Daily camera., 1901-08-03

|
the cantonment, and were absent from
Scdgwick while these preih,,inaries
we're being arranged. Otherwise Graf
ION might have cast conyentionality
aside ard asked Randy for the truth
about those alleged lovely times when
they were on their wedding journey;
but he could not bring himself to
write, and indeed there was no time for
letters to go and come and decide an is
sue that was already decided. 1t was
Mrs. Grafton who, two days before the
arrival of her lovely guest, broke the
news Of her coming To Mr.. Merriam, and
was astonished at his reception thereof.
1t was almost sunset Of one of those
soft, languorous southern days that
make even midwinter warm and CRATE
full in the lower valley of the Bravo.
Across the barren level of the parade
the troopers were marching up from
stables in their white frocks, and send
ing long shadows striding up the oppo-
site eastward slope of the narrow can
yon. The officers, in parties Of three or
four, were strolling homeward past the
now shaded porticoes. on many of
which, seated with their needlework or
chatting with friends, the ladies of the
garrison were awaiting the coming OF
their lords or lovers-or both. The
smooth, broad walks were bright with
groups OF merry children or sedately
trundled baby carriages. Three or four
of the bigger boys were galloping their
ponies along the roadway, fresh
sprinkled by the huge water-cart. The
band that had been playing in its kiosk
in front OF the line had picked up its
music books and gone trudging bar
backward for change of raiment before
parade, ,kirtinc on thowav the circular
| plat of withercr grass maintained at
vast expenditure of labor and water at
the foot OF the staff from whose shim-
mering peak hang, well-nigh motion
| less, the blue aud scarlet and white Of
the national flag. Northwostward the
| distant line of the Mescalero stood blue
black against the cloudless sky. Away
! TO the east rolled the dun pillows of
/ tHt uIblpNbi4N
and range. Downward at the ford of
the San Mateo some Indian boys and
| girls were jabbering shrill eNpostula-
| ton to the Mexican herdcr who was
swearing strange oaths at his usually
| placid burros, because they had the
good manners to shrink at the edge
| of the stream wherein these children Of
nature were disporting, the laughter
| and screaming. even the splashing of
| the water, rising distinctly on the air
| Out on the mesa TO the north the quar-
termastcr's herd was nodding slowly
sleepily homeward, powdered by dust
| cloud Of its own raising. and over at the
| infantry barracks at the westward end
| OF the long line scores of the men were
| already ou: in full dress uniform,
| awaiting the bugle call that should de-
mand the assembly. Mrs. Grafton had
been visiting up the row and WAS COM
| ing smilingly back, nodding greeting
and salutation to the ladies on the
verandas of the various quarters as she
| passed, yet walking eagerly so as to be
at the gate, as Sas her habit. when her
| captain returned from stables; seeing
which, some of the younger officers
tried 10 detain her or impede her way
The captain has stopped to take n
drink at Buxion's, Mrs. Grafton.
wouldn't hurry il | were you" said one
| mendacious. mischieyous sub. I'm
| leave j: to Merriam il he hasn't" there
| by OBTAINING Merriam, wto was just as
eager, apparently, 10 reach his own
| gate and receive the fond welcome in
Floy's deep. dark brown eyes. Others,
too, joined the laughing conspiracy. and
| gazing beyond them and seeing moth
| ing of her lord among the groups still
farther TO the rear. she as laughingly
| surrendered and entered into joyous
chat with her captors-the sight of one
Of the youngest, brightest and fairest
Of their number surrounded by half
dozen gallants being naturally com
I fort to the lookers-on along the quar-
ters-and when Randy, lifting his cap,
would have deserted them and gone his
way she was just coquette enough to
care to hold the exhibition-and her at
| tendants-a moment longer.
"Oh, Mr.. Merriam! Don't go yet,
I've really important news for you.
Who do you think Is coming to visit
us?"
Randy had no idea. He smiled po-
litely, even pleasantly, and said he
couldn't imagine.
t.Wall l,,t ~ rarStctn1 M-c
Grafton, her very pretty face very full
Of Importance.
"The Walkers, from Stoneman ?" sug-
gested Randy
mo. indeed! Nobody from that way.
It's from the east"
MRS. and Miss Pollard. from Marcy?"
"Not bit of it. No army people at
all, but somebody you know very well
and like very much"
Then Randy began to look queer, but
still couldn't begin to guess. I'm sure
I'm at loss" he faltered.
"Why, Fanny McLane, of course!
She's been in miserable health since her
husband died. and they've practically
ordered her to try this climate; so
| sne coming 10 me. She ii De mere SAT
urday, but of course you know she's in
deep mourning yet and can't go any
where"
For a moment Merriam was too
amazed-too startlcd~-to trust himself
to speak, and she saw it, and with the
quick intuition OF her sex, saw, too,
that something must be done to relieve
the embarrassment that would fall
upon the party.
"She was one Of my bridesmaids
Fanny Hayward" she hurriedly ex-
planned to the surrounding group-"and
the loveliest girl you ever saw; and,
Just think of it, Mr.. Minturn, now she's
q disconsolate widow with don't know
how much money all her own 'and then
nervously she cast anxious glances at
Merriam, and again addressed him, as
though in self-defense. you know we
visited with her on our way west,
and she told me of her charming meet
ing with you and Mrs. Merriam on your