Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-12-20

t2 t22 bate .t.- hl,n 70. ,ih2 thought was adden-
full emotions at the reflection that
he might never again hear the loved
tones of her voice or gaze into her soul
full eyes.
With sigh that seemed almost
groan of agony he closed the glass and
returned it to its case, and was about
to spur his horse forward when on rails
ing his eyes he saw, bat few rods dis
tant, Col Sanford riding toward him.
Strengthening himself in the saddle he
awaited the officers approach, and as
he came mp respectfully gave the mill
tary salute. The colonel returned the
salutation with official dignity and
said:
'sMy man, ride and overtalte Lieut..
Vandever and Miss Sanford. Give
them my compliments and say to them
that am out for ride, and if they de-
sire good-lool1ing old fellow for com
pany would be pleased to have them
wait for me. am too old to go thun-
dering after them as / would once have
loved to do. | was great rider in my
day, but old age and rheumatism have
called a halt on that sort Of work"
What could he do but obey? With
parting salute he turned his horses
head toward the young couple and
dashed away, confused at the en-
barassing task assigned him. Rather
would he have faced n thousand yell
ing savages who sought his life than
the gentle girl and her somewhat eff
Terminate escort, believing, as he did,
+h,-1,,rrb ha .4fiant.rG rarN N a
tions she had come to hate him. As
every leap of his powerful horse
lessened the distance between himself
and the young people, his heart
throbbed faster and faster, and he
would have made any earthly sacrifice
to be relieved of the duty upon which
he had been sent. He at last deter
minded that he would ride up and de-
liver his message as though to perfect
strangers and hasten away again, and
touching his horse with the spurs he
urged him to greater speed that the
unpleasant task might be the sooner
performed.
When within u quarter Of mile of
the couple Brown was astonished to
see Vandever suddenly wheel his horse
from the trail, and gallop furiously
across the plain in the direction of the
western borders of the garrison, while
Miss Sanford turned her pony's head
and rode back toward himself.
1t may be appropriate to here give
the conversation between Alice and
Vandever, that his abrupt and hasty
fight from her side may be explained
It may also show the stability of the
foundation upon which Browns tortur-
ing fears were built.
At the dinner table that day Alice,
after much coaXing, had drawn from
her father a promise to go riding with
her, but at the hour Of starting man
from San Marcial had called on some
government contract business, and the
girl was compelled to start alone. The
business was adjusted much more
quickly than the commanding officer
had anticipated, and, recalling how
eager his daughter had been 10 enjoy
ride with him, he determined nhe
should not be deprived Of the pleasure,
and, ordering his horse, he started
after her As he rode through one Of
the sallyports in the line of carthworks
which surrounded the garrison he saw
Lieut.. Vandever join her out on the
plain, and ride away by her side. They
started after little while in gallop,
and seeing the futility Of attempting
to overtake them the colonel concluded
TO ride slowly ahead and meet them on
their return.
The lieutenant had spent much OF
the day in social game Of cards with
a hay contractor IN the club room of
the post traders store. the stakes being
but the price of bottle Of wine or the
cigars at the conclusion Of each game,
and group of chalk marks on the face
of the table indicated that quite
number of bottles OF the sparkling
beverage had changed ownership as
the hours sped by. When at last, weary
of the pastime, the players ceased their
games, the officer became aware Of ths