The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-01-18

gagged 20 marry Mamie Pearle. When
IL was done and he sat down 70 think,
he found that he was not so radiantly
happy as he expected 10 be. But the
way the sitting-rom had been duste1
that morning had Disguised him, once
and for all. with single life. The next
day he was officer of the day and
couldn't leave the post. The day after
that he had . cold which he had
caught making his rounds and 1t con-
fined him to the house.
As for Chester. the way he put in
his time never did become quite clear.
But for q period Of six days there was
q strange Englishman In town some
IS miles the other side Of the HalloraA
ranch; some rs miles that il. or more.
from the post. 1t was . mud town,
and its hotel was az bad as its repu-
tation, but the Englishman stayed
there. He wore . conspicuous suit OF
clothes, and spent money ostenta-
tiously. He let il be understood that
his name was Lovatt, and that he was
through the west. and might, il he
fancied the country. buy ranch. 1t
was probably with that end in
view that he rode almost at once
to the Hailoran place and ex-
planned to the haciendado that
he would like 10 be shown how
a ranch was run. He met Miss Hal
loran, and her father told him that
she was engaged TO n lieutenant at .
neighboring post, but that severe
cold was combining the officer to his
house. He expressed wish that
Lovatt might meet the lieutenant
some day, and Lovatt hoped that he
would 1t was possibly in this hope
that he called at the ranch for six sue
cessive days, but always-had he but
known jt-at an hour when it was
quite unlikely that anyone would be
coming over from the post. After that
they saw him no more.
On the evening of the seventh day
Chester was in charge of Strathmore's
quarters again. Strathmore was re-
covering from the cold. and he told
Chester that he had missed him pro-
fanely much. Everything had gone
wrong He asked what the striker
had been doing with his time.
Chester threw an armful Of wood
upon the fire, and stood up. brushing
the chips from his sleeves. ''Well. sir"
he answered, II have been getting en-
gagged"
Strathmore's Jaw fell. That meant
that he would have to hunt up "A new
- 4.
bered Mamie Pearle. That's rather .
coincidence, Chester; so have L."
Chester's congratulation was re-
spectful, but not so cordial S it might
have been. II shall ask your permits
sion and the captains TO marry, sir"
he said.
Strathmore accorded his own. But
shall be sorry to lose you. Chester.
very sorry. What is the girls name 2"
Chester grew red all over his nice.
boyish face. He was finding out that
saving another is not all heroism, neces-
sarily. He produced piece Of paper
from his pocket--a piece OF fimsy,
ruled, pink paper stamped with white
dove. Strathmore gave a little start.
But Chester was doing this because he
thought IL best to deal the final blow
at once. not to mince matters in the
least, and he did not hesitate. He
smoothed out the sheet. That's the
name. sir" he said.
Strathmore read II. II was Mamie
Pearle.
"The last name" Chester explained.
l H. 49, ~ Ia ~
Halloran Of the ranch"
"Oh," said Strathmore, dryly. His
eve had caught misspelled assurance
of enduring love- "Oh." he repeated;
land may | ask II she knows who you
are?'
Chester grew more red still. Well
he reflected that an entirely honest
intent could never be prefiNed by that
| Yankee word-"well. sir, ! began by
letting her think that my name was
Lovatt-part Of il really is, sir-and
that | was titled and rich--whch l am
not-but"-he plucked up courage as
he went on-''if she loves me. OF course
il will be all right"
Strathmore handed him back thu
note. "And IL she doesn't?"
Att will still be all right"
S;rathmorc did not try 10 under.
stand. His opinion Of Chester had
fallen very low. As for his opinion Of
Mamie Pcarle. he realized, suddenly
that it had not dropped half so far.
IL was almost retreat, on the follow
ing day. when he took 10 Chester's room
bundle Of London papers that hat
Just come by the stage. He cast
quick look around. II see you've go'
the photograph Of the girl out again.
he commented.
Chester nodded. but added. with thu
faintest shadow on his face: shes {
married woman. sir"
..Yes?" said Strathmore. and turned
to leave the room.
"Oh, lieutenant" Chester called
Strathmore stopped. Il thought yo'
might like to know. sir, that I'm mo-
engaged any more