Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-12-27

THEY STARTED ALONG THE RACK TRAIL.
Thornton, and he may thank you for
catching the truant and returning her
to him
They started along the back trail,
and after few moments silence the
soldier said:
"Will you pardon me, Miss Sanford,
when tell you that this unexpected
meeting has lifted from my soul dark,
depressing cloud. had brought my
self to believe that you had purposely
abandoned your rides down the river
to avoid me, that on serious reflection
you had, and properly, too, come to
look upon the friendship of private
soldier as beneath your standing in
military life. and that our pleasant in
tercourse had reached an abrupt termi-
propriety of your action, | will frankly
confess that the seeming loss of the one
bright ray of sunshine which had come
into my soldier life deeply panied me.
Your cordial greeting of a few moments
ago has dispelled that cloud, and am
led to hope that we will continue to be
friends
Turning her clear eyes full upon his
face, in low, musical tones, she replied:
Mr.. Thornton, you are man of
wise judgment, and one who can fully
appreciate the proprieties of life.
Please allow your better judgment to
am going to say. | have, as you sur
Ia
as once did. If you will try to fully
understand me l will frankly explain
my position. To our little world here
you are known but as private soldier
in the ranks, on the same footing with
your comrades"
"Yes, but you know"
Pardon me a moment. l know what
Others do not. Knowing you but as q
private soldier, what would be the ver
dict of the official circles were it to be-
come a matter of gossip that the
daughter of the commanding officer
was in the habit of meeting you on
terms of social equality? 1t would be
looked upon almost as crime by those
who regard the sorial barrier between
official circles and the ranks as i'm
pregnable. Now, my friend, with all
candor l will say toyou that hold Mr..
Edward Thornton in the highest es-
teen and feel honored with his friend
ship. Ibelieve him to be my equal in
everything that goes to make up true
manhood and womanhood, and entire
ly worthy of my highest regard. But
as long as he Is unfortunately COM
PEELED to move in sphere of life be-
meath that in which am placed 1 must
not allow my regard for the gentleman
to overstep the line drawn by the hand
of propriety and myself descend to his
temporary level. think / have COR
rectly interpreted your nature, my
good friend, and believe you would
suffer any personal disappointment
cheerfully rather than in the least
degree compromise myself or draw upon
me the rebuke of my friends. Do you
not think it best that we should see
less of each other?"
'NIiss Sanford" he replied, II fully
appreciate the stand you have taken,
and your action increases my regard
for you. 1t has occurred to me at
times that by evincing friendship for
one far beneath you in the social scale
you might be chided By your friends
for disregarding the rules of military
etiquette. I would suffer as keenly as
yourself We're you to be in the least
compromised by your association with
me. Am | TO understand, then, that
the meetings which have afforded me
so much pleasure are to be discon-
tinued?"
'Not altogether. | trust we may
meet at times and that we will remain
good friends. The day will come, Mr..
Thornton, perhaps sooner than we ex-
pect, when you will cast aside your
soldier character and reenter your
proper sphere in life, and when it does
come hope to yet be numbered among
your friends will at times be pleased
to see your sketches, and, believe me,
though propriety demands a less dis
play Of friendship, yet hold you in
the highest esteem and will do all
consistently can to tighten the load
you bear. But we are nearing papa.
VIII you sketch tomorrow? ! think |
will take ride down the Mesa trail"
~ will, Miss Sanford, at my old rock