The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-07-26


minded that he would ride up and de-
liver his message as though TO perfect
strangers and hasten away again, and |
touching his horse with the spurs he
urged him to greater speed that the |
unpleasant task might be the sooner
performed.
When within quarter of mile of
the couple Brown was astonished to |
see Vandever suddenly wheel his horse |
from the trail and gallop furiously |
across the plain in the direction of the |
western borders of the garrison, while |
Miss Sanford turned her pony's head !
and rode back toward himself
1t may be appropriate to here give
the conversation between Alice and
Vandever, that his abrupt and hasty
fight from her side may be explained.
II may also show the stability of the
foundation upon which Browns tortur-
ing fears were built.
| At the dinner table that day Alice,
after much coaxing, had drawn from
her father a promise TO go riding with
her, but at the hour Of starting a man
from San Marcial had called on some
government contract business, and the
girl was compelled TO start alone. The
business was adjusted much more
quickly than the commanding officer
had anticipated, and, recalling how
eager his daughter had been to enjoy a
ride with him, he determined she
should not be deprived OF the pleasure,
and, ordering his horse, he started
after her. AS he rode through one of
the sallyports in the line of earthworks
which surrounded the garrison he saw
Lieut. Vandever join her out on the
plain, and ride away by her side. They
started after little while in gallop,
and seeing the futility of attempting
to overtake them the colonel concluded
TO ride slowly ahead and meet them on
their return.
The lieutenant had spent much of
the day in a social game of cards with
a hay contractor in the club room of
the post traders store, the stakes being
but the price of n bottle of wine or the
cigars at the conclusion of each game,
and group of chalk marks on the face
of the table indicated that quite
number Of bottles of the sparkling
beverage had changed ownership as
the hours sped by. When at last, weary
Oh IDb DuSllIlts NNdSth biA'Ai
games, the officer became aware of the
fact that his brain was in a rather un-
certain state of lucidity, and to wear
away the effects of his frequent pota-
tions he went to the stables, ordered
his horse and started for a ride. He
was not at all what civilians would
term "beastly drunk" but had taken
sufficient wine to make him reckless
and to screw his vanity up to the high
est notch, and as he galloped out of the
garrison he felt as lordly as ever did
Alexander the Great after well won
victory. Seeing Miss Sanford riding
along but short distance away he for
got that they had ever had differ
ence, and hastily galloped up to her
side Raising his cap he said to her.
"Nill you grant me the privilege of a
. short gallop with you, Miss Sanford? |
| cannot tell you how lonely | get at
l times, actually blue, since being so
r cruelty torn from society and thrown
into duty in this remote corner of crea-
o tCn."
1 'You will find me dull companion,
o ! fear, Mr.. Nandcver. came out my
e self to cndcuvor 70 wear away a half
morbid feeling. You can ride with me
l If you WISH
e Thank you. am sure neither Of
70 us can feel blue in such charming So
l cictv. Ilow's that for a doublc-acting
compliment? lIa. ha, ha.'
VERY clever but you rate your own
|, powers of attraction higher than do
mine for assure you that | will be
anything but a charming companion in
my present state of feeling
Miss Sanford is always charming,
nc replied. with a smile that seemed &c
lose its vitality and fade away into q
sickly grin. Perhaps a gallop may
serve to rouse our spirits. Come
Their horses dashed away and fol-
half mile they rode rapidly. Their
refining her pony down to walk Alice
said:
IL must not distress my horse with
too hard riding. Let us walk our ami
mails awhile
"A very beautiful trait in your char
acter Miss Sanford. 1t is an evidence
OF gentle disposition and sympathetic
soul, and it causes me to admire you
more and more, if that were possible.
The young girl, with just tinge o
severity in her tones, replied
mir. Vandever, an honest compli
ment from gentleman to II lady il
always appreciated, but dctest frothl
praise that is bestowed through wha
: some gentlemen may believe a sense o
gallantry.'
80, but | assure you my words CONF
= from the bottom of my heart; but if
= have annoyed you | sincerely beg you
= pardon, and will not offend again"
+. ~ hope you win not, Mr. Vandever
If you wish to talk tell me something
a of your academy life
8 lie began running description o
/. some of the sports and pnstimes a
a West Point, and really interested tn
4 girl with his boyish enthusiasm as h
detailed his superiority in many of tn
;. games
a 1t was at this time that Brow
II emerged from the draw and lcveled hi
l. : 4. /, H..