The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-01-11

chest voice that had an unmistakable
ring to 1.-THE tone that one so readily
recognizes IN men accustomed to prompt
action and command "I'm going across
lots" And swinging his heavy stick,
with quick, elastic steps and erect car
rage, the man in gray plunged into q
wood path and was gone.
"Aioe, said Aunt Grace again,
'that man is an officer, I'm sure, and
you have driven him into exile and
lonely wandering. I've seen SO much of
them when visiting my brother in the
old days before my marriage that even
in civilian dress it is easy to tell some
Of them. Just look at that back and
those shoulders He has been a soldier
all his life. Horrorsi Suppose it should
be CAPTAIN Armitage himselfP'
Miss Renwick looked genuinely dis
tressed as well as yexed Certainly no
officer but Captain Armitage would
have had reason to leave the stage. Ger
tainly officers and their families occa-
siOnally visited Sablon in the summer
time, but Captain Armitage could hard
ly be here. There was comforting as
I surance in the very note she held in her
hand.
cit cannot be-, she said, because
Mr.. Jerrold writes that they have Just
heard from him at Sibley. He is still
at the seashore and will not return for
a month. Mr.. Jerrold says he implored
Captain Chester to let him have three
days leave to come down here and have
a sail and a picnic with us and was told
that it would be out of the question.
''Did he tell you any other news?"
asked Mrs Maynard, looking up from
her letter again, anything about the
german?"
''He says he thinks it a shame we are
to be aw,.y and-well, read it yourself. 4"
And she placed it in her mothers
hands, the dark eyes seriously, anxious
ly studying her face as she read. Pres
emily Mrs. Maynard laid it down and
looked into her own; then, pointing to
a certain passage with her finger, hand
ed it to her daughter.
Men were deceiyers ever, she said,
| laughing, yet oracularly significant.
And Alice Renwick could not quite
control the start with which she read:
MIR. JeIrOId is to lead with his old
love, Nina Beaubien. They make a cap
ital pair, and she Of course will be radi-
ant-with Alice out Of the way"
"That is something Mr.. Jerrold failed
to mention. is it not?"
Miss Renwick's cheeks were flushed,
and the dark eyes were filed with sud
den pain as she answered:
II did not know she was there. She
was to have gone to the lakes the same
day we left. "
"She did go, Alice" said her mother,
''but it was only for a brief visit, it
seems.
The colonel was not at their cottage
when the omnibus reached the lake
Over at the hotel were the usual num-
Der Of loungers gathered to see the new
arrivals, and Alice presently caught
sight Of the colonel coming through the
park If anything, he looked more list
less and dispirited than he had before
they left. She ran down the steps to
meet him, smiling brightly mp into his
Worn and haggard face
care you feeling a little brighter,
papa? Here are letters for you" He
took them YEARLY, barely glancing at
the suDerscriptions.
81 had hoped for something more, "
he said and passed on into the little
frame house which was his sisters sum
mer home, is your mother here?" he
asked, looking back as he entered the
door.
"In the north room, with Aunt
Grace, papa, " she answered, and then
once more and with graver face she be-
gan to read Mr.. Jerrold's letter. 1t was
a careful study she was making Of it
this time, and not altogether a pleasant
one. Aunt Grace came out and made
some laughing remark at seeing her still
so occupied. She looked up, pluCkily
smiling despite a sense of wounded
pride. and answered.:
II am only convincing myself that it
was purely on general principles that
Mr. Jerrold seemed so anxious I should
be there. d, He never wanted me to lead
with him at all. " All the same it
stung, and Aunt Grace saw and knew
it and longed to take her to her heart
and comfort her, but it was better So.
| She was finding him ont unaided.
She was still studying over portions
Of that ingenious letter when the rus
tie of her aunt's gown indicated that
she was rising. She saw her move to-
ward the steps, heard a quick, firm
tread upon the narrow planking and
! glanced up in surprise There, uncOv-
ering his close cropped head, stood the
tall stranger, looking placidly up as he
addressed Aunt Grace:
Pardon me, can see Colonel May
nard?"
He is at home. Pray come up and
take a chair. I will let him know. II
felt sure you must be some friend of his
when saw you in the stage, " said the
good lady, with manifest and apologize
uneaSiness.
eyes, " responded the stranger as he
quickly assembled the steps and bowed
before her, smiling quietly the while
LET me introduce myself. I am Cap.
tain Armitage Of the colonel's regi-
ment. "
| ''Therel I knew it!'' was Aunt
/ Graee's response as. with both hands up