Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-09-30

OoA L
first garrison l ever visited. My uncle
and two of his old comrades formed
my ideas of what our soldiers were and
should be, and Mr.. Langdon seemed to
be of the same caliber, as you artillery
men say. never heard them sheer at
a man in such misfortune as had fallen
to him. Your having veNed me is a
small matter. My ideals of the army
have been decidedly shaken, not by
one. but by several of your associates.
L thought officers were above such
pettiness."
And now it was Sankey's turn to
redden. IF you stop to consider how
Mr. Langdon's miscon-misfortune
reflect on the regiment, Miss Grahame
you may understand why we feel it so
deeply, and, feeling 1t, it is no wonder
we occasionally speak. If it's anything
you-care about, Of course I'm hoping
he won't have to teach riding--or any,
thing else"
Good afternoon, Mr.. Santley," said
she, for they had reached the open
gate, and she desired no further words.
"Bnt about the hop, Miss Grahame?"
Il shall take it under ADJUSTMENT I'M
til tomorrow" was the mischievous
and provoking answer, with all the
chances against acceptance. / doubt
now If go at all.''
But when Major Melville returned
from stables he found his wife in deep
concern. 1t was dark enough at that
time to call for lights in many of the
quarters, and the windows at the Tor
RANGES were brilliant. Some of the
women folk had already sauntered
home; others were still abroad, chat
ting in eager, subdued tones. Mrs.
Melville met the major at the door and
drew him into the parlor.
what is this news about Mr.. Lang
DOM" she asked as soon as she had
him safely cornered.
'That he is at Sheridan and has been,
Ill, 1 gather" was Melville's calm re-
ply.
Now, / ask because Ethel came back
all afame with indignation and has
gone to her room to battle her ewes.
Mrs. Nathan said publicly that Mr..
Langdon had been picked up by the
police drunk in the gutter of crowded
street and that the soldiers dubbed to-
gether paid his fine and took him out
to Fort Sheridan"
x have letter from Nelson giving
me full particulars" said Melville in
the same unruffied manner as he gently
drew his wife to seat by his side
efTI1nrn mr. rfJfE, Sr I1 81 -
drunkenness or police. You remember
Ryan, who used to be in my battery?
Twas he who found Langdon fainting,
and they took him to Sheridan as a
matter Of course"
But Mrs. Nathan says Colonel
Sharpe was furious at his being
brought there and has ordered him put
| Off the post as soon as he can be NOV
ed, and the papers are full of stories
about duel. She says DR.. Armistead
declared he would publicly insult and
horsewhip Mr.. Langdon If he showed
his face in the garrison"
The major smiled. Never mind
what Mrs. Nathan or the newspapers
say, DEAR" he answered in the same
gentle, reassurlng tone. Nelson tells
me that there is some old trouble be-
tween this young doctor and Langdon,
but that they have not met and are not
likely to meet. Charming hopes to Sc
cure an opening for Langdon as soon
as he is able to work"
4a"Oh, yes, and that reminds me, Mrs.
Nathan said Mr.. Langdon had the i'm
pudence to go to her uncle, who is vice
president or something in the Chicago
and Seattle railway, and demand en-
ployment, saying he was an officer In
her husbands battery here, and Mr.
whatever his name is-you remember
him; he was here-just told him they
had no use for such character Now,
do you suppose that can be true?" And
Mrs. Melville looked up at her stalwart
husband as though the wisdom of the
universe were conferred in him.
Il dare say Langdon applied there,
poor fellow" said Melville gravely, the
deep brown eyes softening still more
at the thought Of the rebuff the sad,
heartsick fellow probably met if in
deed it was to Mrs. Nathan's uncle to
whom he applied. "But there are other
roads open to Langdon that exact less
and pay far more than railroads, only
Langdon always had prediction for
railway engineering and service. Cap.
tain Charming is writing to Langdon
now and has written to an elder broth
er who is general manager of the Seat
ties greatest rival. the Missouri Val
ley. Now, there is trouble on both
roads, and men are very much needed.
SO l think Langdon will be provided
for In the near future. l hope Ethel
did not allow herself to be much-dis-
turbed?' and when the major finished
III this half interrogative way 1t was
meant to imply that while he might be
hopeful he was by no means confident.
He had known Ethel, beloved sisters
only child, since her babyhood and
knew her to be fearless, resolute and
anything bst polite. He was wonder
ing as he stroked with his one olsen
gagged hand the heavy brown mustache
what Ethel might have said in reply to
Mrs. Nathan.
But there was no immediate oppor-
tnnity for inquiring. The papers that