Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-09-07

Somehow, about 10 o'clock that night,
the Judge Advocate of the Court drop
ped in at the bachelor quarters,
where both Lane and Mason had been
made welcome, and asked to see these
gentlemen. He was converSing with
them over the affair at San Simon when
| Capt. LOwndeS was uShered into the
room.
Am I intruding?" asked the latter.
Il merely wished to speak to Lane a
moment"
by no means, LowndeS Come right
| in. Wen be through in one minute.
Then, as | understand you, Lane, you
could distinctly see X troop a it forded
the stream, and cOnld see the ApacheS
who fired upon theme
"YeS-diStinCtly. | was praying for
their coming, as our ammunition was
running low. The Indians seemed so
encouraged by the ease with which they
drove them back that the whole band
Swarmed out from cover and crowded
ON us at once. 1t was in the next fifteen
minutes that my men were killed-and
that poor woman"
And there were only six Indians who
opened fire on Noel?'
Only six, sir"
The Judge advocate was silent a mo-
ment. There is, of course, chance
that our abSenteeS may get here to-mor-
row morning in time If they do you
will be the first witness called; If they
do not we adjourn 10 await their ar
rival. 1t promises TO be "A long case.
\ telegram has just reached me saying
that additional and grave charges are
being sent by mail from division head
quarters"
Capt. LowndeS listened TO this brief
/ conversation with an expression of deep
perpleXity on his kindly face. and as
soon as the Judge advocate had gone
and Mason had LETT the room he turned
to Lane:
You know they are staying with Us.
That poor girl has come all this weary
/ journey to be with him. and there was
absolutely no place where she could lay
/ her head unless we opened our doors
and took him in, too"
Lane bowed assent; Il had heard,
LowndeS. 1t was like YOU and that
dear wife of yours"
Lane, spoke the older man, impetu-
ously. after a moment of embarrassed
/ silence. Il want you to do something
/ for my wife and me. Come home with
me for few minutes. You won't see
him; butt is that heartbroken girl.
She begs that you will see her-to-
night. Here is a little note.
Lanes sad face had grown deadly
pale He looked wonderingly into his
companions eyes moment, then slow
/ ly took the note and left the room, leav-
| ing Lowndes TO pace the floor in much
diSquiet.
In five minutes the former reap
peared in the doorway. Come" he
said, and himself led the way out into
/ the SIarlit night. Not a word was Spo-
/ ken by either man as they slowly
walked down the row. Arriving at his
quarters, Capt. LowndeS uShered his
/ friend into the little army parlor, and
/ Mrs. LowndeS came forward, extending
/ both her hands. 1t is good of you to
come" she said. Il will let her know
at once
Two shaded lamps east a soft, sub
D
/ little room. What contrast to the
SumptuouS surroundings of the home in
which he had last met her. Lane stood
/ by the little work table Il moment
striving to Subdue the violent beating
! of his heart and the tremOrS that shook
! his frame Not once had he seen her
since that wretchcd night in the library
in that man Noel'S arms Not once
| had he permitted the thought of seeing
her to find Il Judgment. But all was
different now: she was well nigh crush
ed. heart broken: she had been deceived
and trcked; she was here practically
friendleSS. Il well know that at your
hands | deserve no such mercy" she
had written. but hopeless woman
begS that youwill come to her for few
momcnts-for very few words
And now no heard her football on the
stairs. She entered slowly and then
stopped short almost at the threshold.
Heavens how he had aged and changed.
How deep were the lines about the
kind gray eyes. how sad and worn was
the stern. sOldierly face. Her eyes
filled with tears on the very instant,
and she lowered there irreSolute, not
knowing what to do, how to address
him. 1t was Lane that came to the
rescue. For moment he stood there
appalled as his eyes fell upon the woman
whom he had so utterly-SO faithfully
loved. Where was all the playful light
that so thrilled and bewitched him as 1t
Aickered about the corners of her pretty
noutbo Whittier had fled the bright
coloring. the radiance, the gladneSS that
lived i'm that exquisite face? Was this
heavy eyed. pallid, nervelesS being,
standing with hanging head before nm,
the peerless queen he had so Loyalty and
Idevotedlv served-whOSe fainteSt wish
was TO him a royal mandate-to kiss
whose soft white hand was Il JOY unut-
terable? All this flashed through his
mind in the instant Of her irreSolute
pause. Then the great pity of strong
and manful heart. the tenderness that
lives ever in the braveSt. sent him Tor
ward TO her side. All thought OF self
and suffering. of treachery and conceal
ment and deception, vanished at once at
the sight of her bitter woe HIS own
brave eyes filled up with tears he would
have gladly hidden, but that she saw
and was comforted. He took her imp,
nerveless hand and led her TO chair,
saving only her name-"Mrs. Noel.
For several minutes she could not
sneak. but wept unreStranedly, he, poor
follow. walking the floor the while,
Ioncing to comfort her, yet powerleSs.
What could he say? What could he