The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-03


Strangely aged.
words of love made vows Of fidelity and
talked OF a wedding IN the near future
All the world seemed in Harmonious
accord with their new-found joy.
The marriage was delayed year, her
parents believing she was too young to
assume the cares and responsibilities OF
wffehood She was the only child. adored
of her parents. make haste slowly,
her father said.
William Merriam frequently visited her
home, Mr.. and Mrs Morissey making the
prospective son-in-law a welcome guest
He made friends easily, as he had a.
ways done. Every one in Philadelphia
liked his frank. cordial conutenance and
the cordial grasp of his hand. He was
considered a model youth.
When he and Grace talked OF war and
the duty q man owed his country, she
would say:
'Oh. Will. cana't wait. I love you"
She added to his patriotic desire with
the enthusiasm that belongs to the era
o. illusions of youth.
They talked OF the future. bright and
glowing with honor. They dreamed OF
the day his regiment would march into
The city.
How her heart would beat for Joy and
how happy she would be.
He would return hero q wear his UNI
form when they were married
How glorious. she thought. urged by
his own desires, on May Is William s.
Merriam enlisted in the United States
volunteer service.
Major Craigle appointed william Mer-
RAM bookkeeper in the company ONCE
during his first few weeks of his exper-
fence with strict military discipline. His
good penmanaship made him useful in
the office
The lack Of privacy and the continual
companionship of many different dispo-
sitions develop the real strength or weak
ness OF a mans character.
Some men more sensitive and less used
to good fellowship of army life grow
homesick- Others cannot endure the rig
orous discipline.
Men of strong character obtain great
influence over their fellow men, become
leaders in thought, control events and are
the natural leaders of their comradaes.
Stll another type of the raw recruit
becomes "a good fellow"
William Merriam became good fellow.
From the commandant down every one
grew fond Of him. In a short space OF
time he was a general favorite.
Slowly, but surely the evils that beset
an army career crept insiduously over
him.
The cordial cup and fair temptress al
ways in wait for the soldiers from the
barracks on their leaves of avsence lured
him AWAY from the memories and the
innocent pleasures of his earlier days.
This was the. beginning Of the end. BY
nature a genial, companionable fellow. he
easily yielded to the influence Of his en-
vironment
One drink of the frey stun dealt out
to soldiers made him ready to do and
dare anything. A pint crazed him and
made him do things that he shuddered at
afterwards.
He learned to love the games Of shance
gambling fascinated him and no hand
was steadier than his when his last coin
was on the table.
If he trembled and was unsteady the
nervousness was the result Of the liquor
he had drank. not because tickle dame
fortune frightened him.
The men men called him a dead game
sport. The officers looked on. Some sheer
ed. Others who had dndlier hearts said:
Poor chap. he can't keep that up.
Too bad, eh?"
Major Craigle gave him words OF coun-
sci, warned him of the inevitable end,
threatened the guard house, with no ap-
probable effect The words seemed
wasted.
On July II a large sum Of money was
known to be missing. A private the same
day. who had left his watch with COM
rade reported to the sergeant he could
neither find the watch nor the man.
On that day William Merriam deserted.
A fortnight ago Major Craigle was sit
ting in his office alone. An orderly
brought in a woman's card. The inscrib-
ed name was unfamiliar to him.
He would see her. A slender girlish
figure, hesitating, came slowly in.
She looked about her as though to
make quite sure she was alone with the
officer.
Without word Of greeting or explana-
ton. half sobbing, she cried:
'T am william Merriam's sweetheart"
Last night he confessed everything to
me. 1 love him. I was soon to be his
wife. I have at last persuaded him to
return to you and accept his punishment
ike a man.
HE knows that onwly under those con-
dftions sail I ever be his wife"
The major listened.
He was touched. interested and incred-
ulous at the melodramatic situation that
to the woman who spoke was so full OF
pathos.
woman whose sense OF honor. even as
soldiers understand 1t. was so keen. She
said:
81 will return and bring him. Major"
She had asked no mercy for her young
lover, She had offered no plea except the
mute appeal in her eyes that were full
of unshed tears.
The major thought. scornfully.
He'll never come back, the coward"
Major Craigle a man OF affairs. thought
little OF Miss Morissey's visit after she
went away.
Two days afterwards in the afternoon,
he sat writing at his desk when a wo-
mans figure appeared suddenly and dark
ened the door that stood open before him
The girl was calm. with that duh, plac-
id expression that is seen on the faces of
persons who know despair.
The lips were white and drawn. Silently
she beckoned.