Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-03

UuL FeClpTOculeu.-f rev women worth
the winning are destitute of coquetry,
however diluted, and Ethel Grahame
had found pleasure and interest in
spite of herself In Mr.. Sankey's visits
for she delighted in ,puzzling, perplexs
ing, even In tormenting, him. She had
gone to two dances with him, to one
with Woodrow or May and then refus-
ed to go with him to third. He asked
why. Because you ask so far ahead"
was her placid reply.
81 thought the rule was first come
first served" he said in sulky sur
prise.
81 know you did, and If that rule
were universal no woman could be at
forded choice. She might be compel
led to go through an entire season with
the least desirable man In society.
Now, / like variety"
"You went riding three times hand
running with Mr.. Langdon," complain
ed the youth. did you refuse him the
fourth?"
'The fourth never came, but If it had
l should have gone. There is great DIFF
ference between an exhilarating out
door ride and an indoor party. Be-
Sides Mr.. Langdon could teach so
much"
(which 1 can't do, I suppose you
mean," said he disconsolately. Then,
with an upward glance, .Is he going
to teach riding for a living, do you
s'pose?"
The words were hardly spoken when
he regretted them. Miss Grahame
flushed holly, and the light in her eyes
bodied i'll for Santley.
I'll really beg your pardon" he
fastened to say. That was very clum-
sy of me, you know. 1 didn't mean-it
was only in sport, you know"
They We're walking along the broad
gravel path toward the commanding
officers at the moment. The Tor
RANGES gate was just ahead. Three or
four women, joyously chatting and
laughing, were entering. They nodded,
with smiling significance, toward the
approaching pair, thereby augmenting
Miss Ordinances annoyance.
Say I'm forgiven, Miss Grahame."
pleaded Santley hurriedly, .and that
you will go with me to the Thanksgiving
hop. I've got to go to stables now, You
know. There won't be any men at the
Torrances' till after retreat. Indeed
I'm-Pm awfully sorry vexed you"
and, to do Santley justice, he looked It.
She turned and faced him. "Mr.
Santley," she said, 81 knew very few
officers till our coming here. It is the
first garrison I ever visited. My uncle
and two Of his old comrades formed
my ideas of what our soldiers were and
should be, and Mr.. Langdon seemed to
be of the same caliber, us you artillery
men say. never heard them sheer at
man In such misfortune as had fallen
to him. Your having vexed me is a
small matter. My ideals of the army
have been decidedly shaken, not BY
one, but by several of your associates.
thought officers were above such
pettiness."
And now 1t was Sankey's turn to
redden. "If you stop to consider how
Mr.. Langdon's miscon- misfortunes-
reflect on the regiment, Miss Grahame,
you may understand why we feel 1t SO
deeply, and, feeling it, 1t is no wonder
we occasionally speak. If it's anything
you-care about, of course I'm hoping
he won't have to teach riding -or any
thing else"
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Santley," said
she, for they had reached the open
gate, and she desired no further words.
But about the hop, Miss Grahame7,
shall take It under advisement un-
til tomorrow" was the mischieyous
and provoking answer, with all the
chances against acceptance. I doubt
now IL I go at all"
But when Major Melville returned
from stables he found his wife In deep
concern. 1t was dark enough at that
time to call for lights in many Of the
quarters, and the windows at the Tor
RANGES were brilliant. Some of the
women folk had already sauntered
home; others were still abroad, chat
ting in eager, subdued tones. Mrs.
Melville met the major at the door and
drew him into the parlor.
what is this news about Mr.. Lang.
don?" she asked as soon as she had
him safely cornered.
That he is at Sheridan and has been
Ill, I gather" was Melville's calm re-
ply.
Now. l ask because Ethel came back
all afame with indignation and has
gone to her room to battle her eyes,
Mrs. Nathan said publicly that Mr..
Langdon had been picked up by the
police drunk in the gutter of crowded
street and that the soldiers dubbed to-
gether, paid his fine and took him out
to Fort Sheridan"
II have letter from Nelson giving
me full particulars" said Melville In
the same unruflied manner as he gently
drew his wife to seat by his side.
There is no truth in the story Of
drunkenness or police. You remember
Ryan, who used to be in my battery?
Twas he who found Langdon fainting,
and they took him to Sheridan as
matter Of course
"But Mrs. Nathan says Colonel
~ Nao AuilOuS Ut Ills DelllK
brought there and has ordered him put
off the post as soon us he can be NOV
ed, and the papers are full Of. stories
about duel. She says DR.. Armistead
declared he would publicly insult and
horsewhip Mr.. Langdon IL he showed
his face in the garrison"
The major smiled. Never mind
what Mrs. Nathan or the newspapers
say, DEAR" he answered in the same
gentle, reassuring tone. Nelson tells
me that there is some old trouble be-
tween this young doctor and Langdon,
but that they have not met and are not
likely to meet. Charming hopes to Sc
cure an opening for Langdon as soon
as he Is able to work."
"Oh, yes, and that reminds me, Mrs.
Nathan said Mr.. Langdon had the i'm
pudence to go to her uncle, who is vice
president or something in the Chicago
and Seattle railway, and demand en-
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