The Deserter

n, as Mrs. Rayner came down the stairway equipped for a walk, and was passing t

Kate? Do wait a moment

s privilege and seen the expression of annoyance

out. Did not Mr. Gra

stay, and we had some music, and then the first call sounded for retreat, and M

to be out after sunset

't been a vestige of it since. This high, dry climate put a

was hurrying to the front door and drawing on her heavy

ll as I do that Mr. Foster or Mr. Royce or some other of those young officers

opped short in

that you rebuked me for sitting here with Mr. Blake at this very hour

you must go, wait a few minutes until I get back.

ver at the doctor's; and you are goin

I am?" asked Mrs.

every evening,

Who told y

ss and attention to the Clancys, Kate

their own affairs," wail

an engaged girl. I have more to complain of than you, but it doesn'

?" asked Mrs. Rayner,

n't you know that I must have heard the strange stories that are flitting about the garrison? Haven't I asked you to set me right if I have been told a wrong one? Kate, you are

on his account already, and I never want to hear such words from your lips. It would outrage Captain Rayner to hear th

an officer? You would not tell me what he was accused of; but I

perative knock at the door. Mrs. Rayner fled back along the hall towards

aph-operator, with a desp

miss, and an answer is

ithout a word, and passed into the parlor, where, standing beneath the lamp, she tore it open, glance

ot straighten your affairs and mine too." And with

days. Is anything wrong? Answer paid," and w

and impatiently tapping foot of her younger sister. Miss Travers bit her lips and compressed them hard. There was an

uiet question or two

well I will," was th

ke a letter to go fr

ix days, I

ly told the soldier there was no answer

to reply?" asked Mr

not intend to. Now another questio

nine,-ni

o Mr. Van Antwerp as we lef

least I s

e got settled here, three d

" replied Mrs. Ray

n had I written the night we arrived. Possibly you forget that you forbade my doing so, and sent me to bed early. Mr. Van Antwerp has simply failed to remember that I had gone several hundred miles farther west; and even had I written on the train twi

two,

ishly unreliable in

the o

stently unreliable in

g a kitten's ears and saying little or nothing, Miss Travers was displaying unexpected figh

hamed of yourself!" was

moved quietly to the door-way, turned and l

will go to my room. Excuse me

write to him now, when

sire my confidence he will address his complaints and inquiries to me. If I am old enough to be eng

eved her surcharged bosom as follows, "Well, I pity the man you marry, whether you a

as deserted. He was looking worn and dispirited. Finding no one on

at

ove: "Kate has g

now where

ital, I think; th

irresolutely about the hall fo

earing his footstep. One was an officer in uniform, wrapped in heavy overcoat, with a fur cap,

aje Wal

. "Major Waldron's is

started, but spoke in low, measured tone: "Str

t was his old comrade Waldron who honored him. Probably it was another dinner. Little by little, at this rate, the time would soon come when Mr. Hayne would be asked everywhere and he and his correspo

,-the snow-covered summits to the south and west, the rolling expanse of upland prairie between, the rough outlines of the foot-hills softened in the silvery light, the dark shadows of the barracks across the parade, the twinkling lights of the sergeants as they took their stations, the soldierly forms of the officers hastening to their companies far across the frozen level. Suddenly she became aware of two forms coming down the walk. They issued from Major Waldron's quarters, and the door closed behind them. One was a young officer; the other, sh

p the cap, pulled it well down over the bandaged eyes, seized the young officer firmly by the arm, drew him within the gate, and

longed for a deep contralto! "He is

been a trouble to you,"

'm glad I was where I happen

ut, so refined in feature, and the lips under the sweeping blonde moustache, though set and compressed, were delicate and pink. He

ly. "I fear I'm keeping you. Please do not wait.

Please be patient, Mr.-Mr. Hayne. Sam may be a min

as though striving to "place" her voice. Could she be mistaken? Was

it is that led me he

hardly knowing

uldn't. You do not know my name. It is my good fortu

and was now striving to grope his way to the railing. She divined his purpose

of going. Stay here until Sam come

yner's house?" he a

, and both little hands were tagging at his arm. He had found the railing, and was pu

this," he said. "I

for myself. My father was a soldier,-I am Nellie Travers,-and if he were alive I kno

known for years. One instant he seized and clasped her hand. "May God bless you!" was all he whispere