The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-07-18

| frlvate brown, we may as well
come TO an understanding right now.
You nobly risked your life TO restore
my beloved child TO my armn, and |
am deeply grateful TO you for doing so.
1t was but her simple duty to nurse
you through the long days Of suffering
which you were called upon TO endure
from a severe and dangerous wound re-
ceived In her defense. She performed
that duty, and with my full approval
and consent. Her duties as your nurse
are now at an end, and / regret that I
may give you pain after all you suf-
fered for her If, in doing what con-
slider to be fathers duty, use harsh
language toward you. You may think
1t cruel and heartless, sir, when tell
you that / cannot permit her in her
own home to receive a call from a pri-
vate soldier, no matter how worthy
that soldier may be-"
Browns face paled, as the cruel
words cut into his heart as a knife. A
great fear came upon him, and he al
most groaned aloud in his agony of
spirit. He tried to speak, but with
gesture the officer stopped him.
Now, sir, hear my decree, from the
enforcement of which I will never
swerve a jot. After this visit Private
Richard Brown will never again be per-
mitted TO enter this house, and shall
forbid my daughter to ever again men,
tion his name in my presence. This NAV
seem damnably cruel to you, sir, after
what you have done for us, but there
are rules of propriety in army life that
cannot be disregarded. Ny daughter
cannot maintain friendly relations with
private in the ranks"
He paused and regarded the Young
man closely. Brown sat as dumb as a
marble statue and almost as pale, for
his heart was completely crushed at
the cruel decree.
But" the colonel resumed, with a
strange twinkle in his eyes, Lieut..
Edward Thornton will always be a
welcome guest at my home. There is
your commission, sir, you trembling
rascal fresh from the hands of the Sec
retary of war. Lieutenant Thornton, let
me be the first to congratulate you upon
your promotion, and to assure you thatif
you prove as faithful in the discharge
OF your duties as an officer as Private |
Brown always proved as soldier in
the ranks, the stars of a general may |
some day rest upon your shoulders"
AS he spoke he handed the young
man his commission. and warmly |
grasped his hand, while grim smile |
played over his face.
Thornton took the paper mechanic
ally. In his wild astonishment he could
not utter word. He stood there trem-
bling and turning white and red by
turns until the old officer broke into
loud laugh over his embarrassment.
'Paralyzes you, my boy? Just pet
rifles you with amazement. BY God
frey, have had that document hid
away for two weeks just to have this
fun with you. Never mind, lieutenant
(slapping him familiarly on the shoul-
der) you'll get over it and regain full
use of your paralyzed tongue after
awhile. / will find something that will
restore your speech. Alice! Alice"
Coming papa, in a moment" came
silvery voice from another part of the
house.
Like ray of loveliest sunshine she
entered, and an exclamation of pleas.
nre fell from her lips at sight of her
lover.
Lieut. Thornton, allow me to pre-
sent my daughter, Miss Sanford. Alice,
dear, this is First Lieut.. Edward Thorn
ton, new officer just assigned to duty
with b Troop, Sixth cavalry.
The old man darted out of the door
to hide the tears that he could no long
er force back, and the lovers were
,lasped in each others arms. {
Ned, dear, what is the matter with
papa? What did he mean by such an (
,
AS an answer he placed the commits c
'ion in'her hands, and hasty glance /
It the document told her all. With '
glad cry she again clasped her arms
lround the young officers neck and to-
,ether they wept tears of joy.
Your father says you must never
mention the name of Private Brown !
gain, darling" he said, with smiling :
ace.
Il just don't care what papa says, ]
will always love him. He was my first "
owe, and the name Private Brown will
lways be a cherished one in my heart" I.
How handsome he looked in his new Z
with the straps of a first lieu. =
enant resting on his shoulders. And y
ow proud the day when Col. Sanford =
Introduced him to the officers of the
arrison as brother officer and as his :
respective son-in-law. From every :
tficer of the post he received most y
earty welcome into the official ranks, g
nd not one of them but felt honored n
nth the friendship of one whose hero. !,
I'm had been put to such an extreme .
EST and had not been found wanting. =,
couple of years after their marriage h
lieut.. and Mrs. Thornton were sitting q
n the porch of their quarters enjoying q
ne refreshing coolness of New Mexi. !,
, summer evening. The lieutenant was =
njoying cigar and watching the ever. I,
hanging hues of the western clouds as q
ne sun slowly sank down behind the ;,
an Mateo mountains while his lovely q
life sat scanning the columns of the q
st issue of the Army and Navy Jour q
al. ~
30, Ned! Here is an item about Mr.. v
andever," She exclaimed.
What is it, dear?"
DISMISSED from the service for cow.
rdice in the face of the enemy in an 3
ldian campaign in Wyoming" IL
1T does not astonish me, he replied. u
Such unworthy men but rarely get it
ITO the service To cast reproach upon G.
l. 4 n 2