The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-12
eeervsdAHAsssJ 81 Ez,wy1eo A4,NiU.

purring secUHu, ana unen aIJer varIou
other farcwells and at the close of five
minutes devoted to these leave taking.
the two ladies made their exit, declin
ing for a wonder the escort of any OF
the gallants present. Once outside and
the door closed, Mrs. Turner turned to
her companion.
do You think we can venture in? II
isn't 8 yet. We can say we came to
help as we'd heard Miss Baird was i'll,
you know"
Mrs. Raymond hesitated. al haven Z
been there, except to call formally, since
the day she came. I'm afraid it would
be too-thin.
But Mrs. Turner was leader Of wo-
men when they wanted to be led, and
her motion prevailed. Mrs. Barry on
her sofa and Mrs. Ray bending over her
were in earnest conversation when the
two were ushered, in.
And this was how it happened that
Mrs. Turner herself should be the bearer
Of an important and exciting piece of
news back to the Stannards' parlor not
10 minutes later. She came rushing in
without even stopping to ring.
What do you thinkr' she cried.
Colonel Atherton's got dispatch
from headquarters and another from
Major Barry. The Indians have broken
loose. The whole command may have
to go. He came to see her right after
they reached him, and he's going over
to the Office now. You'll all DO wanted, "
she continued, with comprehensive
glance at tho boys. The sdjutant edged
at once to the door. STANDARDS foot
falls were heared overheard as he left
Maynard's bedside and hastened to the
stairs.
Whats that? What's the news?'
he cried, as he came hurriedly down,
and again Mrs Turner had the comfort
Of holding the floor and the absorbed
attention Of her auditors for half min.
Ute and then, loud, ringing and imper-
ative, the cavalry trumpet out upon the
parade broke up the gathering with the
stirring summons of Officers call. :"
Only the women were left to discuss
the situation, and Miss Maynard for
the moment forgot her vivid interest in
all that had been said or implied re-
garding Nathalie Baird in this her first
experience with sudden orders for the
fleld-an old time and all too familiar
episode in garrison life as it was led
score Of years ago.
That night the lanterns were dancing
about the barracks and quarters long
after the usual hour for "taps," and
the officers and men Of STANDARDS bat
talon were busily at work packing and
preparing for the campaign. The special
trains ordered to transport them to
North Platte, far to the east, from
which point they could most easily
reach the old trail Of the Cheyennes
when travelling between the northern
and southern villages Of the tribe, were
to be in readiness with the dawn Of the
coming day, and many man, many
woman knew no wink Of sleep the live
long hours that interviewed. And yet
Mrs. Stannard had found time, in the
midst Of all she had to do for her majors
meas chest, to run over to see that Mrs.
Barry lacked no comfort. Mrs Ray, of
course, had had to hasten home, but
Miss Baird was on duty with her in
valid again-silent, helpful, thoughtful
as ever, yet seeming, as Mrs. Stannard |
could not help but see, very far from
well.
There was a strange, hopeless, har,
assed, appealing look about the eyes
that were but recently SO placidly blue
aud tender that the loving hearted army |