Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-08-24

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Noel opened the dispatch that had beer
handed him.
Italians flight; when others shrank
from such peril0uS work, where was the
man who could suppress the feryent
admiration with which he heard that
there was one soldier who lost no time
i'm demanding relief from duty here,
that he might speed to the head of the
gallant fellows already i'm the field, who
had followed him i'm many stirring
charge and through all the current Of
many a heavy fight; whose hearts
would leap for joy al sight of their be-
loved leaders face-thc man who never
yet had failed them, the man who never
yet had faltered i'm his duty, the man
whose sword was never drawn without
reason, never Sheathed without honor
our soldier guest. Capt. Gordon Noel.
Much affected, 10 was some minutes
before the captain could respond. The
modeSty of the true soldier restrained
his elouuence. lie knew not how 10
thank them for this most tlattering teS-
timOny of their confidence and regard;
he far from deserved the lavish praise
of their houored chairman. II i'm the
past me had succeeded i'm winning their
esteem. AN the more would he try to
merit 10 now. No soldier could remain
i'm security when such desperate deeds
called his comrades 90 the fray; and as
hc had ever shared their dangers in the
old days. so must he share them now.
His heart, his home. his bride. To part
from whom waSa bitter trial, he left with
them 20 guard and cherish. Duty called
him 90 the front. and with tomorrow 5
sun he would Doe ON his way. But. If IL
pleased God 10 bear him safely through.
he would return 90 them, 10 greet and
grasp each friendly hand again. and
meantime 10 prove himself worthy the
high honor they had done him.
There was hardly "a dry eye at the
table when the gallant soldier finished
his few remarks aud then took his seat.
Besides winning tine heart and hand
of one of the loyelicSt of the Queen
City's daughters. the captain has made
hosts of friends I'm our midst. and we
predict that when the records of the
campaign are written mo- name will
shine with brighter uStcr than that of
Gordon Noel."
This doubtless was delightful reading
90 Noel aud 90 Noel relatives. Doubt
less. too. 10 was some comfort 20 poor
Mabel as she lay pale. anxious. sore at
heart. ON the following day, while her
husband and lovcr-a> hc undoubtedly
was-Sped westward with the fast cX-
press. But there was "a great deal
about the CbrOuicic'Naccouut that would
have elected something more than the
broad grin from officers who knew Noel
we'll
An entire week had elapsed from the
time that the first tidingS were received
/ To the moment when me finally and most
reluctantly left the Queen City. The
first intmatlou was enough 10 start
+ Capt. Lane. despite the fact that his
health was far from restored, and that
he was yet by NO means strong. lie felt
confident that the Indians would be
Joined by some of the ChiricahuaS. and
that the campaign would be- fierce and
stubborn. Teicgraphiug 90 the regi-
mental adWtant and the general COM
handing the department that hc iuteud-
ed 10 start at once. and asking 10 be
notified en- route where he could most
speedily join the troop, he was ON his
way within six hours.
That very night. although no mention
was made of this i'm the Chronicle ac-
count, Capt Noel received a dispatch
from the Adiutant Generals Office at
Washington briefly TO this effect: You
become captain of * company. vice
RawlinS, murdered by ApachcS. Hold
Yourself i'm readiness 10 turn over the
rendezvous and Join your regiment
without DELAY" No news could have
been more unwelc0mc. Despite his
many faults there was uO question That
Gordon Noel was very much IN love
with his wife; but he never had
been I'm love with the active part OF
his profession. That night he tele-
graphcd 10 relatives who had stood
by him i'm the past. and wrote urgent
and pleading letters informing them
that his wifc'S health was i'm SO delicate
n state that If hc were compelled at this
moment 10 leave her and 60 upon
perilouS duty IN the Apache country
there was uo telling what would be the
effect upon her If possible thing, he
urged. that there should be "a delay of
fortnight He calculated that by
that time the Indians would Doe either
SafeacroSS the Mexican border or whip
ped back 20 the reservation; then he
could 20 out and join with flourish of
trumpctS and mo- possible danger. But
new king rcigncd In the war depart
mcut. who knew Joseph rather than
knew him not.
I'm some way the honorable secretary
had become acquainted with the pre-
viouS history of Capt. Noel'S campaign
services. and. though the influential
gentlemen referred To- made prompt and
eloquent appeals, they were met 10y
courteous but positive denial. Every
man who was worth his salt, said the
secretary. .'should be with his regiment
now" An officer was designated TO
proceed at once TO the Queen City and
take over Nocl'S rendezvous and prop
erty. and peremptory orders were sent
10 him 20 start without delay and to
notify the department by tele-
graph of the date of his de-
parture-a most unusual and string
emit proceeding. This correspondence
Noel never mentioned it TO anybody at
the time. and il was known only TO the
official records for some time afterward.
As soon as he found that go he must,
me dictated to his clerk a letter in
which. gallant soldier that he was, he
informed the adiutant general that the