The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-02-27
CHAPTER v.-CoNr1N UED.

CHAPTER V.-CoNTIN UED.
"Well, my child, you must not for
get that you have but his own unsup-
ported evidence as to the truth of his
story We're you my daughter would
certainly advise you to not place too
implicit confidence in the truth Of what
he told you, He may be- as your IA
ther limited, fugitive from justice.
The criminal element, you know, dear,
is not drawn entirely from the lower
stratas of society. It is not wrong,
think, for you to manifest an interest
in his artistic work, loving art as you
do, but you must not forget, my child,
that you do not know him, and that he
is but 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-
tion have his term Of enlistment short
enqd one single day."
''It 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 infict-
ing upon himself really unmerited pun
}ishment for mistake of his youth, but
is by his action depriving the business
: world of talent which would contrib
ute to it's progress, he would scoff at
the mans exaggerated ideas ofpenance
and lose no time In restoring him to his
proper station. May l be frank with
X you, my child and tell you that in my
.bopinion 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. Colby's 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 1t might enforce upon
him notoriety which would be dis
tasteful to him."
"That is true, my dear, but really l
feel that his captain should know it.
The commanding officer of company
can do many things to Tighten the du-
ties of one of his men, you know. /
think will tell him under pledge of
secrecy. Even Brown must not know
that his captain has heard of him."
''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 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 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, and
was yet deeply engrossed in thought
when the captain entered.
George" she said to him, do you
know anything Of Private Brown Of
your tEpop?"
"Brown? Yes. He has several
times attracted my attention. He is q
splendid young soldier, believe, al
WAYS unusually neat in personal ap-
pesrauce, and at times when he has
been on duty as orderly at my quar-
ters have noted his intelligent lam
Ruagc and gentlemanly bearing. he
distinguished himself in a noticeable
manner In several of our brushes with
the Apaches last winter, and have
him listed for promotion when there is
vacancy, Why do you aslr, my dear?''
II have very remarkable story TO
tell you, George, II you will promise
me that you viii never divulge It with
out my permission, not even to Brown
himself"
well, IL Unjust be startlingly Inn
portant secret. VIII such pledge In
any manner conflict with my duty as
an officer?n
"Not In I'll least, my dear, or would
not exact itof you
"Then pkomise. lam all attention. =
sho told the story as Alice had re-
Ia Il TO hd, and the captains eyes
orta wideWith establishment.
"lh love, wife, am inclined to be-
lev, thc min has told the truth. ]
ha,s anycr nd occasion to give him