The Opelousas courier., 1898-10-08
The Gold Of SILENCE.
An Army Tragedy.

More harm has been wrought In this
world by the gold of silence than by
the silver of speech. Especially is
this true of matters of the heart.
Farland CAME to realize it in the
end; but as he left the commanding
officer and walked in his deliberate
way across the hop-room to where Miss
Cameron stood, he was priding him.
self upon his ability to hold his tongue,
and, with a wretched sort Of vain,
glory, ~nerving himself to hold it for
seven hours longer.
Miss Cameron was talking to the
regimental quartermaster, and when
she caught sight of Farland, she grew
radiant. The regimental quarter
master observed this, and was, of
course, annoyed. He went away and
left her with the lieutenant.
1t is the fate Of a woman to be for
ever smiling. Few men have learned
to distinguish that eternal smile. Those
who have, have observed the subtlest
tragedies of life.
Farlard was not one of them. He
was too distinctly manly to under
stand women. He was, therefore,
strengthened in his resolve to keep
silence when Miss Cameron's express
sion in nowise changed as he told her
that she must excuse him from the
next dance.
Il have just seen the colonel, and he
has been pleased to inform me that 1
must leave at reveille."
"For what portion Of the globe"
She gazed over his shoulder in ap-
parent absorption in something at the
other side Of the room. If Farland
had been q student of the sex he
would have known that this was over
acting. 1t was one of the many Of
Miss Cameron's charms that she u.s.
ually fixed her entire attention upon
the person at hand.
where are you geing?" she re-
peated.
ITO join Blake's command. After
that, wherever the will of heaven and
the craft Of the Apache may lead me-"
For just one instant her expression
changed. But Farland was not acute.
upon a scout, then?" she asked.
Upon a scout, yes. And as 1 have
to leave before reveille. and, as it is
now eleven o'clock, there is no time
to be lost"
Miss Cameron was smiling again.
You will not sleep much tonight.
Things must be serious"
They are" he told her.
There was a pause-one of those in
when the gods benumb our
mental powers that instinct may have
play. But we defeat their ends.
have trained instinct to lie quiet.
The lieutenant moved uneasily. Miss
with the delicate much-sung
Of woman, thought him
restless to be gone. She drew herself
up to her full height, determined that
she was Indifferent and hard, and his
was enforced.
"You must not let me keep you," she
said.
Fafland was too well trained to al
low his anger and unhuppiness to ap-
pear IN more than an exaggerated un-
concern. He took her extended hand.
Shall you be here when I return?'
asked. His resolution was near-to
breaking. II her tawny eyes had
grown ever SO little soft, he would
,ave flung his golden wealth of silence
the winds. But her pride was
and it was aroused.
My visit comes to an end this
she said.
I'VE shall probably meet again." he
7entured.
She shrugged her shoulders negli-
Probably. One can never be sure
hat one has seen the last of anybody,
n the army" And then she added:
She would have been glad to bow
Ter head upon her arms and to have
sept her hea1tache in silence. In
;tead, she gave the dance which was
o have been FariaEds to a married
'aptain, and succeeded perfectly in
effort to appear to enjoy it.
And Farland went out. morally and
into I'll. night. His was the