The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-09-05

The young officer silently accepted
Mr.. Wynkoop,s extended hand, and
found a convenient chair, as Miss
Spencer hastened from the room t
his arrival.
why just at this timer" he ques-
doned.
MI. Wynkoop cleared his threat
"Why-why, you see, we are t. be
married this evening-Miss Spencer
and myself. We shall be SO delighted
to have you witness the ceremony. r.
ts to take place at tho church, and
my people insist upon making quite
an affair out of the occasion-Phoebe
is SO popular, you know"
The lady again hustled in, her eyes
glowing with enthusiasm. why, I
think it is perfectly delightful. Don't
you, Howard? Now Lieut.. Brant and
Nadia can stand up with Us. You
will, won't you Lieutenant"
THAT must be left entirely with
Nadia for decision," he replied, So
berly.
There was 4 rustic at the inner
door, and Nadia stood there. Their
eyes met, and the color mounted
swiftly to the girls cheeks. Then he
stepped resolutely forward, forgetful
of all other presence. and clasped her
hand in both his own. Neither spoke
a word, yet each understood some
thing of what was in the heart of the
other.
will you walk outside with met"
he asked, at last. 81 have much to
say which 1 am urs you would rather
hear lone"
She bent her head, and with a brief
word Of explanation to the others, the
young officer conducted her forth into
the bright July sunshine. They walk
ed in silence side by side along the
bank of the little stream Brant glanc-
cd furtively toward the sweet, girlish
face. Then he spoke.
Nadia" he said, gravely. "I have
come back. as 1 said 1 would, and
surely l read welcome in your eyes?"
yes"
"And I AVE come to say that there
Is no longer any shadow of the lead
between u.s."
She looked up quickly, her hands
elasped, her cheeks flushing. Are
you sure? Perhaps you misunder-
stand; perhaps you mistake my mean
ing"
"T know it ALL" he answered, sober
ly, from the lips of Hampton
you have seen him? oh, Lieut..
Brant, please tell me the whole truth
1 have missed him SO much, and since
the day he rode away to Cheyenne not
come back to me. You cannot
understand what this means, how
much he has become to me through
years of kindness"
you have heard nothing?"
Not a word"
Brant drew a long, deep breath. He
had supposed she knew this. At last
he said gravely: MAZDA, the truth
will prove the kindest message, I
think. He died in that unbroken ring
of defenders clustered about Gen.
Custer on the bluffs Of the Little Big
Horn"
Her slight figure trembled so vio-
lently that he held her close within
his arms.
There was a smile upon his face
when we found him. He performed
his full duty, Nadia, and died as be-
came a soldier and a gentleman"
"But-but, this cannot be! / saw
the published list; his name vas not
among them"
The man who fell was Robert
Nolan"
Gently he drew her down to a seat
upon the soft turf Of the bank. She
looked up at him h~elplessly, her mind
seemingly dazed, her eyes yet filed
with doubt.
Robert Nolan? Ny father?"
He bent over toward her, pressing
his lips to her hair and stroking it
tenderly with his hand.
YES, Nadia. darling; it was truly
Robert Hampton Nolan who died in
battle, in the ranks OF his Did reg1-
ment-died as he would lave chose
to die, thank Godi completely cleared
of every stain Upon his honor. Sit
up, little girl, and listen while I tell
you. There is in the story no word
which does not reflect nobility upon
the soldiers daughter"
Ito Be Continued.