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

duty to 90 to her and tell her the his
tory Of her new friend, and the social
equality on which she met him. Her
maidenly instinct limited to her that 1t
might be wrong for her to conceal her
relations with the young soldier from
her father, yet in the knowledge Of his
severe ideas Of propricty she feared II
she were TO make known to him the
truth her intercourse with her friend
would meet with an abrupt ending.
The more she considered this phase Of
the matter the greater II troubled her,
and In girlish confidence she one day
went TO Mrs. Colby, the matronly wife
Of the senior captain Of the Sixth Cav
airy. and related to her the story Of
the unfortunate private soldier.
"why, Alice, child, what remark
able storyi" the good lady exclaimed.
what O refreshing chord you have
struck and started TO vibrating to
arouse the dreary stiffness Of garrison
life. A gentleman. IN artist, scholar,
q philosopher, and goodness knows
what else mnsquerading right under
our eyes as private soldier. And the
heir TO a fortune too! Really, you
quite take my breath away. Have You
told the colonel of him?"
~ have not spoken TO papa Of him
since learned his history. told him
Of our first meeting and Of my aston
ishment at finding a man Of such re-
fined bearing and artistic skill In the
ranks, but he took little interest in the
matter. Merely limited that crime
might lie behind his enlistment"
"well, my child, you must not for
get that you have but his own unsup-
ported evidence rs 10 the truth OF his
story. We're you my daughter would
certainly advise you TO not place too
implicit confidence In the truth Of what
he told You. He may be, rs your fa-
Their limited, q fugitive from justice.
The criminal element, You know. dear,
Is not drawn entirely from the lower
stratus Of society. II Is not wrong, !
think, for you to manifest an interest
In his artistic work, loving art az you
do, but you must not forget, my child,
that You do not know him, and that he
IL but q soldier In the ranks and far
beneath you In social standing. You
had best tell your father all you know
Of your new acquaintance, and ! can
assure you that should Browns story
prove TO be true no one would move
more promptly than Col. Sanford In en-
deavoring TO sever the bond Of enlist
ment that he might be restored 10 his
proper sphere Of life"
"But you forget, Mrs Colby, that he
said he would not under any considers
ton have his term Of enlistment short
ened one single day"
ut could he done without consulting
his wishes In the matter. II II should
be brought to the notice Of your father
that the young man Is not only inaict-
ing upon himself really unmerited pun
ishment for mistake Of his youth, but
Is by his action depriving the business
worlI of talent which would contrib
ute to It's progress, he would SCOT ut
the mans exaggerated ideas Of penauce
and lose no time In restoring him TO his
proper station. May ] be frank with
you. my child. and tell you that In my
opinion Mr. Brown. or Mr.. Thornton,
Is q very, very foolish young man. But,
my dear girl. you don't know how your
story has interested me. wonder II Il
can be true? And to .hink he Is In
Capt Colby's troop. too. May ] tell the
captain"
do you think Il would be right, Mrs.
Colby? Mr.. Thornton did not enjoin
secrecy-in fact. he said he had moth
ing 10 conceal from the world. yet were
his story known Il might enforce upon
him notoriety which would be dis
tasteful to him."
"That Is true. my dear. but really ]
feel that bis captain should know Il
The commanding officer Of company
san do many things 70 tighten the da-
ties Of one Of his men, you know. !
think will tell him under . pledge OF
secrecy. Even Iirown must not know
that his captain has heard Of him."
Every well. You can tell Capt. Col
by and ] will tell papa all I know OF
Mr.. Brown"
what delicious secret we four Will
have 70 discuss between ourselves,
and how doubly delicious II II prove
true that Private Brown Ia really Mr..
Edward Thornton and . gentleman
In every way our equal In life. But Q
word Of motherly caution, child. You
must not permit your girlish enthusi-
ssm 70 arouse In your young heart .
feeling Of aught but simple friendship
and sympathy for Private Brown"
A slight blush mantled the cheeks OF
the young girl st these parting words
After she had gone Mrs- Colby sank
into . chair and carefully weighed
every feature Of the strange story, and
was yet deeply engrossed In thought
when the captain entered.
George" abe ssid 70 him, do you
know anything Of Private Brown Of
your troop?"
"Brown9 Yea He has several
times attracted my attention. He h
splendid young soldier, believe, a.
ways unusually neat In personal ap-
pearauce, and at times when he has
been on duty Is orderly st my quar-
tiers ! have noted his intelligent Lam
gusge and gentlemaniy bearing. He
distinguished himself In . noticeable
manner In several Of our brushes with
the Apaches last winter, and ! have
him listed for promotion when there 10
. vacancy. Why do you ask, my desr?"
~ have very remarkable story 70
tell you. George. II you WIN promise
me that you win never divulge Il with
out my permission, not even 70 Brown
himself"
"Well, Il must Be . startiingly Inn
portant secret. WIN such . pledge n
any manner conflict with my duty -