The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-19

He took a seat little in front, so
that he could see her face, which was
radiant as a rose in the mist. '1've
been trying to write you letter ever
since you came. I wanted to set my
self right with you on Louis account
I love the lad, and I wanted you to
know that / was trying to do him
good"
81 know that trust you now"
s'That assurance is sweet to me, but
1 want to tell you now that the only
mystery in my life is this: I am a
West Point Cadet mean, was''-
sWere you, really?" She looked at
him with such unmistakable relief and
gladness that he faltered.
"Wait. 1 was only there two years.
I was court martialed for breach Of
discipline and gross insubordination at
the beginning Of my third year,
He FASTENED on. "You mustn't judge
me hastily. It came on my return aft
er furlough. That's the time when the
routine and discipline pinch hardest
on the men. After two years Of grind
that l hated I had a visit home-a de-
Hcious free time-and to get back into
school, back into those cold, gray bar
racks, was like going into strait
jacket. The first few weeks after the
vacation are times of disorder, period
Of boyish deviltry, and took my share
in it. My breach of discipline was
nothing more than boys frolic. l
should have been punished for it, and
that would have ended it. but / hated
one of the officers, the disciplinarian,
and when he rounded me up he rasped
me till l lost my head. 3 Being quick
tempered youth, 1 answered him. He
abused me shamefuliy, and l struck
him in the face, and that ended my
stay at West Point"
ooh, how foolish! How wrong."'
''No, it was not wrong. would do
it again. The small sneak used tone
in addressing me which no man has a
right to use to another. You wouldn't
suppose a tone could hurt, but it did.
1t cut like a lash. Well, that ended
my career as a soldier. MH,home was
on the OHIO river, not far from Cincin-
natl, and my family still lives there.
Our whole country is rich in traditions
Of General Grant, and my father had
selected me out Of all his sons to be
the soldier Of his family. You know
how some men try to map their sons
careers. Don't you see, couldn't so
home?"
eyes, can see it was hard for your
father. Was your mother hving?"
Eyes, she's living yet. I write her
every week, but not one word has
passed between my father and me
since my dismissal. Naturally enough,
I drifted west and into cattle ranching.
1 liked the excitement of it, and I'd
been trained to ride and to shoot.
gradually became COW boss and fore
man, and so you found me, with a few
thousand dollars saved up. Your COM
ing changed every current in my life.
I became ambitious to 40 something.
to be rich. I came here, bought this
mine, and there shines my gold" He
held it toward her again. 'sNow l can
go home Ny court martial becomes
joke Don't you see? My father is
human. He would not receive me poor
and disgraced. With big mine behind
me the case will be different
'.Are we al purchasable. with goldT'
she asked.
His high mood sank little. Don't
misjudge me. It's not so clear in my
mind as when 1 met you at the door.
Money does help-you know it does.
It extends a mans power; it makes
him effective for good, if good is in
him. I was q rancher when you met
ne; we stood in a different relation
from that which we occupy now. Isn't
that true?"
"Yes,' she slowly answered, .'but it
isn't because Of your mine
''What is it because of"
cit is because you have been kind
and considerate Of my brother
He looked disappointed. "Is that all?
I hoped you liked me for myself
81 do-like you," she answered.
"Can you not love me?'
"Do not press me-" She spoke sharp
~, a flash of resentment in her eyes.
81 didn't intend to do so" he humbly
replied. Il fear I've made mess Of it,
lust as I have with all the rest of my
life. But this morning when we un-
covered that vein it seemed as though
had chance to recover my place in
the world. I've wasted ten years OF
my life masquerading here and there,
but that is finished. Since l saw you
life began to be serious business with
me. You smile, but you know what
mean. and if you would only give me
time 1 would make you proud of me-
He paused and looked about him. Inc
mist seemed Tightening. as if infltrateG