The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-22


having been wooed and won by and
welded to the Adonis of the regiment
some few years before she had again
welded, and this time the most eligible
bachelor i'll the command, not much
more than two years after the not I'M
timely taking off of her first husband.
mo woman ought to be allowed more
than one choice out of regiment" was
the half laughing, half rueful remark of
some of the army wives who had sisters
yet unchosen. They thought Mrs. Lane
had rather too much good luck, despite
the fact, now well and generally known,
that her first marriage was brief story
of sudden disenchantment, of woe and
wretchedness, of shame and sorrow I'M
spealhable. Except among the women,
the name of her first husband was rarely
spoken in the Eleventh; but, unworthy
though he was, there were not lacking
censors o. her own sex to point out time
and again bow impossible it would have
been for them, had they lost husband
in the army, ever to think of taking an
other in the same regiment, especially
when it was known that No. 2 had been
IN love with her before she met the orig
inal conqueror of her maiden heart
That these remarks should in various
forms como eventually to her ears one
can hardly doubt; and that cloud
should at times overspread the tranquil
sky of her sweet home life no one who
knew Mabel Vincent in her school days
could fail to understand. No one at the
post except her own loyal husband
dreamed of the tears she shed over re-
marks that, wilfully or witlessly, were
repeated to her. He strove earnestly to
soothe and comfort her. He redoubled
his devoted and thoughtful attentions.
Women at the fort simply raved over
the lover like ways of Capt. Lane to
| his wife, and never tired of pointing
out to their respective lords and masters
how tender and watchful he was. What
charming little presents lie was always
bringing her! "Where did he get such
exquisite yiolets-such lovely carna-
tions?" ''Did you ever see anything
sweeter than that loclzet he gave her
last week? 1t was an anniversary of
some kind. She blushed when asked
her, but wouldn't tell what. He's al
ways finding excuses for giving her
something" etc. And finally some of
his brother Benedicks had come to him
with gloomy faces to say that if he
didn't ''let UP on this sort of thing" they
would have to quit the regiment and the
service; life was getting to be all one in
vidious comparison between his lowell
ness as husband and their own indi-
vidual shortcomings in that capacity.
Several months had been spent abroad
by Capt. and Mrs. Lane after quiet
wedding which united them, and then
joining the regiment at the fort on its
return from the Arizona tour, they
speedily settled in their army home,
For while the delights of fitting up the
quarters with all the beautiful rugs
curtains, pictures, books and bric-a- brac
t,ey had brought from theeast kept Mrs.
Lane so busily occupied that she had nc
time to think of po.si3:e criticisms. D.
it was not long before the captain saw
that the cloud he dreaded was settling
on her sweet and winsome face. He die
not need to ask what had been said tx
her; he could conjecture what that wa
full well.
Taking her to his strong heart, he hat
kissed away the trimming tears, saying
Something has been said to worry ant
annoy you, dear one. do not ask yol
to tell me; but remember what hav
always said: in nine cases out of ten, re
marks about people sound VERY different
ly when repeated by wonderland by
good many men, too-than when origi
nally spoken"
Long years of garrison life had laugh
him that in the almost endless little tiff
and jealousies among the women, an,
the occasional misunderstanding amon
the men, people rushed to confide thei
side Of the story and pour forth thei
grievances into the ears Of next doc
neighbors, with whom, as likely as not
they became in turn embroiled With
the year, while the quarrel with tn
original object of their wrath had bee
long since forgotten. His own polio
had been to give every man his ear, bu
none his voice, when personal matter
were under discussion. But he kney
well that it would be expecting to
much of most women that they Shout
simply listen and not tell. There wer
admirable and truthful wives and motf
ers in the little coterie, whose friendshi
he could have coveted for his wife; bu
one of the odd features Of frontier life
that the impulsive rush for the intimat
friendship Of the newly arrived arm
bride is generally made by those VIII
are most apt to betray her confdenc
when won, and to give. her unfavorabl
impressions, absolutely without havin
said one word against them" of the yer
ones whose stability Of character make
them most desirable as friends an
{ neighbors.
Lane noted that the women he mos
, liked and respected were the ones who1
she was making visible efforts to regar
y as he did. Perhaps had he painted thel
in less glowing colors before she ha
, seen for herself, a very different resu
, might have been reached; for if ma
: really wants his wife to like anotht
woman whom she has not yet met IL
less he says of her projections the bette
g Wisely Lane made no attempt to col
, troll her opinions, but as his duties kel
/ him away from the house much of ii
+ day, and as there was every prospect
Q the entire battalion being sent on a lor
r practice march during the summer,
8 was a trifle at loss what companion
ship to provide for her during the iney
). table separation. 1t was with genui1
t rejoicing, therefore, that he read OF
1 6ay soon after THAR o,-rix-o1 n 1oA4o-, c.