The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-27
By GENERAL CHARLES KING,
Author of ''The Co!cnel's Daughter. ''
 Foes Tn Anabush.'' Etc.

age to sneak home He had no money left and could buy no more liquor. Ee stole into Lanier's back door to return the civilian suit and recover the caval- ry blouse and trousers left hanging in Ramerty's room. He could hear the lieutenant moving about overhead. He had to strike light. He struck sev- eral matches, found the clothes, slip ped out of the 'tcits'' and into his own. He was cold and numb. He knew there was liquor on the sideboard in the middle room The craze was on him, and he risked 1t, He struck more matches and threw the burning stumps to the floor, drank his fill. then stum- bled away. intending to give himself up to his first sergeant for absence without leave. Back round by way of the store and the east front he vent. but before he could reach the bar racks came the appalling cry of fire Lanier's quarters-his doing beyond doubt. and now. in dfsmay and terror, he fled from the post. Poor Cary had Ianier to plead for him before his trial, but three months hard labor was the least the law would allow.
 By this time, Ho, another wedding was announced as near at hand. Only two days did Mir. Arnold and Aunt AgS mes allow Miriam in which to prepare for the homeward journey, but it is safe to say that in that brief time their views of frontier life and people haa undergone marked amendment, for they had found an old expounder of their faith in the post chaplain for one thing and many surprising facts as to officers, men and Indians for another. There came bright wintry afternoon at the flag end of the yeaE when the station platform held lively little as- sembly waiting for the eastBound ex- press The colonel and his wife were there. the former by no means the bloodthirsty warrior of the elders imag- iriation. The Stanna1ds had come ih, and the Sumters, Kate and Dad Ennis the chaplain, and both doctors, and all these surrounded the brother and sister and held them in cheery converse, while Bob and Miriam Sauntered, self cen tered, away.
 , Lanier's eyes were glowing as he drew her to his heart and gazed down tnto the depths of those up1ifted to his
 'That brute of g train has been late TOT W6GK, Sd1O nGs put A'N1y A. comes on time. It is going b be long, long wait for May. How does papa seem to take it now ?''
 tePapa is quick to make amends when he has wronged any one. and now he knows"
 ''Well, so does Aunt Agnes, Miriam. yet she doesn't approve"
 sFWell, Aunt Agnes. don't you know she's different. She's good deal like other women know. When she's placed somebody else in false posi- tion she thinks that person ought to be very Sorry for her and sYmpathize with her for having been deceived and misled- She thinks you ought to say how sorry you are"
 "How can say I'ra sorry when I'm so gIad-ai glad ?y
 'sWeU. then. there's Cousin Watson, don't you know. He was always her pet He was brought up by weak mother and Iloting aunt, aud she knows you don't approve of him.
 Does she expect a man to approve of one who maligned him as Lowndes mal1gned me?'
 "You should see his earlier letters about you. Why. if I'd known any thing of them would never have dared to meet such a paragon
 And yet. after all, he turned to and painted me black as an imp of Satan. What had done but good to him? l never took or won penny of his"
 A moment of silence. then the fond eyes looked up.
 "You won something he wanted and thought was his. He never had any sense. Won't you try to forgive him for my sake. Bob:+
 His arms went round and folded her closely. his face bowed down to hers There was q worthless mopent. then the sound of distant whistle. of near CT shouts of ''T-r-a-i-n" The dark mus tache. the unsinged side. was sweep ing very. very naRr the soft curve of those parted lips.
 What ransom will you pay?" he murmured. i've not yet felt these arms about my neck. pve kissed you. heaven be praised, but. Miriam, have you ever kissed me?''
 'sT-r-a-i-n. Train, train. You'n be 1eftT' again came the shrIll feminine appeals and. with them. approaching,