Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1893-08-02
TWO SOLDIERS.
By Capt. CHARLES KING.
CONTINUED.

~ had a cousin in the artillery some
years ago, and visited his wife when
they were stationed at the old barracks
across the river There's no one there
now, believe. Listen to Captain Noel:
he is telling about Indian campaigns"
Indeed, pretty much everybody was
listening already. for Noel, with much
animation, was recounting the expe-
riences of the chase after the Chiricahua
chieftain, Geronimo. He was an excel
lent talker, and most diplomatic and
skillful in the avoidance of any direct
reference to himself as the hero of the
series of dramatic incidents which he so
graphically told, and yet the impression
conveyed-and intended to be conveyed
was that no man had seen more, en-
dured more or ridden harder, faster and
farther, than the narrator. Flattered
by the evident interest shown by those
about him, and noting that conversation
was brisk at Lanes end of the table, the
lieutenant soon lost himself in the en-
thusiasm of his own descriptions, and
was only suddenly recalled to earth by
noting that now the whole table had
ceased its dinner chat, and that, with
the possible exception of the hostess,
who was telegraphing signals to the but
Ter, every man and woman present was
looking at him and listening. The color
leaped to his face, and he turned to-
wards Lane with nervous laugh.
"Td no idea was monopolizing the
talk" he said. Erred, old man, wasn't
it g troop that tried to get across the
range from your command to ours when
we neared the Guadalupe? Amos and
Mr.. Hawks had been asking me about
the chase after Geronimo"
Eyes, it was G troop-Capt Greene's,"
answered Lane.
"You know that Capt. Lane and are
of the same regiment, and, though not
actually together in the chase, we were
In the same campaign" said Noel, apollo
getically, and then, quickly changing
the subject: by the way, Mr.. Hawks,
Is Harry Hawks. of the artillery, rela-
tive of yours?"
IA nephew, captain-my brother Hen
RVS son. Did you know him?"
"Know him? Why, he is one Of the
warmest friends l have in the whole
army-outside Of my own regiment,
that is. We were constantly together
one winter when l was on staff duty in
Washington, and whenever he could get
leave to run up from the barracks he
made my quarters his home. If you
ever write to him just ask him if he
knows Gorden Noel?"
"Do you know, Capt. Lane, that l
have found your comrade captain very
interesting MANI" observed Miss Mar
shall; and her eyes turned upon her next
door neighbor in calm but keen scrutiny.
"Noel is very entertaining" was the
reply; and the dark gray eyes looked IN
Gnchingly into the challenge of the
dark brown.
Eyes, l have listened to his tales of
the frontier at breakfast, dinner and
during the evening hours, since Sunday
last. They are full of vivacity and va.
riety."
"One sees good deal Of strange coun-
try and many strange people in the
course Of ten or dozen years service in
the cavalry"
"And must needs have good men,
Dry to be able to tell of it all-especially
when one recounts the same incident
more than once" And Miss Marshall's
lips were twitching at the corners in a
manner suggestive of mischief and mer-
riment combined.
Lane paused for reply" Here was
evidently most observant young wo-
man.
"Therel did not mean to tax your
loyalty to aregimental comrade, captain;
SO you need not answer. Capt. Noel in
terests and entertains me principally be-
cause of his intense individuality and
his entire conviction that he carries his
listeners with him. Age cannot wither
nor custom stale his infinite Variety but
there should not be quite so much va
riety in his descriptions of single event.
This is the fourth time have heard him
tell of the night ride from Carrizo'sranch
to Canyon Diablo."
"You have the advantage of me, Miss
Marshall" answered Lane, his eyes
twinkling with appreciation of her de-
mure but droll exposure of Noel's weak
point. at is the first time l ever heard
his version of it."
''It is the last time he will mention it
in your presence, if he saw the express
sion in your face, Capt. Lane"
do those interpretive eyes of yours
look clear through and see out of the
back Of your head, Miss Marshall2 Your
face was turned towards him. You stop
ped short in telling me of your cousin in
the artillery and your visit to the bar
racks, and babe me listen to something
l did not care half as much to hear as
your own impressions of garrison life.
Never mind the quadruplex account of
the night ride Tell me what you
thought of the army"
"Well, of course, the first thing girl
wants to know is what the shoulder
straps mean; and l learned the very
first day that the blank strap meant a
second lieutenant, single silver bar a
first lieutenant and two bars captain
A