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

\ two lard citiZens-SalOOn prOprietors--
I peAed their tongues in their cheeks and iS
timated that ''if properly approached" they
could give valuable information: but M
one believed them That night, deserted
and well nigh distracted, Mabel Noel lay
moaning in her little room, suffering
heaven only knows what fortunes: far from
the yearning mother arms. far from home
and kindred, far even from the recreant
husband for whose poor sake she had aban-
Toned all TO follow him, for BETTER for
worse for richer, for poorer, in sickness or
in health only TO be left to the pity and
care of strangers
But she was in an army home and among
loving, loyal, simple hearts. The women,
one and all. thronged to the little cottage,
imploring that they might help in some
way The men, when they were not
damning the runaway were full of sugges-
eions as TO the course to be pursued. Mabel
would accept only one explanation of his
disappearance: crazed by misfortunes he
had taken his own life, he had said he
would But the regiment could not be-
lieve it, and in forty-eight hours had traced
him on the saloon horse over to the South
ern Pacific and thence down to El Paso.
More than one man gave sigh of relief
that the whole thing could he so easily set
tied without the scandal of all that evil
dence being published to the world. The
court met and adjourned pending the re
ceipt of orders from the converting author
ity The telegraph speedily directed the
return to their STATIONS of the several mem
bers. Lieut.. Bowen went back TO the east,
leaving Taintor in the guard house, and
ia week Reginal Vincent came TO take
his sister home and TO whisper that Gordon
was safe in the City of Mexico-Mr. With
ers was sending him money there And
so from her he'd OF illness, suffering and hui
initiation the poor girl was almost carried
to her train. and all Fort Gregg could
have wept ut sight of her wan and hopeless
face
She shrank from seeing or meeting any
of her old associates. yet was eager to reach
her mothers roof, fondly believing that
there she would find letters from her hus-
hand. It hurt her inexpressibly that he
should have fled without one word To her
of his intentions; but she could forgive it
because of the suffering and misery that
bore him down and unsettled his mind
1t stung her that Mr.. Withers, not she,
should be the first 20 learn OF his place of
refuge; but perhaps he thought she had
gone east at once, and so had written there.
She attributed his desertion to the strain
TO which he had been subjected; but she
had been spared the sight of those last
specifications. Her first inquiry. after
one long, blessed claspng in her mothers
arms, after the burst OF tears that could
not be restrained, was for letters from him:
and she was amazed, increduous when
told there were none Mr.. Withers was
sent for at once: that eminent citizen would
gladly have lodged the ordeal, but could
not He could only say that two kilograms
and two drafts had reached him from Noel,
and that he had honored the latter at sight
and would see that he lacked for nothing
She would have insisted on going TO join
him in his exile, but he had sent no word
or line; he had ignored her entirely. He
might be i'll, was the first thoughts but
Mr. Withers assured her he was physically
perfectly well Everything is being done
now to quietly end the trouble" said Mr.
Withers. I'VE will see to it at Washing
ton that his resignation is now accepted,
for they will never get him before court,
and might rs well make up their minds to
it. They cannot drop or dismiss him for a
year, with all their red tape methods and
their pirate about the honor of the service
I've seen enough of the army III the last
three months to convince me it's no place
for gentleman. No, my dear; you stay
here-or 20 up to the mountains. Wen
have him there to join You in month"
But the authorities proved obdurate.
Even the millionaire failed TO move the
war secretary. Unless Capt. Noel came
for desertion" c'and If he came back and
stood trial would probably be kicked out
us a coward and liar" thought TO himself
the official who sat silent listenerl. This
Noel would not do. Withers sent him to
Vera Cruz on a pseudo business visit, and
Mabel. silent sad faced, but weeping no
more, went to little resort in the West
Virginia mountains.
Meantime another conrt had been con
vened, another desertcr triel. convicted
and sentenced, and before being taken to
prison he made a full statement TO Capt
Lame and two officers called in us wit
nesses. This was Taintor. He had known
Capt. Noel ever since his entry into service.
raintor WAS AN expert penman, a gambler
and at times hard drinker. He had en-
listed in the troop Of which Noel was sec
ond lieutenant while they We're in Tennes
see, and had deserted, after forging the
post quarteFmaster's same to two checks
and getting the money
The regiment went to the plains; he was
never apprehended. and long years after
ward he drifted from position in the
luartermasfer's depot at Jacksonville to
4 re-enlistment and billet as clerk in the
recruiting rendezvous at the Queen City
Knowing that Noel would recognize him
be deserted there. as has been told. taking
Ill the money he could secure by forged
checks forsnall amounts, which he trusted
would not excite suspicion. Bat he had
fallen in love with young woman and
she was dependent on him. lie came back
70 the neighborhood after he thought the
hue aud cry were over. was Swallowed and
arrested by the police. aud had given him
self up for lost when Capt Noel was
brought TO his cell to identify him. lie
;ould hardly believe his senses when the
captain said it was all mistake Then he
was released and went to work again across
she river, and one night Noel came-told
aim he knew him perfectly and would
Keep his secret provided he would make
himself useful" It soon turned out that
what was wanted was the imitation OF
-.