The Irish standard., 1898-03-12

He asked them in, but did not invite.
Both Hayne and his wife noted that,
and both felt they knew the cause of all
the trouble when they met Whitaker
tea minutes later and learned from him
that the Graftons expected guest
from the east on Suturday-Mrs. Nc
Lane.
And Saturday evening she came, AZ
most at the same hour at which she
first set eyes on that dreary landscape.
and wondered what was the name of
those far, blue hills, and who those off,
GERS and ladies could be. But this time
1t WINS the train from the northeast
that bore her in, and its decomposition from
the "Sunset Route" was not there;
neither was there swarm Of officers
and ladies. There was only one of each
"a grave, digniiied. soldierly man in
undress uniform--a young, pretty, sty-
ishly attired dame at his side. The
Pullman came to stop at the platform,
the porter sprang out laden with bags
and bundles; the conductor stepped off
and raised his cap and offered his hand
to vision of female charms, fair,
o"SSb cunning ioAS lIAHiVo III
little cap. The heavy Grape veil was
thrown bnck, and the slender, rounded
form was dccked in sombcr weeds, yet
how gracefully, effectively was it
drapcd. Even Grafton could not fail to
note it. No sign of dust and CRIME Of
travel was there. The shrouding, pro-
tecting veil and dnster had been dis
cardcd only just before they reached
the station; Annette had slowed them
carefully away in the shawl-strap, while
her bereaved mistress carefully and
skillfully arrayed herself in veil and
bonnet that had been boxed through
out the journey. She stepped forth
into Iarriet's welcoming arms as trim
us though she herself had just issued
from handbook, her JOY at being once
more with such fond friends decorously
tempered by the sense of her ever-pres-
ent, all-pervading sorrow, and the con-
sciousness of her delicate ard uncertain
health. Only a moment did she allow
herself in Harriet's embrace. No time
must be lost in precipitating herself
upon the massive and not too eloquently
welcoming captain, who held out hand
in his untutorcd army way, us hands
had been extended for the score of years
he had been in service, and not at the
height of the shoulder, as hers, after
the alien mode of the 0O's. Into his
arms she did not throw herself, vet
looked she MS she meant TO look and have
him see her look, and he impressed ac-
cordingly, as though such was her sense
of his lofty character and her own needs
of some strong arm on which to lean,
she might even be glad to find shelter
there.
"Thcre was always something so ap-
pealing about Fan" said Mrs. Grafton
sometimes, and indeed there was
And then the train moved on, and
Grafton looked grimly at the stack Of
Saratogas up the platform, while the
orderly was loading bags, baskets and
bundles into the roomy Concord wagon,
and the quartcrmastcr's team came rat
thing alongside to load up with heavy
luggage.
Il won't have to sec-anybody to-
night, will 1, dcarcst?" pleaded the
widow Of her devoted friend, us they
bowled away 10 the post. II look like
bag after this dreadful journey, and
I'm so tired. Oh! do you get soft wa
ter here, or is it all this wrctchcd
alkali?" and she studied her friends
already suffering complexion and read
her answer there. No matter; she had
borax and--othcr correctives-in album
dance.
Inspection was all over. The cavalry
were all at stables down under the
bluff MS they whirlcd into the great,
spreading garrison and went spinning
up the roadway in front of officers
quarters. The captain lifted both Ia
dies out Mt the gate and assisted An
nette to alight; then, giving brief di-
rcction to the servant, he raised his
cap: and now you are at home. Mrs.
McLnne, and l will leave you to Harriet
while | go down to my horses awhile"
and Fan followed him with swimming
eyes.
'lIow blessed you are, Harriet" she
murmured. $50 strong, SO noble
man! All. I have SO needed you-both.
I'm so thankful to be here"
And MS they led her beneath the
shaded porch, and bright eyes on other
porchcs looked eagerly on, and her own
bright, trimming eyes took in the
many odd, unfamiliar yet attractive
surroundings in this cozy army home,
Fan was wondering how she could ever
have thought of such a life-how it was
possible for Harriet to be happy in it,
while her hostess was already Won
dering if, after all, she was quite as
content and happy as she was before
Fanny came.
CHAPTER VIII.