Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1893-07-26
TWO SOLDIERS.
By Capt. CHARLES KING.
CONTINUED.

MY clerk deserted last night and has
turned out to be most expert forger.
He has stolen half dozen checks from
my book, made them out to the order of
various parties, forged the Endorsements
himself, got the money yesterday after
noon, and cleared out. no one knows
where"
"Great Scott, old mani that is hard
luck! How much has he let you in for?'
asked Noel, in the slang of the period.
"Only a hundred and sixty dollars,
fortunately; and | have made that good
this morning-placed my own check to
the credit of the recruiting fund in the
First National bank, so that in turning
over the funds to you there will be no
loss. We have to make new papers for
the clothing account; but as quickly as
possible will have them ready for your
signature and mine"
"There is no hurry whatever, old fell
low" answered Noel. cheerily. I've
come back from the regiment little
short of money, and | want to have a
nest egg in tx bank to begin with. It's
q good thing to have fat cousin, isn't
it2 He has always been very liberal and
kind to me. and, luckily. I've only drawn
on him twice. So I'll hurry along"
Five minutes after Noel left. district
messenger entered with note for Capt.
Lana It was addressed to him in the
handwriting of Mr.. Vincent. He opened
it with trembling hand. 1t contained
merely these words:
~ am obliged to leave for New York
this afternoon. Can you come to my
Office at l o'clock? We can then talk
without interruption: and much desire
to see you. 1T. l.. ""
As the big bell on the city hall had
struck one, Capt. Lane appeared at the
Office of Vincent, Clark & Co.. and was
shown without delay into the private
room of the senior partner Mr.. Vim
cent. looking even older and grayer in the
wan light at the rear of the massive
building, was seated at his desk and bus
lily occupied with a book of memoranda
and figures. He pushed back his chair
and came forward at once at sight of
Lane, and motioned to the clerk to re-
tire. The cavalryman's heart was beat
ing harder then he had any recollection
Of its ever doing before, except in her
presence, and ne felt that his knees were
trembling. But the old gentleman's
greeting gave him instant hope:
II am I'll: you have come. my dear
sir; am glad to know a man who was
taught as was taught. Young people
nowadays seem to rush into matrimony
without the faintest reference to their
parents. and your letter was surprise
to me-a surprise, that is, in the fact
that you should have sought my permits
sion at all.
Take this chair, captain" he contin-
ued, as he returned to his desk. II have
much to say to YOU" he added, with
sigh. LET me say at once that from
what know and have heard of you there
b no man of my acquaintance to whom
] could intrust my daughters future
with more implicit confidence. It is
true that both her mother and had at
one time other hopes and views for her,
and that we wish your profession was
not that of arms And now beg you to
be patient with me, and to pardon my
abiding to matters which you yourself
breach in this-this most manful letter.
You tell me that you are not dependent
on your pay alone, but that from invest
ments in real estate in growing cities in
the west and in mines in New Mexico
your present income is some five thou
sand dollars AS understand you, the
property is steadily increasing in value?"
1T has steadily increased thus far,
sir, and think it will continue to do so
for several years to come-in real estate
investments at least"
II am glad of this, ON your account as
well as hers, for Mabel has been reared
in comparative luxury. She has never
known what it was to want anything
very much or very long. She has been
educated on the supposition that her
whole life would be equally free from
care or stint; and if | were to die to-
morrow, sir, she would be beggar."
And here, in great agitation, the old
gentleman rose from his chair and began
nervously pacing up and down the little
room, wringing his white, tremulous
hands and turning his face away from
the silent soldier that he might not see
the tears that hung to the lashes or the
piteous quiyering of the sensitive lips.
For moment or two nothing more was
said. Then, as though in surprise, Mr..
Vincent stopped short.
did you understand me, Capt. Lane?
do not exaggerate the situation in the
least. l do not know how soon the ak will
fall. We are safe for today, but know
not what the morrow may bring forth. |
may be met en- route by kilograms saying
that the journey is useless-that we are
ruined--and the money hope to get in
New York to tide us over would come
only too late. Next month at this time
the house in which Mabel was born and
reared may be sold over her head, with
every scrap and atom of its furniture,
and we be driven into exile. Do you rea-
lie this, sir9 Do you understand that
if you win her affection and she becomes
your wife | have not a penny with which
to bless herr"
"Mr. Vincent" answered Lane, ~
would hold myself richer than any man