The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-26
AN ARMY WIFE.
NJ CAPTAIN cHAsxEs KING .. = 4.
CHAPTER TX.
rrIIx CHARxKs KING, o. .. a.

CHAPTER TX.
Three days after the coionel's dinner,
Mrs. AcL1Ane was pronounced sufncientiy
well 20 take the open air, but did rot ioox
sud3efenuy vel, In her own opinion, 10
take the hint nor did Mrs Grafton TOO
eagerly urge BY this time the hostess
was fully convinced that Fanny was Tar
from being the frank. confiding creature
she had pictured herself 20 be: that she
had come to Sedgwfck with other pur-
pose in view than that Of seeking SYM
patty and counse; OF her ersswhile school
mate: that she was coneeaiing from her.
20 whom she once icnged to unbozom her
every thought some vital and thrilling
circumstance, and. worst OF all, that Capt
Grafton now knew what II Was. and
wouldn't tell. This. perhaps. Was almost
unpardonable- In vain had Ars- Grafton
inssnzsated, inquired, insisted. and finally
impiored. Her husband was gentle. but
obdurate-
II know nothing. Harriet" he simply
said: Il do. perhaps. conjecture. but all
conjecture II derived from that dispatch.
the contents OF which should be seen and
known only by your friend fhe-your
friend and once-upon-a-time bridesmaid.
II she choose to tell you. wen and good:
but cannot"
But he told Mr.. McLane what he had
y Caa 0iti104t TELLING &&<A< at t0AlCtt as GU
and then furthermore told her what he
had done--wired TO Aunt Charlotte that
her nisce was Frustrated by the receipt Of
her dispatch. and might not be able to
reply for several days, so Aunt Charlotte
was existing without further knowledge
OF the condition OF her niece as piacidiy.
let US hope. as was her niece without
further knowledge of the condition of her
uncle.
Ia
left, after saying Mrs McLane ought TO
wrote to her a few words reporting that
he had read Aunt Charlotte's dispatch and
replied TO IL as above stated. This note he
sent In by Annette. Mrs. Grafton was re-
ceiying sympathizing callers at the mo-
ment. and the captain babe Annette say
that IL he could be of any further service
Mrs. McLane should let him know. Pres
emily Annette returned with a note.
Il am so distracted" il said, $50 friend
less. do not know what to do. You are
the only man upon whose counsel can
depend. but even that Is denied me, for
Harriet has turned cold and unkind. Be-
cause cannot tell her the secrets Of 9TH
ers she thinks me false to our old friend
ship, and she has changed to me so much
that were / able to travel I should go at
once. only how could we explain? Oh.
i4LE 10 tell you TIC WuDit StfTy. UuL i cam
not. l must not! and must not do that
which might increase her suspicion"
But here Grafton began TO frown angrily.
He read no further. though there were
half a dozen lines on the following page,
but tossed the whole thing into the open
fireplace. tramped right upstairs and
tapped at the guest room door.
Can you come to the door q moment,
Mrs. McLane?' he asked.
rustic within, then her light football, the
ciack of the doorknob. and her voice, low
and sweet.
you startled me So" she said, through
the inch-wide aperture that appeared. but
left her invisible II dreaded that it was
another telegram. Oh. I'm not d. to be
seen. but
Il don't w. don't need to see you. Mrs.
McI.ane." said he, sfoutly. I'VE can con-
verse perfectly well, as Annette is below
stairs. All wish 10 say Is this: II can
be OF any service-an sending of letters
or dispatches to your friends. command
me. But really. Mrs. McLane, there Is no
need of telling me anything about the
matter"
"But have to, Capt Grafton" and tho
door opened q bit wider. 81 must have
your advice. l must do something right
away, and you're the only one who can
help me-"
Then III ask Harriet to come hero at
once" said he. and. suiting action to words,
started for the stairway.
She rushed out after him. dishevelled,
pnilid. "oh. I cannot tell Harriet" she
cried
Then. Mrs McI.ane. you cannot tell
me-"
For . moment she looked at him IN
amaze.
II will wire for your lawyer. Mr.. Par
ry." he went on calmly. HE can advise
what I probably could not"
He cannot advise me as you can. cap
tain. It's a matter he knows nothing
about. I've got TO see Mr.. Merriam. and
he avoids me even worse than you do,
thanh fact everybody does now that I'm
in deep trouble" she walled.
II am sure Mr. Merriam will come TO
you II there Is anything Of importance"
said Grafton gravely II will see him at
stables, and the call is sounding now"
"oh. not today-not today. ] really can
not see him Just yet. I'm so unstrung-
and he mustn't let her--his wife. know
She'll never res. TIL she's worried IL all
out Of him
HE win let his wife know" said Graf
ton calmly, "and is wise In so doing, but
she win not be apt TO make inquiries
Then he turned and left her.
There were two restless and unhappy
men at Sedgwick now-gunner and troop
er-Min.urn and Whitaker. and. each at
HIS appropriate stable. managed 10 inter
cept the troop commander on the way to
his own. each impor;unate for tidings OF
the fair invalid each rssentful of his in
difference and Implying response Graf
ton was a warm friend where he liked
but an unbelieyer and a cynic where he
did not. and Grafton believed that he had
fsthomed Fanny McLsne's shallow nature
ard secret purpose. ard was intolerant of
her 20 the verge OF rudeness. He loved his
wife. He mourned the semi-decep;ion In
which she had INDUCED in having. against
his wishes. brought her former friend
within their gates. But now ne looked
upon Harriet as being quite sufficiently
punished. and equally willing that Mrs
McIanc should take herself elsewhere
IL. therefore. Merriam would see her and
door refuse TO do--that which she de-
nandea OF him. Grafton felt that he
might speed his parting CUES; and relieve
not only his own but his fair wife'S Shout
ders of heavy load. He was late reach.
ING stables. fact bury old Buxton would
be quick to notice and as quick to rehuke.
He had DELAYED only 3 minute or two
after the sounding OF the call. because he
wished 20 have hiS interview over and
Done with. The men of his troop wer.
sircasiy leading out as he came Tn sight
oE tire long row Of yeilow-wasacd rock
cries that passed for stables. and Il an
ncye1 him 20 be hailed on the way. one
after another. BY these two admirers OF
- much that he couldn't admire al All
Then. as luck would have II. the Neuien-
ant colonel Was the next TO Accoss him
Ana 20 remark that ne was eve minutes
late. which wAsn't 50. hut couldn't b
co1srzaiete<i. and Grafton was grittinw
his teeth VIXEN ne reached his troop. He
was In no mood TO tzIk dipssna2siszllT
with Merriam tast thsE. 2aa knew It. ana
was thankful that thc lieutenant Was s:fl