner were almost playful.
despite a certain soreness at heart re
could not quite ignore, but Floy re-
sisted ard was silent. Il have only
moment or two, my wife," he presently
continued. grnvely and sadly. ~ on are
soldier enough to know should not be
away from my guard even now, but my
heart yearned over you, Florence, in
your Illness and distress. and had to
steal moment. Won't you come into
my arms n little while, and lei mc Kiss
away The traces OF those foolish ienrs?"
All, who knows how much her heart.
too, may have been pleading with his
pleading voice at the moment. yet the
devil -of her jealous love kept rigid
guard between them.
81 shall do very we'll" she answered.
coldly. AIRS. Iinyne was here. and
told her not TO stay"--pause-then
"neither need you" so ,.as
At first he could not believe his
senses. The wild oniburs, Of n few
hours before was something ensiIy ac-
counted for in one so young and pas
sionate, but this cold, rcpellant, re-
moi scless refusal. this practical dis
missa OF his protfer, of love, comfort
and caresses. this was something ut
tcriy unlike Florence. 1t not only
amazed, il stung him, and. rising slow
ISto his feet. lie stood one moment look
ing down nj her in deep bewileflncnt
ard with no little effort curhirg hig
tongue and temper. The pretty wrup-
per she wore had become GisariaIEed
AID one slender, siippered foo; that pro
jeeted from beneath its shelter was
l..
G;iiing sigh. lie looked about him
took from a neighboring chair a heavy
shawl she had Eeeu using ciirl.er in the
day. and, carefully spreading it ever
ler rs TO cover even the e,lious foot.
lie quietly picked up his eaher ar,! as
quietly walked to the door. There.
turning about. he looked Lack u, her.
Without e,hangipr her position. sc pad
calmly stripped off the shawl with her
right hand aud d'' Nped il TO The floor.
The siipperetl foot was still beating its
nervous. irreconciiable tattoo as he
slowly descended the stairs.
She heard him let himself out into the
night and the clnnk of the scabhard
against the gatepost and the tramp of
bis cavalry boot rs he crossed the read.
lie walked slowly, heavily now. not
eagerly as he came. F,osepce heard
and noted. and then her pride and raeo-
luton gave away, and again she wcpt
bitter, bitter, yet not wholly peniient
tears.
The waning moon was shining oye.
the dim. far-strctching desert 10 the
east, ant! little ;orehlight procession
was forming at the Land lar racks. as
Merriam rcerosscd The parade. Each
musician were attached to his icadgcar
a bright litt,e lamp, its reflector 30 ar
ranged rs to throw the light NJ. u.,.,.
the sheet of music in the raul. OF Lis
instrument. II was nearly time o form
The regiment, and thoug,. the bard was
not to 60. II meant TO Pay tie boys en-
to the cars" as The sergeant skid. Whit
taker. lorging for excitement of gone
Kind, had gene to Buxton and begged
permission 10 turn cut lis troop, ...ilnt-
ed, and csccrt Ike rifles 10 TIE ra...way.
Ard BuN s-il no" with Cheerful, aud
customary n.acritv. All the same nj.
the rcsi was M AID mostly ont RI doors.
thrnngirg aso;;t the edge CT ih,.rarat'e.
whcu adiufaa;'s cal scu-Gcl a.d ;tc
two hatialiens casle sw,rrirg c,,t Il.
fell rnre;;i-g z ortleT-'.c2 mH-irr hats.
Blankets relied. great coats fold, 4. has
ersacls, oartec-s and crTir-sca cart
ridge bets" There was t9t brir. ce-e-
nony. The cn.onel whipped on, lis
sword ard rave Column cf fcvrY,' re
rifes Ct .'e n-si company !caned to the
'ig'' shoulder. Tic hand burst r,.t
iEto lis ,iyclicst strain. ard. taking tl..