Arizona republican., 1898-03-18
(Continued From Yesterday.)

ing very, very much abused for some thing that is no fault of mine?" His tone and manner were almost playful, despite certain soreness at heart he could not quite ignore, but Floy re- sisted and was silent. T have only moment or two, my wife," he presently continued, gravely and sadly. You are soldier enough to know I should not be away from my guard even now, but my heart yearned over you, Florence, in your illness and distress, and 1 had to steal moment. Won't you come into my arms a little while, and let me kiss away the traces of those foolish tears?"
 An, who knows how much her heart, too, may have been pleading with his pleading voice at the moment, yet the devil of her jealous love kept rigid guard between them.
 T shall do very well," she answered, coldly. Mrs. Hayne was here, and I told her not to stay"-pause- then, neither need you"
 At first he could not believe his senses. The wild outburst of few hours before was something easily ac counted for in one so young and pas sionate, but this cold, repellant, re- morseiess refusal. this practical dis missal of his pro1fer of love, comfort and caresses, this was something ut terly unlike Florence. It not only amazed, it stung him, and, rising slow ly to his feet, he stood one moment look ing down at her in deep bewilderment, and with TO little effort curbing his tongue and temper. The pretty wrap per she wore had become disarranged, and one slender, slippered foot that pro- jected from beneath it's shelter was tapping nervously the foot of the sofa. Sitting a sigh, he looked about him, took from a neighboring chair heavy shawl she had been using earlier in the day, and, carefully spreading it over her as to cover even the rebellious foot, he quietly picked up his saber and as quietly walked to the door. There, turning about, he looked back at her. Without changing her position, she mad calmly stripped off the shawl with her right hand and dropped it to the floor. The slippered foot was still beating it's nervous, irreconcilable tattoo as he slowly descended the stairs.
 She heard him let himself out into the night and the clank of the scabbard against the gatepost and the tramp of his cavalry boot as he crossed the road. He walked slowly, heavily now, not eagerly as he came. Florence heard and noted, and then her pride and reso- 1ution gave away, and again she wept bitter, bitter, yet not wholly penitent tears.
 The waning moon was shining over the dim, far-stretching desert to the east, and little torchiight procession was forming at the hand barracks. as Merriam recrossed the parade. Each musician were attached to lis lisadgear a bright little lamp, it's reflector so ar ranged as to throw the light full upoI the sheet of music in the rack of his ins trument. It was nearly time to form the regiment, and though the band wa> rot to go, it meant to play the boys C.. to he cars" as the sergeant said. Whit- taEer, longing for excitement Of son, kind, had gene to Buxton and bccgeG permission to turn out his troop, rconnt- ed, and escort the rifles to the railway and BuX said mo" with cheerful anG GUS omary alacrity. All the same a! the post was up and mostly out of doors thrclging about the edge of the parade wheu adjutant's call sounded and th- two battalions came swinging cut full marching order-"campaigr hat. blan izets rolled. great coats folt!ed, hay ersS5i1s, canteens and crammed cart P1dge beits." There was but brief cere moGy. The colonel whipped out |; sword and gave Column of fours,'' |: rifle Of the first company leaned to th,- right shoulder. the band burst forth into ! Eveliest strain, and. taking the lead, ne haton-beating drum major al its head, away they tramped fer the southeast gate. and all Fort Sedgwicl seemed to follow. The colonel spurred his Va and iolted cut in front of thu band his adjutant at his heels. TEe cade ced step and spirited music were kept ID until the hospital corps at the rear 5f column was clear to the gate then route step was ordered. and then by twcs and threes and little squad and parties the throng of escorts came drifting back, by far the larger portion reering off to the right and taking thc pathway toward the barracks. while long ring of women and children, with feet attendant officials, kept the direct road, nearly westward, that ran in front If the main line of officers quar- ters. Over at the guardhouse the little handful of armed soldiers had stood WI ching from afar the format ion and deaarture of the regiment, and now spreading their blankets, were settling th mselves for a brief nap before re iieyirr the sentries now slowly tramp ing heir posts. and Merriam, after ore long look at the distant TOW, vainlv seek.ng for the bright light that used to burr ill her rarlor window on previous nights when lie was on guard, turned into the office of the guardhouse with a .heavy heart and weary sigh, and sat himself down to look over the list of