Arizona republican., 1898-03-17
{Oontinued From Yesterday.)

four posts, and the ineYit2 ble and in- dispensabie orderly for the command ing officer being all now authorized, since both battery and troop command CTS had to keep up their stable guards. But Buxton insisted on a lieutenant as officer of the guard. and, as luck would have it. the man directed to relieve the infantry sub starting off with his regi- nent was Randolph Merriam.
 He had hastened home to let Florence know it was the rifers, not the cav airy, that were summoned this time, and instead of finding her somewhat tranquillized was distressed to see traces of continued, if not greater, agitation. Mrs. Hayne, of course, had been hurried home. Florence had left the sofa and was nervously pacing the 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 and hastening to her, Merriam took her in his arms and turned her face to his. It was hot and flushed. The eyes were still red with weeping, the lids swollen and disfig- ured.
 "Why, Florence. dear" he began, in tones of mingled reproof and distress, ''what can have happened to so dis tErb you? We do not go. It is only the rihers this ti1ne.''
 For one moment there was silence, then a sudden outburst:
 q wish we did go. I wish to heaven I had never again seen this hateful, hateful post-or else that she had not" "She! Florence? Who?"
 "The woman you went to see when I was out of the way after parade this evering-and dare not tell me-
 Florence! Florence!" he cried, in utter amaze and distress. "Listen to me, dear," he pleaded, for she was struggling to release herself-'listen to me, child"
 "Child? ?-I am TO child! I was one, perhaps, when you came into my life when I married you. But not now-not now, Randy-Fm a woman with burn ing, bleeding heart. Why should you go there? Why should you hide it from mel"
 You were ill and wretched. knew you could not bear her. Grafton asked me to come on a matter entirely of business"
 'Oh! what business have you to have business of any kind with her-now r
 T do not yet know. Ference" h. answered, slowly releasing her, and hi= tone changing to one in which pain and reproach were mingling TOW. ''I hava not seen her; indeed she refused to see me-"
 'You said Capt. Grafton urged yo,i to come. What right had he if she didn't mean to see you?''
 ''That remains to be explained, Flor ence. I have had no time to inquire. Indeed, I have not felt sufficient inter est Mrs. Grafton said the lady had declined to see anybody, and had rc:1e hack to bed. prostrated again. possib.v. I was most anxious to come to yc:. my wife, little dreaming what welcoTac was in store for me. Florence, dear, is ii possible-is it credible hat you have let that poor woman come 2s torment into your life ard make you so unjust to me? 0, my little soldier girl, is this just to either Of us?"
 Tell me thisl" she demanded, sud- denly facing him and looking into his troubled eyes. "Is there any business can there be any reason why she should wish to see you-alone?"
 Merriam hesitated. "Florence," he began, there are matters sometimes made known to a man that he must divuIge to no Cne. do not know what she desires of ne, but ] believe it is her wish to learn all 1 know about tha t poor fellow who was killed up the Mescalero last June-nothing else"
 And needs a private interview with her rejected lover for that purpose!'' 5 ske interrupted her eyes flashing anew Tie child was indeed woman. "Oh I hate her! I hate her!" she cried throwing herself passiCnately upon the sofa, and then Merriam cried: "Hushl- for some one was knocking at the door
 It was the servant, their oblique-eyed thinamaH, with note. My knockee tlee times,'' he grinned. All time telkee-talkee; TO listen.'
 It was a brief summons to relieve Lieut.. Henry in command of the guard a once. Henry had to go with his regi ment.
 Mrs. Hayne is coming back, is sht not?" he queried of Florence, but hat to repeat the query twice. She only shook her head.
 He waited moment. "Listen, Flor ence, dear," he presently said, as hc bent comPassionately over her. T an ordered on guard at once, and I mus go to relieve Henry. Even though cannot tell you what Mrs. McLan' wishes to see me about, this I will tel you, dear. If ! must see her, you shai know it first-f.0n me, and not hear O. it through some meddling gossip"
 He was wondering as he walked ava! v-ho could have told his wife he hac called at GraftOn's and asked for Mrs