San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-15

ity when such desperate deeds called his
comrades to the fray; and as he 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
was bitter trial, ne left with them to
guard and cherish Duty called him 70
the front. and with to-mOrrow's sun he
would be on his way. But, if it pleased
God to, bear him safely through, he
would return to them, TO greet and grasp
each friendly hand again, and meantime
to 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 and then took his seat.
Besides winning the heart and hand
of one of the loveliest of the Queen City's
daughters, the captain has made hosts of
friends in our midst, and we predict that
when the records of the campaign are
written no name will shine with brighter
luster than that of Gordon Noel"
This doubtless was delightful reading
to Noel and to Noel's relatives. Doubt
less, too, it was some comfort to poor
Mabel as she lay pale, anxious, sore at
heart, on the following day, while her
husband and lover-as he undoubtedly
v.aS-sped westward with the fast ex-
press. But there was great deal about
the Chronicles account that would have
elected something more than 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 he finally and most
Reluctantly left the Queen City. The
first intimation was enough to start
Capt. Lane. despite the fact that his
health was far from restored and that he
wIs yet by no means strong. He felt
confident that the Indians would be
joined by some of the Chiricahuas, and
that the campaign would be fierce and
stubborn Telegraphing to the regi-
mental adjutant and the general COM
handing the department that he intend
Ell to start 1t once, and asking to 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 in The Chronicle &C
count, Capt. Noel received a dispatch
from the adjutant generals Office at
Washington briefly to this effect: You
become captain of K company, vice Raw
inns, murdered by Apaches. Hold your
self i'll readiness to turn over the rendez-
vous and join your regiment without de-
lay" No news could have been more
umwelcome. Despite his many faults
there was no question that Gordon Noel
WAS very much in love with his wife;
but he never had beea in love with the
active part of his profession. That
night he telegraphed to relatives who
had stood by him in the past, and wrote
urgent and pleading letters informing
them that his wife's health was in SO
delicate state that if he were compelled
at this moment to leave her and go upon
perilous duty in the Apache country
there was no telling what might be the
effect upon her. If possible thing, he
urged that there should be delay of
fortnight He calculated that by that
time the Indians would be either safe
across the Mexican border or whipped
back to the reservation; then he could
go out and join with flourish of trum-
pets and no possible danger. But new
king reigned in the war department, who
knew Joseph rather than knew him not.
In some way the honorable secretary
had become acquainted with the previ-
GUS history Of Capt. NOel's campaign
services, and, though the influential gen
tleman referred to made prompt and elo-
quent appeals, they We're met by 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 Noel's
rendezvous and property, and peremp-
tory orders were sent to him to start
without delay and to notify the depart
ment by telegraph of the date of his de-
parture-a most unusual and stringent
proceeding This correspondence Noel
never mentioned to anybody at the time,
and it was known only to the official
records for some time afterward. As
soon rs he found that go he must, he die
tGted TO his clerk a letter in which, gal
tdnt soldier that he was, he informed the
adJUtGnt general that the news from Ari
IONA had now convinced him that an
outbreak Of alarming Dimensions had
taken place, and he begged that he might
be relieved as at his own request and
permitted to join his comrades in the
field To this no reply was sent, as the