Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-12-09

and was glad to get away. Then came
an orderly with the colonel's compi-
ments. and would Mr.. Merriam step
over to the Office minute; and. glanc-
ing across the parade. Randy was sur
prised to see that bright lights were
shining from the windows al headquar-
tiers, and there were signs of unusual
life and stir about the infantry bar
racks. Quickly he mounted the stairs
and again knelt by the side of his young
wife. She was quieter now, but evil
IDENTIFY weak from the violence of her
emotion, if from no other cause. Smil-
ing sympathetically. Mrs. Hayne
arose from her place near the head of
the sofa. that he might come closer and
fold Florence in his arms, as she felt
sure Florence wished to be folded. and
Randy did come nearer. and took the
slender hand in his and spoke tenderly
and fondly. and bent again and kissed
the pale forehead, Engeringly, and all
this Florence seemed 10 accept without
other notice than silence and submis-
sion. Mrs. Hayne gazed with swiftly
changefu1 expression. This was some
thing utterly new, utterly unlocked for.
What could have occurred to turn Flor
ence Merriam. fondest, happiest of
wives. into this limp, unresponsive
creature? Surely, it could not be that
there fingered one remaining doubt of
Randy now. He had ignored SO utterly,
so successfully, the wiles of the CO.
quette to whom he owed allegiance n
year gone by. She heard him murmur:
''I'll be back very soon, dearest" saw
the sudden upward sweep of the white
eyelids. and the miserable. questioning
| look in the dark brown eyes. ''The
colonel had sent for me to attend him al
| the office" he explained. and the eyelids
| dropped again. Then he pressed his
| lips to hers, and they answered not at
all. Then he rose. and. with deep con
| Germ in his manly face, turned to go.
''It is so good of you TO come to u.s."
he said to Mrs. Hayne. II should be
at a loss without you. I'll hurry back"
| But his last look as he left the room
| was for Florence, whose eyes followed
him only until his turned again to her.
Then they dropped again.
| 'Floy, dear" said Mrs. Hayne. after a
moment of thought, I'm going to ask
you something"
The girl held up her white hand, and.
as though listening, said: swat"
| They heard Randy in the hall below.
as he threw his cape over his shoulders
and fastened out, heard him go bound
ing down the steps. out through the
| gateway, and then across the hard
| gravel o1the road. Then as his footballs
died away, Mrs. Hayne knelt where he
| had knelt the moment before.
| t'Floy, dear, it isn't possible you think
he cherishes any feeling except of pity
or contempt for-that woman? Inever
| saw anything more perfect than his de-
votion to youths avoidance of her"
| For answer, with sudden force lne
| young wife seemed to tear herself ffom
| the touch of the friendly hand, - The
sound of the genllesvoice. and. bury I'M
! her face in her arms. turning her back
| rISSn her consider, moaned aloud OH.
Floy, Floy, my little friend! You must
not doubt him. Never distrust him
again. Why! he will not even go near
Ger. He will not see her-speak with
her, and I never heard such love and
tenderness in his voice as when he
| speaks 10 you
| Then, as though stung, Florence
| whirled upon her, and, with dilated,
| burning eyes, and "a hot flush over
| spreading her face. with lips close set
as though to beat down the tremors
that strove for the mastery, answered
| with startling vehemence:
'But have-it's when he calls to her
talks to her in his sleep!"
Then Mrs. Hayne spran5 up aghast:
One moment she stood gazing incredu-
| lousy down at Florence, a world of sor:
row and pity in her eyes. Then, with
her hand to her ear, cried "Hark!" and
| fastened to the window.
Far out across the still, starlit level of
the parade trumpeter was sounding
| officers call.