The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-26
Or, l,
Or, A Weeks Arrest
Copyright. 1909. by J. B. Lippinc ott
 Company
.(Continued.1

ful for? I don't.''
 'I wouldn't have lost it for a months nay.''
 @How very much more than that you may Ioser' said she. "Do you think could have danced with you if I had dreamed what-what you were doing?'
 You were dancing like a dream,'' said he. "Do you mean I was dancing like a nightmare?"
 'tYou were doing what was sure to involve you in grave trouble, and it wasn't kind to me, MT. Lanier."
 'eI'm all contrition for the anxiety it caused you, Miss Miriam, and for ab- eolutely nothing else. wish you to know that did nothing unusual. Colo mel Button was angry with me for very different natter
 One moment she was silent. Then, with lips that Quivered in spite Of her effort-a Quiver that he saw and that set his heart to bounding madly-with lowered voice she hurried on: "And that, too, involves me or mine. And you"-then uplifting her swimming eyes-'tyou would not tell.'
 And then &la barrier of his pride was swept away.
 ''Miriam?' he cried, his hands eager ly seeking and seizing hers, only faint
 
 teH.'' He was lifting her hands to his heart, and as he drew them he was drawing her. She had to come, her long, curling 1ashes sweeping the soft cheeks, now. once more b1ushing like the dawn. stOh, MT. Lanierr' he heard her murmur as though pleading and warning. Then his dark eyes, glowing and rejoiceful, fastened on hers, and quick and fervent came the next words: "There is only one thing that need be to1d-that must be told, be cause I've just been brimming over with it all these weeks (ah, how the bonny head was dropping now, but dropping toward hina), 'tand now can keep it back no longer. Miriam, Mir jam, love you-I love youi Have you nothing to tell me?"
 One instant of thrilling suspense, then with a sob yelling up from her burdened heart the barrier of her pride and reserve went as his had gone a moment ago. t'Oh, you knoVAyou know it! Who hasn't known it since that awful night?'' she cried and then found herself folded, weeping uncon- trollabIy, almost deliriously, in his arms, his lips raining kisses on the warm, wet cheeks. A moment he held her closely wrapped to his heart, then gradually, yet with irresistible power, turned upward the tear stained, blush ing, exquisite face so that he could feast his eyes upon her beauty. Then with joy unutterable his lips sank upon the soft. quiEering mouth in the first love kiss she had ever known. and their troubles vanished into heaven at the touch.
 Mrs. Stannard. you were jewel and a aT71 far oh jor?
 'tFor conference with the judge ad- vocate of the department" read the order that summoned him, and from that conference forth went our dough- ty dragoon fn search of conquest -sIt : is understood.' said the officials, "that you know the circumstances under which Lieutenant Lanier became re- spoHsible for the money borrowed at Laramie by or for that young MT. Lowndes. also that you know him. There were other matters, but that came up first Staunard knew and was quite willing to set forth with a plain clothes member of the Omaha force on mission for and from head quarters He found it all known to the police. Lewndes had run through the purse of his eastern kindred two years before. Lowndes had been trans ported to a cattle ranch near Fort Gushing in hopes of permanent. bene- fit. but speedily neglected the range for the more congenial society of the fort. He was well born and bred He went on the campaign for excitement and took to gambling among the scouts and packers and sergeants. for rhe officers had soon cold shouldered him. But he was college man. a Secret society man. as had been Lieutenant Lanierae before entering the Point. Since the campaign Lowndes had been going from bad to worse, had gambled away the money sent him by his relatives. and they were now sore ly anxious about him. Moreover. he was needed as q material witness for the defense in the case of Lieutenant Lanier
 And even as the story was being told there came bounding down the broad stairway from above a slender. well built youth. It was the erect. jaunty carriage that caught the majors eye. In build. bearing and gait the ap- proaehing stranger was Bob Lanier all over
 Rawdonr' he cried.
 A wave of color, it is true, swept in- 7e~AALAJ eO llAe- yOu1S 4S4lOW IGlApAcS" Quickly he whirled about; courteous1y he raised his cap. ''I beg the majors pardon.' said he 'T did not expect him here and had never seen him in civilian dress" And nOW the detective, too. was on l his feet and curiously noting the pair. You're on furlough. I understand but I heard-ny wife said-you were in Chicago" Mrs. Stannard was right. sir. My | wife and her father are there now, 1 visItIng my sister Dr. Iayhew told | me of the charges against Lieutenant |