The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-29
At the Guardhouse.
A Barrack Room Love story.
BY II. Y. BLACK.


above the small plateau on which. the
army post was built snow fingered on
the silent mountain peaks. These glim-
mered in the moonlight OF a silvery white
ness, Elusive and unearthly, as II the
great and solemn SUBMITS were now,
while men slept the watching place Of
guardian angels. The mountains leaped
suddenly from the plateau, blackly
boulder-fanked, with depths of dark and
lowering woods. In a still deeper black
was marked the line OF the canyons des-
cent, where the melting SHOWS OF thous-
ands of winters had bitten into the rock
with deathless ferocity. At one solitary
point upon that inky line, the girl noted
where the moonbeams CLEANED upon
cataract. whose foam sparkled in the light
a diamond set in ebony. Thence the wat
ers tumbled down, until from the ROAR
of rage. their tired voices soft-ended and
sank to the queruous babble Of the creek
as it ran below the bank on which she
stood
The girl delayed cautiously in the shad-
ow of the last house on the creeks side
within the limits of the post. At last
there fell Upon her anxious ears the call
of the trumpeter at the adjutants Office.
giles at the Flagstaff. with the first call
for tattoo. She ran to the edge Of the
shadow, then tripped across the stepping
stones and vanished in the woods which
covered the island formed by the forking
of the stream just above the post.
It stretched mile in length, of vary
ing breadth. over its whole surface
tangle of thcket spread and scrubby oaks.
go that, even by daylight a wanderer
would be completely hidden in its recesses
. De- xIoNk
battalion could have scattered over II and
remained unsupported. The girl pushed
her way boldly forward, undeterred by
the silence of the thickets. the solitude,
and the darkness. She followed a rough
and stony path as II she were certain of
her road Still, when she reached a little
spring, which bubbled in clear space just
besides the path. she hesitated. put down
the basket she had been carrying on her
arm, and bent forward listening intently,
but from the thicket about her no sound
came The girl put her fingers in her
mouth like boy. and from her lips came
one long, soft whistling note bird
sprang from bush near her. and arous-
ed some others by its flight; otherwise
there was no response. The girl stamped
her foot angrily.
He has gone without-seeing re" she
muttered, and her lip quivered. She pick
ed up the basket and started to go back.
when she paused again. From the CEN
ter of the island there fioated through the
night the music of violin. The girls
face instantly changed from anger to relief
and Joy She left the path and ran n
the direction of the music. In a minute OF
two she had reached the player, and
thrown one arm about his neck. while
with the other she snatched away the bow
you foolish boy" she whispered. They
will hear YOU across the creek Why did
YOU bring the violin anyhow? They VIII
track You all the better II you are seen
carrying it?"
could I go withoutsit?' he asked in
SUNRISE. Ibid you whistle? What time Is
st. Katy?' "Listen-taps."
They were silent, clasp'ng each others
hands until the call ended. The violin
player sighed.
II shall never hear 1t again" he said
81 hope"
well" said the girl. practically, "if you
don't want to hear the bugles again you
must be off at once"
ssNot vet. Katy. dear" he said. "Give
me the bow. and I will play you fare
welI-no not a farewell. only song TO the
time when we will meet again"
The girl shook her head. and held the
bow away from his reaching hand. The
moonlight burst through the leaves above,
and shone upon them. He was In the
army uniform; his cap bore the bands de-
vice. He was very young, almost a BOY.
His form was slight; his smooth face was
a. M, nv two great faraway, brown eyes.
The girl was different. Her w7lful face was
strong Her black eyes glowed with PAS
sion and purpose; there seemed little in
them to respond to the dreaminess of the
lads Yet now she threw her arm round
his neck and patted his cheek affection
ateiy protectingly.
ct believe you love your violin more than
you do me-" she whispered. What an
idea Noel, 1t was for you to enlist ! al
ways hated deserter, but with you-it Is
different"
II am free" he cried in exultation.
mot quite vet" she said, petting his
cheek as II he were child and then open
ed her basket
Eat now" she said, land I will tell
Won all have heard. 1 don't think they
would even bother TO send out after you,
If II were not for Lieut.. Wynn, the adju-
taut. II is not as If you were trooper
in the ranks. You play the nddle very
beautifully and the cornet in the band
fairly we'll but you know, an anleoodiea
private is worth five of YOU.
"Katyr'
Not 10 me, dear" she whispered NO
they would let you go but you insuited
the adjutant-"
NO
wei. YOU told him the nasty truth.
which Is the same thing, and you know
what he is am afraid when he fnds
you missing at tattoo he VIII send out
detail That is why I said you must pe
off at once. I have mapped out your roau.
You have plenty of money but you ought
TO leave the violin behind"
at couldn't" eaid he. quietly.
ssVery we'll" she said. but look"
From the bottom Of the basket she took
out some citizen clothes.
"Of course you won't keep TO the trails"
she said "but even on the plain, until you
reach the railroad. you must not wear the
uniform"
you are my angel" he said 81 never
thought of It'll just wished 10 go away, to
be alone with the violin. far from those
those fellows-to he free"
81 know, dear" she said sympathetic
ally. IT know. The army Is no place for
you Now you must be OFF"
"Katy" he said, couldn't you come
too-now, I mean?"
She shook her head and laughed.
when you are settled down. wherever
Il Is. write and l Will comet promise
Noel"