The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-29


She entered, holding forth both hands,
but when she looked into his eyes her
lips quivered and she burst into tears.
Lane half led, half supported her to a
chair, and, drawing one to herside, spoke
soothingly to her. For a few moments
she could not speak. and when she did he
checked her.
"Oh, you roo have aged and suffered!
and it is all sur doing-all our doing!"
she moaned. rs her tears burst forth
anew.
"Never mind my crows feet and gray
hairs, dear lady," he said. ''It is high
time began to show signs of advancing
age. Then, too, l am just up from a
siege of mountain fever"
"Was that the reason you did not
answer" she presently asked.
81 never got your letter, Mrs. Vincent.
When was it mailed"
about the 10th of May. 1 remember
it well, because-it was just after Mabel
and Capt. Noel got back from their tour. {"
Pardon me, but did you post it your
self?''
4NO. uC pOollL4th always JdhcS
letters. leave them on the little table
in the vestibule."
"Where any one can see them?"
Eyes; but who would touch my let
ters?'
Lane did not know, of course. He was
only certain that nothing from Mrs.
Vincent had reached him during the
past six months.
"Capt. Lane" she said, &C last, 81
want you to tell me the truth. Just af-
ter Mabel's marriage heard that story
was in circulation to the effect that it
was your money that enabled Mr.. Vim
cent to tide over the crisis in his affairs
a year ago. 1t was even said that you
had sold property at a loss to supply him
with means; and some people in society
are so cruel as to say that Mabel's trous-
seau was actually purchased with your
money, because it had never been re-
paid. know that Mr.. Vincent often
spoke of his obligation and gratitude to
you. Tell me truly and frankly, Capt.
Lane, did you give my husband money?
Is this story true?"
81 never gave Mr.. Vincent cent"
"Oh, am so thankful We have been
the means of bringing such sorrow to
you
81 beg you, make no reference to that,
Mrs. Vincent. Neither your honored
husband nor you have ever thought in
the least responsible. And as for this
other matter, you have been misin-
formed"
what cruel, reckless stories people
tell! 1t hurt me terribly; and then when
no answer came to my letter felt that
probably there was something in it, and
that you were hiding the truth from me.
Mabel heard it, too, but she said that
Capt. Noel investigated it at'once and
found that it was utterly false. l could
not be satisfied until had your own as
surance."
"And now you have it," he said, with
smile that shone on his worn face and
beamed about his deep set eyes like sun
shine after April showers. "You are GO
ing to be advised now, are you not, and
seek change and rest IN the mountains?"
eve meant to go this week, but Mn.
Paterson, of Philadelphia, is urging us to
spend the summer with her at the sea
shore, where she has roomy cottage.
She is q cousin of Captain Noel's, and
was an intimate friend of Mabels at
school. That was where my daughter
first heard OF him. Oh, I wish-I
wish"-
And here once more Mrs. Vincent's
faa1.c 1NO1,ra1 foTfl, nj -
before she could control herself.
At last the captain felt that he must
go. 1t was now his purpose to leave
town as soon as he could attend to one
or two matters of business.
"Shall l not see you again" she asked,
as he rose to take his leave.
II fear not" he answered. "There is
to require more than an hour or
two of attention here, and then 1 shall
seek a cooler spot for few weeks rest,
then back to the regiment"
"But we-that is, heard you had
three months sick leave"
Every true; but only need one, and
| am best with my troop"
"Tell me-" she asked, 'is it true that
there is trouble brewing again among
the Indians-at San Carlos, isn't it!'
"There seems to be bad blood among
them, and no doubt disaffection; but if
sufficient troops are sent to the agency
and to scout around the reservation they
can be held III check"
"But have been told that you have
too small q force to watch them. l wish
you were not going back; but it is like
you, Capt. Lane"
And so they parted. He saw and heard
and asked nothing of his whilom fiancee.
He did not wish to see her husband. He
meant to have left town that very even
ing, after brief consultation with real
estate agent whom he had had occasion
10 employ in his service; but even as he
was slowing his travelling "ldt" in ~
roomy leather bag there came knock at
mis- door and there entered man in plain
civilian dress, who motioned the bell boy
TO clear out, and then held forth photo
graph:
"Capt. Lane, is that your man Tain
.or?"
"That is certainly like the man." was
Lanes answer, after careful inspection.