Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-09-01

Oucn my ucuFt WIN shhhAhB sones
ness, and the knowledge that possess
one friend above the ranks Of the
rough soldiers will be q cheering re-
Election as plod on In submission to
my self-imposed penance. ] shall look
up to your sympathy rs bright star
illumining the dreary days Of my term
Of service, and the knowledge that you
are watching me with friendly interest
will tighten every uncongenial duty Inn
posed upon me-"
"Your term Of service will soon pass,
and II must be cheering reflection to
you that you will then return to the
enjoyments Of civil life and to the 30
ciety for which you are 30 well fitted.
] feel that q bright future lies before
you, Mr.. Thornton, and you will appre-
ciate the blessings Of life all the more
with this experience to look back upon.
But must 60 now. Papa will become
uneasy at my long absence. Will you
kindly assist me to mount my pony?"
With his aid she sprang lightly into
the saddle, and once more extending
her hand said:
"Good-by. THANK you for the pleas
ure your sketch afforded me. You
must let me see II when Il Is com
plcted."
~ would b only too happy II you
would accept It as o gift. Good-by,
and may the Master above bless You
for the light you have brought into my
distasteful life"
With smile and farewell wave Of
the hand she was of at brisk gallop,
but soon drew In her pony and permit
ted him to walk leisurely toward the
fort
Private Brown had strangely Inn
pressed her, and rs she rode along
she endeavored TO analyze her feelings
toward him and determine what II
was that caused her TO feel such
q deep interest In the handsome
young soldier. In her garrison life
she had met but few young men, and
these were mostly officers Of the army.
True. they were polished gentlemen
and studiously polite in their dcmean-
or toward her, yet In the actions OF
each she could observe an air OF disci-
plincd dignity that seemed TO cast q
chill over his social qualities, and
even impart an icy ring to his laugh
ter when called upon to do honor to a
refined joke or sally Of wit. In pri-
vate brown she read noble nature.
unseliish and devoid Of = sht but man.
" pride. O nature luminous with the
gold Of self-sacriHcing heroism In his
battle with life. She saw In him q
gentleman OF culture man as great
" out of place in his present position
as diamond In the Hlth Of the gutter.
She recognized in his every action Q
courtly mien which could not be hid
den beneath the blue blouse Of the
lower ranks. She found herself draw
ing comparisons between this man OF
the ranks and the guudily uniformed
officers whom her father had taught
her were true gentlemen. and Privnte
Brown did not suffer In the least by
the comparison. by the time she had
reached her home the fact had fxed
itself In her mind that she had never
before met man who had 30 favorably
impressed her as this private in the
ranks. She dismounted from her pony
and entered the house breathing the
fervent wish that military rank were
blown away by the winds, 90 she could
meet her new friend on terms OF
equality.
As for Brown, his heart went away
with the fair equestriennc. lie thought
her the most winsome creature he had
ever met, and as he gathered mp his
sketching material and started toward
his cherries quarters the bonds OF
army servitude cut yet deeper into his
soul