Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-12-16
at once. Henry had to go with his regi.

Mrs. Hayne is coming back, is she
not?" he queried of Florence, but had
to repeat the query twice. She only
shook her head
He waited a moment. Listen, Flor
ence. dear" he presently said, as he
bent compassionately over her. II am
ordered on guard at once, and l must
go to relieve Henry. Even though
cannot tell you what Mrs. McLane
wishes to see me about. this will tell
you. dear. If l must see her. you shall
know it ffrst-from me, and not hear of
it through some meddling gossip"
He was wondering as he walked away
who could have told his wife he had
called at Grafton's and asked for Mrs.
McLane. He was too proud to inquire.
He had kissed her gently. forgivingly,
as he said to himself, before coming
away. and promised that he would be
with her again if only for S few min
utes before the signal for lights out.
He found Henry swearing with impa-
tience, as the youngster had raft"
of preparations to make, and it was
very late, nearly il o'clock, before he
had reestablished the sentry posts as
ordered by the new officer of the day.
The trumpets sounded taps to heed
less ears, and the lights burned bright
ly in all the barracks, and the troopers
who were not to go were chatting the
''dough-boys" who were. and so mix
ing up not a litle in the work of prep
aration. He had seen Hayne moment
and had been told that Mrs. Hayne
would run back to Florence again as
soon as she had seen to the packing
of his mess chest and field kit. The
children were to be allowed TO sit up
and see the regiment off. Merriam sup
posed when taps came that by this time
Mrs. Hayne was with Florence. but all
the same he left the guard in charge
OF the sergeant few minutes and hur-
ried away over the parade and up to
her room, and there he found her lying
almost as he had left her-face down
s3ward upon the sofa, and all alore.
Throwing aside his belt and saber.
Randy knelt by her side and strove
gently to turn her toward him.
Have you no welcome for me now.
my little girl?" he murmured. DO you
realize this is the first t9ouble that has
ever come between us, and that I'm be-
ing very, very much abused for some
thing that is no fault of mine?" His
tone and manner were almoSt playful,
despite a certain soreness at heart he
| could not quite ignore, but Floy re-
sisted and was silent. 81 have only 4
moment or two, my wife," he presently
continued. gravely and sadly. You are
soldier enough to know l should not be
away from my guard even now, but my
heart yearned over you, Florence, in
your illness and distress, and L had TO
steal moment. Won't you come into
my arms little while, and let me kiss
away the traces of those foolish tears?''
All, who knows ho1a much her heart,
too, may have been pleading with his
pleading voice at the Bement get the
devil of her jealous leve kept rigid
guard between them.
Il shall do vepr well,s' she aAswered,
coldly. Mrs aayne was here, and
told her 14ot to st9y"-ne9se-tbe
"neisher need yau."
At first he could not believe his
senses. Ike Wild outhurst af q few
hours befeea was something easily ac-
| countea fer in tshe so young and pas
sionata, But this eeid, repellant, re-
| morseles9 refusal. this practical dis
! misSal af his prefer of love, comfort
| and earssses, this was something ut
| terlE eualike Florence. 1t not enly
| amazed. it stuag hina, and, rising slow
~ t9 his feet, Ae stood enc moment look
! ing dewe az her in deep bewilderment,
and VITA ne little effort curling his
tongde and temper. The pretty wrap
per She were had become disafranged,
and oae slender. slippered feet that pro-
| jected from beneath it's shelter was
tapping ner1euslS the feat Of the sofa.
Sitting a sigh, be locked about Ain.
took from neighharing chair heavy
shawl Size had beeh using earlier in the
| day. and, carefully spreading it ever
her as to cover eyes the rebellious feet,
he quietly efckea up his saher and as
quietly walked te the door. There,
turning about, be locked back ct ker.
Without changing her position, she mad
| calmly stripped eff the shawl with Aer
right hand and @repPea it to the aeer.
The slippered feet wss still eeatias it's
nervous, irreeeneilabae tattoo as he
slowly descended the stairs.
She heard him let hiHiself cue into the
| night and the clank eff the seahbara
against the Ggatepost and the traAp OF
his cavalry boot as he crossed The read.
lie walked slowly, heavily now, aot
| eagerly as he came. Florence beard
and noted, and tRen her pride and reese
luton gave away, and again She wept
bitter, bitter, yet not wholly pe9itent
tears.
The waning moon was shining over
th4 dim, far-stretchirg desert to the
east, and little torchlight processioa
| was forming at the band barracks. as
Merriam recrossed the parade. Each
musician wore attached to his headsear
! bright little lamp, its reflector so ar
ranged as to throw tie light full upon
the sheet of music in The r-nnLr Of his