Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-08


OF a soldiers daughter! 1 tell you I'll
be back in a few days. If you are go
ing to faint come out in the open cir;
the rain has stopped"
She took his arm and let him drag
her out upon the steps. The music
came to them from within and smoth-
cred the sound OF their voices.
Marion, you aren't going to go
away? How can you, how can your"
she said, in a whisper.
How can L? Why, because I'm or
dered. But I've an order for you, in
turn"
"WeH?" She bent her fan and work
ed her fingers nervously, still leaning
hard on his arm.
you must go with me instantly and
tell your father"
81 won't" she answered, with set
teeth.
"Why, but Lucia, you will if 1 say
So"
81 won't"
"Then I'll do it alone"
81 can't stop you, but if do 1 shall
hate you-as much as l have loved
you"
But why? He must be told In time.
I'm in a fearful hurry As a matter
Of fact, I've no right to be here now;
if the G. o. catches me, I'll get the
dickens. Come along and tell him."
81 said l wouldn't, and 1 won't"
what makes you so obstinate? It's
not like you"
Its like me sometimes. It's like
me when I'm afraid"
afraid Of what?"
"Of papa. wouldn't mind so dread
fully if you were going to be here, but
l think it's mean and cowardly Of you
to leave me to bear the brunt of 1t all
alone for days and days. 1t might kill
me. I'm about worried to death now"
A tear dropped on Taunton's hand
and melted his firmness in a moment.
He began to plead. ''But, Lucia, he
must know in a few weeks at most.
I've let you persuade me too long al
ready. We ought to have been brave
and open in the first place, or else
have gone up and made our confession
Immediately. What the deuce ever
made me give in to your silly fears, 1
can't understand"
You were clad enough to get me
most anyway"
81 suppose that's it. But let me tell
your father now. 1t would be so much
better In case-anything were to hap
pen to me-"
"Oh, Marion, there's no danger, is
there?"
Probably not But you can't al
ways be sure. You see, it would be
better to have it over with and if I
should get-hurt"
you won't, I'm sure you won't.
Don't tell him yet, Marion, please
don't, and oh, don't get killed! Do
you think the black butterfly meant
anything-do you?"
"Of course not. Lucia, I'm doing
wrong to give in to you, know it,
and-but here comes Murray, he must
not catch me here. Good-by, little girl,
good-by. 1 wish you were Drawer.
Adios."
Taunton ran down the steps, and,
keeping in the shadow of the buildings,
strobe off to the troop quarters. And
the girl stood there in the darkness
looking with wide eyes up at the sky,
where gray, thick clouds drifted to-
gether and apart, showing patches Of
starry black heavens and covering them
over as quickly. The cottonwoods rus
tied In the wind, and her hair blew
about her face, all damp and clinging.
She bent her fan until one Of the sticks
snapped, and started at the sound. She
turned about and looked at the bar
racks where F Troop was making
ready to depart-portions Of the troop,
that is. Men ran by alone, or leading
horses; orderlies galloped beneath the
shadow Of the tree. Shaking with cold
she stood there, her heart seemed mum
and STILL From the open doors Of the
soldiers quarters fell bars of light,
and uniformed figures passed in and
out, forward and backward. She saw
Taunton run along and hurry to his
house. In five minutes he was back
again In scouting clothes. All this the
light from the barracks showed her.
When he had started for his quarters,
she had wavered for a second, almost,
determined to go to him and tell him
she would do as he wished. But, as
usual, 1t ended in indecision. It would
be all right when he came back, it
would be time enough then She threw
up her arm and brushed away a flying
black thing, whose big soft wings had
touched her cheek.
The music had stopped, and begun
again, and again stopped while she
stood there. People had passed her
by, going out, but they had not seen
her in the shadow Of the corner.
There came a sudden silence The
leaves Of the trees stopped their whis-
perings, the wind died away in the