West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-02-17
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~ --s< $50 lie mt Inst deter
minded that ne would ride up and de-
liver his message as though 10 perfect
strangers ami hasten away heain. and
touching his horse with the spurs he
urged him to greater speed that the
unpleasant task might be the sooner
performed. t..
When within n quarter OF mile of
the couple Brown was astonished 70
sec Vandever suddenly wheel his horse
from the trail. and gallop furiously
ncross the plain in the direction of the
western borders OF the garrison, while
Miss Sanford turned her pony's head
and rode back toward himself.
IL mny be appropriate to here give
the conversation between Alice and
vandevcr, that his abrupt and hasty
Night from her side mny be explained.
IL may also show the stability of the
foundation upon which Browns tortur-
ing fenrs were built.
At the dinner table that day Alice.
after much coaxing, had drawn from
her father a promise TO go riding with
her, but at the hour Of starting a man
from San Marcial had called ON some
government contract business, and the
girl was compelled 10 start alone. The
quickly than the commanding officer
had anticipated, and, recalling how
eager his daughter had been to enjoy a
ride with him, he determined she
should not be deprived of the pleasure,
and, ordering his horse, he started
after her. As he rode through one Of
the sallyports in the line of earthworlSs
which surrounded the garrison he saw
Lieut.. vandevcr Join her out on the
plain, and rido away by her side. They
started after a little while In n frallop.
and seeing the futility of attempting
to overtake them the colonel concluded
to ride slowly ahead and meet them on
their return.
The lieutenant had spent much of
the day In social game of cards with
n hay contractor In the club room Of
the post traders store. the stakes being
but the price of u bottle'of wine or the
cigars at the conclusion of each game,
and a group of chalk marlsn on the face
of the table indicnted that quite n
number of bottles of the sparkling
beverage had changed ownership as
the hours sped by. When at last, weary
of the pastirnc, the players ceased their
| games, the officer became aware of the
fact that his brain was In "a rather un-
certain state OF lucidity, and to wear
away the effects Of his frequent pOta.
tioDs he went To the stables, ordered
his horse and started for ride. Iic
was not at all what civilians would
term ''beastly drunk" but had tuIscn
sufficient wine 90 make him reckless
and 10 screw his vanity up to the high
est notch, and as he gnlloped out Of the
| garrison he felt as lordly as ever did
| Alexander the Great after well won
victory. Seeing Miss sanford riding
along bat n short distance away he for
| got that they had ever had differ
ence. and hastily galloped up tO her
side. Raising his cap he said to her:
"Will you grant me the privilege of n
short gallop with you. Miss Sanford?
cannot tell You how lonely ! get mt
times, actually blue, since being so
cruelty torn from society and thrown
| into duty in this remote corner Of crca-
ton"
You will find me a dull companion,
fear, Mr.. Vandever. ! came out my
self TO cndeavor TO wear away half
morbid feeling. You can ride with me
II you wish"
Thank you. I am sure neither Of
us can feel blue In such charming so-
ciety. How's that for a double-uctinR
compliment? Hal ha! hal"
Very clever, but You rate your own
powers of attraction higher than do
mine, for assure you that will be
anything but charming companion In
my present state OF feeling"
Miss Sanford is always charming" Z"
he replied, with smile that seemed TO
lose It's vitality and fade away into =
sickly grin. Perhaps a Rallop may
serve TO rouse our spirits. Come"
| Their horses dashed away and for
half mile they rode rapidly. Then
refining her pony down 10 walk Alice
said:
''I must not distress my horse with
too hard riding. Let us walk our ami
mails awhile"
"A very beautiful trait In your char
acter, Miss Sanford. IT Is an evidence
of gentle disposition and sympathetic
soul, and IL causes me 10 admire YOU
more and more. II thnt were possible" q"
The young girl. with just a tingo Of
severity IN her tones. replied.
"Mr. Vandcver. on honest compli-
ment from gentleman 20 lady IL
always appreciated, Int dctcst frothy
praise that Is bestowed through what
some gentlemen may believe "a sense of
gallautry."
20, but assure you my words come
from the bottom Of my heart; but n
have annoyed you I sincerely beg your
/ pardon, and will not offend again"
II hope you will not, Mr.. vandevcr.
IL you wish 70 talk tell me something
Of your academy Hfe."
He began a running description Of
some cf the sports and pastimes at
West Point, and really interested tho
/ girl with his boyish enthusiasm rs he
detailed his superiority IN many Of the
games
It was at this time that Brown
emerged from tho draw and leveled his
glass at the couple, his heart aching
I .yfth main and npf,ro he nei,,r, ~ their an