Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1905-01-05

Tightening his saddle-girths When
Ibis capklin accosted him with or
ders to report to The colonel at
headquarters
As the young trooper turned to
ward Officers Row." the captain
gazed after the manly, staIwart
figure with a certain feeling Of re-
greet.
''lt's a shame to sacrifice him
on such a mission" he muttered,
langriIy ~Bob's az brave as they
make 'em, and he's one Of the
boys heart ard soul The
chancesarehe's going to bis death
And there's the Belle of Old Nc
Lane.'D
The "Belle of Old McLanen was
surely a most important factor.
Three years before Bob Arnold
had been sophomore at an east
ern college and the idolized leader.
OF his class. One day came news.
of a serious financial difficulty
that involved his fathers fortune.
TIT left but one alternative open to
him-to leave college and aban-
dor all hopes of future profess
sional career. 1t was a sad blow
TO his ambition announcement
of all that appealed to him in life
but not once did he falter in his
decision. He left for the west
with the God-speed of his college
mates ringing in his ears, and
eventually joined the army.
About the same time his company
was transferred to Fort McLanc
Col. Aldridge was placed in com
mand of the garrison. He was a
1 veteran in the civil war and an
able officer; but, best in the eyes of
Arnold, he was the father of Dor
othy.
The "Belle Of Old McLane" the
boys affectionately described her,
and woe to him who denied her
Difference. She was the prettiest
girl of prairie-land, as demure and
dainty as western bluebell, and
many an officers heart beat fast
err at sight of her. But ii soon be
came evident to all that she ia
vored one-Arnold of the ranks.
One summer night under the
mysticspellofthe harvest-moon he
confessed his love for her. 1t was
the old, old story, ever new, for
the woman he loved loved him.
Both realized that until promo
ton came to him their cause was
hopeless. But they were young,
and youth is ever hopeful.
The steel-gray eyes of Col. Aid
ridge regarded him searchingly as
he appraised him Of the desperate
chances that the commission
would involve.
81 do not consider it your duty
TO accept finished the colonel, in
the cold, even tones of the old
school warrior. "You may choose
as you will. If you return. your
promotion is assured"
81 am ready, sir" answered Ar
mold. briefly.
The moon was already risen as
he led his restless pony to the
gate. She was the Aeetest of the
corral, with the blood of FIVE gen
erations of Indian racers in her
veins. He had not mounted. A
lovers intuition told him some
one would be waiting. Love sell
dom errs.
A woman came to him from out
of the shadow with sob on her
lips. 'Don't go, Bob" she entreat-
ed, passionately. THE men say
you'll never get through alive.
Say that you'll not go, Bob, To
think or you OUT there alone on
the prairie, wounded, dead per-
haps n alb, God, God! think
think what il means to a womanw
'Would you have the gar
rison think me coward, Dor
Othy?" he questioned, tenderly.
"Ah, no, you wouldn't, little girl.
Z And when ! come back, we're go
ing TO be happy, you and l. This
: will mean promotion for me,
sweetheart" he added gayIy, "and
? it's Mrs. Arnold I'll be kissing
I soon =,