The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1900-02-09

that fatal smile, and, unlike most of
his fellow-victims, he had not recov-
cred.
On this particular afternoon he
could find ne refuge in day dreams,
Tor that very morning he had seer
Janet smile with divine sweetness up-
on the sergeant-major and the thought
OF that smile, and Of the legendary
house property at Woolwich, ranked
in his bosom.
In this inventory he was u~ngrateful
enough to forget a very important item
In his claims upon the attention Of
Janet Sloane.
Allo, Beanoi" cried a little voice
at his elbow.
Corporal MacBean turned, and the
careWorn Fuckers in his bronzed face
smoothed out as his gaze met two
round blue eyes fixed upon him.
This wal the forgotten item-Miss
Victoria Donelly, daughter and sole
heiress Of Capt. Donelly, the special
charge Of Miss Sloane, and the darl-
ing OF the whole garrison of Fort
Curzon.
Miss Victoria was just three and a
half years old, and was already Begin
ming to develop the faculty of observ-
alton to an abnormal extent. She
knew every man in the garrison pretty
well by name-even the Ghoorkas
whose names were beyond all pronun-
citation.
She was very much attached to
"Beano, as she called CorrmAa Mac
Bean, In accordance with rradi.
lions Of the garrison, d Beano
shared IN the popular alteration &C.
corded to this frai1, motherless baby
Beano was always good for a game
OF horses, and once in harness would
toss his head and paw the ground and
curYet more nimbly than n real
polo pony. Furthermore, he couId
dress rag dolls better than any Other
man in the garrison, the regimental
tailors not excepted.
Good afternoon, missile" renIied
Corporal MacBean in answer to a long
inquiring stare.
Private Doolan got the toothache."
announced Chubby solemnly.
Has he. missie?" replied the cor.
poral.
"Yeth." lisped Chubby, with import.
ince. Il heard the doctor pull It Out
In the 'othpital juth now. Private
Doolan did 'ollerl"
Did he, missie?" inquired Corporal
MacBean absently.
He was wondering where Janet
Sloane could be, for her little charge
had evidently given her the slip dur
Ing their afternoon walk round the
eantonments.
Il don't think Private Dooln'th a
very brave man." continued Chubby.
Iudicially.
Why not, missie?" asked the cor
poral.
You wouldn't holler II o had a
tooth out, l know. Nurth said Won
wouldn't, because you are too brave.
added Chubby emphatically.
Did she, thought"
Corporal MacBear sat I'D with sud-
den interest.
When did she say that, missie?'
he added, his face growing pale under
the tan.
When Private Doolan said. Vow
VOW, yOw!' And / asked her Il Won
would 'oller like that"
did she, though, now!" said Cor
poral MacBean with animation. 'D'you
know what / am going to make for
you, missie?"
"A wockin'-'orse?" inquired Miss
Victoria anably, as she squatted down
comfortably by his side.
Better than that. A whole bloom
In Noah's ark, full of lions an tigers
an camels an COWS an iackals. An
then there'n be Shem, Am and ia
cob, in green hats an yellow
breeches-"
An red eoaths!" ~interposed Club
by breathlessly. "Of courth they'd
have red coaths II they were In the
service. Then there'd be yabbith-
"Of our thore'd be rabbits, mis-
sic, with long ears"
Like some other donkeys I know
of-leading that child away when I'm
looking for her everywhere, thinking
that some O. those gun-stealing heath
ems from ver the border had gone and
got hold Of heri It's ashamed o. We /
am, Misther Corporal MacBean!" in
t%errupted a clear voice from the crest
Of the rampant