The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-06-06

you-at present on must master TINS
rrowinV fondness before il masters
YOU. for love. nv child. when once il
gains supremacy rules its victims as
with a rod Of iron. and laughs to scorn
the rules of propriety. Think of the
distressing scandal which would agi-
tate the military circles of the whole
land were il to become known that the
beloved daughter of one of the most
distinguished officers of the army had
bestowed her love upon q humble pri-
yate soldier in the ranks. The finger
of scorn would be pointed at you. dear,
and your old father, were he TO survive
the shock. would resign his proud posi-
ton and seek to bury himself from the
world in ohscurity and retirement
You are treading dangerously near the
brink of an awful precipice. Alice, and
/ would lead you away to safer
ground"
''oh, you frighten me-" the girl said,
with an appealing look, II cannot
smother the emotions which God placed
in my soul, cannot change the nature
He has given me. and believe il would
be wicked to torture my own peace of
mind even to preserve unbroken the
lines of army social distinction. Mrs
Colby, confess to you that my eyes
have not been blinded to the growing
regard feel for Mr.. Thornton. have
even felt that he might be necessary
to my future happiness. Never by
word or look has he shown me any at
tention that would Indicate that he en-
tertained toward me aught but a feel
ing of simple friendship. and what you
have told me of his-of his-thinking a
great deal of me comes as revelation,
and, confess il. a most pleasing one.
But, Mrs. Colby, assure you, on my
honor. that l have never once thought
of the military world knowing aught of
any tender feeling which might exist
between myself and a private soldier.
I did not even intend that you should
know il, dearly as l love you. until
Private Brown should disappear from
life, and Mr.. Thornton, with his mill
tary service but memory of the past,
should step into our social circles. II
this should be brought about, what
thcn?'
"Ahl that might make a wide diff
ference. dear. Now begin to under
stand you, and you have lifted a great
load of apprehension from my heart.
There would be no impropriety in a
refined, honorable and worthy gentle
man in civil life aspiring to the hand
of the daughter of a military officer.
Many do so, and the most happy re-
suits usually follow. Alice, | know
what a woman's love is. have felt its
all-consuming fire in my own soul,
feel 1t yet, for Capt. Colby and myself
are Just as fond lovers, and oftentimes
Just as foolish ones, as we were when
our love was sealed with marriage.
Now, dear, ! will he your friend aLA
adviser in this matter. il you viii SO
permit. There lSissing herr is the
seal of my friendship, and want yoU
to confide in me. There is but one
pathway leading TO your future hap
piness, and II must not be strayed
from. While Edward Thornton re
mains as Private Brown you must lool
upon him as but soldier in the ranks
You must avoid him all You can, and
IL it be possible, his discharge from the
service must be brought about.
think II can be. When that consum
nation is reached he may feel at lib
erty to sue for your hand, and should
he do so you must refer him to you
father. His past life must be investi
gated, for you must remember, dear
that we have but his own unsupported
story regarding himself. There,
know what you would say. / believ,
in him as much as you do, but you
father would demand the most con
,yincing proof of his worth before h.
would permit him to show you any al
tention. Now, you must be patient
If you love each other as believe yor
do and should Mr.. Thornton establish
the fact that he Is man of honor an
true worth as l believe he will, yo
need have no fear, my dear girl, of tn
future, for love will surmount an,
ordinary obstacle that may rise in IL
path"
Alice threw her arms about he
friends neck, and kissed her fondly
Then her emotions overcame her. an
burying her face in Mrs. Colby's bosor
she sobbed like n child. Capt. Colby
step upon the porch aroused her, an
going ont at the back door to avoi
meeting him in her agitated state c
mind, she sought her home and tn
privacy Of her own chamber.
CHAPTER X.
Days passed, and save at a distanc
Brown saw nothing of Alice. Da
after day, when not on duty, he r,
paired with his sketch book TO HI
usual haunts, hut she had either di
continued her daily rides or had chose
a new field for that .healthful recre;
ton. He could not understand it, an
the clinging fear came upon him this
her father had learned of their mes
ings and, with a strict eye TO militar
propriety, had forbidden the contil
uance of their friendship. The though
troubled him greatly, and he grew M
rose and reserved in his intercour.
with his comrades. IL was believed /
his associates that the sting of the di
grace of a eourt-martial had left pail
full wound. and they did all they couI
to show him that in their eyes h
honor was unsullied by the act Of a
sault and its penalty.
II Is a custom az military posts OF u
west that after each days service G
guard duty the cavalry soldier. shOr
he 50 desire, is given hunting pass
end is permitted 10 take his horse an
go in quest of game. In his perturb,
state of mind sSetching had lost its i
g. Ilr,r--, .-.-.,