The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-24
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piece Of her mind for which her soul
had been longing for days, but Mrs
Turner shifted the coming battle and
was up and away triumphant.
II can It stop. I've got an engagement
at Mrs. Rays, but l was SO excited by
what had happened that | just had to
drop in the first house came to. " Then
away she went, and Mrs. Gregg had not
SO much as chance for a crushing
word. Verify Mrs. Turner was tacti-
clan.
1t was not long, of course, before the
garrison had the news. The band came
out to play; SO did the children, while
their mothers gathered on the front
piazzas and engaged in earnest talk,
even while keeping an eye out for War;
ner and the stranger from Denver. They
had remained at the Barrys' nearly 20
minutes and had gone again next door,
presumably up stairs to Maynard's
room. Then, leaving Mr.. Cook there at
Stannard's, Warner had gone briskly
over to the office. When he was finally
seen returning, many fair faces, some Of
them sad and sweet and full of painful
interest, others eager with curiosity,
were turned toward him, and had he
peen many another fellow Warner
might have had his head turned by such
display Of interest. He understood and
correctly estimated it all, however. 1t
wasn't the first time, poor fellow, he
had had to visit an officer Of the -th,
and a regimental favorite, too, when in
arrest, and now, though many Of the
number were women whom he could 4
trust and to whom he would be glad to
tell how blameless he considered May
nard, he feared that 1t would be diff
cult to discriminate where so many
were evidently on the alert. He darted
into STANDARDS, therefore, and when he
reappeared and walked gravely down
the long line his civilian friend slowly
pacing at his side and listening with
evident enjoyment to the music Of the
band, the young adjutant raised his
cap as he passed group after group, but
made no stop whatever. At the old east
gate buggy was waiting, and into this
he assisted Mr.. Cook, saw him started
back to Cheyenne and then, to the scan
dial Of many an expectant and impatient
fair one, marched back across the open
parade, entirely out Of range spoke
word to the band leader to cover his
otherwise accountable deviation from
the path of rectitude and officers row,
then dove into his Office and disappeared.
"Well, I never KNEW" said Mrs.
Turner, "that Mr.. Warner could be so
mean"
1t had been blowing fitfully during
the early afternoon, but by 5 o'clock the
wind was strong from the northwest,
and instead Of the customary lull at
shutdown there came steady gale.
Women gathered their children to roost
at an earlier hour than usual, and there
was no frolicsome band chasing and
shouting about the parade in the long
spring twilight. There was less visiting
to and fro, and only near neighbors
dropped in to chat about the latest
phase in the garrison sensation and to
wish 1t wouldn't blow so hard at Rus
sell. Many would have liked to spend
an hour at Mrs. Barry's, but were de-
tered from attempting it because ii
was early given out that she was much
fatigued and depressed by the events Of
the last few days. Mrs. Stannard was
with her, and Marion Ray and Mrs
Freeman for a time had been admitted.
Others called with polite inquiries for
both the ladies, and Mary, the house.
maid, had her answer pat. Mrs. Barry
was not very we'll and begged to be ex-
cused, and Miss Baird was lying down.
1t was Bridget's evening out, for even
on the far frontier did our domestic ty.
rants hold their employers to the week.
ly allowance Of social freedom. 1t had
been that CHEEKY and good natured god
dess' practice to drive to town in car
ryall, owned by the old retired soldier
hitherto mentioned, who ran q sort of
bus line for the benefit avowedly Of
the men on pass and the domestios on
pleasure bent but quite as much for
that of his own plethorio old pocket
book. He was forbidden the road with
in the post because of certain contra
band traffic in his past. But all that
was necessary to secure his services
was, as he announced, for the ladies and
gentlemen of the post to leave their or
Ter at the band quarters and sharp at 2
le would begin the rounds of the back
gates and with o crowded vehicle go
'pinning away to town.
Mrs. Barry had imagined that Bridg.
1T would forego her visit on account of
he gale but Mrs. Barry was mistaken
n gala attire her valued cook appeared
o ask, as she always did, could she do
for Mrs. Barry in town, and
hat lady thanked her, said no, but OK.
PRESSED some anxiety as to Bridget's Co.
ng.
"Oh, we'lLget there all right, mum"
aid she briskly. 1.-THE winds with us G
very inch Of the way. But would Mrs. .
Barry mind very much If I staid with q
riends in town and came out tomorrow
{ it blows harder? It's the coming back g
hat'll try the old mans horses. -
"Well, how can you get out in the
1orning2" was the question. 1.-THE
tage doesn't come until nearly noon." =
ooh, I'll get my I have friends 8
Tho can bring me out, ma'am," was fl
'ridget's confident answer. So the Q
9quisite permission was given and the
ook departed in peace. When the car =
yall came few minutes later, she was !
eady at the gate, big satchel in her
and.
rnaJ nIgnJ wnen TAPS" was sounded
ew people heard it at all because of ,
40 gale. Nathalie had stolen down :
tairs, white and wan, and was kneel-
,g by Mrs. Barry's couch, while Mrs.
tannard read aloud. Not whisper
ad been permitted to reach the girl Of t
[aynard's arrest. She knew of the visit +
Warner and the man from Denver =
nd was told that they had come for an |
,curate description Of the missing
roperty, and SO they had, despite the #
lot that Mr.. Cook already knew almost G