The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-05-23
CHAPTER v.-coxTrsrrp.

story. Were you my daughter would
certainly sdvise you TO not place too
[ implicit confidence in the truth Of what
ha told vou. lie may be. as your ia
ther hlnted. q fugitive from justice.
The criminal element, you know, dear.
Is not drawn entirely from the lower
stra;as Of society. II IS not wrong,
think. for You 70 manifest an interest
in his artistic work. loving art as you
90. but you must not forget, my child,
that you do not know him. and that he
Is but a soldier in the ranks and far
beneath yoa in social standing. You
had best tell your father all you know
of your new acquaintance, AID ! can
assure you that should Browns story
prove to be true no one would move
more promptly than Col. sanford in en-
deavoring TO sever the bond Of enlist
mcnt that he might be restored to his
proper sphere of life
"But you forget. Mrs Colby. that he
said he would not under any considera-
tion have his term of enlistment short
encd one single day"
1t could be done without consulting
his wishes in the matter II it should
be brought 10 the notice Of your father
that the young man is not only infict-
ing upon himself really unmeri,ed pun
ishmcni for a mistake Of his youth, but
Is 10y his action depriviny the business
world Of talent which would contrib
ute to its progress. be would scofT at
the mans exaggerated ideas of penapce
and lose no time in restoring him TO his
proper station May | be frank with
you. my child. and tell you that in my
opinion Mr.. Brown. or Mr.. Thornton,
IS q very, very foolish young man. But,
my dear girl. You don't know how your
story has interested me. | wonder II il
can be true? And to think he is in
Capt Colby's troop, too. May tell the
captain?''
DO you think Il would he right, Mrs.
Colby? Mr.. Thornton did not enjoin
secrecy-ia fact, he said he had moth
ing to conceal from the world, vet We're
his story known il might enforce upon
him q notoriety which would be dis
tasteful TO him
That is true. my dear. but really !
feel that his captain should know it.
Very well. You can tell Capt. Col
by and | will tell papa all know Of
Mr.. Brown
What delicious secret we four will
have to discuss between ourselves.
and how doubly delicious If it prove
true that Private Brown is really Mr..
Edward Thornton and a gentleman
in every way our equal IN life. But a
word of motherly caution, child. You
must not permit your girlish enthusi.
asm to arouse in your young heart a
feeling of aught but simple friendship
and sympathy for Private Brown"
a slight blush mantled the cheeks o,
I the young girl at these parting words,
/ After she had gone Mrs Colby sank
I into a chair and carefully weighed
every feature of the strange story. and
was yet deeply enCrossed in thought
Z when the captain entered.
/ George. she said 10 him. do yor
know anything of Private Brown o.
your troop"
Brown? Yes He has severa
times attracted my attention. He is ;
splendid young soldier, believe, al
ways unusually neat in personal ap
pearance, and at times when he ha!
been on duty as orderly al my quar-
ters ! have noted his intelligent Ian
C.age and gentlemanly bearing. II,
distinguished himself in a noticeabl,
manner in several of our brushes Will
the Apaches last winter, and hav,
him listed for promotion when there i
vacancy. Why do You ask, my dear?
Il have a very remarkable story q
tell you, George, IL you will promis,
me that you viii never divulge il with
out my permission, not even 10 Brown
himself
well, it must be startlinCly i'm
Portant secret. VIII such pledge il
any manner conflict with my duty q
an office-?"
Not in the least, my dear, or Iwoul,
not exact it Of YOU"
Then promise. lam all attention.
She told the story as Alice had re
lated it to her, and the captains eye
opened wide with establishment.
by Jovc, wife, am inclined to be
lieve the man has told the truth.
hare never had occasion to give hir
extra notice further than I mentioned
yet in the light of this revelation cal
recall many of his actions which go {
eorroboratc what you have told me.
must keep my eyes on him in future"
Alice went at once 10 her father an,
related 20 him the story Brown hau
told her. The old man at first evince
considerable interest in the recital, bu
at its conclusion said;
"All nonsense, Sunshine, ali bosh. Yo'
must not place any credenec in the will
cock and bull stories the soldiers tell
Look after the sick men in the hospital
child, and let the well ones take care o
themselves"
Did do wrong. papa, in listening
to him and showing my interest in hi
work?"
MY little Sunshine could not d
wrong. II this man has interested yol
with his skill with the pencil | an
glad Of ii. Your life is cast amid yer.
sober surroundings, little one, and any
thing that affords you pleasure an
helps you TO while away the dull hour
has my full approval II big, honest
eyed Newfoundland dog should com
TO yoI for recognition IL would be n
wrong for you 10 pat him on the shag
gy head and call him pet names. II
private soldier interests you and pos
sesscs intelligence enough 10 treat y0'
Is becomes your station IN the worl
above him. amuse yourself with hia a.
you desire. Even listen 10 their fair
stories IL you wish Soldiers love Z