Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-22

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Somehow. about 10 O'Clock that night,
the Judge advocate of the court dropped in
at the "bachelor quarters" where both
Lane and Mason had been made welcome,
and asked to see these gentlemen. He was
conversing with them over the affair at
the San Simon when Capt. Lowndes was
ushered into the room
Am intrudingS" asked the latter 81
merely wished to speak 60 Lane mo
ment."
''By no means, Lowndes Come right
In. Well be through in one minute
Then, as | understand you, Lane, you
could distinctly see X troop as it forded
the stream, and could see the Apaches who
fired upon them?"
distinctly was praying for their
coming as our ammunition was running
low. The Indians seemed so encouraged
by the ease with which they drove them
back that the whole band swarmed out
from cover and crowded on us at once. 1t
was in the next fifteen minutes that my
men were lilled-and that poor woman"
"And there were only six Indians who
opened fire on NoelY''
"Only six. sir"
The judge advocate was silent IA moment
"There is, of course, a chance that our alb
sentees may get here tomorrow morning
in time. If they do you will be the first
witness called; If they do not we adjourn
to await their arrival. 1t promises to be n
long case. A telegram has just reached
me saying that additional and grave
charges are being sent by mail from diyis-
ion headquarters"
Capt. Lowndes listened to this brief con.
NTH nf daan
plexity on his kindly face, and as soon as
the Judge advocate had gone and Mason
had left the room he turned to Lane:
''You know they are staying with us.
That poor girl has come all this weary
Journey to be with him, and there was ab-
solutely no place where she could lay her
head unless we opened our doors and took
him in too"
Lane bowed assent; II had heard,
Lowndes. 1t was like you and that dear
wife of yours"
Lane" spoke the older man, impetu-
ously, after a moment Of embarrassed
silence, II want you to do something for
my wife and me. Come home with me for
few minutes. You won't see him; but
it is that heartbroken girl. She begs that
you will see her-to-night. Here is a
little note"
Lanes sad face had grown deathly pale.
He looked wonderingly in his companions
eyes a moment, then slowly took the note
and left the room, leaving Lowndes to pace
the floor in much disquiet.
Il five minutes the former reappeared in
the doorway. Come" he said, and him.
self led the way out into the starlit night.
Not word was spoken by either man as
they slowly walked down the row. Arriv
ing at his quarters Capt. Lowndes ushered
his friend into the little army parlor, and
Mrs. Lowndes came forward, extending
both her hands at is good of you to
come" she said. 81 will let her know. at
once"
Two shaded lamps cast soft, subdued
light over the simply furnished little room.
What contrast to the sumptuous sur
roundings of the home in which he had
last met heri Lane stood by the little work
table moment striving to subdue the
violent beating of his heart and the tire
mors that shook his frame. Not once had
he seen her since that wretched night in
the library-in that man Noel's arms. Not
once had he permitted the thought of see
ing her to find a Judgment. But all was
different now; she was well nigh crushed,
heart broken; she had been deceived and
LIlCktQs sic was utit lIlCnu-
less 81 well know that at your hands
deserve no such mercy" she had written,
"but hopeless woman begs that you will
come to her for few moments-for very
few words"
And now he heard her football on the
stairs. She entered slowly and then stop
ped short almost at the threshold. Heav
ensi how he had aged and changed. How
deep were the lines about the Kind gray
eyesl how sad and worn was the stern. sos
dierly facet Her eyes filed with tears oa
the very instant, and she lowered there ir
resolute not knowing what 70 do. how -
address him. 1t was Lane that came T.
the rescue. For moment he stood ilers.
appalled, as his eyes fell upon the woman
whom he had so utterly-So faithfully
loved. Where was all the playful light
that so thrilled and bewitched him as il
fiickered about the corners Of her pretty
MOUTH Whittier had fled the bright col
oring, the radiance the gladness that lived
in that exquisite faces Was this heavy
eyed, pallid, nerveless being. standing with
hanging head before him. the peerless
queen be had SO loyalty and devotedly
served-whose faintest wish was TO him a
royal mandate-to kiss whose soft white
hand was a joy unutterableS All this
flashed through his mind in the instant of
her irresolute pause. Then the great pity
of n strong and manful heart. the tender
ness that lives ever in the bravest, sent him
forward to her side. All thought Of self
and suffering. OF treachery and conceal
ment and deception. vanished II once at
the sight of her bitter woe. lis own brave
eyes filed up with tears he would have
gladly hidden. but that she saw and was
comforted- He took her limp, nerveless
hand and led her TO a chair. saying only
her name-'Mrs. Noel
For several minutes she could not speak.
but wept unrestrainedly, he, poor fellow,
walking the floor the while, longing to
comfort her. yet powerless What could he
says What could he dos At last she
seemed 70 regain her self control
Capt Lane" she said. 1T IS useless for
me 70 tell you how much / have learned
since coming here Of which was ignorant
before. Every effort hiss been made to
spare me; people have been 50 considerats
and kind that the truth. as / am beginning