Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-02

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reared. The very roof under which the
girl he'd Ulichted her troth to him and
then dishonored 1t for Noel-under
which, day after day, she was now re-
ceiv;ng, welcoming, caressing him-was
practically rescued for her and her
mother by the money of the man she had
cast aside.
The wedding cards came in April 1t
was to be quiet affair, because of the
J death of Mr. Vincent within the year.
Lane read the announcement in The
Army and Navy Journal, and sat for a
while, the paper dropping to the floor
and his head upon his hands. Elsewhere
in its columns he found full account,
written evidently by some one thor
oughly well acquainted with all the par
ties, except perhaps the gallant groom.
When Lanes servant tiptoed in at
reveille the next morning to prepare the
bath and black the boots he was sun
prised to find that officer sitting at his
desk with his head pillowed in his arms
He had not been to bed, and did not
know that reveille had sounded. Was
he Ill? Did he need the doctor? No. He
had to sit up late over some letters and
papers, and had finally fallen asleep
there All the same DR.. Gowen, hap
pening into the hospital while Lane was
visiting one of his men after sick call,
stopped and keenly examined his face.
Il want you to go right to your quar-
ters and stay there, Lane, for you've got
nd foJT
were his immediate orders. "Tn be
with YOU in a moment" 1t was only
the beginning of what proved to be a
trying illness of several weeks duration.
When Lane was able to sit up again it
was the recommendation of the post
surgeon and of his regimental COM
mander that he be sent east on sick leave
for at least three months. And the first
week of June found him at West Point;
he had many old and warm friends there.
and their cOmpaniOnship and cordially
clacored him greatly. One night, stroll
ing back from parade to the broad piazza
of the hotel, he saw the stage drive up
from the landing and number of visi-
tors scUTry mp the steps in haste to es-
cape the pTying eyes Of the older arrivals,
who invariably thronged the south pi-
aga ut such times and curiously inspect
Cd the travel stained and cinder spotted
faces Of those whose i'll luck it was to
have to run that social gauntlet.
There was something familiar in the
f;co of young lady following portly
.natTOn into the hall, and when a mo-
1.lcnt later he came upon the massive
frame of M. Amos Withers, registering
himself, his wife, daughters and Miss
MARSHALL, of the Queen City, Lane knew
at once that it was his friend of the dis
2ial dinner OF nearly year ago. Later
That evening he met her in the hall, and
WIS surprised at the prompt and pleas
ant recognition which she gave him. 1t
WIS not long before they were on the
north piazza. watching that peerless
view ZIP the Hudson, and, finding that
she had never been there before. and was
enthusiastic in her admiration of the
scenery, Lane took pleasure in pointing
out to her the various objects of interest
that could be seen through the brilliant
sheen of moonlight. And so, having
made himself at once useful and enter
| tanning, he finally went 80 his bed with a
sensation of having passed rather a
brighter evening than he had known in n
long, long time
On the following day Miss Marshall
was in the hall reading when he came
out from breakfast. She was waiting,
she said; for Mrs: Withers to come down
The nurse was dressing the children.
II want to ask you something, Capt
Lane. Isaw Mrs. Vincent just before left
home, and had little talk with her
She has always been very kind to me-
Did you ever receive q letter she wrote
| to you three or four weeks ago."
Il never did," said Lane. "Do you
think that she did write to me-"
81 know she did. She told me so, and
expressed great surprise that you had
accorded her no answer. She felt very
sure of your friendship, and she was at
a loss to understand your silence. AL
though 1 had only met you once or twice
before felt that 1 knew you so well that
| you could not refuse to answer letter
| from so lovable y woman as she, and
deemed it my duty to let you know what
she had told me. 1 am very glad now
that did So"
'Is she at homer" asked Lane, eagerly.
''She was when l left, but they were
expecting to go to the mountains. Mrs
Noel seems to be dropping little. The
weather is very warm there already, as
You know, and the doctor has advised
/ that both ladies go up to Deer Park
! Mrs. Noel doesn't wish tc go, as it takes
= her so far non ner husband; but, as he
was able to get there quite frequently
when they were there before, I see Io
reason why he should not &c sble &C jc:r
them every week now"
WAS he there frequently when they
were there bcfore:" asked Lane, an old,
/ dull pain gnawing at his heart.
''ho was there three or four times to
my knowledge during our stay, but of
course his visits were very brief; he
came generally Saturday anG went away
at midnight Sunday"
81 will &C and telegraph tc Mrs. Vim
cent. If neeo be will go and see her;
and / thank you very much, Miss Mar
| shall"
That evening he received dispatch
from Mrs. Vincent in response to the
one sent almost Immediately after this
conversation. eff possible, come here.
l greatly desire TO see you. Wire an
swer." What could it mean?
! BY the first train on the following
morning he left for New York, and was
far on his way to the Queen City when
sunset came. Arriving there, he went
first to the old hotel, and, after changing