The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-14
cHAerER Xxx.


within the fortnight that followed came
q climax In the life OF Loring. and as
trologers who could have heard would
have made much OF such a combination
OF strange influences Having told the
general that II was his desire TO find a
quiet place in the northwestern section
OF the new city, Loring had moved back
TO the hotel. Having told the rector ne
desired TO obtain table board at Mrs.
Burton's, IL, OF course. resulted that the
worthy ecclesiastic should speak 10 her
at first opportunity, and that she should
speedily come In search OF Mr.. Loring 10
inquire why he had failed 10 carry out
his plan, and further TO intimate that on
the strength of the rector's representa-
tions she had ordered a much nicer set
OF china and laid In a stock OF provi-
sions that just then were TO be had at
lower rates. which. except that she ex-
pected him, she could not have thought
OF doing. Indeed, Mrs. Burton not only
called once at his office. but followed 1t
up by visit to his lodging. where she
shed tears IN the presence Of the person
from whom he rented his rooms, and. this
still proving Intellectual she came again
20 department headquarters with the
manifest object of taking the general and
his staff into her confidence. to the equal
ly manifest dismay of the chief and the
disgust OF his adJutant general. neither
OF whom could check the volume of the
good lady's words of woe.
Loring found his sodierly commander
grinning whimsically when he dropped
IN TO say good morning. The general
was that rare combina aton-a devout
churchman and a stalwart fighter. Time
and money had he devoted TO the build
To- - hfc nNs In hn IL
derness. and the communion service was
his gift. More than once had he knelt
10 receive the sacred elements from the
trembling hands OF the worthy rector and
listen 10 Mrs Burton's effusive "Amen!'' on
his left ere she parted with the cup that
was then passed TO his bearded lips. AT
the chancel rail all good Christians knelt
I'm common and meekly bowed their heads,
but when Mrs. Burton came up TO head
quarters with a rail OF her own the gen
eral couldn't stand IL, and said so 10
worthy Lambert, who demonstrated with
the widow.
Then the least he can do as a gen.
tleman after deceiving me so Is 10 help
pay for them things l bought on the
strength OF his promise 10 board with
me-" was that pragmatical persons re-
ply. and this view OF the case the ener-
getic lady ventilated TO her six board
ers and they TO the flock. There was
one boarder. a temporary sojourner only.
who listened and said naught. But that
was ONLY another of her aristocratic.
stuck up ways. said they. She was "a
lovely young lady," as all admitted on
her first timid appearance. and the
three women who sat table with her
were eager to take her into close fellow
ship and confidence. and the two young
men, cerking In the new stores no
doubt were as eager.
But II became apparent within "a
hours that she held herself above and
desired TO hold herself aloof from them,
which led TO a dissection OF her per-
sonal charms on the part of the women
and of her mental gifts on the part OF
the men. Mr.. Lambert had commended
her to the care OF Mrs. Burton. Her
board was paid I'm advance and no ques-
tions asked. She went TO church and
sang softly, but In a voice so exquisite
ly sweet and penetrating that II tenn
pered the strident melodies OF the de-
vout Omahannas and caused many a
head to turn. She spent the first few
days at the rectors or in her room.
Then came roomer with the rumor
that she had follower. and for two
evenings she was seen with a strange
young man pacing slowly up and down
the walk. but never going into town
Within ten days after Loring settled
In Omaha Mrs. Burton's boarders were
engrossed I'm just two topics--the young
lady In the second story front and the
story OF the young officer who first
would and then wouldn't be one OF her
number. No exception TO this state
ment as to the Mrs. Burtons boarders is
made In the case OF the damsel herself.
Loring frankly told his story as to
Mrs. Burton 10 the general. He had
merely asked Mr.. Lambert II he could
tell him OF place to board Lambert
had led him 10 Mrs. Burton's. He found
Il too far out and otherwise unsuitable !
and had abandoned the idea. He had
never seen Mrs. Burton or authorized
any one to speak TO her for him. The |
general laughed and said he understood |
II all. was perfectly satisfied and never |
thought of questioning him and salts |
fed he was for several days. Then sud |
denly II was announced that Loring had |
decided not only TO return to the hotel |
for table board. but was actually room |
Ing there, and the landlord OF whom ne /
had rented his rooms turned up with a |
grievance, at least his wife did. and |
when a woman has a grievance nine 1
times out OF ten the world gets the BEN
eft of H. Mrs. Landlord came round 10 |
the chief quarmaster with her com. |
plant
II was a lovely summer morning.
Lieutenant Loring had walked down 20 /
the Office and raised his hat 10 the gen /
eral as that genial officer was driven |
by behind his sturdy old team. and wav- /
Ing his hand cordially to the grave I
young gentleman WHO walked so erect.
with such measured stride and with
never a glance into the windows OF the I
shops or bars. Loungers had no use for
Loring. He never stopped to pass the
time OF day or suggest n toddy. and /
Loring had less use for them. Ten min
utes later the lieutenant found the office
In commotion. clerks and orderIies has
tening ABOUT wi,a grave faces. Stone
and stanton with the general in mis-
room. the general himself palued ana
mopping his wet forehead.
= This is horribly sudden" ne sad
as he thrust an open dispatch into Ior-
ing's hand. II was the brief announce
ment that the general commanding the
department OF California. the chief
1.oring had SO recently left. had dropt,ea
dead at his desk the night before. Little
a. he liked him. the engineer was shock
ed and grieved.
1T may make grave changes" SAID
the adujtant general little later. 1T
may send our kind and thoughtful chief
10 the Darfnr roaof auT ~f... a..