The Red Cloud chief., 1906-05-18

lie entered unobserved and made his
way. keeping close to the wall, to
where Mrs. Bareaud sat. taking a chair
at her side, but Robert Carewe, glanc-
ing thither by chance. saw him and
Mr.. Carewe composed his features
swiftly, excused himself with elabo-
rate courtesy from Miss C~henoweth,
with whom he was talking, and crossed
the DON to a corner near his enemy.
Presently, as the music ceased, the
volunteers were hidden to come for
ward. whereupon Tom left Mrs. Ba.
reaud and began to work his way down
the room. Groups were forming and
breaking up in the general movement
Of the crowd, and the dissolving of n
brought him face to face with Eliza
beth Carewe, who was moving slowly
in the opposite direction, a small flock
Of suitors tn her train.
The contamination came 80 suddenly
and so Unexpectedly that before either
was aware they looked squarely into
each others eyes full and straight. and
both stopped Instantly, as though ans
fxed, Miss Betty leaving a sentence
forever half complete. There was .
fierce. short vocal sound from the crowd
behind vanrevel, but no one noticed
Mr.. Carewe. and then Tom bowed
sravely. as in apology for blocking the
way. and passed on.
Miss Betty began to talk again. much
at random. with a vivacity too greatly
exaggerated to be genuine, while tho
high color went from her cheeks and
left her pale. Nothing could have en-
ragged her more with herself than the
consciousness, now suddenly strong
within her. that the encounter had q
perceptible effect upon her. What pow
or had this man to make her manner
strained and mechanical? What right
had his eyes always to stir her as they
did3
All, that other should have come. II
only to stand between her and this
tall hypocrite whose dark glance had
such strength to disturb her. What
lies that gaze contained. all in the one
nash-the strange pretense Of compre-
bending her gently. but completely-a
sad compassion, too, and with 1t a look
Of farewell. seeming to say, "Once
more l have come for this-and just
'Goodbyv" For she knew that he was
going with the others, going perhaps
forever, only the day after tomorrow
then she would see him no more and be
free Of him. Let the day after tomor-
row come soon! Miss Betty hated her
self for understanding the adieu, and
hated herself more because she could
not be sure that, In the startled mo-
ment Of meeting before she collected
herself, she had let it go unanswered
She had done more than that. With
out knowing it, she had bent her head
to his bow, and Mr.. Carewe had seen
both the salutation and the look.
The young men were gathered near
the orchestra, and, to the hilarious
strains of yankee Doodle" the flag
they were to receive for their regi-
ment was borne down the room by the
sisters and sweethearts who had made
it, all Of whom were there except Fan
chon Bareaud. Crailey had persuaded
her to surrender the flag for the sake
Of spending this evening, next to his
last in Rouen, at home alone with him.
The elder Chenoweth made the speech
Of presentation-that Is, he made part
of 1t before he broke down, for his son
stood In the ranks of the devoted band.
Until this Incident occurred all had
gone trippingly, for every n had tried
to put the day after tomorrow from his
mind. Perhaps there might not have
been so many tears even now If the
young men had not stood together so
smlllngly to receive their gift. 1t was
seeing them so gay and confident, so
strong In their youth and 81 unselish
Of purpose. II was this and the feeling
that all Of them must suffer and some
of them die before they came back, SO
that when Mr.. Chenoweth, choking In
his Hottest flight. came to a full stop.
and without disguise buried his face In
his handkerchief, Mrs. Tanberry, the
apostle Of gayety, openly sobbed.
Chenoweth, without more ado. carried
the flag over to Tappingham Marsh,
whom V%anrevel directed to receive II,
and Tappingham thanked the donors
without many words, because there
were not then many at his command.
Miss Carewe had been chosen to sing
Tho Star spangled Banner" and she
stepped out Il little from the crowd t.
face the young man as the orchestra
sounded the frst chord. She sang in a
full, clear voice. but when the volun.
teers saw that a she sang the tears
were streaming down her cheeks in
spite Of the brave voice they began ia
choke with the others. II Miss Betty