The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-11-09
A SACRED TRUST
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"A man Wn0 Wll uol IthpcNt brother officer in his domestic rcla- tons" said Lieutenant Pickering of Che United States artillery, "dSeryes to bc cut"
 "PickcrIug, whcp you are thrown ex- clusI1ey into the society of your friends wife, look out for your honor"
 A huplo coll sounded, and Lieuten- nnts Pickering and Frogmore arose and started for the parade ground.
 A year latcr the two men having meanwhile served at different forts, Frogmorc came out of a railroad car that was just about to leave when he met Pickering getting in.
 "Udlo Pickering"
 "Ucuo Fr0gmore."
 "Goug castV
 "Yos."
 "Auy objection to taking care of-a lady"
 "Not the least A relation Of yoursT
 "Yes. Get in, put down your traps, and m introduce you"
 Pickering slowed away hls belong iug-. then was introduced
 "Nmcy th's Is one of my best friends. Mr. Pickering of Che artillery cor.s rlcE, old boy this ls my wife. I'm rolug Go uLust her to your charge Don't let h.r get away with you
 pi,krrie looked ustouishcd while Che lady fe,lad him with a pair Of merry eyes and a smile lankcd by dmpiCs
 "Why Frog. didn't know you were married"
 "Sccrct old man ready to shoot me on sight You're the only living being who knows it Seriously old fellow, | know yoUu Doc good to her. Take care of yourself Goolby, Nan" And, Kissing Che lady anectIonately be bur. ccd from tlc car
 What passed between Pickering and Nancy Elarmore was a secret which Pickering ai least kept secret He ccr' umy did not uu away with his brother orecrs wife. Nevertheless not long oftcr this journey he was hor. rlfed to receive ou order to report at Fort -. his horror coming from the fact that Fr1.msge was ou duty at the same fort Pickering used every mGu- cucc to secure a change of the order but failed. He was obliged Co go to Fort - and meet his old friend Frog more and. what was as embarrassing FrogmOrc's wife. He was carrying a gr.psac'. across Che parade when whom should hc meet but Frogmore himself
 "Old man" ss.1 the latter, grusping his hand warmly "Tm glad Co see you Of course you're hungry Don't go Co Che mess for dinner Come Co my quarters. san is there She'll te de lighted Co see you.'
 'Tut Im hDck with engine dust said Pickering. with a scared look
 Never mind that In give you a place to GS up m. Come along We dine iu ten minutes
 The two went to Frogmore's quar- tcrs. where. after Pickering had re- moved Che outer coating of dust, they went down to the dining room. Nancy Frogmorc advanced cordially, offering Pickering her hand, which the latter took and after shaking it nervously, dropped an of sudden. Nancy hlushed a little. but Pickering was sur prised. after an that had occurred, that she showed no well defined qualms of conscience. The three sgt down Co dinner and the Frogmores were SO hospIublc. SO jolly, that Pickering would have forgotten his intentional though not consummated Injury to the head of Che house had not Frogmorc's frlendlincss and rustfulness over powered him with shame. However he was getting on pretty well when suddenly Frogmore blurted:
 "I say, Pick, have you kept your con. scleucc clear with brother officers wivcs|
 Pickering looked as though he had re- coivcd a bullet in bis heart
 "Now. RoJ"- began the lady.
 Don't Bob me. propose to have the thing out right here. Pick, conud- ing Iu your honor, l left Nancy in your charge for a Journey Before it was concluded you consented to run away with her."
 "Bob, you promised me-
 "Now, | want you to understand that breach ot honor like this would draw down ou you a cut from the whole army. Either you give me satisfaction or let the secret out to this garrison
 "Dont mind what he says, Mr.-Pick. erlng" said Nancy Frogmore, blushIns like the red stripes of the colors that could be seen from the window.
 "It wos-confound it 1t was all a jokew cried Pickering In desperation.
 "Joke? Do you call it a joke to make an arrangement with a brother officers wife to run away with her"
 "I did it all myselfw cried the lady.
 Not at all" said Pickering. "lt was my fault
 "Neycr mind whose fault it was" cried Frogmore. Are you ready to give me sausf0cuonW
 "Yes, l am," said Pickering, goaded to desperation.
 "Al right. Parker, bring that thing ln."