Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-04
CHAPTER N.-CoNrrSuED.

CHAPTER XL-CoNTISUED
Turning her clear eyes full upon his
lace, in low, musical tones, she replied:
Mr.. Thornton, you are a man of
wise judgment, and one who can fully
appreciate the proprieties of life.
Please allow your better judgment to
rule and do not be offended at what I
am going to say. have, as you sur
as once did. If you will try to fully
understand me will frankly explain
my position. To our little world here
you are known but as a private soldier
in the ranks, on the same footing with
your comrades"
Eyes, but you know"
pardon me a moment. / know what
others do not. knowing you but as a
private soldier, what would be the Yer
dict of the official circles were it to be-
come 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 a crime by those
who regard the social barrier between
official circles and the ranks as i'm
pregnable. Now, my friend, with all
candor will say to you 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 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 1 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
NE the rebuke OF my friends. Do you
not think it best that we should see
less of each other?"
Miss Sanford" he replied, 81 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 1 would suffer as lzeenly as
yourself were you to be in the least
compromised by your association with
me. Am l to understand, then. that
the meetings which have afforded me
SO much pleasure are to be discon-
tinued?"
Not altogether. I trust we may
meet at times and that we will remain
good friends. The day will come, Mr..
Thornton, perhaps sooner than we e1-
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. I 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"
81 will, Miss Sanford, at my old rock
my thanks and gratitude to you for
this conversation My heart will be
lighter, for. though I may but seldom
see you, / will feel that you are my
friend God bless you"
THANK you, Mr.. Thornton. Why,
how pleasantly papa is smiling. That
means good-natured scolding for me-
AHA. you little truant,' the colonel
cried. ''Your tastes are very eccentric,
/ must say, Miss Sunshine. You run
away from your old ogre of father to
accept the attentions of a young officer.
then discard him for private soldier
of better looks and, danme, l must say,
more soldierly bearing. 1 thought you
would never get to me, you rode SO
slowly with your new escort.
20, papa, my poor pony was so tired
/ could not push him. This is Private
Brown, the young artist of whom told
you"
Private Brown, eh? Ohio! 1 see it
now. This is the young man who was
recently brought to my attention
through the proceedings of court
martial, and / can understand why
vandever cut and run when he saw
him approaching. He feared the mans
temper might again lose step, and the
uOS6 DE
20. no, papa. Mr.. Vandever did not
know the young man was approaching
us. He chose to return to the fort by
another route, that is all"
That's all, eh? Well. you don.
know whether he saw him or not
1 am inclined to think he did. But
now for home. This Unsuitable, unrea-
sonable, tyrannical appetite of mine
demands immediate attention. thank
you, Brown, for the trouble put you
to in chasing this runaway. You can
go your own way now. Come, daugh-
ter"
Instead of being trouble. sir. as
sure you it was a pleasure to be able &c
serve you il even SO slight a manner"
Brown saluted the officer, raised his
cap to Alice and galloped away toward
the fort.
.'Why, how Internally courteous the
fellow isl said the colonel, gazing
after the retreating figure with admir-
ing eyes. And how soldierly his bear
ing. He's handsome dog, too. SEQ
how he sits on that horse, daughter
how like knight of old he poses in
the saddle. believe Colby told me he
had him booked fog promotion. and BY
Jupiter I'll see that he doesn't forget it.
A pleasure to be able to serve me. eh?
1 like that No wonder he knocked
that popinjay off his dainty feet"
s.And Capt. Colby says he distin-
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