Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-09-29

was with her. We didn't see Miss
Baird . And then young Graham be-
came suddenly aware that the other
three women had not only discontinued
chat, but were listening to him and not
! to the other men. 1t embarrassed him
still the more "She wasn't feeling
very well, " Mrs. Barry said. "She came
home from her walk rather later than
usual and had to go to her room.''
81 hope Miss Baird is not going to be
ill.," said Mrs. Stannard anxiously.
She has been looking little pale of
late. I" And Mrs. Stannard did not see
how intently Miss Maynard was eying
her as she spoke.
ooh, didn't understand that any
thing serious was the matter; only she
didn't come down to tea and Mrs. Ray
was taking her place temporarily"
There was moment silence. Every
one present except Miss Maynard was
aware of her brothers. manifest devotion
to Nathalie Baird for two weeks previ-
GUS to his serious adventure in town.
and each and every one was wondering
how much the young girl indisposition
might be due to anxiety on his account
Mrs. Turner was the first to speak.
How very queer that she should be
i'll, don't you think so?" she queried
true to her practice of committing her
nearer to some expression indicative of
support of-Mrs. Turner's views and
opinions.
Every queer, - murmured Mrs. Ray
mond, glancing furtively at Miss May
nard, whose face, pale and patient, still
gave no sign.
"Oh, II don't suppose it's any
thing serious!" interposed Lieutenant
Walker. 81 met her near the gate as
she was coming in. She seemed in a
hurry, and thought she looked more
as she used to when l first saw her up
at Winthrop when was there on court
martial duty. She was looking mighty
pretty last week, but seems to have
kind Of broken up recently. She hardly
noticed me at all when she went by
"Why, how strange!" said Mrs. Tur-
ner. "Well, we must be going. We've
been here long enough to make you all
think we'd come to spend the night.
Miss Maynard" she continued, rising
and turning deaf ear to Mrs. Stan
nard's polite approximations and assur-
ances that they had been in the house
barely ten minutes, edo come and see
me as soon as you're able to run about
declare don't see any body nowadays
and we all miss Mr.. Maynard sop
To which Mrs. Raymond murmured a
purring second, and then after various
other farewells and at the close of five
minutes devoted to these leave takings
the two ladies made their exit, declin-
ing for 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? 1t
isn't yet. We can say we came to
help, as we'd heard Miss Baird was i'll,
you know"
Mrs. Raymond hesitated. 81 haven t
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 STANDARDS parlor not
Is minutes later. She came rushing in
without even stopping to ring.
f! "What do you think!' 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 II all be wanted, -
she continued, with comprehensive
glance at the boys. The adjutant edged
at once to the door. STANDARDS foot
falls We're heared overheard as he left
Maynard's bedside and FASTENED to the
stairs.
Whats that? WHAT'S the newsy''
he cried, as he came hurriedly down,
and again Mrs. Turner had the comfort
| VI uOluluS Iue uOOr anu Cne ABSORBED
attention of her auditors for half min
ute, and then, loud, ringing and imper-
alive, the cavalry trumpet out upon the
parade broke up the gathering with the
stirring summons of "officers' call. y
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
field-an old time and all too familiar
episode in garrison life as it was led a
score of years ago.
That night the lanterns were dancing
about the barracks and quarters long
after the usual hour for taps, F" and
the officers and men of Stannards bat
TALON were busily at work packing and
preparing for the campaign. The special
trains ordered to transport them tc
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
i to be in readiness with the Gavin Of the