San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-08

Washington, and whenever he could get
leave to run up from the barracks he
made my quarters his home. If you
ever write to him just ask him if he
knows Gorden NoelY'
''Do you know, Capt. Lane, that
have found your comrade captain very
interesting man" observed Miss Mar
shall; and her eyes turned upon her next
door neighbor in calm but keen scrutiny.
"Noel is very entertaining" was the
reply; and the dark gray eyes looked IN
hinchingly into the challenge of the
dark brown.
''Yes, l have listened to his tales of
the frontier at breakfast, dinner and
during the evening hours, since Sunday
last. They are full of vivacity and va
riety."
"One sees good deal of strange coun-
try and many strange people in the
course of ten or dozen years service in
the cavalry"
''And must needs have a good MEM
DRY to be able to tell of it all-especially
when one recounts the same incident
more than once" And Miss Marshall's
lips were twitching at the corners in
manner suggestive of mischief and mer-
riment combined.
Lane paused for reply" Here was
evidently a most observant young wo-
man.
There, did not mean to tax your
loyalty TO regimental comrade, captain;
so you need not answer. Capt. Noel in
sterests and entertains me principally be-
cause of his intense individuality and
his entire conviction that he carries his
listeners with him. Age cannot wither
nor custom stale his infinite Variety but
there should not be quite so much va
riety in his descriptions of single event.
This is the fourth time have heard him
tell of the night ride from Carrizo'sranch
to Canyon Disblo."
"You have the advantage of me, Miss
Marshall" answered Lane, his eyes
twinkling with appreciation of her de-
mure but droll exposure of Noel's weak
his version of it."
ut is the last time he will mention it
in your presence, if he saw the express
sion in your face, Capt. Lane"
DO those interpretive eyes of yours
look clear through and see out of the
back of your head, Miss Marshall? Your
face was turned towards him. You stop
ped short in telling me of your cousin in
the artillery and your visit to the bar
racks, and babe me listen to something
l did not care half as much to hear as
your own impressions of garrison life.
Never mind the quadruplex account of
the night ride. Tell me what you
thought of the army"
''Well, of course, the first thing girl
wants to know is what the shoulder
straps mean; and | learned the very
first day that the blank strap meant a
second lieutenant, a single silver bar a
first lieutenant and two bars a captain
that is, in the artillery. Now, why this
provoking distinction in the cavalryi
Here's a captain with only one bar, a
captain whose letters from the war de-
partment come addressed to Lieut.. Cor
don Noely"
Noel never speaks of himself as cap
tian, I'm sure" said Lane.
Neither do you; and for year past,
ever since have known you by sight
and here quick blush mounted to her
temples-''you occasionally came to our
church, you know" she fastened to ex-
plain-''you have been referred to as
Lieut.. Lane or Mr.. Lane; but we know
you are a captain now, for we saw the
promotion recorded in the Washington
dispatches fortnight ago. What was
the date of Capt. Noel's elevation to that
grade? confess | took him for your
junior in the service and in years too"
eyes, Noel holds well to his youth"
answered Lane, smilingly.
''And about the captaincy"
"Well, he is so very near it, and it is
SO apt to come any day, that perhaps he
thinks it just as well to let people get
accustomed to calling him that. Then
he won't have to break them all in when
the commission does come"
"Then he is your junior, of course"
''Only by file or so. He entered
the service very soon after me-"
''But was not in your class at West
Point?"
mo; he was MT in my class"
''In the next one, then, presume"
"Miss Marshall, I your first name
Portia? | should hate to be witness
whom you had the privilege of cross ex-
amining. There are ladies learned in
the law and l expect to read of you as
called to the bar within a year or two"