The Irish standard., 1898-03-26

thence, Us the youngster had 4 ''ruft"
Of preparations to make, and 1t was
very late, nearly II o'clock, before he
had rccstablished the sentry posts as
ordered by the new officer Of the day.
The trunpcts sounded taps" to heed
less cars. and the lights burned bright
w in ali the barracks. and the troopers
who were not to 60 were chatting the
'dough-Ioys" who were, and SO mix
ing up not Il little in the work of prep
arntion. lie had seen llnyne moment
and had been told that Mrs. IIayne
would run hack to Florence again as
soon as she had seen to the pnching
OF his mess chest and field Kit. The
children were to he allowed to sit up
and see the regiment oil. Merriam sup
posed when taps cama that by this time
Mrs. llaync was with Florence, but all
the same he left the guard in charge
OF the sergeant 81 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
ward upon the sofa, and MI alone.
Throwing aside his belt and s:ber,
Handy knc!t by her side and strove
gently to turn her toward him.
"IIave you no welcome for me now,
my little grip" he ,nurmured. do you
realize his is the first trouble that has
ever come between us. and that Thu be-
ing very, very much abused for some
thing that is no fault OF mine"' His
tone and manner were almost playful.
despite n certain soreness at heart he
could not quite ignore. but Floy re-
sisted and WAS silent. II have only
moment or two. my wife," he presently
continued. grnvcly and sadly. "You are
soldier enough to know l should not be
away from my guard even now, but my
henrt Searned over you, Florence, in
your illness and distress, and had to
stenl n moment. Won't you come into
my arms n little while, and let me kiss
away The traces of those foolish tears"
ALI, who knows how much her heart,
too, may have been pleading with his
pleading voice at the moment, yet the
deri. vi her jealous love kept rigid
guard between them.
II shall do very we'll" she answered,
colby. "Mrs. llaync WAS here. and
told her not to stay"--pansc--thcn.
neither need YOU"
At first he coa!d not believe his
senses. The Wild outburs: of a few
hours before was something easily ac-
counted for in cae so young and pas
sionate, but :his cold. rcpclant, re-
morsclcss refusal, this practical dis
mlssal OF Ills pro1fcr of love: comfort
and caressrs, this was something ut
!crly unlike Florence. 1t not only
amazed, it. stung him, and, rising slow
1t to his feet. lie st God one moment look
ing down at her in deep bewildermcnt,
and with no little effort curbing his
tongue and temper. The pretty wrap
per she wore had BECOME lisarrangctI,
and nEc slender, siippercd foot thai pro-
jected from beneath its shelter was
tapping nervousiy the foot o; The sofa.
Sitting sigh, b2 looked about Kim.
took From rcigi:bu;';nr chair Il heavy
shawl she hal been using earlier in tie
day. and, carefully spreading 1t OYER
her as - cc"eT ever: the .'"ic.iic;,s Scot,
he quietly picked Ny his sa!:cr 2ad as
quietly :,alke,: 70 the door. There.
turning about, lie locked Lack al ir:..
Without changing her position, she had
calmly stripped on the z'.aw. Will, her
right hn"l and d"crrrh Il to The floor.
The slip2e- ed :oct ,sa, 81! l,ctting lis
nervous, i.;.tt;,ci.a',:r tattoo rs lie
slowly descended he ata;rs.
She he".:: lin let hi..se!f cnt irtc the
night nnt! :!:c c:aa!. of the cat.,are.
against the Ga:encst art! :hc tramp %
lis cavalry bcu; 80 lie crossed :hc road,
liz "a;@ei slowly. i,,:e.;.y an:v, not
eagerly IS lie came. florence heard
and i.o;ce:. ADD then Ter pr;;!a AID rcso-
ln!ioI saTa awa:-, ana nga:n :iae wert
bitter, bitter: yet ust wholly peni.eue
tears.