The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-22

anu Joyous look tnaC III naQ mad ever
since he came back from the east. 'sIs
he getting an inkling Of the stories that
are in circulation" was the natural in
quiry. SIS he beginning to learn that
others were before him in that fair
charmer's regard? Still, no one could
question him. There was something
about him, with all his franlrness and
ldndliness, that held people aloof from
anything like confidence.
He never had confdant of either sex;
and this was something that rendered
him ut one time somewhat unpopular
among the women. Younger officers al
most always, as a rule, had chosen some
one of the married ladies of the regiment
as repository of their cares and ankle
ties, their hopes and fears; but Lane had
never INDUCED in any such luxury, and
all the better for him was it. Now it
was noticed with what eagerness and
anxiety he watched for the coming Of
the mail. 1t was also observed that dur
ing the two weeks that followed only
four letters were received in her, by this
time, well known superscription. Lane,
of course, reading the contents, could
readily account for the scarcity. Her
letters were full Of descriptions Of
dances and picnics and riding parties
to the neighboring mountains. They
had met scores Of pleasant people,
and had become acquainted with a
large circle from all parts of the country.
They danced every evening regularly in
the hop room, and were so thoroughly
acquainted and so accustomed to one
another's moods and fancies that hardly
an hour passed in which they were not
occupied in some pleasant recreation.
Lawn tennis had always been favorite
game Of hers, and her mother was glad,
she said, to see her picking it up again
with such alacrity. The open air was
doing her good; her color was returning;
the languor and weakness which had OPP
pressed her when she first arrived after
the long hot spell at home had disap-
peared entirely. Dut with returning
health came adj the longing for out door,
active occupation, and, instead of hav-
ing, as she had planned, hours in which
to write to him, almost all her time now
was taken up in joyous sports, in horse
back rides, in long drives over the
mountain roads and through the beauti-
full scenery by which they were sur
rounded. "And so,' she said, Erred,
dear, in regaining health and color,
fear your Mabel has very sadly neglected
you"
His reply to her letter telling him of
Mr.. Noels unexpected appearance at the
Park was rather difficult one for him
to write. 1t was dawning upon him
that the attentions of his regimental
comrade to his fiancee were not as en-
tirely platonic as they might be. Desire
to show all courtesy and kindliness to
the lady love Of another officer was all
very well in its way, but it did not ne
cessitate daily calls when at home, and
far less did it warrant his leaving his
station without permission-running the
risk Of reprimand, or even possible
court martial-and taking long jour
ney, being absent from his post all Sat
urday, and certainly not returning there
before the afternoon of Monday. If
this were known at the headquarters of
the recruiting service Lieut.. Noel
in all probability would be raped Sc
verely oyer the knuckles, IL nothing
worse. Lane could not, and would not,
for an instant blame his fiancee, but he
gently pointed out to her that Mr.. Noel
ran great risks in making such jour
ney, and that it would be well on that
account to discourage similar expedi-
tons in the future. To this she made
no direct reply, but that she observed
his caution Is quite possible.
At all events no further mention OF
visits on the part of Mr.. Noel appeared
in any of the letters which reached him
before the orders for the scout actually
did arrive; but that was not until near
the very end of the month. 1t was Just
about the 2Sth of August when rumors
came of turbulence and threatened out
break among the Indians at the Chirica-
hua reservation. Troops were already
thither from the stations in
Arizona, and Capt. Lane was ordered to
cross the range and scout on the east
side of the reservation, in order to drive
back any renegades who might be tempt
Cu W hlcthO az DlCths OuoJ OIl0 Dc-
fore the start he was surprised at receiv-
ing a letter from Mrs. Vincent. She
spoke gladly of Mabels improved health
and appearance; she spoke hopefully of
Mr.. Vincent, whose letters, she said,
were more cheerful than they had been,
and who had been able to come up and
spend two Sundays with them. Mabel
had doubtless told him of Mr.. Noel's
visit, and how glad they were just then
to see any face so pleasant and familiar.
And now she wished to remind him Of
their contract before his leaving for the
frontier. He doubtless remembered that
she had promised that in the near future
she would give him the reasons why it
seemed best to her that the engagement
should not be announced. 1t would take
q pretty long letter to tell all the reasons
why, so she would not venture upon that
ut the moment; but the necessity no
longer existed, and if he so desired she
would gladly have it made known to his
relatives, as she would now proceed to
it to Mabel's.
Lane was greatly rejoiced Mt this. He
had been trifie uneasy and despondent
1o4~ IL