The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-29

or payday riot, resumed its regular
nightly air of repose, the lonely sentries
began their monotonous calls Faval's
window opened on the back of the guard
house, and he could not Sc the sentry on
number one. But very distinctly there
came to his ears the methodical beat of
the soldiers shoes on the porch, and at
last his first proclamation to his brother
sentries of the hour
Ten O'clock Faval murmured. 1.-TWO
hours yeti is year,
sAs the distant calls came family from
the far away posts, and number one re-
peated "All's WE'LL" the young musician
stealthily reached from his hammock and
grasped one of the window bars. 1t shook
beneath the pressure of his slender fin
gers. Easily" he muttered, and then
huddled in his hammock as he heard the
sentry challenge, and quickly shout to the
sergeant inside:
Officer of the day! Turn out the
guard"
Had they suspected? Had they discov-
cred?
Never mind the guard"
The trembling lad heard the officer step
on the porch and the sergeant make his
report Faval sweated with fear. What
was it? Were they talking about him?
Would the sergeant would Holmes, be-
tray him and have him put in irons? 1t
was likely He had done as Katy had
told him to do, but he could not under
stand when she had said that Holmes
was his friend. The officer went away,
and, trembling, Faval crept from his ham,
mock and slipped on shoes and clothes
etc or har
iously.
He won't be back until early morn
ing" the corporal of the guard remarked
with a yawn. Daddy Dodds is getting
old and likes his snooze, even when he's
Holiness"
The sergeant in charge replied gruffiy,
as was his wont.
There were so many prisoners COM
ing in, | had no time to get my blan-
kets. Take the keys till come back
He went out. but he did not go to the
barracks for his blankets. 1t was dark
and moonless now and at the foot of the
bluff he met the girl. She was very pale,
but in her there was no sign of fear Her
eyes glittered with determination. He
tried to take her hand, but she withdrew
it and whispered.
Not yet-not until it was done Is he
ready?"
He ought to be ready. | have done
all l can" he answered. a little sullenly.
AT midnight / shall engage Number Ones
attention"
She gave little laugh of triumph
Il must see him." she said Il must
say goodby. / know the window"
He flashed up at that with suspicious
anger
What do you want to see him for?" he
whispered sullenly You told me to
save him, and have. but-but you are
mine now. l don't want you to see him."
She laughed, and put her hand in his.
Il know, Holmes" she said. you are
true and-and / love you better than |
ever did, but
He interrupted her by passionately
kissing her hand, and STOPPING, he could
not note her frown.
but that poor boy. He loved me,
too, and-and let me say goodby!"
He let her go. and she slipped up the
bluff and so to the barred window At
once Faval's hand caught hers
THE barr" she whispered.
at is loose"
L ne HORSES are at the cottonwood
clump on the river. Noel, Noel be care
full
My darling. | shall be there-or shot,
She was back with Holmes Immediately,
and though her eyes sparkled, she wiped
them with her handkerchief.
Poor fellow" she said and paused and
then went on, "and so he is gone forever
Thank you. sergeant. II do like you
now"
Holmes took her in his arms and kissed
her.
God bless You. Katy" he said, filled
with love, and may he forget me if l
do not make you happy all your life!"
He left her, dazed at the caress, and
went back to his duty, and the girl look
ed after him with smile and sigh
The night passed on, punctuated by the
yawning sentries calls. The men mar
veled at the sergeants unaccustomed
cheerfulness. He chatted with them and
laughed. They remembered afterwards
that for once they had heard Holmes
laugh. He did not lie down. At IL the
Gentry called the hour, and Holmes short
ly afterwards left him, saying he would
patrol around the guardhouse. At Faval's
window he stopped No noise came from
within, save that of the prisoners snores
He peered inside and made out that Fa-
vals hammock was empty. One bar hung
loose from it's fastening at the top. The
sergeant put it in place softly.
He is gone," he thought "Out of
the way-out of the way-out of the way.
and she is promised to met
The relief went out at II O'Clock, and
soon the tired sentries relieved came
tramping in with the corporal Holmes
was lying on his bunk in the office, but
not asleep Sleep was far from his glad
eyes. He heard the sentries gossip as
they prepared to lay down
ANY of the officers giving a party to-
night?''
Don't know-why?"
cause man and a woman galloped
past on the river trail | could Just see
mem from Number Six. They were going
B-oar ranch way, and I thought they'd
maybe been visiting in officers row."
Holmes raised his head-a man? That
was all right. woman? Who could
they be? He sat up on the edge of his
cot terrible thought filled his mind It
could not be-yet, yet-dared she play
that trick? For minute he sat still
and then, without a word of excuse he
left the guard house. He went straight
to Mother Malone's. The angry woman