The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-14

All ready, sir, if tho major is"
He wasn't that civil to me in Ari-
iona, laughs tho paymastcr as he
turns to shake hands with the officers
about him.
You see you wero new to tho bust
ness then" explains II tall captain.
"Fceny considers You war veteran
now, after your experience mt Morcno's.
We all had to servo our apprenticeship
as sucking lieutenants before he would
show us anything but Il semblance of
respect. Goodby, major: good luck TO
you
"Goodby all Gootlby, Drummond.
Goodby, Wing. Hercl must shake
hands with you two again. And shake
he does: then is slowly boosted into
his wagon, where, as the whip cracks
and the mules plunge at their collars
and tilt him backward, the majors jol-
~ red face beams on all around, and
he waves his broad brimined hat i'll ox-
uberant Cordiality as they rattle away
The group of officers presently dis
perse, two tall lieutenauts strolling oil
together and throwing themselves under
the spreading branches of Il big cotton
wood. One of them, darker and some
what heavier built now, but muscular.
active, powerful, is Drummond; the
other, younger man by Il brace of
years, tall, blue eyed, blond bearded,
wearing on his scouting blouse the
straps of a second lieutenant, is our
old friend Wing, and Wing does not
hesitate i'll 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 tho 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. u
happy light in his brave blue eyes.
All well. PaQuita says that Harvey
has captured the entire household. and
that Grandpa Harvey is his abject
slave. There isn't anything in Chicago
too good for that 2-year-old. They've
had them photoed togcther-tho kid on
his grandfather's shoulder.
Aren't you afraid his Arizona uncle
will be jealous for his own boy S sake -
laughs Drummond.
Il don't believe Ned would begrudge
Fanny anything the old man might fee!
for her or for hers. He is generosity
itself toward his sisters, and surely
could never have found Il warmer friend
out of the army. You know how he
stood by me-"
II know, and it was most gratifying
not but that | feel sure You would
have won without his aid. The old man
simply couldn't quite bc reconciled to
her marrying in the army and living
in Arizona.
A strange land for Il honeymoon Ger
tainly-yet where and when was there
happier! Do you remember how the
Apaches jumped the Verde blackboard
the very week after we were married -
And you spent half of the honey
moon scouting the Tonic basin: |
should say SO! What with Il courtshlu
in robbers cave. Il marriage in IL cav
airy camp and wedding tour in sad
die, You had unique experience, Wing,
but-you deserved her. And Drum
mond turns and grips his comrade s
hand
Wing is silent moment His eyes
are wistfullv scarchinY thc elders L,,f
avertcd face
jim, you told me awhile ago of your
sisters approaching marriage. Are
you not going on:''
Yes. It will be early in October.
She's blissfully happv, is pnss. and
he's very suhstantial. solid sort of -
fellow. Ia well content, M last. that
her future is assumed"
And you are q free agent practical.
y. Ism 1t umo we heard Oh your own
happiness your own Vine and fig tree.