The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-15

AFTER the nrst week he seldom left his
house after y o'clock. and the garrison
had therefore ample opportunity to dis
cuss his affairs. Some color was lent to
the story of his having lost money in
speculation by a letter received from
Cheyenne, written to the new major of
the -th infantry, who had recently
joined by promotion from Fort Russell,
near that thriving town. The writer
said that Lane of the Eleventh cavalry
had sold his property there for fifteen
thousand dollars about the end of June,
and he had bought it for twenty-five
hundred only nine years before. He
could have got eighteen thousand just as
well by waiting a few days. but he
wanted the money at once.
No one. of course, could ask the cap
tain any direct questions about his affairs
of either heart OF pocket, but Lane was
puzzled to account for some of the re-
marks that were made to him-the inter
rogatories about the methods of specula-
ton, the ~tentatives as to chances of
making a good thing" in that way, and
the sharp and s~crutinizing glances that
accompanied the queries. The sweet,
sympathetic, semi-confidential manner,
the inviting way in which the ladies
spoke to him of his present loneliness
and their hopes that soon he would bring
to them a charming wife to share their
exile and bless his army home-all this,
too, seemed odd to him; but, as he had
never been id love nor engaged before,
he did not knowbut that it was "always
the way with them," and so let it pass.
And then he was very happy in her
letters. They were neither rs frequent
nor as long as his, but then she had such
q round Of social duties; she was in such
constant demand; there were visitors or
parties every night, and endless calls
and shopping tours with mother every
day, and she was really getting a little
run down. The weather was oppressive
ly warn, and they longed to get away
from the city and go to the mountains.
It was only q days ride to the lovely re-
sorts in the Alleghanies, but papa was
looking a little thin and worn again, and
the doctors had said his heart was affect
ed-hot alarmingly or seriously, but
mamma could not bear to leave him,
and he declared it utterly impossible to
be away from his business q single day.
He and Mr.. Clark were very hopeful
over Il new venture they had made. the
nature of which she did not thoroughly
understand.
But let us take a peep at some of those
early letters-<not at the answers to his
eager questions, not ut the shy words Of
maiden love that crept in here and there,
but at those pages any might read.
Tuesday night.
Such a delightful german as we had
last night at the Prendergasts'! Capt.
Noel led have to call him captain, for
every one does here, and if l say Mr.
they want to know why, and it is en-
barrassing to explain how l know. He
leads remarkably well, and l was very
proud of our regiment sir, when listen
ing to all the nice things said about him.
How l wished for a certain other cavalry
captain, now so many cruel miles away!
MI. Noel took me out often-and in
deed l was a decided belle-and he told
me hat he had to lead with Miss Prem
dergast. but would so much rather dance
with me.
1T is almost settled that we go away
in August for the entire month. DR..
Post a y mother must go, and that
father ought to go. OF course l go with
mamma Deer Park will doubtless be
the favored spot. l wish August were
here; l wish you were here; / wish-oh,
so many things! Your letters are such
a delight to me. l wonder if other girls
have anything like them. Yes, you
shall have the picture on my birthday;
but mind, sir, you are to take the ut
most care of it, or the original will feel
neglected"
Friday night.
80 many Interruptions today, dear
Fred! You see what an incoherent thing
this is thus far, and now I'm tired out.
We had u charming time at the Wood
rows dinner last evening. The day had
been hot, but their table was set on the
lawn under Il canopy, and, the walls
being raised, we had a delightful breeze
from the river. Their place is one of
the finest on the heights. l do SO wish
you could have seen it. Capt. Noel took
me in, and was bright and jolly and full
of anecdote. Everybody likes him, and
l like him mainly because he is such a
loyal friend of yours. He talks so much
of you and Of all the dangers you have
shared in common; and you know how
interesting all this must be to me.
Sometimes | wonder that you had so
little to say about him-though you never
did talk much about the regiment and
never would talk much about yourself.
Wednesday evening we had a little
theatre party. Regy got it up, and we
just filed two adjoining loges. Capt.
Noel was Fanny Holton's escort, but he
talked most of the time with me-a
thing that my escort, MI. Forbes, did
not eeem to like: but, as he couldn't
talk, and Mr.. Noel would, what could
do?"
Sunday evening.
1T is late and l ought to be asleep,
but the last caller has just gone, and to-
morrow there may be no time to write
at all, and you are such an exacting, |
<xroppioo1 daar old how that Wall |