The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-01-12

y
sionate, but this cold, repellant, re
morseless refusal, this practical dis
missal of his proffer of love, comfort
and caresses, this was something ut.
terly unlike Florence. 1t not only
amazed, it stung him, and, rising slow.
| ~ to his feet, he stood one moment look.
ing down at her in deep bewilderment
and with no little effort curbing his
tongue and temper. The pretty wrap
per she wore had become disarranged
and one slender, slippered foot that pro-
jected from beneath its shelter was
tapping nervously the foot of the sofa
Sitting a sigh, he looked about him,
took from a neighboring chair n heavy
shawl she had been using earlier in the
day, and, carefully spreading it over
her rs to cover even the rebellous foot,
he quietly picked up his saber and as
quietly walked to the door. There,
turning about, he looked back at her.
Without changing her position, she mad
calmly stripped off the shawl with her
right hand and dropped it to the floor.
The slippered foot was still beating its
nervous. irreconcilab1e tattoo as he
slowly descended the stairs.
She heard him let himself out into the
night and the clank of the scabbard
against the gatepost and the tramp of
his cavalry boot as he crossed the road.
lie walked slowly, heavily now, not
eagerly as he came. Florence heard
and noted, and then her pride and reso-
luton gave away, and again she wept
bitter, bitter, yet not wholly penitent
tears.
The waning moon was shining over
the dim. far-stretching desert to the
east, and little torchlight procession
was forming at the band barracks. as
Merriam rccrossed the parade. Each
musician wore attached to his headrear
bright little lamp, its reflector so ar
ranged rs to throw the light full upon
the sheet OF music in the rack of his
instrument. 1t was nearly time to form
the regiment, and though the band was
not to go, it meant to play the boys on
TO the cars" rs the sergeant said. Whit
taker, longing for excitement of some
klnd, had gone to Buxton and begged
permission to turn cut his troop, mount
ed, and escort the rifles to the railway
and Bux said mo" with cheerful and
customary alacrity. All the same nj;
the post was up and mostly out Of doors.
thronging about the edge Of the parade.
when adjutant's call sounded and the
two battalions came swinging ont In
full marching order-'campaigr hats.
blankets rolled. great coats folded, hav-
ersacks, canteens and crammed cart
rldge belts" There was but brief core
mony. The colonel whipped out his
sword and gnve Column OF fours.~ tbe
rifles OF the first company leaned to the
right shoulder. the band burst forth
into its liveliest strain, and, taking the
lead. the Intoxicating drum major NJ
It's head, away they tramped for the
southeast gate, and all Fort Sedewick
seemed to follow. The colonel spurrefl
his way and iolted out in front of the
band, his adjutant at his heels. The
cadenced step and spirited music were
kept up until the hospital corps at the
rear OF column was clear to the Oate.
then route step was ordered, and then
and parties the throng OF escorts came
drifting back. by far the larger portion
veering OF to the right and taking the
pathway toward the barracks. while
long string of women and children. with
few attendant officials. kept the direct
road, nearly westward. that ran in
front OF the main lire of officers quar-
tiers. Over at the guardhouse the LITTLE
handful OF armed soldiers had stood
watching from afar the formation and
departure of the regiment. and now.
spreading their blankets, were settling
themselves for a brief nap before re-
heving the sentries now slowly tramp-
ing their posts. and Merriam, after one
long look Mt the distant row, yainlv
seeking for the bright light that used TO
burn IN her parlor window on previous
nights when he was on guard. turned
into the office of the guardhouse with
heavy heart and weary sigh. and sat
himself down to look over the list of
prisoners and the half finished report.
The midnight call of the sentries had
started asthe rifers marched away. but
between the music and the cheers.
seemed to get nofurther than the post of
NO. 2, and Corporal Mahoney had rome
to see II three and four were all ripht
Silence was gradually settling down
npon the moonlit garrison, although
voices of women and children came
floating family across the dim parade.
and out under the spectral white flap.
staff tiny sparks as of cigars could be
seen, and low, gruff voices were heard
In consultation. A moment or two more |
and the sentry on No. was hidden to |
call off half-past ~, and barely had he
done so. and Merriam was straininp his
eors for the answering cry OF the outly-
ing posts. than second time the sentry
let loose his voice and challenged sharp.
~: who comes there?"
Commanding officer md friends.
was the answer in Duxton's growl.
Hat! Corpril the Guard-command.
ing officer ard friends answered No. /
md Merriam sprang to his feet, while
me corporal went bounding out to ex-
lmlne and receive the party.
Il want the officer of the guard said
8uxton, impatient of etiquette or for
naiity as he bulged ahead. "Ob. Mr.
Merriam, there must be OF least a bun.