The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-12-06

turning that she nervcd herself to sud
den. almost desperate effort. She start
led him with her vehemence:
MIR. Hayne, there is something must
tell you before go. If no opportunity
occur. I'll write it."
And those were the words that had
beer haunting him all the evening, for
they were not again alone, and he had
no chance to ask question. What could
she mean? For years he had been living
life of stern self denial: Lut long before
his promotion the last penny of the obli-
CATION that, justly or otherwise. had
been laid upon his shoulders was pail
with interest He was man free and
self respecting. strong, resolute, and pos
sessed of an independence that never
would have been his had his life run on
in the same easy, trusting, happy-go-
lucky style in which he had spent the
first two years of his army career. But
in his isolation he had allowed himself
no thought of anything that could for a
moment distract him from the stern pur-
pose to which he had devoted every
energy. He would win back, command,
compel, the respect of his comrades
would bring to confusion those who had
sought to pull him down; and until that
stood accomplished he would know no
other claim. In the exile of the noun
tain station he saw no women but the
wives of his senior officers: and they
merely bowed when they happened to
meet him; some did not even do that.
Now at last he had met and yielded to
the first of two conquerors before whom
even the bravest and the strongest 20
down infallibly-Love and Death.
Suddenly, but irresistibIy, the sweet
face and thrilling tones of that Young
girl had seized and filed his heart, to
the utter exclusion of every other pas
sion; and just in proportion to the empti-
ness and yearning of his life before their
meeting was the intensity Of the love aud
longing that possessed him now. 1t was
useless to try and analyze the suddenness
and subtilty of its approach: the power
OF love had overinastered him. Hecould
only realize that it was here and he must
obey. Late into the morning hours he
lay there, his brain whirling with it's
varied and bewildering emotions. Win
her he must, or the blackness and desc
lation of the past five. years would be as
nothing compared with the misery of
the years to come. Woo her he would.
and not without hope, if ever woman's
eyes gave proof of sympathy and trust.
But now at last he realized that the time
had come when for her sake-not for his
me must adopt new course. Hitherto
he had scorned and repealed all overtures
that were not prefaced by an expression
OF belief In his utter innocence in the ;
past Hitherto he had chosen to live the !
HE OF an anchorite, and had abiured the
society of women. Hitherto he had re- |
fused the half extended proffers of COM |
rades who had sought to continue the in
vestigaton of chain of circumstances
that. complete. might have proved him a
wronged and defrauded man
The missing links were not beyond re- |
'overy in slillful hands: but in the shock
lnd horror which he felt on realizing
hat 1t was not only possible but certain !
hat jury of his comrade officers could
leem INN guilty of low crime, he hid
lis face and turned from all. Now the
line had come to reopen the case. He
vel knew that revulsion of feeling had
et in which nothing but his own stub
'ornness held in check. He knew that
he had friends and sympatIlizers among
'incers high in rank. He had only a
ew days before heard from Mai. Wal.
IRONS lips a strong intimation that it
vas ms duty to "come out of his shell"
nd reassert himself You must re-
member this. Hayne. said he, you had
cen only two years in service when tried
y court martial. You were an utter
Granger to every member of that court.
here was nothing but the evidence to ro
pom, and that was all against you. The
ourt was made up of officers from other
nsiments, and was at least impartial.
ne evidence was almost all from yo,lr
wn, and was presumably well founded.
on would call no witnesses for defense. !
OH made your almost defiant statement: !
afused counsel; refused advice: and
nat could the court do but convict and
Had | been n member of the
'urt | would have voted just as was
one by the court: and yet believe Won
ow an utterly innocent man." !
&c. apparently, did the colonel regard
i'm. So. too. did several of the officers
the cavalry. So. too. would most of ,
'e Youngsters of his own regiment if he
ouid only give them half chance. In ,
~ event. the score was wiped out now:
could afford to take wife if a woman
armed to love him. and what wealth OF l
nderness and devotion was he not
ady to lavish on one who would! But a
would offer no one a furnished name. a
rst and foremost he must now stand K
, and fight that cnlumnv-..co,,o -. d