San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-20


face
She shrank from seeing or meeting any
of her old associates, yet was eager to
reach her mothers roof, fondly believing
that there she would find letters from
her husband. 1t hurt her inexpre5Sibly
that he should have fed without one
word to her of his Intentions; but she
could forgive it because of the suffering
and misery that bore him down and I'M
settled his mind. 1t stung her that MIR.
Withers, not she, should be the first to
learn of his place of refuge; but per-
hapS he thought she had gone east at
once, and so had written there. She at
tributed his desertion to the strain to
which he had been subjected; but she
had been spared the sight of those last
specifications. Her first inquiry, after
one long, blessed clasping in her mothers
arms, after the burst of tears that could
not be restrained, was for letters from
him; and she was amazed, incredulous,
when told there were none. Mr.. With
ers was sent for at once; that eminent
citizen would gladly have lodged the
ordeal, but could not. He could only
say that two kilograms and two drafts
had reached him from Noel, and that he
had honored the latter at sight and would
see that he lacked Cor nothing.
She would have insisted on going to
join him in his exile, but he had sent no
word or line; he had ignored her entire
ly. he might be i'll, was the first thought
but Mr.. Withers assured her he was
physically perfectly well. Everything
is being done now to quietly end the
trouble" said Mr.. Withers. I'VE will
see to it at Washington that his resigna-
ton is now accepted. for they viii never
get him before a court, and might as
well make up their minds to it. They
cannot drop or dismiss him for year,
with all their red tape methods and
their pirate about the honor of the serv-
ice I've seen enough Of the army in
the last three months to convince me it's
no place FOR Il gentleman. No, my dear;
you stay heTa--Or so up to the noun
tains. Wen have him there to join you
in month"
But the authorities proved obdurate.
Even the millionaire failed to move the
war secretary. Unless Capt. Noel came
back and stood trial he would be
dropped f." drs2ctioQ" ("and if he
came back and stood trial would prob
ably be kicked Olt as a coward and
~" thought to himself the official who
sat a silens li-to1rr) This Noel would
not 10. Wi, IS sent him TO Vera Cruz
- q E-c2Io b;-iuc5s visit, and Mabel,
slio2t. sad faced, but weeping no more,
wenC % a little resort in the West Vir-
ginia mountains.
Meantime another court had been con-
vened, another deserter tried, convicted
and sentenced, and before being taken
to prison he made full statement to
Capt. Lane and two officers called in as
witnesses. This was TaintOr. He had
knOwn Capt Noel ever since his entry
into ae"Tica, Taiutor was an expert pen
man. Il gambler, and at times hard
drinkev. IL had enlisted in the troop
Of which Noel was second lieutenant
while they were in Tennessee, and had
deserted, after forging the post quarter
masters name TO two checks and getting
the money.
The regiment went to the plains; he
was never apprehended, and long years
afterwards he drifted from position in
the Quartermaster's depot at jefferson
vile to a re-eniistment and billet as
clerk in the recruiting rendezvous at the
Queen City. Knowing that Noel would
recognize him he deserted there, as has
been told, taking all the money he could
secure by forged checks for small
amounts, which lie trusted would not ex-
cite suspicion. But he had fallen in love
with a young woman and she was de-
pendent on him. He came back to the
neighbOrhoOd after he thought the hue
and cry were over, was Swallowed and ar
rested by the police, and had given him
self up for lost when Capt. Noel was
brought to his cell to identify him. He
could hardly believe his senses when the
captain said it was all mistake. Then
he was released and went to work again
across the river, and one night Noel
came-told him he knew him perfectly
and would keep his secret provided he
would make himself useful" 1t soon
turned out that what was wanted was
the imitation Of Capt. Lanes signature
on one or TWO papers whose contents he
did not see, and the type writing of some
letters, one of which, without signature
of any kind, and referring to some
young lady, ner secret meetings with |
Capt. Noel, and saying, you are being |
betrayed, was sent to Capt. Lane at |