Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-02-03
An Army Wife,
By CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
SYNOPSIS.
fcopyrighted. 1896. by F. Tennyson Nicely


Chapter I. - Fannie McLane. a young
widow is invited to visit the Graftons
at Fort Sedgwick. Her sister tries to dis
suade her, as Randolph Merriam (whom
she had Tilted for old McLane) and his bride
are stationed there.
Chapter II-Fannie McLane's wedding
causes family feeling. A few months later
she. while travelling with her husband.
meets Merriam on his wedding trip
Chapter III.-Some time previous to this
Merriam had gone on a government sur
Vey. fallen i'll, and had been nursed by Mrs.
Tremaine and daughter Florence. hasty
note from Mrs. McLane'S StepSon takes
him to the plains.
Chapter IV.-Young McLane dictates to
Merriam dying message. which is sent
to Parry Ga young Chicago lawyer and
brother-in-law of Mrs. McLane). Reply
causes Merriam to swoon. He Is taken to
the Tremaine's; calls for Florence.
Chapter v. - Engagement of Florence
Tremaine to Merriam is announced; we'd
ding shortly follows
Chapter VI-Mr. McLane is mysterious
ly shot in San Francisco. Merriam is
greatly excited when he reads account in
papers. While still in mourning Mrs. Nc
Lane prepares to visit Fort Sedgwick-
Chapter VII.-Mrs. McLane arrives at
the fort. Merriam is startled at the news,
and he and his wife absent themselves
from the formal hop that evening.
Chapter Wiling, and Mrs. Merriam
pay their respects to the widow on an
evening when she would be sure to have
many other callers. When the call is
returned Merriam is away, and his wife
pleads Illness as excuse for not seeing
her. Mrs. McI1ane receives telegram: ar
rested, Chicago. Your uncle stricken-par-
alysis. You will be summoned. Secure
papers. otherwise lose everything. c. NJ"
She faints and is revived with difficulty.
Chapter IX.-Mrs. McLane desires to see
Merriam. Grafton persuades him to go,
but the widow postpones the meeting till
next noon.
hon Ian
has been to see Mrs. McLane, and In a
storm of passion will not allow him
TO explain. Shortly after Merriam is in
tercepted by Fannie McLane as he is pass
ing throughGrafton's yard. Florence wit
nesses the meeting, which she supposes
has been prearranged.
Chapter XI.-Mrs. McLane begs Merriam
for papers given him by her stepson, but
which he tells her were all forwarded to
Parry. Merriam is seriously wounded in
fight with greasers.
Chapter XII.-Florence, in her deep dis
appointment, leaves her home in the night
for her fathers at the cantonment.
Chapter XIII.-Three personal telegra phi
messages come for Merriam from Parry.
Latter is notified of Merriam's mishap
miles from post. a dispatch from her law
yer on his way to the fort, together with
account OF serious injuries to Merria N.
causes Mrs. McLane to faint.
Chapter XIV.-Merriam is brought in in
the ambulonce, inquiries for Florence, but
gets only evasive answer, doctor fear
ing news Of her flight may prove fatal to
him.
Chapter xv.-During absence of hos
pital attendant Mrs McLane steals In
on Merriam, hoping to get from him some
papers or information: tells him of his
wife's disappearance Randy staggers out
to the stable. and is shortly galloping
xnadly off over the mesa. Mrs. McLane
breaks down, tells of dying message of
her stepson to effect that the first Mrs.
McLane was alive at time of her (Fan-
nie's) marriage, and of the blackmail and
extortion practiced on McLane by his
zlrst wife and her family. Finally this Mrs.
McLane agreed to leave him on payment of
a big cash sum. McLane hears that his
Sacramento wife had married again, but
lawyers sent to investigate are confronted
by the news OF her death.