The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-07-12

ever desert me. Then and there
firmly resolved to serve faithfully for
the term of my enlistment.
II did more, Miss Sanford swore
in the presence of Almighty God and OF
the spirit of my angel mother in
Heaven that as long as I should live
not another drop of Intoxicating liquor
should ever pass my lips"
The impulsive girl reached forward
and grasped his hand, the tears stream
ing down her cheeks She essayed to
speak but could not, and dashing the
tears from his own eyes he continues:
with these resolutions firmly inn
planted in my mind returned TO the
barracks with lighter heart, and
wrote long letter TO my aunt in
which called into requisition all my
powers of eloquence TO convince her
that il was all for the best, and that
my moral salvation was the stake for
which was playing. | consolcd the
dear old woman as best ! could, and
promised her that il God spared our
lives ] would return TO her at the ex-
! piration of my term of enlistment as n
man of whom she could be proud.
! did not tell her of my assumed name
nor of my destination, for | well knew
she would spend her entire fortune, if
| necessary, to secure my release.
81 was sent to the west with other
recruits, and the experiences of my two
/ years service have been but the same
I as those of other cavalry soldiers at n
frontier post | have tried TO faithful
! ~ perform every duty assigned me. and
| from the fact that have never re-
| ceivcd a reprimand from those in
authority | am led to believe have
been good soldier.
That is my story, Miss Sanford
/ You may now understand my motive
| when repeat TO you that under no
circumstances would have YOU make
an effort to secure my discharge"
Alice had listened To his recital with
the deepest interest, and at its conclu-
sion she again extended her hand and
said
Mr. Thornton, | respect and honor
| you Your determination to do your
duty faithfully and to bury your in
clination TO lead dissolute life i'm the
hardships and rigors of service in the
army is noble one. pray God that
your future may shine out all the more
Respondent from such dark back
ground. There is, | hope, no shadow
of deceit in my nature, and | frankly
tell you that believe you to be a true,
honest and upright man whose heart
is swayed by the most noble impulses
even though you may wear the garb of
private soldier. am glad met you,
and shall highly prize your friend
ship and will do all can to Tighten the
dark hours of your service. You must
| call upon me at my home and"
Pardon the interruption, Miss SAN
ford, but you have forgotten my station
in life in your sympathy for the unfor-
tunate man. In your kindness of heart
you lose sight of the fact that Col. San
ford would never permit private sol
der to enter his house, unless in the
line of military duty"
A shadow flitted over her bright
young face, and in tender tone of
voice she replied:
YES, | had forgotten. In contemplate
ing the man my eyes were closed TO his
station in life. What you say is but too
true. Papa is unflinchingly firm in his
ideas of the impregnability of the So
cial barrier which separates the men in
the ranks from those in official life.
Yet hope to see you frequently when
you are out sketching. | feel very
deep interest in you, Mr.. Thornton,
and do trust unclouded happiness
may dawn upon you and ever remain
with you at the close of your army life"
God bless you for your cheering
words he warmly responded. They
touch my heart with thrilling tender
ness, and the knowledge that possess
one friend above the ranks of the
rough soldiers will be cheering re-
Election as | plod on in submission to
my self-imposed penance. shall look
up to your sympathy as a bright star
illumining the dreary days of my term
of service, and the knowledge that you
are watching me with friendly interest
will tighten every uncongenial duty inn
posed upon me-"
Your term of service will soon pass.
and il must be cheering reflection to
you that you will then return TO the
enjoyments of civil life and to the So
ciety for which you are so well fitted.
! feel that II bright future lies before
you, Mr.. Thornton, and you viii appre-
ciate the blessings of life all the more
with this experience TO look back upon
But must go now. Papa will become
uneasy ut my long absence. win you
kindly assist me to mount nay pony?"
With his aid she sprang lightly into
the saddle, and once more extending
her hand said:
"Good-by. thank you for the pleas
IRE your sketch afforded me. You
must let me see it when it is COM
pleted"
81 would he only too happy If you
would accept 1T as n gift, Good-by,
and may the Master above bless you
for the light you have brought into my
distasteful life"
With Il smile and farewell wave of
the hand she was Off at brisk gallop, !
but soon drew in her pony and permit |
ted him to walk leisurely toward the
fort.
Private Brown had strangely inn
pressed her, and as she rode along
oh 1n,,, I T..