Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-03-24

column of twos and slowly climbing the
stage. "Who would want to go with
that blessed old undertaken? Good
by-bon voyage, Geordie," she cried,
blowing a kiss to the lieutenant at the
head of the second troop, youth who
blushed and looked confused at the at
tention thereby centered upon him and
who would fain have shaken his fist,
rather than waved the one unoccupied
hand in perfunctory reply. when I
60 I'll choose a ship with band and
broad decks, not any such cramped old
canal boat as the Portland"
"Oh! l thought perhaps your hus-
band" began the lady, obviously, but
with a significant glance at the silent
faces about her.
"Who? Frank Garrison? Heavens!
l haven't known what it was to have a
husband-since that poor dear boy
went on staff duty" promptly answered
the diminutiye center of attraction, q
merry peal of laughter ringing under
the dingy archway of the long, long
roof. why, the Portland has only one
stateroom in it big enough for band
box, and of course the general has to
have that, and there isn't deck where
one couple could turn a slow waltz. No,
indeed! wait for the next flotilla, when
our fellows go, bands and all. Then
We'll see." ss.
"But surely, Mrs. Garrison, we are
told the war department has positively
forbidden officers wives from going on
the transports"-again began her in
terrogator, a wistful look in her tired
eyes. 81 know I'd'give anything to join
Mr.. Dutton."
"The war department has to take or
ders quite as often as 1t gives them,
Mrs. Dutton. The thing is to know how
10 be of the order giving side. Oh, joy!"
she suddenly cried. Here are the
Primes and Amy Lawrence-then the
regiments must be coming! And there's
Stanley Armstrong;"
Far up the westward street the dis
tant roar of voices mingled with the
swing and rhythm and crash Of martial
music. Dock policemen and soldiers on
guard began boring wide lane through
the throng of people on the pier. A huge
black transport ship lay moored along
the opposite side to that on which the
guns and troopers were embarked, and
for hours bales, boxes and barrels had
been swallowed up and stored In her
capacious depths until now, over
against the tables of the Red Cross,
willing to see, for her large, dark,
thoughtful eyes were engaged with
some object on the opposite side-not
even with the distinguished looking
soldier who sat facing her and talking
quietly at the moment with Mr.. Prime.
There was a CLEAN of triumph in Mrs.
Garrison's dancing eyes as she took out
fiat notebook and pencil and dashed
off a few lines in bold and vigorous
strokes. Tearing out the page, she rap.
idly read 1t over, folded it and glanced
imperiously about her. A cavalry SER
geant, one of the home troop destined
to remain at the Preside, was leaning
over the edge of the pier, hanging on to
an iron ring and shouting some part
ing words to comrades on the upper
deck, but her shrill soprano cut through
the dull roar of deep, masculine voices
and the tramp of feet on resounding
woodwork.
"Sergeant!" she cried, with quick de-
cision. Take this over to the officer
in command of that guard. Then bring
Il %,l,
across the pier" The cavalryman
glanced at the saucy little woman in
the stunning costume, took in" the
gold crossed sabres, topped by regi-
mental number in brilliants that
pinned her martial collar at the round.
white throat noted the ribbon and
pin and badge of the Red Cross, and
the symbol of the Eighth corps in red
enamel and gold upon the breast of her
jacket, and above all the ring of ac-
customed authority in her tone, and
never hesitated second. Springing
to the pile of boxes he grasped the pa
per, respectfully raised his cap and
bored his stalwart way across the pier.
In three minutes he was back-half
dozen soldiers at his heels.
"Where'll yourhave 'em, ma'am-
miss?" he asked, as the men grasped
the supports and raised the nearmost
table.
Straight across and well over to the
edge" she answered, in the same crisp
tones of command. Then, with total
and instant change of manner, II sup
pose your tables should go first.
Madam President" she smilingly said.
ut shall be as you wish about the
Others, -