The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-11-18

set MS neart 10 pounding maOly-Wltn
lowered voice she hurried on: "And
that. too, involves me or mine. And
you"-then uplifting her swimming
eyes-"you would not tell"
And then the barrier Of his pride was
swept away.
Miriam he cried, his hands eager
ly seeking and selling hers, only faint
ly resisting. There was no need to
tell" He was lifting her hands to his
heart, and as he drew them he was
drawing her. She had to come, her
long, curling lashes sweeping the soft
the dawn. "Oh, Mr.. Lanierv 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 told-that must be told, be-
cause I've just been trimming over
with It all these weeks" (ah, how the
bonny head was dropping now, but
dropping toward HIM, "and now I can
keep 1t back no longer. Miriam. Mir
lam, love you'll love you! Have you
nothing to tell meT
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 q
moment ago. "Oh, you know-you
know It! Who hasn't known 1t since
that awful nightT she cried and then
found herself folded, weeping uncon-
trollably. 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, quivering 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 general. Now, how about the ma.
jor?
"For conference with the Judge ad-
vocate Of the department" read the
order that summoned him, and from
that conference forth went our dough-
ty Dragon in search Of conquest. 1T
Is understood" said the officials, that
you know the circumstances under
which Lieutenant Lanier became re-
sponsible for the money borrowed at
Laramie by or for that young Mr..
Lowndes. also that you know him."
There were other matters, but that
came up first. Stannard knew and
was quite willing to set forth with a
plain clothes member of the Omaha
force on a mission for and from head
quarters. He found 1t all known to
the police. Lowndes had run through
the purse of his eastern kindred two
years before, Lowndes had been trans
ported to 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
the officers had soon cold shouldered
him. But he was college man, a secret
society man, as had been Lieutenant
Lanier 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 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. 1t was the erect, jaunty
carriage that caught the majors eye.
In build. bearing and gait the ap-
preaching stranger was Bob Lanier
all over
"Rawdonw he cried.
A wave Of color, it is true. swept in
stantly to the young fellows temples.
Quickly he whirled about; courteously
he raised his cap.
II beg the majors pardon" said he.
IT did not expect him here and had
never seen him In civilian dress"
And now the detective. too. was on
his feet and curiously noting the pair.
You're on furlough, I understand.
but heard-my wife said-you were
in Chicago"
Mrs. Stannard was right, sir. My
wife and her father are there now.
visiting my sister. DR.. Mayhem told
me of the charges against Lieutenant
Lanier, and that is what brings me
back at once"
"Going back at once" began the
major. Modified. yet mystified. IL
presume you know more Of these mat
tiers than any one else"
with possibly two exceptions, sir.
hope to nab one Of them here"
"Lowndesy queried Stannard.
"Lowndes," answered Rawdon.
"Then you're just the man we want"
That afternoon as the Union Pacific
express stood ready at the Union sta
ton for the start there boarded one Of
the sleepers burly, thickset. bluff
hammered man I'm huge fur overcoat