The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-07

yet hardly liked to own II even to himself.
Sanfley he cared little about. but Chan
ming had stood his friend and served him
well why should he not have welcomed
Channing's presence? Why should he Sc
cretely rejoiced that Charming was not
here7
with the old accustomed salute and
with joy IN their honest eyes a~brace or
battery men sprang TO aid him as the
little party dismounted in lovely glade
among the crested hills. White tents
cleaned among the pines In the setting
sun. Dogs and children, With. loud ac-
claim. came tumbling to meet him. Mel
Vile glad and genial. linked his arm IN
that OF his guest and led him to the
campfre Two sturdy young Melvilles
climbed and twined shaut his legs ana
heat him Justify upon the back as the Ia
dies arose to greet him. Mrs. Melville
with frankly extended hand. While Etnei
Grahame, looking the picture OF health
and serenity I'm a Jersey waist and Tam
O'Shater clamped a huge earthen bowl
IN one rounded arm and presented aspoon-
fuI OF sirup, her soft cheek dimpling. her
white teeth gisaming between the ripe
red lips sf<sngtfpn bowed over Mrs Mel-'
yille's hand and bent both knees In apof-
tive attempt TO sip the contents OF tne
spoon, n difficult feat without the ala or
the Youngsters and one that only result
Cd on their part In a climbing race Tor
his hack and on his TO still further pros
tration
OF mind that ne had not been included In
the family plan. IL might have peen pe'-
ter mad not that plan likewise omitted
aantIev who had found means to get
away from battery duties and 10 take
The a. mile. ria. into the heart OF the
hills on the, trail OF his hopes ana.
sitting IN saddle at the edge OF the glade.
70 look on at this pretty picture ana
then turn and curse the folly that had
led him thither Others might we'conne
I.angdon; he could and would not.
NeIther could he spend the night. as he
bad MANNED i'm Melv,gss camp. In bit
terness OF spirit he lode back IL miles
70 a miners cabin. and Torrance was
his confdant when at noon next day ne
returned 10 duty and reported what he
had seen.
rive evenings later the whole command,
six troops of horses and two field bat
,sries were grooming at the picket ropes
along under the edge OF the mesa, ana
Torrance. IN natty undress uniform, rid
ing whip in hand was sauntering up ana
down watching the work OF MS men,
when he became aware OF eager glances
and mutterings The tap, tap of curry
comb and brush went on as steadily. but
heads kept bobbing up and gazing over
the brown backs OF his strong gun teams,
and elancing about TO see what TX
meant. Torrance became aware OF sight
hat sent him presently to the opposite
aide of his line. Strolling down the slope.
talking volubly. came the colonel. his
dogs tumbiing about him. as usual. his
orderly following primly at his allotted
distance. Melville calm, courteous ana
dienIfed as ever. listening with all out
ward appearance OF serene interest on
one side and on the other. 1.-THE. spare
and erect. looking marvelously unlike the
sad. faded. hopeless man who left their
m,dst the second year before, clad now
in trim camping garb, strode Eric Lang
don. when II battery broke ranks hair
an hour later. three rousins cheers rang
out on the evening air. and Torrance
sent for his first sergeant.
what made the men cheer7 he asked,
and the sergeant was lmperturbable.
II couldn't say, sir. They just broke
out when we broke ranks Reckon they
felt good. sir
Look here Sergeant Flynn said Tor
rance ''rnen don't cheer IN unison without
somebody 20 give the word. Who gave II
and what for7
sergeant Ramsey gave e. sir. lie
didn't say what for
"He didn't have 20" was what the vet
sran was within an inch Of saying
This things got to stop said Tor