Arizona republican., 1898-03-10
fContinued From Yesterday.)

fuI in the lower valley of the Bravo. Across the barren level of the parade the troopers were marching up from stables in their white frocks. and send ing long shadows striding up the oppo- site eastward slope of the narrow can Yon. The officers. in parties of three CT four, were stro.liHg homeward past the now shaded rorticoes. on many of which. seated with their needlework oI chatting with friends, the ladies of the garrison were awaiting the coming of their lords or lovers-or both. The smooth, broad walks were bright with groups of merry children or sedately trundIed baby-carriages Three or four of the bigger boys were galloping their ponies along the roadway, fresh sprinkied by the huge water-cart. The band that had been playing in it's kiosk in front of the line had picked up it's music-books and gone trudging bar backward for change of raiment before parade, skirting on the way the circular plat of withered grass maintained at vast expenditure of labor and water at the foot of the staff from whose shim- mering peak hung, well-nigh motion less, the blue aud scarlet and white of the national flag. Northwestward the distant line of the Mescalero stood blue black against the cloudless sky Away to the east rolled the dun pillows of the "Jornada," illimitable in monotony and range. Downward at the ford of the San Mateo some Indian boys and girls were jabbering shrill eXpostula- Tion to the Mexican herder who was swearing strange paths at his usually placid burros, because they had the good manners to, shrink at the edge of the stream wherein these children of nature were disporting, the laughter and screaming, even the splashing of the water, rising distinctly on the air. 0ut on the mesa to the north the quar- sermaster's herd was nodding slowly, sseepily homeward, powdered by dust cloud of it's own raising, and over at the Infantry barracks at the westward end of the long line scores of the men were already out in full dress uniform, zwa ting the bugle call that should de- nEahd the assembly. Mrs. Grafton had
 
 ing smilingly back, holding greeting and salutation to the ladies on the Eerandas of the various quarters as she passed, yet walking eagerly so as to be at She gate, as was her habit, when her captain returned from stables; seeing which, some of the younger officers tried 70 detan her or impede her way. Tke captain has stopped to take a drink at Buxton's, Mrs. Grafton. l wouldn't hurry if I were you,' said one mendacious, mischievous sub. 'I1, 1eave it to Merriam if he hasn't" there by detaining Merriam, who was just as eager, apparently, to reach his own gate and receive the fond welcome in Floy's deep, dark brown eyes. Others. too, joined the laughing conspiracy, and gazing heyond them and seeing noth- ing of her lord among the groups stil, farther to the rear. she as laugaincly surrendered and entered into joyous chat wi1h her captors-the sight of one of the youngest, brightest and fairest of thezr number surrounded by half dozen gatlants being naturally com fort ta the lookers-on along the quar- sers-and when Randy, lifting his cap. would have deserted them and gone hi. way she was just coquette enough t. care to hold the exhibition-and her at tendants-a moment longer
 '-oh, Mr. Merriaml Don't go vet. Eve really important news for you. Who do you think is coming to visit asp'
 
 Randy had no idea. He smiled DO 6ieIy, even pleasantly, and said he . couldn't imagine.
 Well, but guess" persisted Mrs Grafton, her very pretty face very fu.i of importance.
 -The Walkers. from Stoneman ?" sug- gested Randy.
 '-No, indeedl Nobody from that way. zt's from the east.'
 Mrs. and Miss Pollard, from Marcy?"
 Mot a bit of it. No army people at Fl, but somebody you know very well and like very much"
 Then Randy began to look queer, but still couldn't begin to guess. I'm sure Pm at loss," he faltered.
 ''Why, Fanny McLane, of course, She's been in miserable health since her husband died, and they've practically ordered her to try this climate; so she's coming to me. She'll be here Sat urday, but of course you know she's in deep mourning yet and can't go any where"
 For a moment Merriam was too sznazed-too startled--to trust himself 50 speak, and she saw it, and with the quick intuition of her sex, saw, too, that something must be done to relieve the embarrassment that would fall upon the party
 '-She was one of my bridesmaids Fanny Hayward" she hurriedly ex- pIained to the surrounding group-"and the Ioveliest girl you ever saw; and, just think of it, MT. Minturn, now she's disconsolate widow with don't know how much money all her own, and then nerEousiy she cast anxious glances at