The times., 1890-10-03

their prate about the honor of the serv-
ice.' I've seen enough of the army in
the last three months toconvince me it's
no place for o gentleman. No, my dear;
you stay here-or go up to the noun
tains. Well have him there to join you
in n 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 for desertion" (''and if he
came back and stood trial would prob
ably be kicked out as a coward and
har," thought to himself the official who
sat q silent listener). This Noel would
not do. Withers sent him to Vera Cruz
on pseudo business visit, and Mabel,
silent, sad faced, but weeping no more,
went to 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 end two officers called in as
witnesses. This was Taintor. He had
known Capt. Noel ever since his entry
into service. Taintor was an expert pen
man, a gambler, and at times q hard
drinker. He had enlisted in the troop
of which Noel was second lieutenant
while they We're 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 a position in
the quarterlnaster's depot at Jefferson
vile to re-enlistment and n 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 he trusted would not ex-
cite suspicion. But he had fallen in love
with 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 shadowed 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, her secret meetings with
Capt. Noel, and saying, "You are being
betrayed" was sent to Capt. Lane at
Fort Graham. Very soon after this
Capt. Lane came back. Taintor again
fed until he knew his old commander
had gone away, and then, venturing
home, was rearrested, as has been told.
Lane knew the anonymous letter well
enough, but now for the first time saw
it's object 1t was to make him accuse
ness and so bring about q rupture Of the
engagement, which at that time Noel
saw no other means Of removing as the
one obstacle that stood in the way of his
hopes.
But what were the other papers?
August came, and with it the rrlmors
of the appearance of the dreaded vomito
at Vera Cruz; but in the remote and
peaceful nook where mother and daugh-
ter-two silent and sorrowing women
We're living in retirement no tidings
came. 'Vainly Mabel watched the mails
for letters-if only one-from him. She
had written under cover to Mr.. Withers,
but even that evoked no reply.
One sunshiny afternoon they were
startled by the sudden arrival of Regy.
He sought to avoid question and to draw
his mother to one side, but Mabel was
upon him.
"You have news!' she said, her white
face set, her hands firmly seizing his
arm. "What is it? Have they dismissed
him?"
"They can never dismiss--never harm
him more, Mabel" was the solemn an
swer.
Some months afterward Mrs. Vincent
received a packet of papers that belonged
to the late Capt. Noel. Mabel had been
sent to Florida for the winter, and was
spending her early widowhood with
kind and loving friends. The consul at
Vera Cruz had written to Mr.. Withers
full particulars of his cousins death
one Of the first victims of the vomito-
and had sent these papers with the for
NAL certificates of the Mexican officials.
Mr.. Woodrow, one of the executors Of
Mr.. Vincent's estate, showed singular
desire to examine these papers, but the
widow thought they should be opened
only by her daughter. 1t was not until
then that, with much hesitancy, the
gentleman explained that Mr.. Vincent
had given him to understand that he
had intrusted some papers to Capt. Noel
which that officer had promised to send
at once to his old friend Capt. Lane.
Mrs. Vincent could learn no more from
him, but she lost no time in searching
the packet.
Within twenty-four hours Mabel was