The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-03-28
Smith Of Carbinsers.

Perhaps il can hardly be said that
she was beauty but there was some
thing about Mary Gibson which caused
most men 10 take a second look az her.
She was a well-shaped. fresh com
plexioned Kentish girl, with laughing
black eyes; just the sort OF girl, in fact,
for whose benefit a soldier draws him
self up very straight and passes With
his jauntiest swagger. Trooper Smith,
stationed with his regiment at the
camp, not far from the village where
Mary lived with her mother had Noticed
her a good many times both when ne
was riding by with his troop in the
morning and when he was off duty,
strolling through the village.
Many Glbson's mother was sailor 5
widow, and life was not too easy for
her and her daughter. In the summer
they let the rooms OF their cottage, but
even with this help life was something
OF a struggle for them So when MIR.
Giles Storey, who owned mill couple
of miles away. and who was reported
10 have "undreds in the bank" paid
Mary antiquated compliments in state
ly language, both mother ana daughter
swelied with pride.
Mary" said Mrs. Gibson solemnly.
after one Of these visits, take my word
for II. he's after you. NIy should a
folk like US IL il wasn't that he's got
his eve on you for a wife? All. my girl,
you'll be able TO hold your head with
the best of them, and have trap to
do your marketing in and never want
for silk dress a-Sundays after all"
Mary. however. though no displeased,
took the magnificent prospect more
calmly.
It's early days 20 talk of traps and
silk dresses. mother" said she, soberly.
as she stood at the parlor win
dow. And he's no such great
catch himself for all he's got
money. He's forty If he's a day, and
he's got husky voice. and | never can
tell where he's looking, with those eyes
OF his"
Perhaps this appraisement OF the
miller's looks was somewhat influenced
by the fact that Trooper Smith, that
dashing b.ue-eyed solder, was using
the cottage ratings to strike match
upon, and gazing at Mary in such a
way as TO leave no doubt in what
direction he was looking: and having
caught Mary's eye, he saluted politely.
lie had made Mary's acquaintance
the Saturday before when she was doing
her marketing through the gentle me-
ration OF their common friend, the
butchers wife. Mary had not mentioned
the incident TO her mother. for Mrs.
Gibson couldn't abide soldiers" and
had inculcated in her daughter a wise
discretion toward the service.
Ii was not. however. possible for
Mary To refuse TO acknowledge Troop
er Smiths salute and slight as her
moVemcff, OF recognition was. Mrs.Gib-
son noticed il. and was on the alert.
Who is that you're nodding TO,
Mary asked she coming quickly TO
the window. "Not-not that soldier fell
low, surely" she went on, aghast, as
her eyes met those OF Smith, who was
still smiling amiably from the other
side of the railings
But to the scandal Of Mrs. Gibson,
the soldier fellow" saluted her too.
My gracious, what assurance" ex-
claimed she. in horror. as she retreat
ed from the window.
A moment after there was a knock
at the door. and Mary ran TO open it,
admitting into the parlor the soldier
fellow himself.
Ii was all done SO quickly that Mrs.
Gibson had not recovered her breath be-
fore Smith was well into a carefully
prepared story concerning a friend in
the service who had known the late
out the family and give them his re-
spects.
Whether the good lady was deceived
by this piece of military strategy Is
but the three certainly spent
a very pleasant hour together; and
when he had left Mrs. Gibson, though
she found fault with every detail OF his
appearance and manners, had 10 admit
that these army chaps though they
were without doubt heartless. deceitful
and wicked rascals, had a pleasant way
about them.
but he musn't come here again.
Mary" she said, warningly. TO her
daughter as they said good night. 1T
would never do for Mr.. Storey 90 think
we took up with soldiers and them
sort!"
Mary agreed but not warmly. she
was not quhe ready to take the sol
dierly shortcomings for granted, and
and well there. where was the harm OF
having two strings TO ones bow?
In spite Of Mrs. Gibson the military
came again, and contrived
also 10 time his strolls I'M tho village so
wen that Mary. when she Went out
shopping. more often met him than not
She would sometimes casually mention
these meetings 20 her mother. and
sometimes they would escape mention.
but what she did not mention was that
smith asked her 20 marry him. one ev-
eniug ouisid, the bakers and that she
told him frankly that she couldn't.
Then there came out tho story Of the
miller. and Smith ragged. and INDUCED
i'm "a fine flow ~ military language, and
told Mary that ne would be lance cor
poral shortly and that. moreover, his
regiment was expecting orders 20 start
for the war. whore q man might have
the luck 10 get "a commission any day.
We'll. but there are other chances.
said Mary. soberly. Il don't want 20 be
a widow before I've been many months
q wife"
You'd be looked after. though. even
then" urged Smith Wistfuly.
The tears sprang suddenly 20 Mary
eye
DO you think that's sll care