The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-05-16

Copyrighted 1904. Nv CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD
All Rights Reserved
is but q soldier in the ranks and far
beneath you in social standing. You
had best tell your father all you know
of your new acquaintance, and | 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
ment 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-
ton have his term of enlistment short
ened one single day"
at could be done without consulting
his wishes in the matter. If it should
be brought to the notice of your father
that the young man is not only intiict-
ing upon himself really unmerited pun
ishment for mistake of his youth, but
is by his action depriving the business
world of a talent which would contrib@
ute to it's progress, he would scott at
the mans exaggerated ideas Of penance
and lose no time in restoring him to his
proper station. May l be frank with
you my child, and tell you that In my
opinion Mr.. Brown, or Mr.. Thornton,
is very, very foolish young man. But,
my dear girl, you don't know how your
story has interested me. wonder If it
can be true? And to think he is in
Capt. Colbys troop, too May | tell the
captain?"
''Do you think it would be right Mrs.
Colby? Mr.. Thornton did not enjoin
secrecy-in fact, he said he had moth
ing to conceal from the world, yet were
his story known it might enforce upon
him notoriety which would be dis
tasteful to him."
THAT is true, my dear, but really !
feel that his captain should know 1t.
The commanding officer of a company
can do many things to tighten the du-
ties OF one of his men, You know. |
think will tell him under a pledge of
secrecy. Even Brown must not know
that his captain has heard of him"
very we'll. 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 gentleman
in every way our equal in life. But a
word of mothcrly caution, child. You
must not permit your girlish enthusi
asm to arouse in your young heart q
feeling of aught but simple friendship
and sympathy for Private Brown"
A slight blush mantled the cheeks Of
the young girl at these parting words
After she had gone Mrs. Colby sank
into chair and carefully weighed
every feature of the strange story, ant
was yet deeply engrossed in thought
when the captain entered.
George" she said to 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 at my quar-
tcrs have noted his intelligent Ian
guage and gentlemanly bearing, HI
distinguished himself in noticeabl,
manner in several of our brushes will
the Apaches last winter, and hav,
him listed for promotion when there i
a vacancy. Why do you ask, my dear?
~ have very remarkable story t.
tell you, George, if you will promis
me that you will never divulge it with
out my permission, not even to Brow
himself"
well, it must be startlingly i'm
portant secret. Will such pledge Il
, any manner conflict with my duty a
an officer?"
mot in the least, my dear, or woul
not exact it Of YOU"
"Then promise. lam all attention.
, She told the story as Alice had re
lated 1t to her, and the captains eye
opened wide with establishment
by Jove, wife, am inclined to b,
lieve the man has told the truth.
have never had occasion to give hir
extra notice further than | mentioned
yet in the light of this revelation ca
recall many of his actions which 20 {