The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-12
AN ARMY WIFE


ing to Mr.. Merriam, and was astonished
at his reception thereof
1t was almost sunset of one Of those
soft, languorous Southern days that
in the lower valley of the Bravo. Across
the barren level OF the parade the troop
ers were marching up from stables In
their white frocks, and sending long
shadows striding up the opposite east
ward slope of the narrow canyon. The
officers, I'm parties of three or four, were
strolling homeward past the now shaded
porticos, on many of which. seated with
their needlework or chatting with
friends. the ladies Of the garrison were
awaiting the coming of their lords or
lovers-or both. The smooth, broad
walks were bright with groups of merry
children or sedately trundled baby car
riages Three or four of the bigger. boys
were galloping their ponies along the
roadway fresh sprinkled by the huge
water cart. The band that had been
playing in its kiosk in front Of the line
had picked up its music books and gone
trudging backward for change of raj
the circular plat of withered grass main
tanned at vast expenditure of labor and
water at the foot of the staff from whose
shimmering peak hung, well nigh mo-
tionless, the blue and scarlet and white
of the national flag. Northwestward the
distant line Of the Mescalero stood blue
black against the cloudless sky Away
to the east rolled the dun pillows of the
'Jornada," illimitable in mOnotony and
range. Downward at the ford of the
San Mateo some Indian boys and girls
were jabbering shrill expostulation to the
Mexican herder who was swearing
strange oaths at his usually placid
burros because they had the good man.
ners to shrink at the edge of the stream
wherein these children of nature We're
disporting, the laughter and screaming,
even the splashing of the water, rising
distinctly on the air. Out on the mesa
to the north the quartermaster's herd
was nodding slowly, sleepily homeward,
powdered by dust cloud OF its own
raising. and over at the infantry bar
racks at the westward end of the long
line scores of the men were already out
in full dress uniform, awaiting the bugle
call that should demand the assembly.
Mrs. Grafton had been visiting up the
row and was coming smilingly back.
nodding greeting and salutation to the
ladies on the verandas of the various
quarters as she passed, yet walking
eagerly so as to be at the gate, as was
her habit, when her captain returned
from stables, seeing which, some of the
younger officers tried to detain her or
impede her way. THE captain has
stopped to take a drink at Buxton's,
Mrs. Grafton. / wouldn't hurry If were
y
sub. ''I'll leave it to Merriam If he
hasn't" thereby OBTAINING Merriam, who
was just as eager, apparently, to reach
his own gate and receive the fond well
come in Floy's deep, dark brown eyes.
Others, too, joined the laughing con-
spiracy, and, gazing beyond them and
seeing nothing of her lord among the
groups still further to the rear, she as
laughingly surrendered and entered into
joyous chat with her captors, the sight
of one OF the youngest, brightest and
fairest of their number surrounded by
half a dozen gallants being naturally
comfort to the lockers on along the
quarters; and when Randy. lifting his
cap, would have deserted them and gone
his way she was just coquette enough to
care to hold the exhibition-and her at
tendants-a moment longer.
ooh, Mr. Merriaml Don't go yet. I've
really important news for you. Who do
you think is coming to. visit us?'
Randy had no idea He smiled polite
1y, even pleasantly, and said he couldn't
imagine.
"Well, but guess" persisted Mrs. Graf
ton, her very pretty face very full of i'm
portance.
"The walkers, from Stoneman?" sug-
gested Randy.
mo. indeed. Nobody from that way.
It's from the East"
Mrs. and Miss Pollard from Marcy?"
mot bit of it. No army people at
all, but somebody you know very well
and like very much"
Then Randy began to look queer, but
still couldn't begin to guess. I'm sure
I'm at loss" he faltered.
why, Fanny McLane, of course!
She's been in miserable health since her
husband died, and they've practically or
dered her to try this climate, so she's
coming to me. She'll be here Saturday.
But of course you know she's in deep
mourning yet and can't go anywhere"
For a moment Merriam was too
amazed-too startled-to trust himself to
speak, and she saw 1t, and with the
quick intuition of her sex saw, too, that
something must be done to relieve the
embarrassment that would fall upon the
party.
"She was one of my bridesmaids
Fanny Hayward" she hurriedly ex-
planned to the surrounding group-"Mr.
Merriam's bridesmaid, and the loveliest
girl you ever saw; and, just think of it,
Mr.. Minturn, now she's a disconsolate
widow with / don't know how much
money all her own" and then nervously
she cast an anxious glance at Merriam
and again addressed him as though in
self-defense. You know. we visited
with her on our way West, and she told
me Of her charming meeting with you
and Mrs. Merriam on your wedding jour
ney and the lovely times you had before
they had 10 go TO San Francisco" and
now her voice had become timid and ap-
pealing, for she saw something was very,
very much amiss. Merriam's face had
flushed even through it's coat of tan, but
was now a yellow brown, all its happy
healthful glow vanished, and Billy Whit
taker. looking uneasily at him, had
linked an arm in his and seemed about
to urge him to come away; yet Merriam
had to say something, and this, in evil
dent constraint, is what he said:
"Yes-we-did meet-Mrs. McLane-
I'm very sorry to hear she's been ill, and
am much surprised to hear she's coming
here. Excuse me. Mrs Grafton, must
hurry on"
That evening Floy and her husband
failed to attend the formal hop which
was held each week, and their absence
was noted, for she loved to dance, and
had promised waltzes and two-steps
without number to her old friends of
the Rifiers and the cavalry both. Some
one proposed going after them. Mrs
Hayne did call on her way home, for she
left early, and inquired anxiously for
Florence. she has a severe headache
said Randy, who came to the door with
gloom in his eyes, land she felt too good
| for nothing TO attempt it, so persuaded
| her TO go TO her ROOM" He asked them
| in. but did not invite. Both Hayne and
| his wife noted that, and both felt they
knew the cause OF ali the trouble when
| they met Whitaker ten minutes later
| and learned from him that the Graftons
expected a guest from the East on Sat-
| urday-Mrs. McLane.
And Saturday evening she came al