Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-03-04
CHAPTER vII.-CoNTrNUED.

CHAPTER vII.-CoNTINUED.
For the life of him Capt. Grafton
could not but feel that he had been
tricked and deceived, and yet 30 plaus-
ible were the explanations he could
not brush them entirely aside. At
oil events he would not now require
his wife to recall the invitation,
sent and accepted. 1t might even be
as she claimed, that Fan loved and
chung to her as her only dear and inti-
mate friend, and craved her society
and sympathy now in her bereavement
and ill-health, and, though still sus-
picious and dissatisfied, he gave his re-
luctant assent to the plan, and was on
hand at the junction to meet and well
come his unwelcome guest.
The Merriams had been paying holt
day visit to Floy's devoted parents at
the cantonment, and were absent from
Sedgwick while these preliminaries
were being arranged. Otherwise Graf
ton might have cast conventionality
aside and asked Randy for the truth
about those alleged lovely times when
they were on their wedding journey;
but. he could not bring himself to
write, and indeed there was no time for
letters to 60 and come and decide an Is
sue that was already decided. IT was
Mrs. Grafton who, two days before the
arrival Of her lovely guest, broke the
news Of her coming to Mr.. Merriam, and
was astonished at his reception thereof.
It was almost sunset Of one OF those
soft, languorous southern days that
make even midwinter warm and CRATE
full 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 or
four. were strolling homeward past the
now shaded porticoes, on many OF
which, seated with their needlework or
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
trundled baby-arriageA Three or four
Of the bigger boys were galloping their
ponies along the roadway, fresh
sprinkled by the hugo water-cart. The
band that had been playing In Its kiosk
In front Of the line had picked up Its
music-books and gone trudging bar
backward for change Of raiment before
parade. shrting 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 SHIN
mering peak hung, well-nigh motion
less, the blue and 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-
ton to the Mexican herder who was
swearing strange oaths ut his usually
placid burros, because they had the
good manners to shrink ut 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.
Out on the mesa to the north the quar-
termaster's herd was nodding slowly,
sleepily homeward, powdered by dust
cloud Of Its 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,
awaiting the bugle call that should de-
mnnd the assembly. Mrs. Grafton had
been visiting up the row aud was COM
ing smilingly back, nodding greeting
and salutation to the ladies' on the
verandas Of the various quarters as she
passed, yet walking eagerly SO a. to be
at the gate, as was her habit, when her
captain returned from stables; seeing
which, some Of the younger officers
tried to detain her or impede her way.
"The captain has stopped to take
drink at Buttons, Mrs. Grafton. ]
wouldn't hurry II I were you," said one
mendacious, mischievous sub. 'T'l
leave II to Merriam II he hasn't" there
by OBTAINING Merriam, who was Just as
eager. apparently, to reach HE own
gate and receive the fond welcome In
Floy's deep, dark brown eyes. Others,
too. Joined the laughing conspiracy, and
gazing beyond them and seeing moth
ing Of her lord among the groups still
farther to the rear. she m laughingly
surrendered and entered into joyous
chat with her captors-the sight Of one
OF the youngest, brightest and falrest
of their number surrounded By half a
dozen gallants being naturally a COM
fort to the lookers-on along the quar-
ters-and when Randy, lifting his cap.
would have deserted them and gone his
way she was just coquette enough to
care to hold the exhlbition-and her at
tendauts-a moment longer.
''0h. Mr.. Merriami Don't go vet.
I've really important news for Jon.
Who do you think d coming to Wait
mf~
Randy had no idea. lie smiled po-
lrtely. even pleasantly. and said he
rouldnf imagine.
-WeIl. but guess" persisted Mrs.
rrafton. her very pretty face very full