The Irish standard., 1898-02-12

an instant before crossing the other
track, moved slowly on, and then under
the grip of the air brakes came to Il
stand beside the platform. and, con-
scious that she was looking her worst
looking yellow, in fuct-shc drew
bnck from the window and hastily
lowered the shade. Then merry voices
and laughter. nnd light, bounding foot
steps were heard Mt the head of the
car, and in came joyous party, officers
and ladies. A tall. slender girl seemed
the object of general interest, and her
bundles and wraps were deposited in
the opposite section by one officer; an
other bore II brnnd-ncw bag, another u
bunch of beautiful roses. and ten wom-
en- hung about the girl and kissed her
and coocd over her; and, with the cx-
pcricnced eye Of her sex. Mrs. McLnne
needed only one glnnce ut the pretty.
stylish travelling suit, ut the jnunty
little hat, Mt the slender, tnprring boot.
all so new and glossy, to realize at once
that here WAS II bride~-an army bride
and one beloved OF her kind. for one
woman after another chung to her rs
they kissed, and many eyes were wet,
md all were filled with love and trust
md tenderness. God bless you. Floy,
darling!" cried one enthusiastic girl.
"fmso, so 4 lad we've got you in our reg
imcnt. ! was so afraid the Ritlcrs would
never let you 60" And this, too, seemed
m all-pcrvnhing sentiment among tho
men whose cups were decorated with
crossed sabcrs, while others, who wore
the bndgc of the infantry, aud their
wives and daughters seemed to have an
other song to sing. "FIurrncc, you
broke our hearts by marrying out of The
regiment, but ut least we'll soon have
you hnck at Scdgwirk," was the pur-
port of what was said 10y more than one
Of their number.
Then came warnings to leave The
train. The conductor WAS shouting
"Al nhoard!" and, bearing her with
them. they rushed unanimously TO the
rear platform. Then, very slowly Mt
first, the ear began 10 move, and the
other occupants of the Pullman pokch
their heads out of the windows and
looked hack along the platform, as nn-
SlaIIli llollS IbllOWtu lNcln. lint MIS-.
McLAne still shranl: behind the lowered
shade her heart beating strangely. aud
her ears strnining as though 10 catch
the tones OF n voice long unhcard, last
heard only with swcc: emotions. Nam
~ tones were shouting Gohsprcds and
good-bycs Womnnly voices were add
ing their inconsihcrnte pleas for lot
tiers. md then as thc speed increased
and the voices died away the pnssen-
gers slipped back to their sections and
strove not to seem to be on the watch
for the return Of the bride. 1t was
quite little while before she reap
pcarcd. Mrs. McJMnc was conscious
she was coming because of the back
ward gInnccs Of her frllow-dravelcrs,
and. under their long lashcs. her own
eyes took their eager, sidciong peep.
She came slowly. II tnll. soldicrly form
In gray travelling Curb close at her side.
one arm hnlf encirclng, hnlf support
ing her. She Ind evidently been weep
ing n little. for ma she seated herself and
looked fondiy up In his face the great
lustrons. dcep-brown eyes were wet
with tears. Mlt the fncc was glorificd
by the love and trust that shonc In them
A broad shouldcrcd back. bending de-
votcdly over the girl. was about nj,
Fanny McInnc could see Of the escort.
but IL was enough TO cause her heart TO
sta nd srtltrnlv still She felt no thou1a