The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-09

"Oh, Mr.. Mdyndrd, aDould you mind
bringing me q glass Of aetytcTa"'
thetic, but undeserved sorrow. LET us
60 and sit down somewhere. 7 don t
think | care to dance this set"
And Maynard strobe away across the
dark parade toward the distant lights
Of officers row, feeling as though he
must have inflicted something akin to
heartacho on winsome and appealing
woman, yet vaguely conscious that he
ought not to be held to tho species of
servitudo or subjected to the surveil-
lance which seemed to be his lot since
falling within the sphere of Mrs. Tur-
ner's attractions. F.; own quarters
were " ell down toward tho east end of
the row. Major Barry's wero just as
far toward the west, but no sooner was
he beyond the range of the hoproom
lights than the young officer veered to.
ward the west end and presently piought
up at the picket fence that fronted the
entire line. The Barrys' parlor lights
were eztinguished, but faint glimner
camo through the shades of the front
dormor window of tho second floor and
that was her room, Mrs. Barry being
on tho ground floor. The night, as has
been said, was dark and overcast. The
Cheyenne zephyr, a stiff gallo that blew
three days cut of four down from the
mountain PASS to the northwest and
across the open prairie. had died away
at nightfall, and all was as still as the
night was dark. Over across tho parade
the string band of the til was playing
rollickins opera bouffe music for the
lancers which Mrs. Turner felt too IA
tigued OF hurt to dance. They were
winding through the final figure now,
and, even though the doors and windows
were closed against the keen wintry
air, so still and breathloss was nature
that tho soft hum Of voices or occasional
burst CT silvery laughter was borne by
the music upon the wings of night.
Leaning there upon the fence, young
Maynard had turned his back to the
sounds Of merrimcnt and was gazing
tiSedly at that upper window. Fornear-
ly n weel: lie had realized that within
that little room, behind that screening
shade, there dwell the enc fair girl who
held his fate, for veal or woo, in tine
hollow Of her soft white hand.
Then the music suddenly ceased. The
lancers was over. The musicians could
have five minutes breathing spell be-
fore they struck up the waltz, and then,
as if she had only been waiting for the
stopping CT that profano and frivolous
lance trnc, the fair occupant, or at
least her faint shadow, appeared at the
Maynard started with joy. He |
could fee! tho instant bounding of his
leart. Quickly the shade was raised.
Up went the window, and the outlines
If the pretty head and tie slender, girl.
sh form that were tho object of his
dolatry appeared ct the easement. Rest.
ng her elbows on the sill, her cheeks
lpon her hands, Nathalie leaned ont
nto the night. drinking in the noun
ain cir. II Was just 10 O'Clock, and the
from the adjutant s Office had
ONE out upon the dark parade and was
as was the custom at that
lme, flights out" at that comparative
carly hour. Just as the window was
aised Maynard was sure be heard tho
ound of footsteps across the road, the
of boot heels in the snow and
,e heaned up along tho acequia that
dyed tho parade, and glancing thither
9 distinctly Eaw the figure of a man in
eavy orercoat and derby hat between
im and the lights Of B troops bar
'cks. But at the first note of TAPS"
lese lights were extinguished, and ho
1uld see no more Of tho stranger, nor
ID he care to. All his thoughts and
ngings were concentrated on that fair
1t dark form at tho easement above.
@ watched it with worship in his eyes.
JmorroW--tonl orrow afternoon he was
accompany her Oh her walk Could
summon courage enough to tell his
'eet secret? Was it wisdom to do so
w when she had known him 60 short
time! Would it not be apt to startle,
ell to shock, her?
That footstep again, and still in front
the Barrys' quarters. Maynard had
most forgotten the wandercr. "Some
@ of the hack drivers from town." he
Id to himself, trying to make his
~ to the store for drink and loaf
the stove" But instead Of going on
wn to the store the fellow was still
owing somewhere there in the dark
ross the road, and dark it was as Ere
$. No! Hos coming across-coming
,althily, too for the footballs, though
dible, told that the prowler was tip ,
eing as well as he could in heavy,
pie soled boots. What could that
can?
From his post at the fence opposite
9 opon space at the side Of the house,
,ynard listened, breathless. The foot
is ceased, but still no form could be
III. Then a strange thing happened.
could have sworn he heard in hoarse
.isper her name, Nathalie. Strain .
, his ears, he heard it, beyond posi- J
ity of doubt, again. But she remain +
immovable except that now her face !
IS turned upward as though she were -.
MN, ssiuc. yuith tI,f, cp;ri<uS X tl,aL, | VI