Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-17

- what, Fepny, anu ITSC sergeant
too? I'm honored indeed! Well
sergeant. " he adds. catching sight of
the grizzled red face under the old
scouting hat "I'll promise to let you
run the machine this time and not in
torfere no matter what stories come to
us of beauty in distress. All ready?'
"All ready, sir. if the major is. -
He WASH t that civil to me in Ari-
IONA" laughs the paymaster as he
turns TO shake hands with the officers
about him.
;" You see you were new to the husi-
moss then" explains tall captain.
"Feery considers you n war veteran
now, after your experience at Moreno's.
We all had to serve our apprenticeship
as sucking lieutenants before he would
show us anything but n semblance of
respect. Goodby, major; good luck to
YOU.
"Goodby all. Goodby, Drummond.
Goodby, Wing Herel must Snake
hands with you two again" And shake
he does then is slowly boosted into
his wagon, where, as the whip cracks
ard the mules plunge at their collars
and tilt him backward, the major S iol
" red face beams on all around, and
he waves his broad brimmed hat in ex-
uberant cordially as they rattle away.
The group of officers presently dis
persc. two tall lieutenapts strolling off
together and throwing themselves under
the spl eading branches of a 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 orr
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
letter Just received that day when
the courier met them ut the crossing Of
the Dry Fork, and to lose himself in
its contents.
"All we'll with the madam and the
kid queries Drummond, after the
manner Of the frontier, when at last
Wing folds and replaces his letter, 4
happy light in his brave blue eyes.
AN well. Paquita says that Harvey
has captured the entire household, and
that Grandpa Harvey is his abject
slave. Thee isn't anything in Chicago
too good for that 2-year-old. They We
had them ihotoed together-the kid on
his grandfather's shoulder. -
Aren't You afraid his Arizona uncle
will be jealous for his own boy S sake -
laughs Drummond.
- don't believe Ned would begrudgo
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 warmer friend
out of the army. You know how he
stood by me. "
Il know, and it was most gratifying
mot but that / feel sure you would
have won without his aid. The old man
simply couldn' quite be reCOnciled to
her marrying i'll the army and living
III Arizona.
~ strange land for honeymoon Ger
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 g
And You spent half of the honey
moon scouting the Tonic basin; 1
should say so, What with IA courtshlu
in robbers cave, a marriage ina cav
airy emp ana wedding tour in sad
die, you had a unique experience, Wing,
but-you deserved her. " And Drum
mond turns and grips his comrade S
hand.
Wing is silent a moment. His eyes
are wistfully searching the elder halt
averted face.
Jim, you told me awhile ago of Your
sisters approaching marriage. Are
you not gong on?'
Yes. 1t will be early in October.
She's blissfully happy, is Puss, and
he's very substantial, solid sort of Il
fellow. I'm well content, at last, that
her future is ASSURED"
And Won are g free agent practie0l.
y lSn't u !ime we heard of your own
happiness your own Vino and fg tree,
, old man: -
"Timc's gono ly. | reckon" laughs
; Drummond, yet not merrily. i've
rosnonsibi!ity-and probably have lost
) my chance"
Wing looks az though he wanted
> nightly to say something, but conquer,
his impulse.
October is a long way off, " lie final.
~ remarks, and | thought You might
J hnd earlier opportunity of going east
Now tuac Ned has entire charge of the
business N Arizona the old gentleman
} taxes life easier. The winter in Cuba
: did HIM lot Of good, and Fan write.
that he seems SO happy now, having hi.
two girls and his little grandson under
} the same roof with his sister and he,
= children. What reunion after al
these years.
where are they living in Chicago p
You would know better than |, foi
{ think of it'll have never been cas-,
Of the Missouri since my babyhood y
answers Wing. Fan writes that hel
aunt has a lovely house ON what they