Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-05
COPYRIGHT. 1893 BY oAARLEs. kINe5 :

old friend rccny asked PERMISSION TO
see You safely TO the railway"
What, Feeny, and first sergeant
TOO! I'm honored indeed! Well,
sergeant. he adds, catching sight of
the grizzled red face under tho old
scouting hat, III promise to let you
run the machine this time and not in
terfere, no matter what stories como to
us OF beauty in distress. All ready?"
All ready, sir, if the major is
lie wasn't that civil to me in Arr
zona,' laughs tho paymaster as he
turns to. shake hands with the officers
about him.
Iou SEQ you were new to the bust
ness then" explains n tall captain.
Feeny considers you war veteran
row, after your experience at Moreno's.
we all had to serve our apprenticeship
as sucking licutenants before he would
show MS anything but n semblance of
respect. Goodby, major; good luck 10
YOU"
"Goodby all. Goodby, Drummond.
Goodby, Wing. Here! I must shake
hands with you two again" And shake
lie does: then is slowly boosted" into
MS wagon, where, rs the whip cracks
ard the mules plunge Mt their collars
and tilt him backward, the majors jol-
~ red face beams ON all around, and
he waves his broad brimYned hat in ex-
nberant cordiality rs they rattle away.
The group of officers presently dis
perse. two tell lioutenants strolling of
together and throwing themselves under
the spreading branches of a big cotton
wood. One of them, darker and some
what heavier built now. but muscular.
| active, powerful, is Drummcnd: the
other, a younger man by brace of
years, tall, blue eyed, blond bearded,
wearing on his scouting blouse the
straps of second lieutenant. is our
old friend Wing, ana Wing does not
hesitate in presence of his senior officer
such is the bond of friendship between
theln-to draw from his breast pocket
n letter just received that day when
the courier met them ut the crossing of
the Dry Fork, and to lose himself in
its contents.
"All well with the madam and the
kid?" queries Drummond, after the
manner of the frontier, when mt last
Wing folds and replaces his letter, a
happy light in his brave blue eyes.
"All well. Paquita says that Harvey
has captured the entire household. and
that GranGpa Harvey is his abject
slave. There isn't anything in Chicago
too good for that 2-year-old. They've
had them photoed together-the hid 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 feel
for her or for hers. He is generosity
itself toward his sisters, and surely
could never have found a warmer friend
out of the army. You know how he
stood by me-
Il 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 he reconciled to
her marrying in the army and living
in Arizona"
"A strange land for q 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 We're married -
And you spent half of the honey
moon scouting tho Tonic basin. 1
should say SO! What with courtsh,p
in robbers cave, n marriage in 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 comrades
hand.
Wing is silent moment. His eyes
are wistfully searching the elders half
avcrtod face.
Jim, you told me awhile ago of your
sisters approaching marriage. Are
you not going on!"
Yes. 1t will be early in October.
She's blissfully happy, is Puss, ard
he's a very substantial, solid sort of a
fellow. I'm well content, at last, that
her future is assured"
And you are a free agent practical
". Isn't it time we heard of your own
happiness-your own vino and fig tree,
"Time's gone by, reckon" laughs
DrumInond. yea not merrily. 1--WE
had too much 10 think of-too much
responsibility-and probably have lost
my chance"
Wing looks us though he wanted
nightly to say something, but conquers
his impulse.
October is n long way of, he final
~ remarks. land thought you might
find earlier opportunity Of going east.
Now that Ned has entire charge of the
| business IN Arizona tho old gentleman
takes life easier. The winter in Cuba
did him lot Of good, and Fan writes
that he seems so happy now, having his
two girls and his little grandson under
the same roof with his sister and her
children. What reunion after all
these years."
Where are they living in Chicago?"
"You would know better than l, for
think Of it'll have never been east
of the Missouri since my babyhood, 4"