The Russellville Democrat., 1893-08-31

chine this time and not interfere, no matter what stories come to of beauty in distress. All ready I"
 aAll ready, sir, if the major is."
 "He wasn't that civil to me in Arizona" laughs the paymaster, as he turns to shake hands with the officers about him.
 "You see you were new to the business then," exclaims a tall cap tain. "Feehy considers you war veteran now, after your experience at Moreno's. We all had to serve our apprenticeship as sucking lieu tenants before he would show us anything but a semblance of spect. Goodbye, major. Good luck to you.''
 Goodbye all. Goodbye Drum mond. Good bye, Wing. Here I must shake hands with you two again" And shake he does; then is slowly boosted" into his wagon, where, as the whir cracks and the mules plunge at their collars and tilt him backward, the major's jolly red face beams on all around and he waves his broad brimmed hat in ex- uberant corciality as they rattle away.
 The group of officers presently disperses, two tall lieutenants stroll ing of together and throwing them selves under the spreading branches of big cottonwood. One of them, darker and somewhat heavier built now, but muscular, active and pow erful, is Drummond; the other, a younger man by brace of years, tall, blue eyed, blond bearded, wear ing on his scouting blouse the straps of second lieutenant, is our old friend Wing, and Wing does not hesitate in the presence of his senior ofieer-such is the bond of friend ship between them-to draw from his breast pocket letter just re- ceived that day when the courier met them at the crossing of the Dry Fork, and to lose himself in its contents.
 "All well with the madam and the kidi" asked Drummond, after the manner of the frontier, when at last Wing folds and replaces his letter, a happy light in bis brave blue eyes. "All well Paquita says that Har- vey has captured the entire house. hold, and that Grandpa Harvey is his abiect slave. There isn't any thing in Chicago too good for that two year old. They've had them photo'd together, the kid on his grandfather's shoulder" "Aren't you afraid his Arizona uncle will be jealous for his own boys sakei" laughs Drummond. ''l don't believe Ned would be, gru1ge Fanny anything the old man might feel for her or for hers. He is generosity itself towards his sisters, and surely could never have found a warmer friend-out of the army. You know how he stood by me. ''I know, and it was most gratify- ing--not but that I feel sure you would have won without his aid The old maut simply couldn't quite be reconciled to her marry ing in the army and living in Ari- zona.o
 "A strange land for honeymoon certainly-yet where and when was there happieri Do you remember how the Apaches jumped the Verde blackboard the very week after we were marriedf"
 "And you spent half of the honey moon scouting the Tonto Basini I should say so! What with a courtship in robbers cave, mar riage in a cavalry camp and wed ding tour in saddle, you had a unique experience, Wing, but-you deserved her" And Drummond turns and grips his comrades hand.
 Wing is silent a moment. His eyes are wistfully searching the elders half-averted face.
 "Jim, you told me awhile ago of your sisters approaching marriage. Are you rot going ont" "Yes. It will be early in Octo- Der. She's blissfully happy, is Puss, and he's a very substantial, solid sort of fellow I'm well con tent, at last, that her future is as sured."
 "And you are a free agent, prsc- ticslly. Isn't it time we heard of your own happiness--your own vine and fig srte old mani"
 "Time's gone by, I reckon, ." laughs Drummond, yet not merrily. "Ive had too much to think of too much responsibility, and proba- ply have lost my chance"
 Wing looks as though he wanted nightly to say something, but con quers his impulse.
 "Ostober is long way off," he finally remarks, ''snd I thought you might find earlier opportunity of going East. Nov that Ned has en- tire charge of the business in Ari zona the old gentleman takes life easier. The winter in Cuba did him a lot of good and Fan writes that he seems so happy now, having his two girls and his little grandson un- der the same root with his sister and her children. What a reunion af- for all these yearsP'
 "Where are they living In Chicagof"
 You would know better than I,