The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1900-02-02


"And you have never heard anything
about tho inmates and why they keep
up this policy Of cxclusivcness2"
"We have heard all manner Of things
-some Of them wildly romantic, some
mysteriously tragic, and all Of them,
probably, absurd At all events, Capt.
Lawrence has told mo ho did not wish
me to repeat what had heard, or to bo
concerned in any way with tho stories
afioat; SO you must ask somebody else.
Try tho doctor 10 change tho subject,
MIR. Perry, sec you have lost that mys-
terious little silkcn braid and tasscl you
wore on your cap button. | fancicd
there was somo romance attached to it,
and now it is gone"
Perry laughed, his bluo eyes twinkling
with fun: eff | will tell you how and
where l got that tasscl, will you tell mo
what, you have heard about Dunravcn
Il cannot, unless Capt. Lawrence
withdraws his prohibition. Perhaps ho
will, though, for l think it was only be-
cause he was tired Of hearing all our
conjectures and theories"
well, will you tell mo if can induce
the captain to say he has no obicction?"
persisted Perry
II will to-morrow-if you will tell me
about the tassei tonight
"ls it a positive promise? You will tell
me Tomorrow all you have heard about
Dunraven Ranch if will tell you to.
night all know about tho tassel2'
"Yes-a promise"
VERY we'll, then. You are a witness
to the compact, Graham. Now for my
confession. have worn that tassel ever
since our parting ball at Fort Riley.
That is to say, it has been fastened to
that button ever since the ball until to-
night; but I've been mighty careful not
to wear that cap on any kind of Duty
And yet you let Mrs. Belknap take it
off to-night2'
"Why shouldn't II There was no
sentiment whatever attached to it.
haven't the faintest idea whose it was
and only tied it there for the fun of the
thing and to make Graham, here, ask
questions"
"Mr. PerryP gasped Mrs. Lawrence
And do you mean that Mrs. Belkn;fp
knows-that you told her what you have
just told mc?"
"Well, no." laughed Perry. Il fancy
Mrs. Belknap thinks as you thought
that it was gage d'amour Halo! look
at that light away out thero across the
prairie. What can that bc?"
Mrs. Lawrence rose suddenly to her
feet and gazed southeastward in the di-
rection in which tho young officer point
ed. 1t was lovely, starlit night. a
soft wind was blowing gently from the
south and bearing with it the fragrance
OF spring blossoms and far away flower
cts. Others, too, had arisen, attracted
by Perry's sudden eXclamation Mrs.
belknap turned languidly in her ham
mock and glanced over her pretty white
shoulder. The colonel followed her eyes
with his and gave start of surprise.
The doctor turned slowly and composed
ly and looked silently towards tho glis-
tening object, and then upon the officers
of the cavalry there fell sudden astonish-
ment.
what on earth could that have been?"
asked the colonel. "It cleaned like tho
mead light of locomotive, away down
there in the valley Of tho Monec, then
suddenly went out"
"Be silent moment and watch "
whispered Mrs. Lawrence to Perry.
"You will sec it again; and-watch tho
DOCTOR"
Surely enough, even as thoy were all
looking about and commenting on the
strange apparition, it suddenly glarcd
forth second time, shining full and lus-
trous as an unclouded planet, yet miles
away beyond and above tho fringe of
cottonwoods that wound southeastward
with the little stream. Full half min
ute 1t shone, and then, abruptly as be-
fore, was hidden from sight.
Perry was about starting forward to
JOIN the colonel when u little hand was
laid upon his arm.
"Wait; once moro you'll see it," she
whispered. "Then take me in to Can't.
Lawrence. Do you sec that the doctor
Is leaving2"
Without saying word to any one, the
post surgeon had very quietly withdrawn
from the group Oh the veranda. He
could not we'll leave by tho front gate
without attracting attention; but he
strolled leisurely into the hall, took up
book that lay on the table, and passed
through tho group Of officers seated
smoking and chatting there, entered the
ASoih VII VIC SOuCn or tI,0
han-tho side opposite tho parlor where
tne whist game was in progress-and
there he was lost to sight.
A third time the bright light burst
upon the view Of the gazors. A third
tlme' sharply and suddenly, 1t dsap-
peared. Then for a moment all was
more.
Perry looked questioningly in his com.
panion's face. She had turned n little
white, and he felt sure that sho was
care you cold2" ho asked her, gently
No-not that; but hate mysteries,
after what I've heard, and we haven't
seen that light in over so long. Como
here to tho corner one moment I'd
she led him around to the other f., :. of
tho bio XVoo1on ho rro ~, I;l,o A