Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-02-11
An Unconditional Surrender.
A STORY OF THE FRONTIER.

right in, my boy. You're just in time
for my taps pipe"
| Burke sank into the wicker chair the
major pushed toward INN, and slowly
| filed his pipe from the proffered jar.
Maj. Wright said he, at last, Il
want to leave the post
The old gentleman looked up quickly.
Leave the post, man: Why, what for?"
The young officer arose and stood in
| front of the commandant.
you've been more than friend and
| Kind commander to me, sir, and | come
to you to ask this favor"
| You did right to come to me. What's
| the trouble, my boyI"
| Years ago, when he was a youngster,
| he had loved the hoy mother, and when
| her son had come from the Point he
| had tried to be more than "a kind COM
| mander and friend to HIM" 1t was
| with the soicitude of Il father for his
| son that he asked:
| Curtis, my dear boy, what is the mat
teri l thought you We're content here,
ahd you've made an old man feel like
living; but now tell me, what's on your
mind*' and he rested his hand on
iurKe's shoulder
The lieutenant walled Up and down
The room twice before he began. Mar
garet-"
Il though So" broke in the major; y
thought it was the little nirt."
10. no, sir; not that. 1t isn't her
fault and Burke sank into his seat
again and hid his face in his hands. ITS
Robinson"
The other man recalled an episode in
his own youth as he gazed ut the boy
he loved.
Major listen; I'll tell you all. You're
me best friend | have on earth, and you
will understand. You know Margaret
and | were as good as engaged for nearly
a year. Well, when Robinson became
sick ut Fort Leavenworth and was ex-
changed to this post, you know how glad
was; for Ed was my chum and class
mate, You know. Well, he hadn't been
here long when | saw how it was. He
was trying to win Margaret"
Not he, YOU best friend?"
Friend. A true friend doesn't steal
away the gill you love. | saw this a
month ago, and didn't say a word 10
Margaret or to him. Finally, Peggy
he half smiled-'I mean Margaret. began
to like him; so today | went to her
major, and released her from every OBJ
legation she had toward me-"
The old man nodded musingly.
And she told me she didn't love me
any more, and she did love Ed Robin
son. Burke went on; but she fatty de-
med that he had ever told her his feel
i!ngs or tried to prejudice her against me
III the least. She wanted to defend him.
YOU know. SO, major, I've thought it
All over, and I've come to you to ask if
can't leave the post. | can't stay here
ma see her His voice half broke as
he hid his face in his hands.
Not tonight, my boy. Stay"
No, Sill" insisted the younger man.
You'd better take man with YOU"
NO, sir, L want to be alone And
now, goodbye, dear sir. You've ALWAYS
been so good! You seem like a father
You know mine died when | was so
young L never knew how it felt to have
one"
a half hour later horseman left tbe
post by the west stockade gate. He
rode at a walk with his chin on his
breast, and seemed oblivious to eyery- |
thlhg The cool mountain breeze sang |
softly to the tall grass as each blade |
bent its head to hear the music. The |
que hemisphere above glistened with a I
thousand eyes, which with their merry /
twinkle tried to make the man forget /
his sorrow. but on he rode. .Bnrke's was |
nor the only note of discord; for if he |
hau noticed the northwest sky. he wouId |
nave S.en the reflection of many fres I
qua h'H ne listened attentively he would /
nave heard the weird notes of an Indian I
song =, ana the beat Of many dancing feet.
Put on ne rode, and as the morning sun
l"iihuy united the mist high ON the noun |
f"9' ne entered the foothills and was
lost TO view.
1hat morning, as the major returned /
ron guard mount, girlish voice called /
10 MN from the balcony of the most sur
Geon'S house:
J., Major | want to see you. Come over,
The, The commandant bit his lip as he
turned and saw Margaret.
Come, that's dear. want IN ask
you something" and as the major went
UP me Stoop: Where's Curtis?''
4ou ought to know, Margaret
~ haven't the least idea an
sWered the girl, with eyes wide open.
>. You don't know what you've done.
ittle girl You've sent the best man in
ne world away from yop."
Curtis gomez
He left last night. You know. Mar
Saret' how close Curtis and are ia each
other, and he told me all.
But major, what"
doh / come as an envoy from him.
my dear. All / have to saw to Won Is
mat Curtis is the best boy that ever
preatned, and that you've lost him. Good
BYE. little girl | once heard of y case
similar 70 this, and-but never mind
YOU We done your best, no doubt"
After the major left her. Margaret
SAT for a long time simply repeating to
herself. Curtis gone! gomez And fbeS
'he set to thinking over their friendship:
low much he had really been to her. and I;
how good, and brave, and Kind Sba
lad really loved him once, she thought
% herself; aud she knew in her heart of
hearts that he loved her. and loved bes
le left? "''"' H"u
The door OF the officers mess opened
lhd a man came out on the piazza ond
waved a tennis racquet. She did nor see see
nm, nor dld she notice him at all until |
le spoke her name next her. Then She
'o Use, suddenly. You" she exclaimed /
Inc same, Miss Margaret. Wbv. I
must have frightened you. YOU said
!, / on; M such tragic way. Just Ike j
he camille We saw at Tabor's las month
u Denver But won't you come ana
Hay tenniS?" "Hd !
Mr.. Robinson, Curtis Burke has left
Il 'uYfiS ropafs