Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08

by the labor of troops" At twelve she had
been placed at school in.the far east WhlIe
her father enjoyed two years tour on re.
cruiting service. and there. unoer the "a.
of a noble woman who taught her girls 70
be women indeed, not vapid votaraes OF
pleasure and fashion, Esther spent I'VE USE
full years, coming back to her fond 1athel :
soldier roof winSome picture OF slllsI
health and grace and comelineSs-a slrl
who could ride, walk and run II neeo De-
who could bake and cook, mend ana sew
cut, fashion and make her own s,,i nt,s,
WARDROBE; who knew algebra, geometry
and 'trg" quite as well as, ana history
geography and grammar far better than,
most of the young West. Pointers sili
who spoke her own tongue with accuracy
and was not badly versed in Frehcn; sii
who performed fairly we'll on the piano anu
guitar, but who sang full-thro ated, re1oice
full, exulting like the -lark-the soulful music
that brought delight to her agelng 1atnel,
half crippled by the wounds OF the war
days, and to the mother who so devotediy
loved and carefully planned for her Witf-
In month from her graduation at MMe.
Piatt's She had become the darling OF FORT
Frayne, the pet Of many q househoio, the
treasure Of her own. With other young gal,
lants Of the garrison, beverly Field hao
been prompt to call, prompt to be her escort
when dance or drive, ride or picnic was
planned in her honor, especially the ride'
for Mr.. Adjutant Field loved the saddle,
the open prairie or the bold, unduiating
bluffs. But Field was the busiest man at
the post. Other youn8atefs, troop or COM
pany subalterns. had far more time at their
disposal, and begged fan rSides and dances.
strolls and sports WHICH the post ad9utant
was generally far too BUSY TO claim. 1t was
Esther who brought lHRn tennis TO Frayne
and found eager pupils sof Doth sexes. but
Field had been the sdcsc to meet and well
come her; had been fer asbrief time at the
start her most Constant cavalier. Then, as
others began to feel the! charm of her
frank. cordial, joyous napper: and learned
to read the beauty thsto beamed in her
clear, truthful eyes and RI insome. yet not
beautiful face, they hee8pe assiduous IN
turn-two of them alnpostultstressingiys So
and she could not woaud them by refusals.
Then came fortnighA tn;sThich her father
at old Fort Laramie sYalene were the band.
Headquarters and fouyItrodps Of the til,
and Capt. and Mrs oF'reHman who were
there stationed begged that Mrs. sDade and
Esther should come ands visit them during
tie session of the court. There would be
outside officers, and AS luck would have 1t,
Mir. Field was ordered thither as witness
In two important cases. The captain and
his good wife went by, stage; Esther. and
Beverly rode every inch of the way in
saddle, camping over. night with their joy
GUS little party at LaBonte Then came
lovely week at Laramie during which MT.
Field had little to do but devote himself
to and dance with Esther, and when his
hnal testimony WAS given and he returned
to his station. and not until then, Esther
Dade discovered that life had little interest
or joy without him; but Field rode back
Cnknowirg and met at Frayre, before
Esther Daie's return, gtri who had come
almost uni,eralded, making the tourney
over the Medicine Bow from Rock Springs
on the Union Pacific in the comfortable
carriage OF old Bill Hay. the post trader.