The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-15

enter the old mess hall, which he had n 10
visited since 1t was -bravely decked for
the 2Stn of August hop the year of his
marriage. He had promised TO take her
thither for the graduating ball, and had
pictured her as the belle of the occasion,
sought eagerly by the cadets as their
partner for waltz or 'two-step;' and,
as in his eyes she was the most perfect
creature hat ever ived or moved. his
n anxiety was lest the boys in gray,
always susceptible. should forget that
F1oy was only a child and fall in love
with her forthwith. 1t never occurred
to him as a possibility that Floy in her
turn might fall in love. But there was
nc delicious visit for Florence to the
Point hat rear. The moment examina-
tons were over at school her mother
started with her for the far West, and
Tremaine met them at Santa Fe juno
ton. Then, after one brief week at Sedg-
wick, they had started for the canton
ment, and there had led their uneventful
life until the coming of Randy Merriam,
PROSTATE, with the days of another
June. And now. while Florence was in
tears and hiding in her pretty room
above stairs, this Grant, erring, invalid
warrior, with no word or sign of being
himself sorely heart Smitten, was de-
terminedly talking of going back forth
with to the mountain trails. Tremaine
would not let his beloved helpmeet
speak, either to Florence or to Merriam,
but he fully mean to say more words
than one TO Merriam himself, and then
he bethought him of Dalrymple, and the
famous frock that doughty major donned
whenever he sailed forth to ask the in
tentions Of O'Malley's dashing light
dragons. n this reflection gave him
pause. If, either by accident or design,
the heart of his precious child had be-
come wrapped up in Merriam then Mer-
riam should not leave the post without
an explanation. But there was yet time.
1t might be that the poor fellow was
really sore smitten himself, and that the
tender but unconquered heart Of his
daughter was touched with pity for his
suffering.
Meantime the culprit officer himself
had been carefully lifted into the doc
tors buggy, and with that excellent
practitioner was enjoying a drive. The
one thing Wells could not understand
was that, while his patient rapidly
gained in health, flesh and appetite, he
seemed so TO droop in spirits. Not one
wore had he been told Of Merriam's
broker engagement beyond what Mrs.
Tremaine a impaired. and she could
give but scanty information. Merriam
was grateful for all the care and atten-
ton lavished upon him, grateful for re-
turning strength, for sunshine, fresh air
n the brisk drive along the shores of
the winding Catamount, but Merriam
was silent, smiled seldom and laughed
not at all. Merriam was plainly troubled,
n that night when Mrs. Tremaine
asked her friend the doctor how his pa
tient enjoyed the drive, that gentleman
replied that If 1t did him good he gave
no sign. Il believe" said he, that Mer-
Rams in love. and that's why / cannot
understand his eagernesS to get back to
his troop. And the mother leaped with
hope. She. too, had a other plans for
Florence than that she should marry a
subaltern officer; but if by chance F1oy
had chosen for herself and fallen in love
with n it could not ave been without
some persuasion, some pleading on his
part. 1t must De hat he was the first
TO love n to plainly show IL.
That night Florence was very quiet.
She read aloud to her father, as was her
custom, and chung to him as he kissed
her goodnight. Merriam had gone early
to his room, as though fatigued by the
drive or rendered drowsy by the unac-
customed motion in the air. Somewhere
about three in the morning there was an
unusual sound of voices in excited talk
near the guard house, and Tremaine
awoke and was dressing hurriedly, when
rapid steps came up the walk, and the
sergeant of the guard, with a dust-cov-
cred courier, stood at his door. They
bore a note from Whitaker. A serious
row had occurred between some of the
troop n a party of miners and pros
pectors who had been camping near
them for three days. Pistols were
drawn, with the result hat one miner
was killed, two troopers and one pros
pector were seriously, perhaps, MORALLY,
wounded, and several others were in
jured. Could DIR. Wells come out to
them at once for a few hours, at least,
and was Merriam able to ride? The
young ~prospector who was SO seriously
49, $780, l.
a important for him, and
babe them tell Mr.. Merriam that his
name was McLane, a son of the man
who was about to marry Miss Hayward.
A penciled note in a closed envelope ac-
companied the verbal message for Mer-
Ram.
Florence, listening at her half-open
door Is the captain read Whittaker's
dispatch aloud to her mother, shrank
back to her bedside, covered her face
with her hands and sank to her knees.
1t was thus she was found a few mo-
ments later. Merriam, aroused by the
unaccuStCmed sounds, had lighted his
candle and, partially dressed, came forth
into the broad hallway of the command
ing officers quarters. and Tremaine met
and gave him the message and the note
which latter Randy tore open n read
with staring eyes. For a he
stood COMPOUNDED, then turned sharply to
IreIidiIe' NOW, SIT, I've got 10 go, n
go at once-when Wells does" then
turned and hurried to his room.
The captain himself aroused his post
urgeon, told him the news and bade
him see and quiet Merriam as soon as
possible. The dawn was breaking and
the rosy light was in the eastern sky
when the doctor reached his patient.
finding him fully dressed and apidly
slowing in his s~addlebags the simple
articles of a soldiers toilet.
This won't do, Randy. You're not fit
to STIR" said he. But his determination
oozed when Merriam, with white face,
| turned and said:
doctor-it's a woman's honor, and I'm
going, live or die"
Go be continued next Sunday.)