Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-30

arms, after the burst OF tears that could
not be restrained, was for letters from
him; and she was amazed, incredulous,
when told there were none. Mr.. With
ers was sent for at once; that eminent
citizen would gladly have lodged the
ordeal, but could not He could only
say that two kilograms and two drafts
had reached him from Noel, and that he
had honored the latter at sight and would
see that he lacked for nothing.
She would have insisted on going to
join him in his exile, but he had sent no
word or line; he had ignored her entire
". He might be i'll, was the first thought;
but Mr.. Withers assured her he was
physically perfectly well. Everything
is being done now to quietly end the
trouble" said Mr.. Withers. eve will
see to it at Washington that his reSigna-
ton is now accepted, for they will never
get him before a court, and might as
well make up their minds to it. They
cannot drop or dismiss him for year,
with all their red tape methods and
their pirate about the honor of the serv-
ice I've seen enough of the army II
the last three months to convince me it's
no place for a gentleman. No, my dear;
you stay here-or go up to the noun
tains. Well have him there to join yOu
in 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
liar" thought to himself the official who
sat silent listener). This Noel would
not do. Withers sent him to Vera Cruz
on a pseudo business visit, and Mabel,
silent, sad faced, but weeping no more,
went to a 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 and 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 hard
drinker. He had enlisted in the troop
of which Noel was second lieutenant
while they were 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 position in
the quartermaster's depot at jefferson
vile to q re-enlistment and 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 IL love
with a 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 Swallowed and az
rested by the police, and had given him
self up for lost when Capt. Noel was
brought to his cell to identify him. lie
could hardly believe his senses when the
captain said it was all a mistake. Then
he was released AMI 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 zee, and the type writing of some
letters, one of which, without signal ire
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 ,,lis
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
its object. 1t was to make him accuse
Mabel Vincent of deceit and faithless
ness and so bring about rupture of the
engagement, which at that time Noe.
saw no other means of removing as the
one obstacle that stood in the way of hic
hopes.
But what were the other papers?
August came, and with it the rumorS
of the appearance of the dreaded vomitC
at Vera Cruz; but in the remote and
peaceful nook where mother and daugh
ter-two silent and sorrowing women
were living in retirement no tidingE
came. Nainly Mabel watched the mail!
for letters-if only one-from him. Sht
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 wa!
upon him.
"You have newsI' she said, her white
face set, her hands firmly Selling hi
arm. "What is it? Have they dismissed
him?"
''They can never dismiss harm
him more, Mabel" was the solemn an
swer.
Some months afterward Mrs. Vincent
received packet of papers that belonged
to the late Capt. Noel. Mabel had beer
sent to Florida for the winter, and was
spending her early widowhood with
kind and loving friends. The consul a
Vera Cruz had written to Mr.. Wither
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 o
Mr.. Vincent's estate, showed singular
/ L.