Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-09-08
CHAPTER VI.


Lieut.. vandever was industrious In
acquiring q knowledge of horseman'
ship. for n call to field duty might be
made at any moment in the then un'
settled state Of the Indians. In his dai-
" rides about the post and down
the river he frequently met Miss
Sanford and sometimes rode be-
side her. Her treatment of him was
always polite, yet she maintained to-
ward him an air of modest reserve
which warned him that any resumo'
ton Of ioYgish gallantry would meet
with her disapproval. On several oc-
casions he had passed by when herself
and Private Brown were sitting to-
rether. bending ov4: n sketch or quiet
" conversing. and it shocked him To
see the daughter Of the commander on
terms Of such seeming familiarity with
n man in the ranks. In his estimation.
the private soldiers W. -l,'r soullesS
machines, which moved only at the Of
fetal beck and call, but puppets IN cy-
allied hands. and lump of indignant
resentment stuck in his throat ut the
thought that the maiden could grant to
a vulgar private the .sociability she de-
MED him.
On one Of his daily rides he overlook
her in the river bottom just as she had
refined in her pony TO make the ascent
of the steep hill leading to the fort.
lie politely saluted her by raising his
cap, and she acknowledged the saluta-
ton with bow and pleasant smile.
1T has been beautiful afternoon
for riding, Miss Sanford" he said.
1T has indeed, Mr.. Vandcver. !
think the New Mexico climate cannot
be surpassed in loneliness in the whole
world"
The climate is all right, but the
society is open to severe criticism" he
replied. THE native people are but
half civilized and the Americans are
rough Doors. and 1t does strike me as
being somewhat severe that the ladies
aud gentlemen of the army are COM
PEELED to exist amid such uncongenicl
surroundings.
10. you are too hard on the people OF
the territory" she replied. II have a
number Of valued friends among the
good people Of San Marcial, the town
Just above the fort, both native and
American. and | have always found
them to be congenial. whole-soulcd.
courteous rcighbors. You will modify
y.ur views of them when YOU come 70
know them. Even were we cast away
q thousand miles from civilization, ]
am sure we could be happy com.
munity. We are little world in our
selves, Mr.. Vandever."
~ rather insignificant world" he re-
piled. "You can almost enumerate its
population on your fingers A dozen
or so officers. and half Us many ladies. :"
'And several hundred soldiers" she
added.
10, the soldiers cut no figure in our
world. save rs slaves to do our bidding.
The riff-raif of the land must not be
mentioned in the same breath with Ia
dies and gentlemen. ! sometimes
think It debases q gentleman to be
obliged TO command such fellows"
Her face flushed with anger, and
turning her clear blue eyes full upon
his face she replied in biting words:
Lieut.. Vaudevcr, clothes and rank
do not make the man. Indeed, in my
own experience, I have known the
gauly uniform Of the officer to cover far
less manly instincts and actions than !
have noted beneath the plain garb of
the private soldier"
They had reached the summit Of the
hill, and touching the rein she gal
Hoped uncercmoniously away, leaving
him biting his lips in confusion.
He rode to the stable and, dismount-
ing, threw the rein 70 an attendant
and started to his quarters in far
from pleasant frame of mind. AS he
hastily turned corner OF the stables
he ran into Private Brown, who was
Fastening thithcr on some GRAND. The
shock threw the lieutenant TO the
ground. and instantly recognizing in
the soldier the man In whose company
he Ind often seen Alice Sanford, his
rage was great. Springing to his feet
he hoarsely shouted:
"What DO you mean, sir? How dare
you run against me in that manncr?'
Brown respectfully salutcd him and
replied:
~ beg your pardon, sir. You turned
the corner in such haste that you ran
into me before could get out Of your
way"
"You lie, sir, when you say I ran
into you. II was your damnable care
lessness that caused the collision.
EN- not sure that You did not purpose
ly run against me-"
Browns blood boiled at the epithet
applied to him, and the expression Of
cnger on his face increased the officers
rage.
Lieutenant, your words are harsh
ones even for a superior TO use toward
an inferior In rank. I an not q liar.
sir. and my manhood revolts when
such term Is applied 10 me when am
powcrless TO resent It."
Don't you dare talk back to me, you
scoundrel! How dare you hint at re-
sentiment to your superior officer. You
mental cur?"
Human endurance could stand no
more. Browns face paled with right
eous rage, and, losing all control Of his
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