The Deserter

and decided to go over and see Mrs. Waldron a few moments. The servant admitted her to the little army parlor, and informed her that Mrs. Waldron had

to the door, she did not notice that another visitor was soon ushered in,-a man. She continued slowly "picking out" the melody, for the light was growing dim and it was with difficulty that she could distinguish the notes. Twice she essayed

as no such easy matter to meet him. Her sweet face

rtled me," she said, as she withdrew from his

ntle voice she had marked before. "You helped me when my music was

would play

usic is not my forte. Let me see what else there is he

usic,-especially in such a dim light

y note after I once learn a piece, the eyes make no difference. What music do you like

yed Rubinstein so well,-t

face brightening. "I'm glad they f

are envious of their good fortune,-I, for one," she answered, bl

roat, the other gently tapping on the arm of the chair in unison with the music. And Mr. Hayne, seated in the shadow, bent slightly over the key-board, absorbed in his pleasant task, and playing as though all his soul were thrilling in his finger-tips. Mrs. Waldron stood in silence at the door-way, watching the unconscio

," she said. "You have

a great deal more ple

did the only thing left to her,-came cordially forward to welcome her two visitors and express her delight that Miss Travers could have an opportunity of hearing Mr. Hay

and then the color mounted to her brow. He must think her

of music, I see," h

very badly. Pardon me, Mr. Hayne, but y

ave been many in which I had l

, she thought, to refer to that matter i

can afford to indulge me this once." He was smiling so gravely, sadly, now, and had risen and was standing by her as she sat there in the big easy-chair, still gazing into the fire, but listening for his every word. "In five long years I have heard no words from a woman's lips that gave me such joy and comfort as those you spoke so hurriedly and without premeditation. Only those who know anything of what my past h

echless, she knew that he had been trembling so violently and that his hands were still so tremulous he could play no more. It was some minutes t

look, young people! Sha

uch for the music, Mr. Hayne!-Forgive my running off so suddenly; won't you, Mrs. Waldron?" she asked, pleadingly, as she put her hand in hers; and as her hostess reassured her she bent and kisse

yne. I shall hope to

, she ran quickly down the line to Captain Rayner's quar

s unmusical lamentations,-hearing still ringing in her ears the reproaches heaped upon her when that sister was quietly told that she and Mr. Hayne had met twice. And now sh

fore Mr. Hayne obeyed the summons to dinner that evening. The sun was going down behind the great range to the southwest, and the trumpets were pealing "retreat" on the frosty air, but Hayne's curtains were drawn, and he was sitting before his fire, deep in thought, hearing nothing. The doctor came in soon after he finished

, I'll fill up and blow anothe

nd of my cigar six

doctor, tugging away at the stri

et free of a big load there was no comfort in anything. After that was gone I had no more use f

said the doctor, gruffly. "The longer I live the more I agree

as as grave an

e few young fellows thought more of human friendsh

forbid it, I shall not intrude; but there are some questions that, since knowing you, and believing in you as I unquestionably do, I would like to ask. You seem bent on

u think that the colonel is a man who will be apt to

shall have fair play; but a company commander has as many and as intangibl

ill down me if he can; but I have learned a good deal in my time. There is a grim sort of comfort now

dence you did at the time of the court? of co

changed in t

hought he heard and saw,-supposing that all that was testified to by him act

ay at Battle Butte, only one man could have made a

ean Ra

to mean

im it never

tain

ckage-memoranda and

them all from his saddle-bags just before the charge. The packet was sealed when

ected a soldier,-a singl

. Whom c

knowledge of this

en fellow we pulle

e s

r heard of him, except when he a

t very fight at Battle Butte. He was a s

he talk of that affair?" asked th

f the nurses persists in telling me, though the steward and Mrs. Clancy declare it was just drink and excitement. Still,

new anything that could thr

has been queer all winter,-hard drin

ted to talk with me, but the man was drunk, and he would not

wants to see you and talk, let him. There's no telling but w

ted store, whose lighted bar and billiard-room was generally the last thing to close along Prairie Avenue. There was not a glimmer of light about the quarters of the trader or the surgeon's beyond. One or two faint gleams stole through the blinds at the big hospital, and told of the night-watch by some fevered bedside. He passed on around the fence and took a path that led to the target-ranges north of the post and back of officers' row, thinking deeply all the while; and finally, re-entering the garrison by the west gate, he came down along the hard gravelled walk that passed in circular sweeps the offices and the big house of the colonel commanding and t

hat?" was the blun

" was the q

, man,-couldn't imagine who it was mo

given to late hours, and after reading a long

p in and chat awhile? I'm officer of

ime; I must go to bed.

y after him. "Now, my fine fellow," was his dissatisfied query, "what on