Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-09-11


Noel, thoughtfully, "and remember
that she talked good deal about the
army, and asked great many questions
about the cavalry. Now that you speak
Of it, noticed that Lane, who sat on tn
opposite side of the table, didn't seem t.
be particularly interested in the lady
whom he was escorting, although, Of
course, he had to be civil and tried to
keep up conversation, but every now
and then would catch him looking at
US, and particularly at her. But she
looked so pretty that l didn't wonder
at it."
when did you next see herr" said
Withers.
''Only last night. You know, l was
called away almost Immediately after
the Thornton affair, and had to go on to
New York on the court martial, where
was summoned as witness, then only
got back in time for the party last night
That was my second meeting with her,
and by this time Lane had gone out to
join the regiment. didn't even have a
chance to say good-by to him. Do you
think, really, that he was smitten in
that quarter"
That's what certainly heard" said
Withers; land as soon as you get to
know young people in society Venture
10 say that you can readily find out all
about it. These girls all know one
anOther's secrets, and are generally
pretty ready to tell them. That's the
result of my experience"
It was evident that Amos Withers'
cousin was not to be neglected in the
Queen City. Two parties at private
houses. a reception at the club and three
dinners were the invitations which he
found awaiting him at his Office. Half
an hour was occupied in acknowledging
and accepting or declining, as happened
to be the case. these evidences of hospi-
tality; then, having no especial interest
in the morning paper, his thoughts again
reverted to what Mr.. Withers had been
telling him about Miss Vincent, and the
possible relation between her and his
regimental comrade He had been very
much impressed with her the night be
fore. Her beauty was of such rare
and radiant character, she was so genial
and unaffected in her manner, so bright
and winning, with such an evident Xix
ing for his society, that Mr.. Noel had
come away fattering himself that he
had made in this quarter a most IA
vorable impression. He had thought of
her very much as he went home from the |
party-of her interested face, as he talked |
or danced with her; and she danced de- |
Eghtfully. aDd WAS so good as to say that |
his step perfectly suited hers He re-
meInbered now, too, her remark that it |
was so delightful TO dance with army of |
fcers and graduates of the Point; they |
all seemed to feel so thoroughly at home
ON the floor.
Noel WAS not graduate of the Point |
T., ;'.y I.rc::ae: but he saw no reason for |
90 ...,'.'.'-' ..;3g her On that score. H |
Eas quite as good as any of the West
Pointers, in his own opinion, and in so
ciety was very much more at home thar |
many of their number. As dancer, he |
was looked upon IN his regiment and |
throughout the cavalry as one of the |
most accomplished in the whole service. |
And all this interest and all this cordiali- /
ty he had accepted without hesitation as
a tribute to his own superior qualifca-
tons and attractiveness. 1t was there
fore with feeling akin to pique that he |
heard of this possible engagement exist
ing between her and Capt. Lane.
In all the Eleventh cavalry there was
no man whom Gordon Noel feared and
possibly hated more than he did Capt.
Lane. This arose from the fact that
Lane as adjutant of the regiment had |
seen all the communications that passed
from time TO time relative to Noels alb
Sence from his command when his ser
vices were most needed and when any
man of spirit would have taken every
possible precaution to be with it He
knew how silent Lane had always been.
and how thorough Il custodian of regi-
mental secrets he WAS considered. But
all the same the mere fact that Lane
knew all those circumstances so much
to his disadvantage, and had seen all his
lame and impotent excuses, had made
him fear him as a possible enemy and
hate him simply because he stood in awe
of him.
No one, to watch Noel in society or
in the presence of his brother officers,
would suppose for a moment that he
looked upon Lane with other than fee
ings of the warmest regard and COM
radeship. 1t was only in his secret
thoughts, which he admitted to no soul
on earth, that Noel realized what his
real feelings were towards man who
had never done him a wrong, but who
had treated him on all occasions, public
and private, with courtesy and consid-
Grafton.
For some reason or other the lieuten-
ant felt restless and dissatisfied this
morning. The atmosphere of the Office
was decidedly uncongenial He was a
man who rarely read anything, and to
whom letter writing wae a bore. To be
sure, he had little of it to do, for no man
in the regiment had expressed a desire
TO hear from him. 1t was a hot, sultry
day; the stylish white flannel suit in
which he had arrayei his handsome self
was wasting its elegance on the desert
air of a bare and empty room, instead
OF being seen in the boudoirs of beauty
or the billiard rooms at the club. Bust
ness was slack; no recruits were COM
ing in, and Mr.. Noel could stand it no
longer. a ring from his bell summoned
the sergeant to the room.
There doesn't seem t. be any fkeli-
hood Of recruits coming in such a day as
this, sergeant, said Mr.. Noel. I'm go
ing up to the club for a while; if any
body should come in, send one Of the
men up there Tor me; I'll return at once"
And with that he took his straw hat and
lsrynt -e4- III L. |