Part 3 (2/2)
”Cease to wonder, Mr Holmes It is the first time I have seen a piano in six months or more We had none at Robinson, and I would have felt little like singing if there had been one”
”May I ask where you studied music?”
”You may It is evident that, like most people I know in civilization, you are surprised to hear of acco in the arhed merrily ”You are loyal to the comrades of your adoption, Miss Forrest, and yet they tell o”
”True; but I like the ht like the women if they would let ree, thanks to an unfortunate propensity ofwhat happens to be upperood and equally sufficient reasons You asked where I studied music? Mainly in New York and Munich”
”You have been abroad, then?”
”Years; as companion to an invalid aunt, thanks to whon countries, and but for whoed the subject abruptly, aof your relations with the ladies here Forgive me if I refer to it, for I was interested in what you told ifted as you are can never lack friends aht to win Miss Bayard, for instance?”
There was a moers rippling over the keys as she spoke
”Mr Holmes, has it never occurred to you that in friendshi+p, as in love, a girl of Nellie Bayard's age would prefer some one much nearer her own years?”
He drely back froht
”The doctor is calling us to the dining-room, Miss Forrest; may I offer my arm?” was his only reply, and she arose and ith hirouped about the table, which was now decked with a great punch-bowl of beautiful workmanshi+p A present, the doctor explained with evident pride, froton, whoe of inso else to display the beauty of this costly gift that he had called them once more around his board, but, since they were there, he would beg thelasses with a punch of his own co tun of it,”--and pledged with the ca, tray in hand, at his ed, if any one inquires for me,” said Bayard, and launched forth into some reminiscence of the days when he and Wallewski and Bodisco and others of that ilk were at Old Point Co from the front hall, stood in silence, like the well-trained menial he was, until his uests had sipped the toast It was a performance of some minutes' duration, and at last the doctor turned
”Who was it?” he said
”Mr McLean, sah”
”Wanted to seeofficer, sah He wouldn't co in the hall yet, sah Said s'cuse him, but 'twas mos'
ilass, and strode out through the parlor into the front hall It was a season of incessant ru
”Halloo, McLean! What's up?” they heard him say
”A courier just in fro Valley, north of Hunton's Two men killed and Lieutenant Blunt wounded The Indians went by way of Eagle's Nest, and will try to recross the Platte below us Captain Terry is saddling up the Grays now, and sent o with hio Terry has no lieutenant for duty otherwise” The major reappeared an instant in the parlor, whither by this ti excla officer beloved by every one ”You'll excuse me, doctor I must start the troop out in pursuit at once,” said Miller; and then, followed by his adjutant, he plunged forth into the darkness When Nellie Bayard, hite cheeks, peeped tione without a look or word for her
”By Jove, doctor, this sort of thing makes my pulses juone ”Can't I go and see the start? I'd like to offer a prize to the troop--or soo I know the ladies want to Run up and get your wraps, though it isn't raining now” And the ladies, one and all, scurried away up the stairs
Ainto his beaver overcoat that had been hanging in the hall Then he began fu in the pockets, first one and then another He tried the outside, then threw it open and thrust his hand into those within the broad lapels, a look of bewilder over his face
”What's the ar? Here, et you one”
”No, no! It isn't that! I've sain he thrust his hands deep in the pockets ”Hold on till I run up to htly up the stairs The ladies were all fluttering down again and were grouped in the lower hall as he ca, but with an odd, white look about his face