Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-12-21

BuuucuIy WltuQrcW IIOm tuc Ud1cOuy
rail, and an instant later, as Miss
Folsom reached the top, All became
dark again. Mrs. Fletcher's door had
nnquestionably been open, and was
now shut to. She must have been out
there listening, and gravely the young
Mrs. Fletcher's agitation in the IL
brary that morning as she peered out
at the majors wagon; her absence
from luncheon on account, as she
pleaded, of not desiring to appear
when company was present; and now,
despite her desire to sleep, her vigil
at the third-foor landing, where she
was surely listening to the sounds
from below.
Pondering over the facts. Elinor
Folsom slowly retraced her steps and
went downstairs. She reached the IL
brary none too soon. Old Johns eyes
were closed and he was slowly top
ping, overcome with sleep. The sound
of her CHEEKY voice aroused him, and
he started. guilty and crestfallen.
Burleigh's heavy face frightened
visibly at her coming. He cared no
more for music than does a cat, but
eagerly followed her across the broad
hall into the parlor when she suggest
ed showing him the beautiful piano
papa had given her; and old John,
blessing her, lurched for the sofa,
buried his hot head in pillow, and
was asleep in ten seconds. Maj. Bur-
leigh was alone with the lovely daugh-
ter of the veteran trader. He vas a
man of the world, she an unsophisti-
Gated girl just out of school-so said
Burleigh, albeit most charming one;
and he, who had monopolized her time
the entire morning, bore down once
more upon his prize.
She had seated herself at the piano,
and her lbng, tapering fingers were
ripping over the keys. She knew full
we'll he did not care what she played,
and for herself she did not care just
then to play at all. She was thinking
of his insinuation at Marshall Deans
expense. She was still bordering over
Mrs. Fletcher's stealthy scrutiny of
the quartermaster's team. On these
two accounts, and no other, he was
possessed of certain interest in FL
inor's dark-brown eyes, and they were
studying him coolly, searchingly, as
he drew a chair near the piano stool,
and seated himself and met her look
with broad, encouraging smile.
Trill and ripple, ripple and trill her
white fingers raced over the keyboard.
I'm sure you know this waltz, ma
jor," she was saying. "They played
it beautifully at the Point two sum-
mers ago."
'I-ah, yes, it's charming compost
tion-charming, though l don't re-
call it's name just now"
"This? why it's one of Godfrey's-
The Hilda,' don't you know? I'm sure
you waltz, major"
''I-ah, used. to, yes. ] was very
fond of q waltz" answered Burleigh,
whose best effort in that line could re-
suit in nothing better imam a waddle.
''But of late years I-I-since my be-
reavement, have practically with
drawn from society" Then, with Ian
gushing smile, he added: II shall be
tempted to reenter the list now" and
the major drew his chair nearer by
full an inch, and prepared to be fur
Their killing"
"Jessie dances divinely," said Miss
Folsom. "She simply floats round a
room. You should see her waltz with
her brother, Maj Burleigh. They
might be Waiting here this very min
ute, if he were only home. What
can have detained him, do you Think"
II wish I knew" said the quarter
master slowly. ut makes those who
are-ah-his friends. you know, anX-
ious in more ways than one. because
there is-er-nothing to warrant de-
lay-nothing to-eXcuse it. He should,
in fact, have been at his post, where
his troop is sorely needed, full four
days ago." and Burleigh looked heavy
with portent.
''Is it not possible that he, has found
something along the .ewer Laramie
something where his troop is needed
much more than here doing stable
guard?"
"How can it be possible?" said Bur-
leigh. "The only thing to warrant
his delay would be Indians. and there
are none south of the Platte; or horse
thieves, and they hung the last of
the gang three months ago. Mr.. Dean,
I-ah-regret to say, is fonder of fish
ing and hunting than of his legiti-
mate duties, and this, fear, is why
he is not here to welcome his sister,"
The piano went ripping on, but the
brown eyes kept up their steady gaze.
In the deep bass chords now her slen
der fingers were entangled. Slowly
and thoughtfully the rich melody
swung in the proud waltz rhythm
through the airy room and foated out
upon the summer breeze. A little line
was setting deep between the dark,
arching eyebrows, symptom Pap
posses schoolmates hadlearned tonote
as a signal of danger, but Burleigh
knew her not, as yet.
"It is odd" said she, dreamily, shat
at the Point the officers spoke so
highly of MIR. Dean, and here you
seem to think SO differently of him.
1t is deep disappointment to his sis
ter that he is not here, but do you
know, major, we were saying only
this morning before you came that
there was some excellent reason for
his delay, and we'd know it within
another day."
ooh, ah-er-of course hope so.
think, pardon me, that that must be
a MESSENGER from m. office now" for