Daily camera., 1901-08-02
An Army Wife.
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.

And he was very devoted lover,
too. Only twice week did the mail
rider 20 out to the cantonment, but
Randy wrote to her long, crowded
pages every day, and her letters came
even longer and brimful of love and
sunshine and happiness. He had sent
tc st. Louis for her engagement ring,
and her delight over it and its beauty
was something delicious to see, though
she properly rcbuked him for his eX-
tiavagancc and warned him never
again to spend so much money in jew
elry for her while he was yet a poor
lieutenant. BY and by, when he be-
came great general as surely he
must, then it might be permissible,
but no matter how great or distin-
guishcd he might become. never could
she be prouder of him or OF his love
than now, never, never!
As the late autumn wore on twas ar
ranged that the wedding should take
place at Sedgwick, and both riilers and
troopers, the -th foot and the -th
horse, were to give the happy couple a
glorious send-off. Both bride and
groom-elect had seen much of the east
and south within the ten years preced-
ing this of '92, and Merriam suggested
southern California. Coronado Beach,
Santa Barbara and Monterey for their
honeymoon trip. Florence would have
gone without question had he said kam-
chatka or Timbuctoo. Once-twice dur
ing the autumn long letters had reached
him from Ned Parry-letters over
which he pondered gravely. Mr.. and
Mrs. McLane. said the second letter,
were once more in Gotham, the vortex
of gay circle, but Mrs. Parry had de-
clined to go east again. He himself had
not cared to go. and did not call upon
the happy couple or upon their revered
uncle when. as it happened, he did have
TO 20. mfr. Mellen has never written
me since my letter to him telling him
why | could not attend the wedding"
have an accounting, and in the near fu-
ture. too. But first. my boy, l must
look up that California story and we are
TO meet. 1t may be weeks yet before
! can get away, but when do I'll wire.
II possible get brief furlough and join
me I'll come bv way Of Sedgwick, and
Charlotte-will not be with us"
And, though Merriam soon answered
that letter. he made no mention of his
engagement. Cards in due form were
issued in January just a fortnight be-
fore the ceremony, and that was Parry's
first intimation OF ",he impending
crisis" Charlotte was astonished. Both
were rcjoiced on one account, yet both
wished, for the girls sake again. that
he had not been so precipitate. Each
believed that the old love still smol-
dered and could be famed into fame
They sent beautiful gift TO tine bride
some rare cut-glass pieces over which
Florence almost cried with delight, and
for the first time in long weeks Char
lottc Parry wrote TO her fair sister in
Gotham and told her of Mr.. Merriam's
engagement 10 such q charming girl,
the only daughter OF n distinguished Of
fcer, the pride and beauty of the rcgi-
ment. the toast OF all the cavalry and
other Celebrations, some OF which, il
must be owned. Mrs. Parry coined, but
most OF them she compiled and evolved
from the letter Merriam wrote 10 her
two days after he had posted the cards.
The wedding was lovely, as army
weddings usually are. The day was
perfect, the music grand. the assem-
b.age all that could be desired, the
ceremony, despite the mast Of tears in
many eyes and Tremaine's NANTES,
emotion, had gone oH withou; jar.
The reception at the Haynes was sim
ply perfect. as everybody said, and
then, though 1t was manifest give
away" of the young couple, and prob
ably very bad form indeed, dozens of
men and women had ridden TO the juno
tion to meet the west-bound train and
see them of; and hardly had their fond
faces faded in the distance than an
other, a very different one, radiant.
smiling, beautiful face. was unveiled
to the startled vision of the bride, and
the woman who was said TO have
wrecked Randolph Merriam's life few
months gone by WIS there in most be-
witching guise, despite the dust and
Crime of railway travel. to oYerwhelm
her with pretty speeches and charming
compliments-and complete dismay.