Waterbury Democrat., 1900-10-30

rall, anu ansluSIanL lalcr, as MISS Folsom reached the top, all became dark again. Mrs. Fletcher's door had unquestionably been open, and was now shut to. She must have been out there listening, and gravely the young girl asked herself what it meant Mrs. Fletcher's agitation in the li- brary that morning as she peered out at the majors wagon; her absence from luncheon on account, as she pleaded, of net desiring to appear when company was prsssnt; and BOW, despite her desire to sleep, her vigil at the third-foor landing, where she was surely listening to the sounds from below.
 Rendering oyer the facts, Elinor Folsom slowly retraced her steps and went downstairs. She reached the 1l- brary none too soon. Old Johns eyes were closed and he was slowly top r bling, overcome with sleep. The sound of her cheery voice aroused him, and he started. guilty and crestfallen. Durleigh's heavy face heightened | visibly at her coming. He cared no more for music than does cat, but eagerly followed her across the broad hall into the parlor when she suggest ed showing him the beautiful piano papa had give:l her; and old John, blessing her, lurched for the sofa, buried his hot head in q pillow, and was asleep in ten seconds. Mai. Bur leigh was alone with the lovely daugh- ter of the veteran trader. He vas a man of the world, she an unsophisti- cated girl just out of school-so said Burleigh, albeit most charming one; and he, who had monopolizcd her time the entire morning, bore down once more upon his prize.
 She had seated herself at the piano, and her long, tapering fingers were ripping over the keys. She knew full well he did not care what she played, and for herself she did not care just then to play at all. She was thinking of his insinuation at Marshall Deans expense. She was still pondering over Mrs. Fletcher's stealthy scrutiny of 1 the quartermaster's team. On these two accounts, and no other, he was possessed of certain interest in FL inor's dark-brown eyes, and they were studying him coolly, searchingly, as he drew a chair near the piano stool, and seated himself and met her look with a broad, encouraging smile.
 Trill and ripple, ripple and trill her white fingers raced over the keyboard. I'm sure you know this waltz, ma jor," she was saying. "They played it beautifully at the Point two sum nsrs ago."
 ''I--ah, yes, it's charming compost tion-charning, though I don't re- call it's name just now.''
 This? why it's one of Godfrey's- The Hilda,' don't you know? I'm sure you waltz, major"
 "I-ah, used to, yes. I was very l fond of a waltz," answered Burleigh, whose best effort in that line could re- suit in nothing better than a waddle. "But of late years I-I-since my be- reavement, have practically with drawn from society" Then, with a lan- | gushing smile, he added: "I shall be | tempted to reenter the list now," and | the ma jor drew his chair nearer by | full an inch, and prepared to be fur ther killing"
 Jessie dances divinely,' said Miss Folsom. 'She simply floats round room. You should see her waltz with her brother, Maj. Burleigh. They might be waltzing here this very min ute, if he were only home. What can have detained him, do you think? ?"
 T wish l knew" said the quarter master slowly. Ut makes those who are-ah-his friends, you know, anx- | ious in more ways than one, because there is-er-nothing to warrant de- lay-nothing to-excuSe it. He should, in fact, have been at his post, where bis troop is sorely needed, full four | with portent.
 ''Is it not possible that he has found something along the lower Laramie something where his troop is needed much more than here doing stable guard?"
 'How can it be possible?" said Bur leigh. ''The only thing to warrant 1 his delay would be Indians, and there are none south of the Platte; or horse thieves, and they hung the last of the gang three months ago. Mir. Dean, I-ah-regret to say, is fonder of fish ing and hunting than of his legiti- mate duties, and this, I fear, is why he is not here to welcome his sister,"
 The piano went ripping on, but the brown eyes kept up their steady gaze. In the deep bass chords now her slen- der fingers were eutangled. Slowly and thoughtfully the rich melody swung in the proud waltz rhythm through the airy room and tioated out upon the summer breeze. A little line was setting deep between the dark, arching eyebrows, q symptom Pap poose's Schoolmat tes shadlearned to note as a signal of danger, but Burleigh | knew her not, as yet.
 Ut is odd" said she, dreamily, "that at the Point the officers spoke so highly of Mir. Dean, and here you seem to think SO differently of him. It is deep disappointment to his sis ter that he is not here, but do you know, major, we were saying only this morning before you came that there was some excellent reason for his delay, and we'd know it within another day"
 "Oh, ah-er-of course I hope so. I think, pardon me, that that must be a messenger from my office now," for l spurred boot7heelsS. were coming briskly up the wooden walk. There was bounding step on the piazza, | III l