Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-09-15

with YOU, and your tell-tale eyes while
conversing Of him too plainly indicate
that there Is a growing feeling in your
young heart far stronger than one Of
friendship and sympathy for this SOL
der. My dear child. answer me truly,
are You not falling in love with this
man in the ranks:'
The face of the young girl was red
with bushes, and she threw her head
down into the lap of her motherly
friend to hide her confusion. Mrs.
Colby strolicd her hair tcndcrly and n
smile Of intermingled sadness and
sympathy lit up her face. After n few
moments Alice partly regained her
composure. and raising her head she
looked with trusting confidence into
her friends eyes and replied:
'I-I-dont know. Mrs. Colby. Dir.
Thornton imprcsses me rs no gentle
man ever before did. have seen so
few gentlemen. you know. He is so
gentle. so kind in nature. so manly and
so heroic in bearing the load placed
upon his shoulders that THAT /
think-a-great-d deal Of-him-per
haps"
my dear girl. feared as much. and
that is why have pointed you to the
impossible barrier which lies between
you-at present. You must master this
growing fondncss before Il masters
you. for love. my child. when once II
gains supremacy rules its victims as
with rod of iron. and laughs to scorn
the rules If propricty. Think Of the
distressing scandal which would agi-
tate the military circles of the whole
land We're II To become known that the
beloved daughter Of one of the most
distinguished officers Of the army had
bestowed her love upon humble pri-
vate soldier i'm the ranks. The finger
Of scorn would bc pointed at you. dear,
and Your old father. were he to survive
the shock. would resign his proud posi-
ton and seek to bury himself from the
world in obscurity and retirement.
You are trcading dangerously near the
brink of an awful precipicc. Alice, and
! would lead you away to safer
f'rlI....
"uh. You brighten me-" the girl said.
with un appealing look. Il cannot
smother the emotions which God placed
in my soul. cannot change the nature
lie has given me. and believe II would
he wicked To torture my own peace Of
mind even to preserve unhroien the
lines Of army social distinction. Mrs.
Colby. confess to you that my eyes
have not been blinded to the growing
regard feel for Mr. Thornton. have
even felt that he might be necessary
TO my future happiness. Never by
word or look has he shown me any at
tention that would indicate that he en-
tcrtained toward me aught but feel
ing of simple friendship. and what YOU
have told me of his-of his-thinliing u
great deal of me comes rs revelation,
and. confess II, most pleasing one.
But, Mrs Colby, assure You, on my
honor. that have never once thought
of the military world knowing aught Of
any tender feeling which might exist
between myself and private soldier.
did not even intend that You should
know 1t. dearly as ! love you. until
Private brown should disappear from
life. and Mr.. Thornton, with his mill
tnry service hut n memory of the past,
should step into our social circles. If
this should be brought about what
then?'
''Ah. that might make n wide diff
ference. dear. Now begin 10 under
stand you. and You lgivc lifted great
load of apprehension from my heart.
There would be no improperly in
refined. honorable and worthy gentle
man in civil life aspiring to the hand
of the daughter of military officer.
Many do so, and the most happy re-
suits usually follow. Alice. know
what woman's love Is. have felt its
nll-consuming fire in my own soul. l
feel II yet. for Capt. Colby and myself
arc just as fond lovers, and oftcntimes
just as foolish ones. rs we were when
our love was sealed with marriage.
Now, dear, will I've your friend and
adviser IN this matter. II You will so
permit. There liissing herr is the
seal of my friendship, and want you
70 confidc in me. There Is but one
pathway leading to your future hap
piness, and 1t must not be strayed
from. While Edward Thornton re-
mains as Private Brown you must look
upon him rs but soldier in the ranks
You must avoid him all you can, and,
II 1t be possible. his discharge from the
service must be brought about.
think II can he. When that consum-
nation is reached he may feel ut lib
erty to sue for your hand. and should
he do SO you must refer him to your
father His past life must be investi-
gated. for you must remember. dear,
that we have but his own unsupported
story regarding himself. There, l
know what yon would say. believe
In him Us much rs you do, but your
father would demand the most con-
vincing proof of his worth before he
would permit him TO show you any ut
tention. Now, You must be patient.
II you love each other Us believe you
do and should Mr.. Thornton establish
the fact that he is o man of honor and
true worth as ! believe he will. you
need have no fear, my dear girl, of the
future, for love will surmount any
ordinary obstacle that may rise in its
path"
Alice threw her arms about her
friends neck, and kissed her fon1ly.
Then her emotions ovcrcame her, and
burying her face in Mrs. Colby's bosom
she sobbed like child. Capt. Colby's
step upon the porch aroused her. and
going out at the back door TO avoid
meeting him in her agitated state Of
mind, she sought her home and the
privacy Of her own chamber.
CHAPTER X.
Days passed, and save at q distance
Brown saw nothing Of Alice. Day
after div when not on dutv he re-