The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-01-11

Chester bowed grayely. "That was
the easiest part OF the affair to forgive, "
nc said, 'and il is hardly for me, pre-
sumo, TO be tho only ono TO blame the
sergeant for the trouble that has in.
volved us all, especially yonr household
colonel y
"It was expensive incorporating, to
say the least, replied tho colonel, "but.
he never realized tho consequences un-
til Armitago told him today. You must
hear his story in brief, Chester. 1t is
needful that three or four of us know
it, so that somc NIFTY be left to set
things right at Sibl,y. God grant us all
safe return!' he added piously and
with deep emotion. II can far better
appreciate oy,r homo and happiness than
/ could month ago Now, Renwicl1,
tell the captain what sou have told us. +"
Aud briefly it was told-how in his
youthful fury he had sworn never again
to set foot within the door of the father
and mother who had so wronged the
poor girl lie loved with boyish fervor;
how he called down the vengeance of
heaven upon them in his frenzy and
Distress how ne had sworn never again
to set eyes on their faces. MAY God
strike me dead If over return to this
root until she is avenged! May he deal
with sou rs you have dealt with her!'
vai tho cursa that few from his wild
r. .rd with that he left them, stun
..d lie went west, was soon penniless,
i;d caring not what he did, seeking
change, adventure, anything to take
him out of his past, he enlisted in the
cavalry ana was speedily drafted TO the
----th, which WAS just starting forth
on u stirring summer campaign. He
was n fine horseman, fine shot, q man
who instantly attracted the notice OF
his officers. The campaign was full of
danger, adventure, rapid and constant
marching, and before ho knew it or
dreamed it possible he had become deep.
ly interested in his new life.
Only III tho monotony Of o month or
two in garrison that winter did the
service seem intolerable His comrades
We're rough IL the MAN, but thoroughly
good hearted, and he soon Won their cs.
teen. The spring sent them again into
the field, another stirring campaign, ald
here he WON his stripes and words Of
praise from the lips Of veteran general
officer as well Us the promise OF future
reward, and then the love Of sOldiGrly
deeds and the thirst fOl soldicrly ronown
took firm hold IN his breast. Ho BEGAN
to turn toward tho mother and father
who had been wrapped up in his future,
who loved him 50 dcyotedly. He was
forgetting his early and passionate love,
and the bitter SORROW Ct her death was
losing fast Its poignant power to steel
him against his kindred lie knew thcy
could not but be proud Of tho record he
had made in the ranks Of the gallant
----th, and then he shrant and shivered
when he recalled tho dreadful words Of
his curse. He had madU up his mind to
write, implcne pardon FOR his hideous
and unfilial language and invoke their
interest in his career, when, returning
to Fort RairCs f0r supplies, he picked
up New Yori; paper IN tho reading
room and read thc announcements Of his
fathers death, whose health he'd been
broken ever since the disappearance OF
his only son, two years before " The
memory of his maledicIiOn had indeed
come homo to him. and he fell stricken
by Sudden and ulGccouut@blc blow.
1t seemed as though hishcart had given
one wild leap. then STOPPED forever
Things did not go so well utter this.
He brooded over lis words and believed
that an ayenging God had launched the
bolt that killed the father IS punish
ment 10 the stubborn and recreant son.
He then bethough5 him Of his mother,
of pretty Alice, who had loved him 20
as little girl. lie could not bring him
self to write, but through inquiries no
learned that the house WIS closed and
that they had gouo abroad. lie plGddcd
Oh i'll his duties q tying year; then
came more lively field woyl; and reyiy-
ing interest. He was forgetting entire
ly the sting of his first great SORROW
and mourning gIavely the gulf he had
placed 'twixt him and his.
He thought time and G"4in If his
cruel words and something began TO
whisper to him he must SEQ that mother
again ut once, kiss her hand and inn
plore her forgiveness, OF she, too, would
be stricken suddenly He saved up his
money hoping that after the summers
rife work at Sibley he might get q fur
Tough and go east, and the night he ar
rived at tho fort, tired with bis long
railway journey and painting after u
long and difficult climb up bill, his
mothers face swan suddenly before his
eyes, and he felt himself going down.
When they brought him to, he heard
that the ladies were Mrs. Maynard and
her daughter, Miss RcnwicIl-his own
mother remarked; his OWL Alice, a
grown young woman. This was indeed
news to put him in IL futter and spoil
his shooting. Ho realized ut once that
the gulf was wider than ever. How
could he go to her now, the wife of q
colonel, and he an enlisted man? Like
other soldiers, hc forgot that the line OF
demarcation was one OF discipline, not
of sympathy. He did not realize what
any soldier among lis officers would
gladly have told hini--that he was most
worthy to reveal himself now, nom
commissioned officer whose record was
an honor to himself and TO his rogi
ment, n soldier OF whom officers and
IL l.,