The Irish standard., 1898-03-26

was forward on the pilot of the en-
gine. If the trestlc work were sawed
away or bridges burned at inconvcnent
points, llaync would not be apt to let
the train stumble into the pitfall. 1t
was nearly dawn before the special
reached Santa Fe Junction, but the
ritlcrs marched thithcr soon after mid
night, leaving many weeping wives at
home. They had not the stoicism of
those women long schoolcd in such
cala1nities--the ladies of the cavalry.
Buxton succeeded to the command of
the post and its garrison, now made up
o: one big squadron Of the -th, four
troops, and Capt. Blnker's battery Of
mounted artillery, and what fairly pes
tered Buxton was why the colonel
should have sent for Mr.. Merriam with
in ten minutes after the dispatches be-
gan coming in just after retreat. und
Merriam wouldn't tell.
The first dispatch was from depart
ment headquarters, and hatle the
colonel hold his entire regiment ready
for instant duty and journey by rail.
Bux was with him when it came, and
together they had gone to the office.
Then was handed in another, which the
colonel read but did not pass over to
his second in command. On the con-
trary he thought bit and sent for
Mr.. Merriam, and took him to one side
and had conversation with him of
five minutes duration that was inaudi-
BILE to everybody else. BuX did catch
q word or two. but could make of it
nothing that did not stimulate his Curl
osity. "Killed," "Mcscalcro noun
tains," written Observation-Disclosures
only 49," were some of them, and
when he took tho commanding officers
desk the next day he ransackcd it to
find that dispatch, surprising it to be
something official. 1t was only semi
official, said the operator. 1t came
from department headquarters, but
was addressed TO the colonel personal
ly, not in his capacity Us post COM
mnnder, consequently it was not filed.
and Bux couldn't find it.
The guard had to he reduced, and
buxton gave orders accordingly-as SER
geant, three corpornls, 12 scntries for
four posts, and the inevitable and ill.,
dispensnblc orderly for the command
ing officer being nll now authorized,
since both battery and troop command
crs had to keep up their stable guards.
But Buxton insisted on lieutenant as
officer Of the guard, and, rs luck would
have It., the man directed to relieve tho
infantry sub starting off with his regi-
n,ent WIS Randolph Merriam.
lie had FASTENED home to let Florence
know it was the rincrs not the cav
dry, that were summoned this time,
and instead Of finding her somewhat
tranquillizcd was distressed to SEQ
traces of continued. if not grcnter.
agitation. Mrs. I!uyne, of course, had
been hurried home. Florence had left
the sofa and was ncrvously pacing tho
little room. He heard her rapid foot
steps as he let himself in at the door
below, but as he bounded up the stairs
she hurried to the window and stood
leaning against the sash. her back to-
ward him as he entered.
Closing the door aud Fastening to
her, Merriam took her in his arms and
turned her face to his. 1t was hot and
flushed. The eyes were still red with
weeping, the lids swollen and distig-
urcd.
"Why, Florence. dear" he began, in
tones OF mingled reproof and distress.
">vhnt can have happened to SO dis
trrb you? We do not go. 1t is only
the rihers this time"
For one moment there was silence.
then sudden outburst:
&c! wish sse did go. wish to heaven
had never again seen this hateful,
hateful pcs,---or else that she had not"
"Sie! Florence? Who?"
THE women you went to see when
was out of the way after parade this
cvcn;ng-artl dare nottcu me-"
"Florencc! Florence!" he cried. In
utter amaze and distress. Listen to
me, dcar," he pleaded. for she was
struggling to relense kerse)f-"listen
TO me, cEi;d."
:Chi:d?--1 am no child! I was one,
perhaps, when you car.e into my life
when l rnnr-ietl you. But not now--not
now, Randy i'm n ,voman with q burn
ing, bleeding heart. Why should you
go there? Why should you hide it from
me1"
"You were i'll md wretclscd. knew
you could rcl bear her. Grafton asked
INC to come OK matter entirely OF
business"
"Oh! VIVA: hrsineaa have ycu to have
business OF any kind with kcr--now?"
&c! do nn: yst KNOX, Florence" he
answered, slowly releasing her, and his
tone changing to one il, which pain and
rcpronc!, wars ,ningling now. II have
no. seen her: intlcc,; she refused to
Ece'nle."
"ycn said Capt. Grafton urged you
to con.. What rsgh. hnd he if she
didn't .:;n"n to SO. COUP
"Ii,:,. remains 10 be explained, Flor.
encc. I have :.::h no time to inquire.
Indeed. have ret felt sufficient inter
est. Mrs. siraftcn said lie lady had
declined to ::ve anybody, ard hid soue
bnc!s to hrd, rrostratcd a2nii:, possibly.
was most anxious! K, come to sou,
my vic, little dreaming what welcome
was In store for nlc. Fiorcs:"e. dear, Ia
H. possible is ii credible !];n :o,. have
let tAu: ro:r woman c:lnc IS :; te,,risnt
into your l::e .nd make yu:! SO rnj:st
to raco Q. my ::,-lc so!;iicr girl. IS this
Just tc ci..,e- Of Gag"
"Tell ne ::.:s!" she demanded, sud
denly facing: Kim an; .co!<irs :u:o his
troubled eyes. rs ti'c:c a;,y business
u.