Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08

and daughter entered A dozen people, men
and women both. saw them and noted what
followed. With bright, almost dilated eyes,
and a sweet, warm color mantling her smil-
ing face, Esther stood gazing about the
room, nodding blithely as she caught the
glance of many. a friend. yet obviously
searching for still another. Then of a sud-
den they saw the bonny face light up with
joy uncomfortable, for Mr.. Field came
bounding in at the side door, opening from
the veranda of the adjutant's Office. He
saw her; smiled joyous greeting as he came
swiftly toward her: then stopped short as
a girl in black grenadine dropped the arm
of her cavalier, the officer with whom she
was promenading. and without moments
hesitation placed her left hand, fan-bearing,
close to the shoulder knot on his stalwart
right arm, her black-gloved right In his
white-kidded left, and instantly they went
gliding away together. he nodding half in
whimsical apology half in merriment, over
the black-Spange led shoulder, and the roSeate
light died slowly from the sweet, smiling
face-the smile itself seemed slowly freez-
ing-as the still -dilated eyes followed the
graceful movements of the couple, slowly.
tremendously winding and reversing about
the waxen floor. Even at the Point she
had never seen more beautiful dancing.
Even when her stanchest friend, Mrs.
Blake. pounced upon her with fond, anx-
ious, welcoming words. and Mrs. Ray. see
ing 1t ALL broke from her partners en-
circlng arm, and sped TO add her greeting,
the child could hardly regain self-control.
and one Ioying-hearted woman cried her-
self to sleep that night for the woe that had
come into the soft and tender eyes which
had first beamed with joy at sight of Bev-
erly Field then flied with sudden dread inn
measurable.
But the major sought to block that MORN
ing ride in vain. The impetuous will of the
younger soldier prevailed, as he might have
known it would, and from the rear gallery
of his quarters. with his strong heldglass,
Major Webb watched the pair fording the
Platte far up beyond Pyramid Butte. Go
ing over to that damned Sioux village
again." he swore between his set teeth.
THAT makes the third time she's headed
him there this week." and with strange an<.
noyance at heart he turned away to seek
comfort in council with his stanch hench-
man, Captain Ray, when the orderly came
bounding up the. steps with telegrapnlc
dispatch which the major opened, read.
turned shade grayer and whistled low.
my compliments to Captains Blake and
Ray" said he. to the silent young soldier,
attention at the doorstep. and
say should be glad to see them here at
once"
That night the sentries had just called ON
half-past l when there was some COM
motion at the guard house. A courier had
ridden In post haste from the outlying sta
ton at Fort Beecher, far up under the lee
of the Big Horn range. The corporal OK
the guard took charge OF his reeking horse.
while the sergeant led the messenger to the
comma nder's quarters. The major vas
already awake and half dressed "Cail the
adjutant," was all he said. ON. reading tina
and. the sergeant sped away. In
less than FIVE minutes he was back.
IT could get no answer to my knock or
ring, SO I searched the house. The adj
Jutant Isn't therer'
(To be continued)