Betty at Fort Blizzard

Broussard rode away, Anita, walking into

s afternoon. It is so gl

om the desk where she wa

You can ride Pretty Maid, but your fathe

y of mounts besides

the window at the winter lan

"and rather late; the sun wil

r and put her hands under M

ide this afternoon; I feel that I must. Won't

ere not lost upon Mrs. Fortescue, who foun

them to bring the horses around as soon as possible

then himself mounted. Just as Mrs. Fortescue settled herself in saddle and gave her horse a light touch with her riding-crop, a strange sound was borne upon the sharp wind, the unmistakable sound of a runaway horse. Sergeant McGillicuddy and Anita heard the sound at the same mo

ned the whole post. Soldiers ran out and officers stepped from their comfortable quarters, while the officers' club emptied itself into the street. The horse was recognized in a moment as Colonel Fortescue's mount, and he made straight for the commandant's house. It was n

rew pale, but she said

lonel Fortescue. Send word at onc

and, was on the spot almos

cheerfully. "The Colonel probably dismounted and the

rtescue, "and Anita an

h triumphant eye

" she said, "I didn't understand why

one in the group of officers remembered having seen him riding off with Sally

," said Major Harlow, confidently

is steps. Behind them rode Mrs. Fortescue and Anita, and then came a small escort. Gamechick, walking wearily in advance over the frozen snow, suddenly

ow, turning his head and meeting Mrs. Fortescue's glance; her fac

ore found his own tracks. They were still a mile away from the entrance of the mountain pass when Anita, looking up int

ussard have made a

low, in surprise. Until then, no one had spoken Brou

ther as he rode toward the main entrance and I saw

the blue smoke floating above their heads, but they perceived a delicate odor of burning fir branches. When they reached a spot in the pass whe

learned in the far-off jungles of the Philippines. Mrs. Fortescue glanced at Anita. A brilliant smile and a warm bl

d the officers and troopers joined. An answering cheer came back. It

ing Colonel Fortescue's broken ankle. Anita, for once losing the quiet reserve that was hers by nature, was si

you and that I must come to you, and that was why I begged and prayed

irl close to his strong beat

ng to her feet and bestowing one of her brilliant smi

ier," said the Colo

htest and the broadest. Everybody present knew that th

scue insisted upon

ue, in his ear. "You are as bent on riding th

ences which arose between Mrs. Fortescue and him

oad, the darkness of a moonless night descended suddenly, and the difficult way out of the pass was lighted only by the large, bright stars, that seemed so strangely near and kind. Often, in guiding Anita's horse along the rocky road, Broussard's hand

ey met Beverley Fortescue, riding in search of them. He glanced at Anita, who blushed deeply, and at Broussard, who smiled openly, and the two young officers exchanged s

Beverley of Broussard, as they excha

ing his teeth with the pain of his ankle, and listening to 'Love's Old Sweet Song.' I gave him a genteel suffering of sentimental song

Harlow?" anxiously inquired Beverley,

s plans were made to conquer Major Harlow. Onl

him and gave up all the merry-making of the Christmas time to be with him. This prevented Broussard from seeing Anita very often, and never alone, but they had entered the Happy Valley together, and basked in the delicate joy of love unspoken, but not unfelt. Anita knew that Broussard was only biding his time, and Broussard knew that Anita was waiting, in smiling silence. The Colonel wrote Broussard a very handsome note of thanks and Mrs. Fortescue greete

ut Broussard went to the ball, and for the first time found a Christmas ball dull. Flowers were scarce at Fort Blizzard, but by t

the brilliant lights were replaced by a radiance, faint and soft, Anita remained on her knees, praying. Broussard remained on his knees, too, thinking he was praying, but in reality worshipping Anita. Presently, she rose and passed out into the cold, gray dawn. Broussard went out, too, meaning to intercept her and walk home with her. But at the door Kettle appeared, ca

he makes the Kun'l tell her all 'bout them songs you done sing him that night in the mountains, an' she and Miss Betty

or the After-Clap was perpetually in his way, and neither Beverley Fortescue nor Kettle, who were his open allies, nor Mrs. Fortescue, who w

screened from the plaza by a stone wall and a projection of the chapel, and Broussard thought there could not be a better place for the words he meant to speak to Anita. He seized his cap and ran out, ignoring the jeers of his comrades, who had seen Anita pass and suspected Broussard's errand. In two minutes he had

ng out their red

sping her hand, "I have watche

ard told Anita of his love. He knew not what words he spoke, for Love, the master magician, speaks a thousand languages, and is eloquent

th except my honor," said Broussard, ho

Anita softly, "n

seemed a long time. "But you were so young-last year you were but a child, and I was ashamed of myself for what I said to

s and smiled upon her scarlet mouth

ita, and was unseen by Broussard, and forgotten by Anita, emerged and set up a viol

r-Clap, raising a copper-toed fo

'Nita 'lone,

sard thought superhuman and intelligent malice, the After-Clap dragged the iron gate open that led to the plaza, and rushed straight in

Mr. Broussard. He kissed 'Nita! He k

of eyes, were much embarrassed; Kettle, grab

! you didn't see

er-Clap's indignation, and

d kiss 'Nita! I see

recovering his native impudence, "but she

attack on Broussard's

ue demurely, "Kettle had bet

e has been very much in my wa

ad seen Broussard kiss Anita. The two soldiers grinned silently at each other. The whole party started off to the C.

rtescue and the chaplain made little jokes on the lovers, but the Colonel had looke

d to Anita, "let us f

behaved better than anybody expected. When he had given his form

l, a long time ago, that I would never marry any

Colonel drew his daughter to him; the passion of father-love was too sacred even for the e

te me!" cri

"and if I may make bold to say it, the Colone

Broussard was too happ

in evening dress. Broussard and Anita walked behind them. The news, as rashly announced by the After-Clap, that Mr. Broussard had kissed Anita, had spread like wildfire through the po

the wall of ice by which the fort was surrounded, gave an edge to joy as well as to pain. To mark this la

e young bugler appeared and in the midst of the tense silence the wonderful melody of "Taps," the last farewell, was played for the dying year. Then Anita, as the commanding officer's daughter, had the honor of turning off the lights. To-night she looked her sweetest, wearing a little white dancin

cious waltz "Auf Wiedersehen," with

the plaza. At the same moment, the young bugler played the splendid fanfare that welcomes the dawn, the reveille. Broussard and Anita, looking into ea