The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-07-12
IT do sincerely crave your forgive

ness" she warmly exclaimed. at was
but passing thought, and even before
you interrupted me your eyes told me
the suspicion wronged you. But IL
surely could have been no ordinary
cause that induced you to enter the
army
at was a result of youthful folly,
Miss Sanford. owe my present CON
dition in life entirely to my own youth
full folly"
'You excite my curiosity, Mr.. Brown,
and n woman's curiosity, when not
gratified is like ranking thorn in
her side, you know. Will you not trust
me with your story? Perhaps may
be able TO assist you. My father is the
commanding officer, you know, and
will grant any reasonable request |
may ask of him. | might be able to Sc
cure your discharge from the service
and enable you to return to life for
which you are better fitted than you
are to perform the duties of private
soldier"
sin seeking to learn my history am
sure you are actuated only by pure
womanly sympathy | thank YOU for
this, thank you most sincerely, but
cannot consent to you making an eff
fort to secure my discharge. have ac-
cepted the condition in which | am
placed as a deserved punishment for
wrong doing and as severe school TO
teach me the right, and under no cir
cumstances would | have my term of
enlistment shortened one single day."
Alice looked into his eyes for a mo-
ment, and then began new scrutiny
of the sketch. Her thoughts were not
upon the picture, however. She was
debating in her own mind the pro-
priety of pushing her inquiries further.
She was burning with curiosity not un-
mixed with sympathy TO learn why
man of his acquirementsan and unmistalx-
able refinement should be found in such
humble position. After few mo-
ments' reflection, during which he
watched her face with growing inter
est, she sprang from her saddle to the
ground, and requested him to tighten
the girth While he was doing so she
said:
at may be presumptuous for me to do
so, Mr.. Brown, but | must ask YOU
question even at the risk of being
thought impertinent. When tell you
! am greatly astonished to find one of
your qualifications among men so far
beneath you in intellect and refined
tastes, feel that you will see in my
interest some palliation for my action.
May venture to ask If there is a secret
connected with the cause of your thus
banishing yourself from the ranks of
life in which you are fitted TO move?"
II fully appreciate the spirit of curl
osity which prompts the question, Miss
Sanford, and really regret that my
reply may deface any romantic mental
picture you may have drawn of me. I
have nothing to conceal from the
world"
'"Thcn will You not tell me some
thing of yourself, if your story be one
you can properly intrust with 4
stranger? ask for no confidence. Mr..
Brown, and assure you that curiosity
alone feeds my naturc-with, perhaps,
II feeling of friendly sympathy for
fellow artist"
lie reflected q moment with down
cast eyes, then looking in her face re-
Piled:
81 will tell you my story, though it
may lessen me in your esteem, and I'M
dermine any good opinion you may
have formed of me. 1t can be told in
very few words. In the first place, my
name is not Brown"
81 was very sure Of that" she said
with a sunny smile. "Brown is too
common name for such an uncommon
man"
ga al L., 1.
it. | recall one long since dead whose
tireless soul with lSnapsaclS strapped
upon its back is yet reported to be ON
an extended march. My true name is
Edward Thornton. assumed the
name | now bear when enlisted.
"My mother died when | was but
year old and few months later my
father followed her, leaving me in the
care of very wealthy aunt in the city
of Brooklyn, \. Y. She was my
fathers only sister, and took me to her
own luxurious home and reared me as
her own child, lavishing upon me her
deepest love. was all she had to love.
and from childhood the dear, good
woman fairly idoiized me and gratifed
my every wish When | reached
proper aye competent ltdcHefS were
secured for me, and, developing a love
for study, progressed so rapidly that
mt the early age of seventeen was the
possessor of liberal education and
fitted to fill responsible position in
the business world. As before told
you, ! acquired a deep love for drawing
and painting, for which am now truly
thankful, for the only real pleasure /
now derive from life | find amid these
western solitudes with my sketch book
and pencils.
"When my education was completed
my good aunt supplied me literally with
money, and in her solicitude for my
pleasure and enjoyment paid little at
tention to my moral training. | was
of lively, fun-loving disposition, and
in choosing my companions | selected |
kindred spirits who would join me in .
any wild lark that promised sport.
lone night at banquet given in hon
or OF the birthday Of a young lady friend |
of my aunt / listened to the smiling |