Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

eyes were fixed upon the hesitating stranger.
even In low tone he queried, rs this
Mr. Hoyt?" Furlong, half turning. nodded.
The civilian, seeing himself observed felt
the awkwardness of the situation. entered
and approached them. Fame was on his
feet and facing him as he reached their end
of tho table.
Excuse me. gentlemen. for seeming to
stare. This is Mr.. Fame. l believe. My
name Is Hoyt" The soldier bowed solemn
~ as soldiers will My wife has spoken
of you-frequently. I-er-gathered you were
to escort my daughter tonight and thought
you-she-had gone"
Il have not the pleasure" answered Fame
trifie stify. Miss Hoyt's escort is Mr.
Mcneil. Yonder he stands in the hall sir"
Mr.. Mcneil, cadet captain. indeed APP
peared at the moment. an open note in his
hand look of perplexity and not of pleas
ure on his face. 4 sudden impulse took
Fame to the door. Pardon me, Mr.. Me
Neil said he, II have lust heard that
Miss Hoyt vas not going TO the hop
Its what she says here. sir. answered
the cadet, mechanically standing attention.
but looking at his young superior with eyes
that asked for sympathy. She says
and here he read. Make my apologies TO
Mr.. Fame and your friends who were
Kind as to place their names on my card
Mother is far from well and | cannot leave
her.
II was then that the SAVIOR faire OF the
artillery told. Fame. said Furloug. Il
have suggested To Mr.. Hoyt that a mint
than Bass up here. We going-ahead.'
So saying he led his willing captive TO the
south door. and Fame was presently left
to his reflections. Without her the dance
had lost its attraction He was strangely
disturbed by Furlong's tdings The hall
and north piazza were now deserted. Al
most every one had gone to the hop. The
soft music OF the opening waltz came float
ing through the still air. Darkness had set
tied over the scene The grand northward
reach of the Hudson lay far beneath, its
mirror surface already sprinkled with stars.
Hastily he penciled few words a card
and sent IL by bellboy to her ROOM then
went forth into the night and stood where
he could watch her windows. and stood
there long. 1t was nearly o'clock when
suddenly the shade was drawn and sIen-
de-: figure for a moment appeared When
again he reached the north piazza the fig
ure was there, alone. leaning at the railing
and looking out over the silent beauty OF
the night She knew his step, and turned
TO meet him.
Thank you for your sympathy" she
frankly began. extending Il slender hand
that he would have been glad To hold IL
his had she not almost instantly withdrawn
1t. Mother is better. but and is mis-
cradle and upset | dare say-you have
heard?' and her eyes sought his face.
Miss Ethel. | have heard something that
- he had begun impulsively, but heSi-
tated. Then with sudden resolution leaned
toward her. Task you to tell me, now,
are you engaged TO Senator Betts?''
She looked him full IN the face neither
startled nor surprised. That was not what
L thought you had heard-tonght. The
other is far more-serious'
This IS serious enough. Is it true?'
mo. Mr.. Fame 1t is not
"One more question. he persisted. an
eager, almost imploring look in his young
face.
Lieut.. Fame, Telegram for Lieut. Faner'
loudly droned a cub of bellboy. stumbling
out upon the piazza and coming suddenly
upon them. Fame took 1t and turned again
to the girl, leaning there against the white
column. filmy 'burnouse'' over her bowed
and bonny head. But the urchin waited
There's an answer" he insisted. SO Fame
took it to the Hallway, opened and read:
War Department, Washington, July -.
Ldeuts. Allen and Stennett killed by
ApacheS. Capt. Turner on leave Your
| troop without an officer. All ordered to the
Held. Now 5 your time.
BURROUGHS.
Assistant Adiutant General.
She saw his face, and came to him. paling.
Have you, too, bad news tonight?' she
asked.
Bad. indeed he answered, half dazed.
Two of our best gone-kiled by Indians.
My troop is ordered out. and l must GO
But even then the blockhead bellboy stood
his ground and more at the moment
could be said. The bus with passengers
from the last up-train for the night rum
bled to the south steps. One of its human
| freight was met by a waiter who led him
suaightway through the hall and out to
| the north piazza, where in the dim light
| three forms were discernible a young girl
| and young officer side by side at the rail-
| ing: a bellboy stupidity staring midway
across. The waiter fell back The new
arrival went forward. Neither lifting his
| hat nor lowering his voice, but in the tone
OF master he abruptly spoke.
Ethel, where is your father? He gave
me the slip today
She turned startled, a sudden flush on her
creek, sudden wrath resentment in her
eyes She turned and faced him. squarely.
but for a moment made answer. The
erort seemed to reprcsS rather than to
make, reply. Fame, too, had turned upon
the intruder, astonshment and indignation
in his pose. When her lips moved as though
to speak, another voice was heard at the
doorway. voice that had no welcome in it,
You want me, Belts. l suppose. Ethel,
dear, will YOU go to your mother2'
Bowling her head, she obeyed, but at the
doorway stood moment and looked
back. Fame in an instant was at her side
Tomorrow you will be here?' she asked.
Tomorrow-surely," he answered and
| she FASTENED up the stairs
But when the morrow came, and with 1t
Fane, the girl was gone. Father, mother
| daughter and family friend had taken the
| first train downward. leaving. apparently,
not word or line. Strange stories were
| afoat with the crowded steamer that Sat
urday evening. At the mess and on the
hotel piazza men in civilian garb were whis-
| pering about Wall street; men in uniform
about the war in the far southwest Fame
had wired for release from duty at the
Point and orders to join his troop in Ari-
IONA.
Go be continued tomorrow