The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-13
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

You see you were new TO the busi-
ness then," explains a tall captain.
"Feeny considers you a war veteran
now, after your experience at Horeno's.
We all had TO serve our apprenticeship
as sucking lieutenants before he would
show us anything but a semblancc Of
respect. Goodby, major; good luck to
you."
"Goodby all. Goodby. Drummond.
Goodby, Wing. Herei must shake
hands with you two again" And shake
he does; then is slowly boosted" into
his wagon, where, as the whip cracks
and the mules plunge at their collars
and tilt him backward. the majors jol-
ly red face beams on all around, and
he waves his broad brimmed hat in ex-
uberant cordiality a. they rattle away.
The group Of officers presently dis
perse, two tall lieutenants strolling of
together and throwing themselves under
the spreading branches of big cotton
wood, One of them, darker and some
what heavier built now, but muscular.
active, powerful, is Drummond; the
other, younger man by brace OF
years, tall, blue eyed, blond bearded,
wearing on his scouting blouse the
straps of second lieutenant, is our
old friend Wing, and Wing does not
hesitate in presence of his senior officer
such is the bond of friendship between
them--to draw from his breast pocket
a locter Just received 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
kid?" queries Drummond, after the
manner of the frontier, when at last
Wing folds and replaces his letter, a
happy hight in his brave blue eyes.
"All well. Paqptta says that Harvey
has captured the entire household, and
that Grandpa Harvey is his abject
slave. There isn't anything in Chicago
too good for that 2-year-old. They've
had them rhotoed together--thc kid ON
his grandfather 3 shoulder"
Aren't you afraid his Arizona uncle
will be jealous for his own boy s sake 2"
laughs Orummond.
+ '"I don't believe Ned would begrudge
Fanny anything the old man might feel
for her or for hers. he is generosity
itself toward his sisters, and surely
could never have found a warmer friend
out of the army. You know how he
stood by me-"
II know, and il was most gratifying
mot but that l feel sure you would
have won without his aid. The old man
simply couldn't quite be reconciled to
her marrying in the army and living
in Arizona.
"A strange land fora honeymoon cer-
tainly-yet where and when was there
a happier? Do you remember how the
Apaches jumped the Verde blackboard
the very week after we were married" ?"
''And you spent half of the honey
moon scouting the Tonto basin2
should say sol What with q courtshlp
in a robbers cave, a marriage in n cav
airy camp and a wedding tour in sad
die, you had unique experience, Wing.
but--you deserved her." And Drum
mond turns and grips his comrades
hand
Wing is silent moment. His eyes
are wistfully searching the elders half
Averted face.
Jim, you told me awhile ago Of your
sisters approaching marriage. Are
you not going on o.
Yes. IL will be early in October.
She's blissfully happy, is Puss, and
he's very substantial, solid sort of a
fellow. I'm well content, at last, that
her future is assured"
And you are FREQ agent practical
". Isn't 1t time we heard Of your own
own vine and hg tree,
- mani"
y" Times gone by, reckon" laughs
Drpmmond, yet not merrily. I've
bad too much to think of-too much
resgonsibility-and probably have lost
nv chance"
Wing looks as though he wanted
to say something, but conqucrs
bis impulse.
October is long way of, he final
ly remarks, "and thought you might
find earlier opportunity Of going cast.
Now that Ned has entire charge Of the
business IN Arizona 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 under
tho Same roof with his sister and her
children. What a reunion after all
these yearsr'
Where arc they living in Chicago1"
"You would know bo<fcr than l, for
think Of it'll have never been east /
pf the Missouri since my babyhood,"
answers Wing. Fan writes that her
aunt has lovely house on what they
,all he North Side-near tho great
az the lake front"
II know the neighborhood WE'LL"
Iays Drummond. Chicago is as IA
niliar 10 me a. San Francisco was to
vou. Only-I have no roof to call my
,wn anywhere, and ns soon ss Puss is
married shall not have a relative or
riend ON earth who is not much more
leeply interested in somebody else."
4 nj fha erptor 1ionfona,,t - l,.tro -, /