La Junta tribune., 1905-12-09
Born Enemies"
And a Token Of
Eternal Surrender

DInheE Was Just over ~ ene AASSs
room of the Young officers OF the
White hnssars. stationed outside OF
Pontiyy, and group of gay fellows
stood idly lounging on the beautiful
terrace that overlooked the city.
Suddenly Lieutenant Kirby turn
ed TO one of the men behind hun
and. ssizing his arm, cried misehisv-
ousiy:
.It's no use, old man. We all
know about it, so you might as well
confess"
The officer 10 whom he had spo-
ken looked up in sstonishment. He
was a singularly handsome fellow,
with honest blue eyes and proud
bearing.
What in thunder are you talkias
about Z" he demanded amiably.
Don't look so surprised" replied
the other. Every one here knows
that YOU are engaged TO Miss Kitty
Darass."
They know more than do,
then," was the calm reply. because
| happened TO lead the cotillon with
her the other night at Lady Ashes
and because | have been seen riding
with her and her brother II follows,
forsooth, that l am engaged TO the
lady. II is just what YOU might ex-
pect in a little garrison town.
Lieutenant Kirby listened with an
incredulous smile.
That's all very well" he said,
but if l had been in your place l
should have looked nearer home.
Colonel Gregory loves YOU like a
son, and Miss Madeline is a most
bewjtching young lady. But Bobby
Erskine Is the favored mortal At
present, lucky dog.'
This time his words produced q
distinct effect.
"Erskine and Madeline - little
Mad. Why, she is only u child"
That shows all you know about
it" said Kirby teasingly. Children
have way of growing up and be-
coming fascinating youpg ladies'"
Bernard Worthington did not re-
PLY. He had received shock, and it
was not long before he made some
excuse and hastily quilted the COM
pany of his fellow officers.
decidedly We are born enc
miles,"
Bernard walked rapidly in the di-
rection of the colonel's house. The
curtains were not yet drawn and
showed the large parlor brilliantly
lighted. but the balcony, Madeline's
fsyorite place, was empty.
The lieutenant Was just about to
ring the bell when the young girls
laugh rang out clearly above his
head. Without doubt Bobby Erskine
was there.
He turned away, furious with
himself and every one else. The
impudent young puppy! What busi-
ness had he to be coming around
Madelines And why hadn't he, Ber-
nard. seen that the colonel's daugh-
ter was no longer = child. but very
beautiful young lady? Did it need
= stranger TO make him recognize
the transformation The ieuten-
ant kicked himself mentally.
Returning to his rooms, he sat for
. long time watching the silvey
moonlight that flooded the window.
He could think Of nothing but Mad
cline, and now she must detest him
for his domineering ways, entirely
forgetting the many little courtesies
that no one but he had shown the
colonel's tomboy daughter. Ber-
nard's mind was full only Of the
sharp speech he had made her a few
DAYS before when her levity had
seemed particularly i'll timed. and the
memory II a tear che had dashed
away became intolerable.
In fact. that single tear prevent
ed HIM from sleeping. lie tossed
and turned in vain.
At last. with the dawn and an
early ride through the cool country,
the lieutenant succeeded in getting
some order in the confused chaos Of
his ideas. Promptly at 10 o'clock
he made his way once more to the
eolonel's door. and this time be did
NOT hesitate az he rang the bell.
The maid led him to the back Of
the house, where . wide piazza over
looked the beautiful garden
Troubled. his heart beating Wild
", . thousand confused ideas rush
ing mAdly through his head, Ber-
nsrd looked about him The piazza
~as deserted. but down under one
Of the bag trees the young fellow
csught a glimpse of . white dress.
He FASTENED down the steps and