The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

ST amer "lLn tnem, IOr ne also naQ Decu
in Paris for several weeks on business OF
the scientific expedition. Fairfax was
to see his two idols at once, and if ever
l sec again man as madly happy as he the
night his leave came, shall believe him
what the Scotch call fey and expect
some calamity to ovcrwhclm him. The
next morning he was officer of the day,
and | was not surprised at hearing moth
ing of him but toward evening his orderly
brought me note of two lines:
My engagement is at an end. Will
you make this known, as / do not wish to
talk about itg'
II did what he asked me, and, to the
credit Of human nature, in that dull gar
rson, where every new subject was q
boon, not soul ever asked him ques-
tion or uttered word of sympathy. He
did not become cynical or have brain
fever, as heroes do in no;e!s under such
circumstances. He looked rather badly,
and went abou! his duties more quietly;
that was all, except that Brooke, to my
surprise, became as much tabooed SUBJ
jcct as Miss Chester. was rather curious
as. to the cause of that silence, bat de.
c.ded that such Il death-blow rs one b.
lief had received was quite naturally, If
unjustly, rather chilling to the other.
None of our officers knew Brooke, so |
did not discover the real state of affairs
for months.
''Iairfax gave up his leave, aud the
winter crept by, its usual monotony va
- 1>rr Nf
outragcs, which increased in horror and
extent, until in May, to our g. eat pleas
urc, we !etei, ed o. ders for Il summer in
the field against them. 1t WAS the first
bit of active service that had come in
Fairfax's way. Il; well as mine, and it
rousrd him out of the quiet. ret:cent fell
low he had Eetomc into something like
the enthusiast we all regretted We were
to be largely re nforced before leaving
Fort - by some regiments from Other
departments, and much interest was of
cou! Sc felt as to the strangers, or old ac-
quaintances, who were to be such close
comrades through the chances of our
first Indian fights.
az see we arc to have Brooke with
US said, congratulatingly, to Fairfax
one night.
$50 hear, he repli d, so briefly and
with such change of color that for the
frs: time suspicion of the truth flashed
upon me, and began to divide my ". ath
against Miss Chester with Brooke, and to
be rather anxious as to what would hap
pen when the two men met. The night
the reinforcements arrived the officers
dined with all of us at the post COM
mander's, and he, Of course, introduced
to each other all who were strangers.
When, in taking Brooke about the room,
he came to where Fairfax and were
standing, my friend said, quietly: 4 beg
yoar pardon, Colonel, but even in your
hous, cannot speak to Lieutenant
Brooke
"There was moments silence through
all the confusion of voices; everybody
seemed to have heard tho words, a:d
to wait for the reply. Brooke, who had
grown very pale, answere |, with consld-
erablc dignity: Lieutenant Fairfax has
reasons Tor his words, which, though
they are unjust, will not dispute at
present.
.sThe next afternoon we left the fort,
and for some days the whole command
kept together; but toward the latter part
of the week the General decided to send
scouting party across the river along
whose course we were marching. Two
officers wee to 60 with this detachment,
and Fairfax and l esteemed ourselves
very lucky to b. chosen. We were to
march after supper, but the stream being
swollen by recent rains, and rising
rapidly from hour to hour, as mountain
torrents do, the scouts and soldiers, who
were not so we'll mounted rs Fairfax and
I, swan across ut once, while we waited
for the arrival of courier, who was
momentarilyeXpected He arrived while
We were at supper, and Immediately
afterward we shook hands with our com
radcs, and rode down to the stream alone.
On its brink, to my surprise, Brooke was
waiting. He rode up to Fairfax and
held out his hand.
Fairfax he said, and his voice
shook like girls, you sent blck my
letter last year unread, and you refused
to hear me last night, but for the sake
of old times you must hear me now. You
must putting his hand on Fairfax's
bride as he turned the horses head away.
'You AMI l have been too much to each
9th T, Jack, to let even the woman we
both love stand between US now, when
any day may be our last
. 1T is not she who stands between
US Fairfax said, bitterly, 'but your own
trca she,y.'
II am no traitor!' Brooke cried, pas
sionately. Before the God we may
either of us have to meet at any moment
I never knew your engagement to Rose
Chester until after our own gagement.'
"'You lier Fairfax replied, with the
deadly coldness of one who had worn out
all the passion he could feel. And you
are a coward, sir, to put the blame of
your own falsehood on the woman you
say you love: 49,.
''What Miss Chester did was done at
first simply from g rlish desire for amuse-
mcnt, afterward for love of me, Brooke
answered, haughtily. That I endure
such words as you have used must prove
to you the depth of my regret for the in
Jury unknowingly did YOU
'sHc withdrew his hand from Fairfax's
bride, and turned his horses head
toward the camp, while, without word,
we rode into the river. 1t had risen
or, atty in the last hour, and, though mar
row, the current was so swift and strong
that we had some trouble to get our
horses across. Just as we reached the
shore anoise behind made us look around.
Brooke had followed us, after all; his