The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-03-03
"Wrinkles! How terrible!"

"Wrinkles! How terribler'
81 don't know. l think they rather
suit you. Besides, it was stupid of me
to imagine you were so old. l suppose
exposure to the sun creates wrinkles.
and you must have lived much in the
open air"
early rising and late going to bed
are bad for the complexion" he de-
clared solemnly.
Il often wonder how army officers
manage to exist" she said. "They
never seem to get enough sleep, in the
east at any rate" -,
armyy'
II am quite sure of it."
MAY l ask why?"
"Your manner, your voice, your quiet
air of authority, the very way you
walk, all betray you"
'"Then," he said sadly, 81 will not at
tempt to deny the fact I held COM
mission in the Indian staff corps for
nine years. 1t was hobby of mine,
Miss Deane, to make myself acquaint-
ed with the best means of victualing
my men and keeping them in good
health under all sorts of fanciful con-
ditions and in every kind of climate,
especially under circumstances when
ordinary stores were not available.
With that object in view read up
every possible country in which my
regiment might be engaged learned
the local names of common articles of
food and ascertained particularly what
provision nature made to sustain life.
The study interested me- Once, dur
ing the Sudan campaign, it was really
useful and procured me promotion"
'"Tell me about it."
During some operations in the desert
it was necessary for my troop to fol-
low up a small party Of rebels mounted
on camels, which, as you probably
know, can go without water much long
err than horses. We were almost with
In striking distance when our horses
completely gave out, but luckily no
diced indications which showed that
there was water beneath a portion Of
the plain much below the general level.
Half an hours spade work proved that
was right. We took up the pursuit
again and ran the quarry to earth, and
got my captaincy."
"Was there no fight?'
He paused an appreciable time be-
fore replying. Then he evidently made
up his mind to perform some disagree
able task. The watching girl could
see the change in his face, the sharp
transition from eager interest to angry
resentment.
EYES," he went on at last, "there was
q fight. 1t was a rather stiff affair, be-
cause troop of British cavalry which
should have supported me had turned
back owing to the want of water al
ready mentioned. But that did not
save the officer in charge Of the TWEEN
ty-fourth lancers from being severely
reprimanded."
"The Twenty-fourth lancers" cried
Iris. Lord Ventnor's regiment!'
"Lord Ventnor was the officer in
question"
Her face crimsoned. Then you
know hlm?" she said.
81 do
SIS he your enemy?"
Eyes"
"And that is why you were so agi-
tated that last day on the Sirdar, when
poor Lady Tozer asked me if were
engaged to him"
Yes"
"IIow could it affect you? You did
not even know my name then"
at affected me because the sudden
mention of his name recalled my own
disgrace quilted the army six
months ago, Miss Deane, under very
painful circumstances. A general court
martial found me guilty of conduct
| unbecoming an officer and gentle
nan. l was not even given a chance
to resign. / was cashiered."
He pretended to speak with cool
turbulence. He thought to compel her
into shrinking contempt. Yet his face
blanched somewhat, and, though he
steadily kept the pipe between his
teeth and smoked with studied uncon'
Germ, his lips twitched a little.
And he dared not look at her, for the
girls wondering eyes were fixed upon
him. and the blush had disappeared as
quickly as it came.
81 remember something of this" she
said slowly, never once averting hel
gaze. "There was some gossip con
corning il when / first came to Hong
kong. You are Captain Robert An
struther?'
81 am"
"And you publicly thrashed Lord
ventnor as the result Of a quarre
about a woman"
"Your recollection is quite accurate"
"Who was to blameW
"The lady said that l was"
"Was it truew
Robert Anstruther, late captain OF
Bengal cavalry, rose to his feet. He
preferred to take his punishment stand
ing.
"The court martial agreed with her
Miss Deane, and l am prejudiced
Witness" he replied.
"Who was the-ladyT
"The wife Of my colonel, Mrs. Costo
bell"
"Ohw
Long afterward he remembered the
agony Of that moment and WINGED
even at the remembrance But he had