Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-08-25

but a passing thought, and even before
you interrupted me your eyes told me
the suspicion wronged you. But II
surely could have been no ordinary
cause that induced you to enter the
army?"
at was result of youthful folly,
Miss Sanford. owe my present con-
dition in life entirely TO my own youth
full folly"
"You excite my curiosity, Mr.. Brown,
and n woman's curiosity, when not
gratified, Is like n rambling thorn in
her side. you know. VIII you not trust
me with your story? Perhaps may
be able to assist you. My father Is the
commanding officer, you know, and
will grant any reasonable request I
may ask of him. might be able to Sc
cure your discharge from the service
and enable you to return to a life for
which You are better fitted than you
are to perform the duties of private
soldier"
"In seeking to learn my history am
sure you are actuatcd only by pure
womanly sympathy. ! thank you for
this, thank you most sincerely, but I
cannot consent to you making an eff
fort to secure my discharge. have ac-
cepted the condition in which I am
placed rs a deserved punishment for
wrong doing and us severe school to
teach me the right. and under no cir
cumstanccs would ! have my term of
enlistment shortened one single day."
Alice looked into his eyes for n mo-
mcnt, and then began new scrutiny
of the sketch. Her thoughts were not
upon the picture. however. She was
debating In her own mind the pro-
pricty of pushing her inquiries further.
She was burning with curiosity not UNI
mixed with sympathy to learn why
man of his acquirementsand unmistak-
able refinement should be found in such
n humble position. After few mo-
ments' reflection. during which he
watched her face with growing inter
est, she sprang from her saddle to the
ground. and requested him to tighten
the girth. While he was doing SO she
said:
1T may he presumptuous for me to do
so, Mr.. Brown. but ! must ask you q
question even ut the risk of being
thought impairment. When tell you
I am greatly astonished to find one of
your qualifications among men SO far
beneath you in intellect and refined
tastes. ! feel that you will see in my
interest some palliation for my action.
May venture to nsk II there Is secret
with the cause of your thus
yourself from the ranks of
life In which you are fitted to move?"
~ fully appreciate the spirit of curl
os!ty which prompts the question, Miss
Sanford. and really regret that my
reply may dcface any romantic mental
picture you may have drawn of me.
have nothing to conceal from the
world"
"Then will you not tell me some
thing Of yourself. II your story be one
you can properly intrust with
stranger? ask for no confidence. Mr..
Brown. and assure you that curiosity
ilonc feeds my naturc-with, perhaps,
, feeling Of friendly sympathy for
Iellow artist"
lie reflected moment with down.
,ast eyes, then looking in her face re-
,licd.
81 will tell you my story. though 1t
nay lessen me in your esteem. and I'M
ierlnine any good opinion you may
AVE formed Of me. II can he told in a
'cry few words. In the first place, my
lame is not Brown"
II was very sure Of that" she said
With sunny smile. Thrown is too
common name for such I'M uncommon
nan"
"And yet illustrious men have borne
I. recall one long since dead whose
ireless soul with knapSack strapped
ipon its back is yet reported to be on
IN extended march. My true name Is
edward Thornton. assumed the
lame now bear when enlisted.
My mother died when I was but o
ear old and few months later my
ather followed her. leaving me In the
are Of n very wealthy aunt in the city |
4 brooklyn, n. Y. She was my !
athcr's only sister, and took me to her
'wn luxurious home and reared me Us
Ter own child. lavishing upon me her
cepest love. Twas all she had to love.
nd from childhood the dear, good
roman fairly idolizcd me and gratified
nv every wish. When ! reached
roper age competent te"chers were
ecured for me, and, developing u love
or study. progressed so rapidly that
I the early age of seventeen was the
osscssor of a liberal education and
tied to Gil responsible position In
he business world. As ] before told
on. acquired a deep love for drawing
nd painting. for which I'm now truly
for the only real pleasure
ow derive from life find amid these
'estcrn solitudes with my sketch book
nd pencils.
when my education was completed
" good aunt supplied me literally with
honey, and In her solicitude for my
leasure and enjoyment paid little 1T
,ntion to my moral training. ! was
lively, fun-loving disposition, and
, choosing my companions selected
inbred spirits who would join me In
ny wild lark that promised sport
Zone night ut banquet given in hon.
r Of the birthday Of n young lady friend
! my aunt I listened to the smiling
ltrcatics Of the fair hostess to drink
err health, and accepted from her hand
" first glass Of wine. All! Miss San
nd, the first downward step toward
lie depths Of drunken degradation Is
item taken at the invitation of q
,oughtless fair woman with glass Of
wine In her jewcled hand,