The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-01

| les, L nave 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 a 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 good mem
DRY to be able to tell of it all-especially
when one recounts the same incident
more than once" And Miss Marshalls
lips were twitching at the corners in a
manner suggestive of mischief and mer-
riment combined.
Lane paused for n reply" Here was
evidently most observant young wo-
man.
There. did not mean to tax your
loyalty toaregimental comrade, captain:
so you need not answer. Capt. Noel in
terests and entertains me principally be-
cause of his intense individuality and
his entire conviction that he carries his
listeners with him. Age cannot whher
nor custom stale his infinite variety; bat
there should not be quite so much va
rlety in his descriptions of single event.
This is the fourth time have heard him
tell of the night ride from Carrizo's ranch
to Canyon Diablo."
"You have the advantage of me, Miss
Marshall" answered Lane, his ewes
twinkling with appreciation of her de-
mure but droll exposure of Noel's weak
point. ut is the first time I ever heard
his version of it,"
1T 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, md babe me listen to something
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 a girl
wants to know is what the shoulder
straps mean; and / learned the very
first day that the blank strap meant
second lieutenant, a single silver bar a
first lieutenant and two bars captain
that is, in the artillery. Now, why this
distinction in the cavalry?
Here's captain with only one bar, a
captain whose letters from the war de-
partment come addressed to Lieut.. Cor
don Noell''
'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
occasionally came to our
church, you know" she FASTENED to ex-
olain-''you have been referred to as
Lieut.. Lane or Mr.. Lane; but we know
you are captain now, for we saw the /
recorded in the Washington
dispatches fortnight ago. What was
he date of Capt. Noel's elevation to that
trade? confess l took him for your
unior in the service and in years too"
"Yes, Noel holds well to his youth"
Lane, smilingly.
"And about the captaincy?"
"Well, he is so very near it, and it is
o apt to come any day, that perhaps he
kinks it just as well to let people get
ccustomed to calling him that. Then
70 won't have to break them all in when
he commission does come"
"Then he is your junior, of course?
"Only by file or So He entered
he service very soon after me-"
But was not in your class at West
'oint?"
''Nos he was not in my class"
"In the next one, then, presume?"
Miss Marshall, is your first name
ortia? | should hate to be witness
7hom you had the privilege of cross ex-
mining. There are ladies learned in
ne law and l expect to read of you as
alled to the bar within a year or two"
Never mind, Capt. Lane. will ask
on nothing more about him."
mo, Miss Marshall, presume that
~ clumsiness has rendered it totally
That night, as the guests were dis
ersing, Lane did what most of them
ltirely omitted; he went over to the !
ano and babe Miss Marshall good
ght.
"Capt. Lane" she said, II beg your :
trdon if l have been too inquisitive and
10 critical, as l know have been; but I
III have taught me that you know how l
guard comrades failings from the {
orld. Will you not forgive woman's
a
"There is nothing to forgive, Miss
hope sincerely that we may S
eet again before go back to the regi- v
ent."
And later, as Lane was walking home
lrd from final peep at the dim light u
a certain window, he had time to $
ink how intolerable that dinner would q
We seemed had it not been for the ac- :,
lent which placed that dark eyed u
verness by his side. o
CHAPTER VII.
Lane was awake with the sun ON Fri =
y morning, and lay for few moments =,