The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-10-15
THE GOLD OF SILENCE.
AND WHAT CANE OF IT.

MORE harm has been wrought in
wi this world by the gold of silence
than by the silver of speech. Especial
ly is this true Ct matters of the heart.
Farland came to realize it in the end;
but as he left tie commanding officer
and walked in his deliberate way
across the hoproom to where Miss
Cameron stood he was priding himself
upon his ability to hold his tongue,
and, with a wretched sort of vaingiory,
nerving himself to hold 1t for seven
hours longer.
Miss Cameron was talking to the
regimental quartermaster, and when
she caught sight of Farland she grew
radiant. The regimental quartermas-
ter observed this, and was, of course,
annoyed. He went away and left her
with the lieutenant.
1t is the fate of 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.
Farland was not of them. He was
too distinctly manly to understand
women. He was. therefore, strength
ened in his resolve to keep silence
when Miss Camcron's expression in mo-
wise changed ms he told her that she
must excuse him for the next dance.
II have Just seen the colonel, and he
has been pleased to inform me that l
must leave at reveille."
''For what portion of the globe?"
She gazed over his shoulder in APP
parent absorption in something at the
other side of the room. If Farland
had been a student of the sex he would
have known that this was overacting.
1t was one of the many of Miss Cam
eron's charms that she unusually fixed
her entire attention upon the person
at hand.
"where are you going" 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 scout, then?" she asked.
"Upon a scout yes. And as have to
leave before reveille, and, as 1t is now
II o'clock, there is no time to be lost"
Miss Cameron was smiling again.
"You will not sleep much tonight.
Things must be serious"
ssThey are" he told her.
"You must not let me keep you," she
said.
farland was far too well trained to
allow his angerand unhappiness to APP
pear in more than an exaggerated I'M
concern. He took her extended hand.
*Shall you be here when I return p
he asked. His resolution was near to
breaking. If Ter tawny eyes had
grown ever so little soft. he would have
flung his golden wealth Of silence to
the winds. But her pride was mighty,
and 1t was aroused.
my visit comes to an end this week.
she said.
1--WE shall probably meet again" he
ventured.
She shrugged her shoulders negli.
gently.
Probably. One can never be sure
that one has seen the last of anybody
in the army" And then she added;
''Good-by."
And Farland went out, morally and
bodily, into the night. His was tht
code of honor--which considers not
the woman-that holds that II mar
may not ask woman to marry hin
then and there, neither may he tell hel
of his love. He thought he was doing
right, and he was not one to rail Al
fate. A little tempest of temptation
had rufied the deep waters of his con
science for q time. But they were
calm again. He remembered with re
sentiment the baughtily poised head
and the placid smile, and the las
glimpse he had caught of her through
the hoproom window Ia yellow
gowned figure. swaying to the music
in full enjoyment of life.
Well. she would have gone back Il
Bayard by the time Of his return, ant
one could never be sure one would no
forget-after years. He went into thu
barracks and gave his orders.
When the brass mouths of the bugle,
pealed their reveille welcome to tn
sun, as it rose above the mountains
far across the prairie, Farland and hi
command were :rotting toward Noun
Graham, and Miss Cameron, still in thu
yellow gown, stood at her window witt
her hands clasped before her, an,
watched the line of the receding col
umn.
Farland stopped at Bayard tws
months later. The scout was over. an,
he was taking his command back t,
Fort Grant. They were to strike tn,
railroad at Silver City. nine mile