Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-02-10
An Army Wife.
By CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
tcepyrieh.ed. 1896. by F. Tennyson Neeiy.l
SYNOPSIS.

Chapter I. Fannie McI4ane, 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 H.-Fannie McLane's wedding
causes family feeling. A few months later
she, while travelling with her husband.
meets Merriam. on his wedding trip
Chapter IIL-Some time previous to this
Merriam had gone on a government sur
vey. fallen Ill. and had been nursed by Mrs.
Tremaine and daughter Florence. A 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 "a 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 Infringement Of Florence
Tremaine to Merriam Is announced: we'd
ding shortly follows
Chapter VI.--Mr. McLane is myst erious-
~ shot in San Francisco. Merriam is
greatly excited when he reads account In
papers. While still iuafnournfng Mrs. Nc
Lane prepares to visit Fort Sedgwick..
g 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 VIII. - Mr.. and Mrs Merriam
pay their respects to the widow an
evening when she would be sure to have
many other callers When the call is
pleads illness as excuse for not seeing
her. Mrs. McLane receives telegram: "Ar-
rested. Chicago. Your uncle stricken-par-
aiysis. 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.
Char ter x - Florence learns Merriam
has been to see Mrs. McLane, and in a
storm of passion will not allow him to ex-
plain. Shortly after Merriam Is intercepted
by Fannie McLane as he is passing through
Grafton's yard. Florence witnesses the
meeting. which she supposes has been pre-
arranged, and swoons.
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
tight 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 telegraph
messages come for Merriam from Parry.
Latter Is notified of Merriams mishap
miles from post. A dispatch from her la w
yer on his way to the fort, together with
account of seriods injuries to Merriam.
causes Mrs. McLane to faint.
Chapter XIV.-Merriam is brought in in
the ambulance. inquiries for Florence. but
gets only an 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
mad1y 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
first wife and her family. Finally this Mrs
q 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. McIAne return
ing to New York meets and falls in love with
Fannie Hayward. Shortly after his en-
gagement IS announced he receives letter
from the supposed-to-be-dead woman de-
manding further heavy payment as the price
Of her silence. Upon telling Fannie of his
and have 1t done with" Added to this
young McLane's dying statement, wit
messed by the officers from Sedgwick, had
declared his mother alive. Report comes
that Florence has fallen into the hands OF
Apaches.
Chapter xvI.-Mefriam has ridden HARD
and fast and reaches Jose's. Randy would
troopers caught him Just in time. But tht
troopers knew what to do for their Officer
and speedily brought him round. and wher
he asked for DR.. Gould they told him OF
his going, and Randy's next demand was
for coffee and a fresh horse.