The Van Buren press., 1897-01-09

attentions to his beautiful little pro
tege, suffering themselves, on her ac
count. to listen to his mothers lonl
dissertations ON pedigrees, especially
that OF the Horizons. As general thing
the female contingent OF garrison SO
eiety does its best TO discourage "out
siders," as being likely to prevent thu
capture, in due form, of what 1t con
siders its own legitimate prey. But II
this instance it was different-fol
wasn't it possible that this merry
young stranger might captivate ano
marry some penniless subaltern, there
by leaving the field open for some
spinster sister to ensnare the very ell
giblc and decidedly wealthy Horton?
Decidedly SO. and upon this basis The
campaign went on, much TO the cyl
dent amusement of Olga, who, with
womanly intuition and knowledge Of
the ways of women far beyond hei
years. put two and two together and
iold Horton it was all very funny
eFancy those army frumps, Jack, being
Jealous of me-poor mel Jack this
with mock solemnityl. "are you in love
| with me?'
"Olga. | wish you would not talk in
| that frivolous manner. 1t isn't like
yeu-and you should have enough con-
sideration for me to believe those peo-
pie sincere in their attentions" And
Horton turned away with panied look,
|
and ker face was close to his, as, with
wet eyes, she whispered:
| "Jaek, dear. have l hurt you?"
Never before had John Horton been
so tempted. Should he now tell her
what for two years had been in his
heart of hearts, unknown to anyone, de
spite his loquaeious enthusiasm con-
corning her? Or should he take advan-
tage of her dependent position and her
IS years, or thereabouts, and confess
himself?
II was but a momentary struggle.
then Horton was himself again-a mute
worshiper of the goddess he himself
had created-or found and developed.
Eyes, you have, dear. Please don't
speak of my friends again in that way y
he said. disengaging her arms.
Olga's mouth dropped, and there was
piteous look in her eyes as she re-
piled:
II won't, John" Then, with a sudden
kiss, she walked away as though she
intended to go to her room for big.
r, s,,t,, Int oh n A
hour later found her at the piano try
ing to MARBLE Mexican song while
she fondled the cat with one hand and
picked out the accompaniment with the
other.
Horton stood in the gallery for some
seconds, her parting kiss burning upon
his cheek, her pathetic face as she left
him still before his minds eye.
I'm an old brute!' he told himself
~ man of my age" Che was 2s) talk
ing to buoyant, irrepressible child in
that manner. merely because am sup
posed to be her guardian Jack, you
old scoundrel, you ought to be ashamed
of YOURSELF"
If there was a male person in south
western New Mexico who did not fall
down and worship that little Nor
Wegian Apache he failed, probably
through fear, to declare himself; but
of all the love-stricken young idiots
that ever commanded first platoon
with credit in times of peace and in
times of war, and fell ignobly before the
initial onslaught of the little fellow
with the arrows of love, Mr.. Dandy oil
the Nth, was the bell mule.
With him Olga's affair was serious-tc
the young lieutenant. He had all butneg
lected his duties to be at her side wheI
she and Mrs, Horton We're stopping al
the post; and, even in his infatuation
almost compromised her by falling il
with one of her mad fancies one day
when he had obtained leave of absence
and riding with her unchaperoned Il
Lordsburg and back, returning at deat
of night.
For this Horton took both of then
seriously to task, as soon as he learned
If the affair, as he did the evening fol
lowing through his shocked and dis
tressed mother, who rode into town il
an army ambulance in order to tel
! him.
70 Dandy, whom he found in hi,
bachelors quarters, he said, in his low
est, quietest tones;
"Dan, If it were almost anyone bu
YOU, if | didn't know you for a gentle
man, I'd punch your head and call YOU
out beside. But for Olga's sake"
perhaps you couldn't punch my head
Jack, interrupted his friend, calmly
mot if | were present. But let's say
nothing more, and-.it shan't happier
again. You don't know how sorry
am. | suppose she'll never speak TO m,
again, after all this" he concluded
sadly.
But she did, and she also OBLIGATED al
pallbearer at the funeral of his hopes
week or two later, when he proposed
TO her at a picnic given by the ladies
of the garrison in honor Of 0lga's de
parture from the fort. She was kint
enough to him, and all that, but Dandy
took il rather hard, and swore he'd re
sign his commission, retire TO the noun
tains and adopt hermitage as profes
sion. Instead, however, he exchanged
10 northern post, fell in love again
and married his colonels wife's sister
who was plain, but who had money
enough to disguise the fact somewhat
Fielding comes next. lie was a lead
ing light of the local bar at one of tn,
4 larger Arizona towns, and attended Il
good deal of business for Horton, WHIT
was interested in copper over there
lie came 10 Silver City 80 consult will
his client met the "paDoosp and ,