Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-09-01
IcoNr1NuED.I

young officer type is the junior lieuten-
ant who, forage cap in hand and his
cavalry circular, the cape of his over
coat, thrown over his arm, stands re-
spectfully in the little army parlor as
the captain enters and extends cordial
hand.
"Good morning, Maynard Glad to
see you! What brings you over here so
early? Nothing amiss, hope -
"I-didn t mean hope didn't dis
turb your breakfast, SIR answers the
subaltern, a shade of embarrassment on
his fine, frank face. "Mrs. Turner was
sogood as to say if Iwould come around
this morning-er-she'd teach me some
new methods at patience, and the adju-
tant has just detailed me to take a pa
troll to go to town after some absentees
still on pay day spree. If you'll be kind
enough to tell her-I suppose she's not
yet down after dancing every dance I'M
til 2 this morning.
"I'll tell her, says Turner. "She'll
be disappointed, of course, but come
again some other time. Any news of the
Officer
"Why, yes, sir. There's quite little
stir there. 1t seems gang of the south
ern Cheyennes have had row with
their agent and have been playing the
mischief about their reservation. The
agent has wired for troops, and if they
are sent from Leavenworth and Gibson
they say the Indians will jump. Spring
has set in down there. The chief believes
that in that event We'll be called upon
to head them off. -
May the Lord deliver us from a
winter campaign, says Turner anxious
~. "Well, I'll tell Mrs. Turner Wish
you good luck in catching the runa-
ways. How many are still out?''
Eight, sir; so I'm told at the office.
Then I'll say good morning" And Mr..
Maynard starts to go.
But SOFT silvery voice, voice ut
terly unlike the petulant tones so re-
GENTLY heard at the breakfast table,
comes from behind the portiere that
hangs from the archway between the
parlor and dining room and halts him
at the threshold.
Don't look back, Mr. Maynard. I'm
simply fright this morning, but I
couldn't help speaking to you. I'm SO
sorry you can't be here at H. Come
this afternoon, if you get back in time,
won't you? Come at 8. That'll give
you an hour before stables. Do.
Maynard hesitated. ''I'd like to aw-
fully, Mrs. Turner, !" he says, "but l.
I've got an engagement at that hour. y
All, yesl' answers Mrs Turner.
mo need to say where. | know who's
expecting you at the Barrys'. I'm posi-
lively getting jealous, Mr.. Maynard.
The young fellows cheeks are burn
ing with a flush that is not caused by
the buffetings Of the Wyoming winds
''I'll be glad to come almost any other
time you say, Mrs. Turner. Pm sure
it's very good of you. But pardon me,
won't you? The patrol is saddling at the
stable, and I must hurry down there. -
She has no time to fire another shot
before he is out Of the house and slam
ming the storm door behind him. Then
she comes into the parlor and peers out
Of the window as though to see whether
he goes at once to stables or stops, as
she more than half believes he will, at
the Barrys' The captain is pulling on
his ''arctics" in the hallway and pres
entity appears at the door, looping the
frogs of his heavy fur lined coat-a coat
that haG once been handsome gar.
ment but is old and worn and shabby
now.
81 think Mrs. Barry ought to put a
stop to that affair before it goes any
further says Mrs. Turner, whereat
the captain becomes sphinxlike and in
scrutable. Apparently he hasn' heard
Neither of them has a cent in the
world except his second lieutenant's
pay, !" she goes on, and Turner finds
himself rummaging through his pockets
as though in search of some much need
ed article, for he still has nothing to
say. Then she turns and faces him
"Don't your" she asks.
Don't what?" he replies, in simu-
lated ignorance. He is fencing for time.
"Now, Captain Turner, know you
heard what asked. You always be-
have in this absurd way when what I
am thinking and talking about doesn t
happen to snit you. said neither Mr.
Maynard nor Miss Baird had q cent,
and that Mrs. Barry ought to put stop
to their Irritation at once-and you
heard it. +"
81 think it is none Of our business,
Fanny" says Turner mildly. "Just as
said about Mrs. Gregg's gown. I can t
help wishing you concerned yourself
less about other peoples affairs, my
dear little woman, he adds, after
pause You-you haven't said any
thing to anybody but me as to the let
tiers that came for Mrs Gregg, have
you?" he asks almost timidly.
"Her bills, l suppose you mean If
have, Captain Turner, it only serves her
right. I'm sure she has shown me little
mercy or consideration.
"Well, dear, for my sake, then, don t
speak Of it to anybody. Gregg is one of
my firmest friends, and whatever you
say Of his wife is sure to get around to
them sooner or later in aggravated-ex-
aggerated form, and it would hurt him
cruelty y
Mrs Turner has impatiently whirled
about and is once more gazing out upon
the parade A petulant exclamation es-