Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-10-17

tho existence of an engagement-never once
until long aftcrward.
The first real tidings that the Graham
people had of her came in letter from
headquarters Mrs. Riggs had had such
long, charming letter from Mr.. Noel that
she calledin several of her cronies and read
it all to them; and that very evening one
of the number, unable to bear the burden
of so much information, shifted 1t from her
mental shoulders by writing il all to Mrs
Nash. Perhaps the best plan will be to read
the extract which referred to Lane exactly
as Mr.. Noel wrote it:
"By this time L presume Fred Lane is
busily Engaged with his new troop |
served with them in the Sioux campaign,
and they never gave me any trouble at all.
SO, too, in the Geronimo chase n while
ago. whom Maj Brace picked me out to go
ahead by night from Carrizo's, l asked for
a detachment from ID troop, and the men
seemed to appreciate it, ] knew they
would follow wherever / would lend, and
would stand 10y me through thick and
thin. If Lane starts in right, I've no
doubt they will do just as we'll for him;
but | expect he is feeling mighty blue at
having to rejoin just now. You know
I've always been a warm friend of his, and
it hurt me to see him so unwilling to 20
back. No one seemed to know him very
well In society, and it's very queer, for this
was his old homeland / was never more
delightfully."- welcomed anywhere; the peO-
pie are charming. But Lane had held
himself aloof good deal, and fellows
ut the club say he didn't run with the
right sot' Then, if all accounts be true,
he had had hard luck in several ways I'm
told that he lost money in a big wheat
l,a tot
lost his heart. | tell you this in confidence,
because ! know you are a devoted friend of
his-as indeed you are of all in the dear
old regiment-but lie was much cmbar-
rassed when it came to turning over the
funds. There was quite "A heavy shortage,
which he had to make up at time when
it was probably most IncOnvenient.
CAS- to the other loss, it isn't to be won
dered at She is u beautiful and most
charming girl, and many man, fancy,
has laid his heart at her feet 1t IS said,
however, that Lanes loss is the heavier
in this case because-well, | fear it will
come to nothing \ young lady told me
yesterday that there was something back
of it all-that she, Miss Vincent. was deep
ly in love with q Mr. Rossiter. of New
York, and had been for over year, and
they We're to have been married this com
ing September, but that the gentleman o.
learned that her father had been nearly
swampcd in speculation end had not
penny to give her, My informant went to
school with Miss Vincent and knows her
intimately, and she says that Mr. Rossitor
simply threw her over short time ago,
and that it was through piqde and eXas-
peration and To hide her heart break from
the world that Mabel Vincent began to
snow such pleasure in Lanes devotions.
She led him on, so her lady friends say;
and now Mr.. Rosster has found out that
old Vincent was sharper and shrewder
than any one supposed, and made instead
Of losing pile, and now he is suing to he
taken back, and they say that she is 50
much in love with the fellow that the
chances are all in his favor. This is why
| feel such sorrow and anxiety for Lane.
"Nell, led the german at a lovely party
at the Prcndergasts last night. Miss Vim
cent was there, looking like "A peach bios
som, and We danced together great deal
When it came time to break up | believe
half the people in the rooms came to say
good night to me, and to tell me they had
never seen so delightful Il gcrman-'every-
thing so depends on the leader ! have in
vitations for something or other for every
night for the next fortnight, and yet | so
often long for the old regiment and the
true friends had to leave. 1t did me
world of good last night to meet old Col
Gray, of the retired list, whose home is
here but he commanded the TIL infantry
in the Sioux campaign and when he saw
me he threw his arms around my neck and
Rugged me before the whole throng of PEG
pie. Give my love to our chief, always,
and believe me, dear, true friend of mine
Yours, most atfectionately,
GORDON NOEL"
Condensed, edited by feminine hands,
and accented here and there as suited the
writer's mood, this was the letter which
formed the basis OF the one received by
Mrs. Nash Lane by this time was cozily
ensconced in his quarters, and was giving
all his time to the improvement of affairs
about his troops barracks, kitchens and
stables, to drfl and target practice, and to
company duties generally. His days knew
no relaxation from labor, from reveiIe un-
I'll retreat" at sunset, and then came the
delicious evenings in which he could write
to her and read chapter or two of some
favorite work before going early TO bed
After the first week he seldom left his
house after o'clock, and the garrison
had therefore ample ODDOrru tO di scuse