Pittston Gazette

              Established 18AO. ( VOL. XLVUINo. 31 t Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. i #1 ©O k Teat in AClvan**eD "An Army Wife," * 1 nave to travel on witn mem. snau i wire to Stoneman?" "Whatever you say. Randy," was the whispered answer. "Only you won't have to leave me again, will you?" "Only for an instant, dear, just long enough to send the dispatch from Fauntleroy—one station ahead. She I will not trouble you again." And from Fauntleroy a brief tele: gram was flashed along the wires to , the post quartermaster at a fsmous old Arizons station, two hours' ride beyond, and when the brilliantly-lighted train came steaming up to the platform there stood a brace of officers with welcome in their eyes; and before Mrs. McLane, once again seated in her seotion and feigning deep interest in her book, could realize what bad happened, Mr. and Mrs. Merriam were leaving the car, he merely raising his hat in civil farewell—the bride, however, as the result of brief conferenee with her lord, smiling bravely down Into the upturned face of their startled neighbor and saying: "I hope you may have a delightful Journey. Mrs. McLane. Good-night." "Why—I thought—surely you told me you were going to—direct to San Diego, and T bad planned to have ever so long a talk with you." and Mrs. Mc- Lane had possessed herself of thst slender hand, and wss hsnging on suspiciously hard. "Yes. we'll be there after s little," was the serene answer. "W# visit old papers uecisreu me mjurics mui i«. Randy passed the papers one after another without comment to her, as he read them. She took each as it came, obediently, helpfully, but folded and laid It by her side, then returned to her wordless study of his troubled face. At last the fourth sheet was finished, snd with a long sigh be turned and saw her. "My darlingl my darllngl" he whispered, a great sbame and sorrow overpowering him as be noted the intensity of her sympathy mingling with the mournful sense of her utter nothingness to him at the moment, "Oh, Florence, how could I be so forgetful of you? But I have bad a dreadful shock. Ton do not know what this means, wbst it would mean if McLane should die now—and I cannot tell you." £ ana sne aoes not seem to itmj a» an. Later, as we have seen, Charlotte took her sister west, and luter still the Qraftons, en route to Sedgwick at last, stopped five days in Chicago on their way, and F&nny was at the station to meet them on their arrival, and insisted then, as she had before by letter, upon their being her guests at her own apaftments at the Clarendon. She had a lovely little room all ready for them. Now Grafton was a provident man, an economical man, and five days' hotel bills made certainly a big hole in a month's pay. Something even then whispered to him that this extravagance were better than that to which acceptance of the widow's invitation would lead. But he banished the thought as unworthy and uncharitable. Fanny welcomed them with infinite tact and taste—made them feel that their coming was a blessing to her, so sad and lonely was her life now that it was no longer blessed by the companionship and devotion of the incomparable husband whom she had lost. 8he could not accompany them to the opera or to concerts and theaters, but she had the best seats secured, and Ned and Charlotte were properly attentive; and when it was time for the Graftons t-i move on the ladies actually ported with tears, Fanny looking so white, so pathetic, so fragile, and protesting that Mrs. Grafton was the one friend to whom her heart clung in its bereavement and desolation. A hacking little cough had already set in (this was late in the fall), and the rigors of the Lake Michigan climate seemed telling severely upon the Gotham-born girl, and urgently did Mrs. Grafton press her to leave this blustering shore and to come to her in that land where cuughs and bronchial and catarrhal troubles are unknown, to bask in the sunshine and drink in the delicious air of southern New Mexico; and Fan declared that could she but be with Harriet her cough would never worry her, but—it could not be—it could not be! There were important legal matters to be settled. She must fight her battle alone. She oould not yet go so far from rbat sacred dust. the cantonment, and were absent from Sedgwick white these preliminaries were being arranged. Otherwise Grafton might have cast conventionality aside and asked Randy for the truth about those alleged lovely times when they were on their w-edding journey; but be could not bring himself to write, and indeed there was no time for letters to go and come and decide an issue that was already decided. It was Mrs. Grafton who, two days before th* arrival of her lovely guest, broke the news of her coming to Mr. Merriam, was astonished at his reception thereof. ma Dotn leu tney Knew tne mwin ait the trouble when th'ey met Wh'ttaker ten minutes later and learned from him that the Graftons expected a g-tiest from the east on SaturClny—Mrs. Mc- Lane. And Saturday evening' she c-ime, almost at the same hour at *vhieh she first set eyes on that dreary landscape, •nd wondered what was the name of tbose far, blue hills, and who those officers and ladies could be. But this time It was the train from the northeast that bore her In, anditscompanion from the "Sunset Route" was not there; neither was there a swarm of officers •nd ladies. There was only one of each —* grave, dignified, soldierly man in undress uniform—a young, pretty, stylishly attired dame at bis side. The Pullman came to a stop at the platform, the porter sprang out laden with bags and bundles; the conductor stepped off and raised his cap and offered his hand to a vision of female charms, a fair, sweet smiHng face framed in dainty little cap. The heovv crape veil was thrown back, and the slender, rounded form was decked in somber weeds, yet how gracefully, effectively was it draped. Even Grafton could not fail to note it. No sign of dust and grime of travel was toere. The shrouding, protecting velfcdyV duster had bfcen discarded only just before they reached the station; Annette had stowed them carefully away in while her bereaved mistress carefully and skillfully arrayed herself in veil and bonnet that had been boxed throughout the Journey. She stepped forth Into Harriet's welcoming arms as trim as though she herself had just issued from a bandbox, her joy at befhg once more with such fond friends decorously tempered by the sense of her ever-present, all-pervading sorrow, and the consciousness of her delicate and uncertain health. Only a moment did she allow herself in Harriet's embrace. No time must be lost in precipitating herself upon the massive and not too eloquently welcoming captain, who held out a hand in his untutored army way, as hands had been extended for the score of years he had been in service, and not at the height of the shoulder, as hers, after the alien mode of the 90's. Into his arms she did not throw herself, yet looked she as she meant to look and have him see her look, and be impressed accordingly, as though such was her sense of his lofty character and her pwn needs of some strong arm on which to lean, •he might even be glad to find shelter there. ..... BY  CHAPTER IV. Captain Charles Jfinff, T/.S.Sf. nust, then it mtgnt be permissible. DDut no matter how great or distin finished he might become, never could she be prouder of him or of his lovs than now, never, never! Strange to say, the Journey back to the Mescalero seemed to benefit rather than Injure Merriam. The doctor vainly endeavored to restrain him—to induce him to shorten the long days' marches, but Merriam declared he waa never so well as when in the saddle, and that nothing wearied him so much as waiting. If anything, he seemed less Jaded than his physician when, on the third day, they reached the bivouac of the little command, and Billy Whittaker welcomed them to a supper of bacon and frijoles, and calmed Merriam's feverish impatience by the news that the civilian who had so desired to see him was still alive, conscious, but sinking rather than gaining. The miners' camp wm a mile away. The dead had been buried, eadthefeaft dropped with the brief prayers with which the bullet-riddled body was consigned to earth. Wells' first duty lay with the two troopers, who were in bitter plight, and no morsel of food passed his lips until he had ministered to them. Then Merriam had to wait until he had swallowed some coffee, and then, taking Whit taker with them, they rode forward to a branch of the canyon, where at nightfall they came in view of the fires of the little camp. Wells made prompt examination of the wonnded man, and came out from the rude shelter under which he lay, glanced at Whittaker and shook ids head. Presently, with a dazed look on his face, Merriam reappeared. "Billle," said he, "stand here and see that there are no eavesdroppers. I—know some of this poor fellow's people, and he has messages to send." The two or three hangers-on took the hint and slouched away. M1 may need you to witness his statement later," he whispered. "Come in if I call, but let no one else hear us." [Copyright 1806, by F. Tennyson Neely.] As the late sntumn wore on It was arranged that the wedding should take place at Sedgwick, and both riders and troopers, the —th foot and the —th horse, were to give the happy couple a glorious send-off. Both bride and groom-elect had seen mach of the east and south within the ten years preceding this of '92, and Merriam suggested southern California, Coronado Beach, Santa Barbara and Monterey for their honeymoon trip. Florence would have gone without question had he said Kamchatka or Timbuctoo. Once—twice during the autumn long letters had reached him from Ned Parry—letters over which he pondered gravely. Mr. and Mrs. McLane. said the second letter. It was almost sunset of one of those soft, languorous southern days that make even midwinter warm and grateful in the lower valley at the Bravo. Across the barren level of the parade the troopers were marching up from •tables in their white frocks, and sending long shadows striding up the opposite eastward slope of the narrow canyon. Tb* officer*, in parties of three or four, were strolling homeward past the now shaded porticoes, on many o~ which, seated with their needlework or chatting with friends, the ladies of the garrison were awaiting the coming of hospital at the cantonment. He found Tremaine looking anxious, even angered. Mrs. Tremaine troubled on more than one account, apparently, and Florence pale and languid. there were none whose opinion was worth having who really disliked Merriam, but very few who felt themselves sufficiently intimate with him to actively like. They had nothing against him except a certain indifference of manner, and nothing thatcalled for enthusiastic praise. Bis conduct in returning to liis regiment from an expensive eastern station and putting himself en retraite until his debts should be lifted and his duns appeased met with general commendation. His course in taking the Meecslero detail off a brother officer's hands was held to be characteristically generous. He had lots of good points, bad Merrism, they all conceded, but there were not four people, officer* or ladies, in either the cavalry or the Rifiers who thought bim good enough !nr PIambm Tremalr*. "Wish her Joy? Aye, with sll my heart," said the old colonel, when the news of the engagement was brought to him, "but can we hope it?" Even Capt. Hayne was not sure, though he tried to be, and found comfort snd inspiration in the enthusiasm of his devoted wife and in the irtanch opinions of Billy Whittaker. These two were the two at Sedgwick to whom that engagement brought gladness without alloy, and since there were not four people in the combined commands who could thoroughly approve the match. It follows that at most, therefore, there could be only one more, but thst one was the most confident, the most enthusiastic, the happiest, the gladdest, the proudest, the fondest girl that ever lived—Florence, her own sweet self. In s passion of tears, one exquisite, moonlit evening late in June, she had thrown herself upon her knees by her mother's side and sobbed out the news that Merriam hsd told her he loved her dearly and had asked her to be his wife, and when the mother drew her to her bosom and held her there, and mingled her tears with those of her beloved child, her heart went up in prayer to Heaven, for she knew that which Tremaine could not understand, thst so deep, so fond, so all-possessing wss the love with which Florence would love, probsbly did love, thst there could be no listening to reason. She had pinned her faith on Randolph Merrism and it could not be shsken. And all she said was: "Hush! Randy, dear, I don't wish you to tell me now." "Did Mr. Merriam send no letter?" ssked Mrs. Tremaine, after he had told something of their experiences. But McLane did not die—at once, at least. Three weeks the police worked at that clew and the doctors at him, and neither with much success—certainly with little help from the victim, who was in woeful state of collapse much of the time, protesting Ignorance of any excuse for shooting on the part of snvbody, and consumed with dreadful fear of death. It was a wonder that under the circumstances be rallied sufficiently to be up and able to be moved. The March winds of "Frisco were leagued against him. The doctors wished to take him back to Coronado, but be declared that any part of California would be death to him. He wished to go borne at once. Within the week of the shooting Ned Parry arrived from Chicago, and had some long interviews with his sister-in-law, but was not sllowed to see the patient; neither was she except at rare intervale, an affliction which she bore with Christian resignation. Then Parry bad to go back, but not before he had received a note from Merriam, had visited him, and had abown every attention to and deep Interest in bis gentle bride, and had had one long conference with the husband, alone. "There was no time to write. He begged me to give you his love snd gratitude, to give it to all, and to say he would write in full the moment he-got to Sedgwick. Oh, yes, he is better— much better, but the nervous strain may bring on a return of th% fever." said the doctor. Something of solemn consequence, Wells knew not what, had carried Merriam back to the railway. He might have to go east at once. were once more in Gotham, the vortex of a gay circle, but Mrs. Parry had declined to go east again. He himself hhd not cared to go, and did not call upon the happy couple or upon their revered uncle wben. as it happened, he did have to go. "Mr. Mellen has never written me since my letter to him telling him why I could not attend the wckHng," wrote Pany. "Yet he and I have got to have an accounting, and in the near .future, too. But first, my boy, l must look up that California story antf we are to meet. It may be weeks yet  I can grt away, but when I do I'll wire. If possible get a brief furlough and Join me. Til come by way of Sedgwick, and Charlotte—will not be with us." their lords or lovers—or both. The smooth, broad walks were bright with groups of merry children or sedately trundled baby-carriages. Three or foui of the bigger boys were galloping their ponies along the roadway, fresh sprinkled by the huge water-cart. The band that had been playing in its kiosk in front of the line had picked up its music-books and gone trudging barrackward for change of raiment before parade, skirting on the way the circular plat of withered grass maintained at vast expenditure of labor and water at the foot of the staff from whose shimmering peak hung, well-nigh motienless, the blue and scarlet and white of the national flag. Northwestward the distant line of the Mescalero stood blocblack against the cloudless sky. Awsy to the east rolled the dun billows of the "Jornada," illimitable in monotony and range. Downward at the ford of the San Mateo some Indian boys and girls were jabbering shrill expostulation to the Mexican herder who was swearing strange oaths at his usually placid burros, because they had the good manners to shrink at the edge of the stream wherein these children of nature were disporting, the laughter and screaming, even the splashing of the water, rising distinctly on the air. Out on the mesa to the north the quarterm aster's herd was nodding slowly, sleepily homeward, powdered by adustcloud of its own raising, and over at the infantry barracks at the westward end of the long line scores of the men were already out in full dress uniform, awaiting the bugle call that should demand the assembly. Mrs. Grafton had been visiting up the row end was coming smilingly back, nodding greeting and salutation to the ladies on the verandaa of the various quarters as she paased, yet walking eagerly so aa to be at the gate, as was her habit, when her eaptain returned from stables; seeing which, some of the younger officers tried to detain her or impede her way. "The captain has stopped to take a drink at Buxton's, Mrs. Grafton. 1 wouldn't hurry if I were you," said one mendacious, mischievous sub. "I'll leave it to Merriam If he hasn't," thereby detaining Merriam, who wai just as esger, apparently, to reach his own gate and receive the fond welcome tn Floy's deep, dark brown eyes. Others, too. joined the laughing conspiracy,and gazing beyond them and seeing nothing of her lord among the groups still farther to the rear, ahe as laughingly surrendered and entered into Joyous chat with her captors—the sight of one of the youngest, brightest and fairest of their number surrounded by half a dozen gallants being naturally a comfort to the lookers-on along the quarters—and when Randy, lifting his cap, would have deserted them and gone his way she was Just coquette enough to care to hold the exhibition—and her attendants—a moment longer. But Randy never reached the railway. Hayne received and read in startled amaze the contents of the packet brought by the courier, and sent st once from the JCnnotion two telegraphic messages—one to Mr. Ned Parry, of the firm of Graeme. Rayburn & Parry, of Chicago; the other to Mr. Abraham Mellen, New York city; received from the latter neither acknowledgment nor reply, and from the fonmer the brief words: "The marriage took place 4* hours ago." Without any delay, taking only a single orderly, Capt, Hayne rode away northwestward, past the Santa Clara past the old Mission, and so mountain ward until the blue barrier of the Me* ealero turned to gray and green, a*" And, though M err!am soon answered that letter, be made no mention of his engagement. Card* in doe form wore issued in January just a fortnight before the ceremony, and that was Parry's first intimation of "the impending crisis." Charlotte was astonished. Both were rejoiced on one account, yet both wished, for the girl's sake again, thai he had not been so precipitate. Each believed that the old love still smoldered and could be fanned into flame. They sent a beautiful gift to the bride —tome rare cut-glass pieces over which Florence almost cried with delight, and for the first time in long weeks Charlotte Parry wrote to her fair sirter In Gotham and told her of Mr. Merriam's engagement to such a charming girl, the only daughter of a distinguished officer, the pride and beauty of the regiment, the toast of all the cavalry and other elaborations, some of which, it must be owned, Mr*. Parry coined, but most of them she compiled and evolved from the letter Merriam wrote to her two days after he had posted the cards. When Mr. McLane was declared well enough to move they carried him aboard a steamer and sent him to Panama, Fanny, his wife, in attendance, as in doty bound. But even the best and biggest stateroom was close and stuffy, as she said, and her hours were mainly spent on deck. It was the nurse who had to bear with Mac'a ceaseless plaint*. He had grown suddenly old, childish, decrepit, fearful. They had to stay some days at Panama, and had a wretched time, at least he did, being transferred thence to Havana, where hs was enjoined to remain at least six weeks. Bat tome morbid longing drew him Irresistibly back to New York. Qo he would, and in April they exchanged tha aummer seas, the soft, perfume-laden ah*, the warm sunshine of the tropica for the fogs and bluster of the North Atlantic seaboard. Pneumonia set In and claimed the feeble wreck for its own. Several weeks before the anniversary of that brilliant wedding and still more brilliant reception, Fanny McLane was weeping decorously In widow'a weeds and listening to tha detail* of the last will and testament. almost within Its shadows, just as the second setting sun dropped behind its massive crest, he met the trio from the Cstamount—Merrism, a haggard, but determined rider, fsr in the lead. There was no time for salutation. All the same the Graftons were not fairly settled at Sedgwick when Fan's egal difficulties seemed to have been settled and her cough grievously augmented. The doctors talked of Bermuda or San Diego, but the idea of goingto Bermuda, among strangers, was a horror, so she wrote; and as for Coronado where, less thsn a year agone, she bad been so hsppy, so blest?— no! no! it was For half an hour the low murmur of voices came from within the "shack," aa darkness nettled down upon the acene. Then both Wella and Whittaker were summoned, and by the dim light of a camp lantern they knelt beside the pallet of the dying- man. "You know both theae gentlemen, by reputation, at leaat," said Merriam, gently, though hia eyes were gleaming, hia lips quivering, and his hands trembling with some strong and strange emotion. "In their presence I desire you to read over this statement that I have written from your dictation. If it's entirely right, say so, sign it, and they will witness your signature, but will hare no knowledge of ita contents." "Ttrriif dirilac. I'll b* wltti you IB a moauat" "What answer?" demanded the lieutenant, abruptly and with wide, burning. bloodshot eyes. friends first at Fort Stoneman," and with that our army girl withdrew her hand which hypocritical social ethics prescribed she should extend. She had even the hardihood to glance over her ety 1 IshIv-robed shoulder and nod a cheery, Insouclsnt farewell to the fair yet clouded face at the Pullman window. Verily Floy's elasticity wss equal to her husband's. "Too late." said Hayne, "too late by M hours." "Yon don't mean," gasped Merriam, "that they are married already?" "There was always something so appealing about Fan," said Mrs. Grafton sometimes, snd indeed there wns. "That's what Parry wires," was the brief response. the dispatch." For a moment Merriam sat in saddle, a dazed, stupefied look in his bloodless face. Then hia eyea closed and he seemed sbout to swoon. Haynesprang from his panting horse just as Merriam'a wearied escorts came lumbering to the spot. Together they lifted hint from hia seat and bore him to a little patch of grass, bathed his temples from their eanteens and gave him a goutte of cognac. They made what frontier troop* call a "dry camp" that night, Just there where the two partie* met. There waa fuel, a little grass, but no water beyond what they had in their canteens, and with the contents of one of these Hayne brewed a pot of tea while one of the men cooked their frugal supper. They needed noother canopy than that of the heavens in that rare, dry atmosphere, and with the stars for night lights and the waning moon to peep in upon theif slumbers later and atart the gaunt eoyotes at their querulous, unregarded serenade, the troopers slept, or seemed to sleep, until dawn. Twice Hayne awoke to find Merriam staring with burning eyes at the radiant ▼salt aloft, but he wanted nothing, needed nothing. He could not sleep for thinking, he explained, and when the morning came the fever waa with him again, and Corporal Tracy galloped northward along the foothills, a long day's ride, to fetch once more the doetor from the cantonment, and with Wells came the ambuiance. The cantonment lay 60 miles away to the north, Sedgwick a hundred to the southeast. It was the nearest port in the storm. And then the train moved on, and Grafton looked grimly at the stack of Saratogaa up the platform, while the orderly waa loading bags, baskets and bundles into the roomy Concord wagon, snd the quartermaster's team came rattling alongside to load up with heavy l"ggag«- Mr. McLane they had not met at all, nor did tbey again, on that now unclouded wedding journey, once encounter her. It wu easy to trace the wanderings of thii Manhattan magnate and his lovely wife. Their movement* were the subject of dally paragraphs In tha papers from San Diego to 8eattle, and not until they had left Coronado Beach did the Merriams go thither. Not nntil the McLanes were heralded at the Palace in Ban Francisco did the happy couple move on to Monterey, and there one morning aa they were at breakfast the pajDers were brought in and there was sensation. Merrlam bad not yet begun to appear at table with that infallible symptom of the long-married couple—a newspaper for his own entertainment and silence for his wife— und he and she were glancing about the great apartment and exchanging happy. low-toned confidences about their surroundings and possibly their fellow sojourners. But neither wife nor daughter knew that night thst. earlier in the evening. Merriam had sought the husband and father and opened his heart to him, told him his whole story, and begged of him his consent snd blessing. "I did love Miss Hayward," he said; "I was fssclnated beyond expression snd was stunned by the sbrupt end of oor engagement, but sll that passion was killed by the details thst hsve reached me, snd in its plsce hsve grown up an admiration and love for your daughter that far exceed anything I have known before. I have had hard lessons, sir; I sm not worthy the love of one so pure and true as she. but It shall be my constant endeavor to make her happy." For a few minute* hardly a sound save the deep breathing of three powerful, soldierly men and the feeble gasping of the sufferer broke the stillness of the rude shelter. The wounded man lay propped on Merriam'a shoulder, but, through weakness from his long illness and t»he mental excitement of the moment, the latter's trembling grew so marked that Whittaker quickly slipped hia left arm under the drooping head and drew hia friend away. McLane seemed to gain strength from the vigor of this new support, though be could do no more than whisper thanks. Presently he beckoned to Merriam and pointed to a line on the page. "I won't hare to see—anybody tonight, will J, dearest?" pleaded the widow of her devoted friend, as they bowled away to the post. "I look like a hag after this dreadful journey, and I'm so tired. Oh! do you get soft water here, or ia it all this wretched alkali?" and she studied her friend's already suffering complexion and read her answer there. No matter; she had borax and—other correctives—in abundance.The wedding was lovely, a* army weddings uaually are. The day wu perfect, the music grand, the assemblage all tiiat could be desired; the ceremony, despite the mist of tears in many eyes and Tremalne's manifest emotion, had gone off without a jar. The reception at the Haynes* was simply perfect, as everybody said, and then, though It was a manifest "giveaway" of the young couple, and probably very bad form Indeed, dozens of men and women had ridden to the junction to meet the weat-bound train and see them off; and hardly had their fond faces faded In the distance than another, a very different one, a radiant, smiling, beautiful face, was unveiled to the atartled vlaion of the bride, and the woman who waa aaid to have wrecked Randolph Merriam's life ■ few months gone by wm there in most bewitching* guise, despite the dust and grime or railway travel, to overwhelm her with pretty speeches and charming compliments—and complete dismay. Much, but not all, had been left to his jelored wife, Frances Hayward Mc- Lane, but even that much waacurioualy bestowed. Why should Uncle Mellen be so largely a beneficiary? Why should ha be placed in charge of her property? Waa ahe not old enough to look after what waa her own? Why should Unci* Mellen here and Uncle Mellen there appear on page after page of that formidable document? With alarming auddenness the tears had vanlahed. dried off. presumably, by the hot flash on her lovely cheek. Some one had obtained undue influence over her husband in hie last moments, she declared. Some one had swindled her Some one should be given to understand ahe waa a child—a puppet—no longer, and two some ones. Uncle and Aunt Mellen, had a tremendous scene with the widow before the funeral bakedmeata were fairly cold—before theflowera began to droop about the newillled grave. One row led to another, and then to litigation, and then Sister Charlotte had relented, sister love snd tenderness triumphing over the sense of indignation which followed Fan's repeated neglects of sisterly letters and sisterly advice, and she came east with her imperturbable Ned, and found Fan looking white and ill and troubled, and while Ned remained for a legal bat* tie royal with the girl'a putative guardian, Charlotte took Frances to s charming resort in the west for a placid summer, and that fall the lovely widow was domiciled in an apartment of her own within view of the flashing waves of Lake Michigan, within sound of the ceaseleaa roar of Chicago. Meantime the junior member of the great firm of Graeme, Ray burn & Parry had been doing yeoman aervice in "pinching" Uncle Mellen, and many a valuable concession had been made, and. thanks to her gifted brother-inlaw, the fair and now fully restored widow found heraelf in apparently undisputed possession of the revenues of oertain houses, lota and landa, stocks and bonda that would have been beyond her claim; and now had come the longing to spread her wings and fly, for with independence came the intolerance of Charlotte'a well-meant, yet illadvised monitions. She would have no elder aister preaching: "Don't do this and don't do that," day after day to her. She could not aaaume at all times the ezpreaalon of a grief she did not feel. The weeds, "the customary auits of solemn black." even the little caps weredonned whenever she went abroad, but that cap waa so coquettish as to draw down Lot's denunciation, and even deep mourning waa to be discarded long before the prescribed twelvemonth.Inspection was all over. The cavalry were all at stable* down under the bluff as they whirled into the great, spreading garrison and went spinning up the roadway In front of officers' quarters. The captain lifted both ladies out at the gate and assisted Annette to alight; then, giving brief direction to the servant, he raised his cap: "And now you are at home. Mix. McLane, and I will leave you to Harriet while I go down to my horses awhile," and Fan followed him with swimming eyes.. "1 Of|t4-Ud BODtat-H -»» »«H w— VNk." tmpoMiDie. let tjnicago ror toe real ot the winter was out of the queatloo, especially since the estrangement that had grown up between her and her relatives in the eaat, that had even toaome extent involved Charlotte, her beloved sister. Mra. Grafton could not help thinking how remarkably Francea had developed flnce her school days. Then •he had never impressed anyone aa being capable of much deep feeling. There bad been a few months, Indeed, wtien Mra. Qrafton waa angry and astonished at Francea, bat those were jnst after she "broke" with Randy Merriam and married McLane. but Fan had Wheedled her out of thia unfavorable mood and convinced her that she hsd never really cared for Mr. Merriam, who, somehow, failed to lnsptre her with that feeling of respect, even reverence, which she felt was due the man she married; whereas Mr. McLane was • gentleman of such dignity and force of character that she seemed powerless in hla preaence, and his love was the sweetest flsttery, the most surprising, thrilling Joy she hod ever known. Not until became did abe dream what love really meant, and then it was duty, it was Just lee, it was honor that compelled her to releaae Mr. Merriam. Had she married him she wonld have gone to the altar with a lie on her lips, for she loved another. Grafton aaid nothing, but seemed to be thinking a good deal, and it was plain that be did not thoroughly approve of the fickle Frances. When, however,Merriam surprised everybody at the Point by his marriage to Floy Tremaine, Grafton concluded it was time to drop the matter. "I said she waa over 43—" he began, then Merriam'a hand was slipped over his mouth. Tremaine could not iniirtr for a moment. "What hare you told her thus far?" he asked, though not unkindly. "I told her before I was summoned back to the detachment, after that shooting scrape up In the mountains, about Miss Hayward and my broken engagement, and her prospective marriage. I do not think I had any business to do even that—to tell her anything that might seem to single her out aa confidante, but the Impulse was stronger thsn I was." "1*11 make any corrections you wish, but do not speak of what is there," said he, and with his fountain pen he erased a word and wrote another. Then the sufferer nodded. "It is all right now," he whispered, and, taking the pen, was lifted to a half-sitting posture and feebly, srratchily wrote aa follows: "John Harold McLane, Jr„ aged 25; born June 1, 1867, Sacramento, Cal. Died June —, 1892, Mescslero mountains, N. M." Then, dropping the pen, hs fell back to his rude pillow, pant- A man at an adjoining table, however, had opened the sheet and suddenly asclaimed : "My God I" and this Instantly attracted the attention of hia wife, who had resignedly accepted the situation and was finding such conaolatlon as she could in studying the occupants of the room. He began to read aloud: "Mr. John llarold McLane, of New York, who with his charming young wife haa been •pending a few daya in thia city, was shot and dangeronaly wounded while stepping into his carriage in front of the University club at a late hour last night, his unknown assailant escaping in the confusion that followed. The ball, evidently a heavy one, struck him with such force that the shock felled him instantly. He was carried into the clubhouse again, where Drs. Storrand Humphrey, who were present, made prompt examination. It was found thai after striking full force and partially destroying the contents of s flat pocket book in his overcoat the ball, deflected, evidently, had torn its way round under the skin of the left breaat and burat it* way out below the armpft. Bleeding was profuse and the shock severe, yet the physicians think that the cbaaee* ire In favor of his recovery. "How blessed you are, Harriett" she murmured. "Se strong, so noble a man! Ah, I have so needed you—both. I'm so thankful to be here." CHAPTER VL "Wat that—the day before the courier come down with the newa of the fight?" asked the captain, with uplifted brow*. He waa thinking of how Florence had been found by her mother in tears that very afternoon. Merriam'a intention had been to go direct to San Diego. Leaving the ladies together, after a cold and embarrassed acknowledgment of Mrs. McLane's greeting and a most unwilling presentation to "my wife," he hurried into another car to be alone and collect hi* thoughts. It was snndown by this time, and only sundowu. For hours yet poor Florence might be at fhe mercy of that merciless woman, who Merriam now believed could be capable of anything. The thought was unbearable. From the conductor he learned that the McLanes were bound for Coronado Reach, and that settled it. Ilaatily writing a few lines he folded the psper compactly and walked briskly back to the Pullman. Roth faces lighted at his coming, Floy's with infinite relief. Fanny's with laughing triumph. "Not another moment'a leave, sir," cried the latter, "until you've explained where you've been and promised never again to abandon your beloved. Fancy a man who would leave his bride within an hour of their wedding to go snd smoke among strangers! Oh, that reminds me, I haven't presented you to Mr. McLane. Will you come with me now?" "Oh, Mr. Merriamt Don't go yet. I've really Important news for you. Who do you think is coming to visit as?" And as they led her beneath the shaded porch, and bright eyes on other porches looked eagerly on, and her own bright, brimming eyes took in the many odd, unfamiliar yet attractive surroundings in this cozy army home, Kan was wondering how she could ever have thought of such a life—how it was, possible for Ilarriet to be .happy in it, while her hostess was already wondering if, after all, she was quite as content and happy as she was before Fanny came. "Do lot ipMk of what la Ihm" This tLm« Tremaine would have had fitted up for him a room in the big, airy hospital, but his better-half intervened. "Very possibly, sir, though I cannot recall the day." Randy had no idea. He smiled politely, even pleasantly, and said h* couldn't imagine. "It would never do after our having had him here before," she aaid. "He must have his old room under our roof and everything he had before—except Florence." Then, after a pause: "Answer me this question, Merriam," said the older officer. "If Miss Hayward were to treat this man aa ahe did you; if ahe were again to oome into your life and say: 'Come back to me.' I do not aak you what your answer would be—I aak, what would your heart aay?" "Well, but guess." persisted Mrs. Grafton, her very pretty face very full of importance. But when, after ten days of burning fever and desperate illness, Randolph Merriam seemed again to realize where h« was, snd how weak he was, and how good they had been to him, the first name he whispered, the first thing he asked for, looked for, seemed to long for was Florence—snd they let her come. "The Walkers, from Stonetuan ?H suggested Randy. "No, lndeedl Nobody from that way. It's from the east." To be ooutinued. "Nothing. Even if she were not his wife, I could not think of her again without aversion." "Mrs. and Miss Pollard, from Marcy?" "Not a bit of it. No nrmy people at all, but somebody you know very well and like very much." Is about 80,000, and we would say at loss CDne-half are troubled with some affection if the throat and lungs, as those complaints are, according to statistics, mom numerous than others. We would advise all not to negleot the opportunity to call on their druggist and get a bottie of Kemp's Balsam for the throat and lungs. Price 25 and 50o. Trial size free. Sold by all druggists. The P palatlon of Ptttston "Yet she is accomplished and a beauty, you say; which my Florence, tliey tell me, though i cannot see it, is not." Then Randy began to look queer, but still couldn't begin to guess. "I'm sure I'm at a loss," he faltered. "There is much mystery abcut tbe affair. The coachman says a man and a woman walked up and down In front of the club on the opposite side of the •treet full half an hour before Mr. Mc- Lane come out, he being accompanied by a friend wbo had formed one of their n«rtv at whist. Instantlv the *tran(r» man left tbe side ot the woman, burned across the street, and, placing his left hand on Mr. McLane's shoulder, turned him sharply, and accosted him in a low, somewhat angry tone. The moment he spoke Mr. McLane struck furiouely with his right hand at tbe other's face, then thrust it Into his overcoat pocket, where later a pistol was found. It was at this instant that the other fired. The carriage horses, startled, attempted to run, and by the time the coachman had regained control of them they were some distance down the street. On his return, Mr. McLane was being borne into the club. Quite a little crowd had gathered, but nobody but himself and the friend referred to, who was somewhat intoxicated, had seen anything ot the shooting. A neighbor said he saw a man and woman hurrying round tihe corner, but that was the last of tDhem. 'l'hs police nave a clew wmcn tney refuse to divulge. Mrs. McLane, who was attending the brilliant reception given at the residence of Hon. J. L. 8a»- bourne, was not informed of the tragedy until an hour later, and was prostrated by the shock. At three a. in. the wounded man wwsrestingunderthe influence of opiates." CHAPTER V. "She is accomplished—too much so. She is a beuutiful woman,-but I look in your dsughter's eyes, sir, and I see her as you see her. God knows I marvel that anyone can fail to see her except as you do and as 1 do." "Why, Fanny McLane, of course! She's been in miserable health since her husband died, and they've practically ordered her to try this cHuiatc; so *he'B coming to me. She'll be here Saturday, but of course you know ahe's in deep mourning yet and can't go anywhere."Ing and exhausted. Wells quickly gave him stimulant; then he and Whittaker affixed their names aa witneaaea. A moment later, while the surgeon remained with his patient, the two young officers clasped hands outside. It was October before the surveyors finished their work in the Mescalero mountains snd Merriam and hia men were r&alled to 8edgwick. Late in July Billy Whittaker had been relieved by hia restored comrade snd returned to besdquarters; be lost no time in calling on the Ilsynes, and between him and that charming little army matron, Mrs. Hayne, there were exchanged significant smiles snd knowing looks, snd not a few confidential words, to all of which the biond, Norse-looking captain and husband seemed to give hearty approvaL And letters from the cantonment— long letters — came to Mrs. Hayne from her friend, Mrs. Tremaine. snd long, loving, blissful missives from Florence, snd when the Haynes, father and mother, boys and girls, all presently went in to Chicago for a month at the fair it leaked out in some way that Mrs. Hayne left freighted with mysterious commissions from her friends at the Catamount,Tremaine's reverses permitting no such extravagance as a journey —especially in view of the many new snd lovely items that women decreed as Indiapensable now. And presently it was known st Sedgwick that, despite his complete recovery, Mr. Merriam seemed to find it necessary to leave the detachment in the mountains and make frequent, even hazardous rides, with only s single orderly, down deep into the canyon of the Catamount, and soon back to Weils and the cantonment. Long before the Haynes returned from Chicago, therefore, the sweet secret was out, and all Fort Sedgwick was talking of Merriam's engagement to Floy Tremaine. She waa but 18; he 28. She waa •hy, sensitive, sn idolized daughter. There were times when she was actually lovely, so deep and tender were her eyes, so winning her smile, soft snd caressing tieT voice. He was stslwart, soldierly, fine-looking certainly, but a man few heartily liked, while few thoroughly knew him. He had been wild, extravagant, and. aome said, dissipated the first two or three years after his grsdustlon. He was known to be frank and truthful, and aa a giver and lender had been decidedly too generous. He was n conscientious officer in many ways, except when he was serving under Buxton. He couldn't bear "Bux,'* and Bux not infrequently spoke disparagingly of Merriam's ability, s thing that might have hurt him in the eyes of his siipesiors but for the fact that they knew Bux far better than be knew them. Among officers of hia own grade Mutt JLatumn. All the same he could not suppress his surprise wben Harriet announced that Fanny bad actually almost commented to come to tberai. "I thougfat youj knew I disapproved of that scheme entirely." said he. About the breezes sighing Jtad moans astir o'er field and dell Boaauso the year is dying. It's §M a farce—these tales they tell And Tremaine held out his hand, gripped hard the lean, brown fingera that claaped in hia. easayed to aay something that was still weighing on his heart, but gave it up. "You're weak as a child yet. Bandy. What is it, old boy?" For a moment Merriam was too amazed—too stsrtled—to trust himself to speak, snd she saw it, snd with the quick Intuition of her sex, saw, too, that aopiething must be done to relieve the embarrassment that would fall upon the p&rty. "My God t I oan't afford to be weak now," was fhe fierce answer. "I've got to act—to do as I never did Nrfore. How long ahould it take our beat rider, our lightest rider, to reach the railway? Telegrams must go east at once." Cold refusal was on his tongue, but n sudden thought struck him. "Lead on. madarne—I follow," he sold, and ni she tripped blithely away down the aisle he quickly turned back, bent, and printing one long kiss on Floy's troubled fsce. hurriedly whispered: "llead this, darling. I'll be with you in one moment, and then she cannot remain." Then calmly and deliberately he followed. Mrs. McLane bad halted at tbe angle of the narrow passage around the smoking compartment, and was awaiting him there. Seeing that, he stopped short at the portiere, in ftill view of Florence had she looked around, and bowing, motioned her to proceed. Rut she had halted for a purpose and meant to have her say. Who was It that declared that even at the altar. In her wedding dress, a woman could not forgive the rejected lover who had found conso'ation elsewhere? Saab principles are most absurd, I oare not who first taught 'em. There's nothing known to beast or bird To make a solemn autumn. "She is all I have to give, Merriam," he presently said, "but ahe ia all the world to me." "You did. dear, when I first spoke of it. and so did I. I didn't think it would do at all. buDt Fan talked so frankly about Mr. Merriam and the lively time they'd had together on the Pacific coast —with him and his charming bride— and how be and she had latigbed over their affair at the Pointand agreed that It would have been absurd, and now tbey were suoh good friends, and she'd had such a sweet, sympathetic message from Mrs. Merriam after her sad, gad bereavement—why, what more was to be said " la solemn times, when grief holds sway With countenance distressing, You'll note the more of black and gray Will then be used in dressing. "If he take the back trail—the one you came in by from Sedgwick—five days and nights, least count. If he go around by the cantonment for fresh horses, perhaps seven." And so when Men-ism returned to Sedgwick to face the vol leys of congratulation and the occasional shakes of the head with which his seniors said to him: "She's a heap too good for you, man," he could not but be aware of the trend of public sentiment, and though time and again he had said aa much to her, to her parenta, to himself, it must be owned thst here was a case where it was not entirely flattering to find the world of hia own expressed opinion. It nettled him not a little, and even Whittaker snd Mrs. Ilayne could not entirely comfort him. It waa all very well to aay: "You muat remember that Florence has been the pet of our regiment ever aince ahe waa born. I declare, it makes me jealous at times for my own babies," as Mrs. Hayne did. It waa gratifying and complimentary to bis taste that the commendation of his gentle fiancee was so general, but, no matter how conscious a man may be of hia own ahortcominga, ia it ever a comfort to find that all hia are equally aware of them? It muat be owned that there were momenta when Merriam grew Impatient of theae comments upon hia unworthiness, expressed or Implied, even while his heart rejoiced over the enthusiastic interest displayed by all the garrison in his wife that was to be. "She was one of my bridesmaids— Fanny Hayward." she hurriedly explained to the surrounding group—"and the loveliest girl you ever aaw; and, Just think of it, Mr. Minium, now she's a disconsolate widow with I don't know howmoch money all her own,"and then nervously she caat anxious glances at Vlerriaai, and again addressed him, as though in self-defense. "You know we vtalted with her on our way west, and she told me of her charming meeting with you and Mr*. Merriam on your wedding journey, and the lovely timei you had before they had to go to Sac Francisco," and now her voice bad be come timid and appealing, for she saw that something was very, very mucl amiss. Merriam's face had flushed even through its coat of tan, but wai now a yellow-brown, all its happy healthful glow vanished, and Bill; Whittaker, looking uneasily at hin) had linked an arm in his and Now purple tints are all around, The sky Is blue and mellow. And e'en the grasses turn tbe ground From modest green to yellow. "My God! my Godl" cried Merriam. "Even two days may be too long. You're in command, Billy. 1 can give no orders, but that courier must start before moonrise to-night. Don't aak me to tell you why." The asM bun all with laughter crack On featherweed and jiuison, And leaves that should be dressed in black Are ail decked out in crimson. Freak, whim, caprice of every kind had her elder sister expected of her, even to the encouragement of this wcllgroomed, well-preserved broker-magnate who came on plea of new investments ana business interests, dut mm Frances should declare her intention of going to visit Fort Sedgwick, even under the protection of the Grafton's roof, had never occurred to her for a moment aa a possibility. It was stunning! It was too dreadful for anything! She would have written mad. sisterly protest to Mrs. Grsfton, but for Ned's stern prohibition. "Let her go. my child." said he, in the balf-paternal way he sometimes assumed. "Let her go. 1 know Grafton, J think. I know Mrs. Merrlam, and 1 believe 1 know Randy. It's my profound conviction Pan is going to get the lesson of her life." And within the hour, with a sealed packet addressed to Capt. Lawrence Hayne.—th infantry. Fort Sedgwick, a slim little Irish trooper was loping, all alone, jauntily back toward the valley of the Bravo, smacking his lips in anticipation of the good liquor swaitlng bim at Santa Fe Junction the moment bis duty was done. Five days and nights had be before him of lonely ride through a desolate, almost desert Isnd, ■topping only when necessary to feed and water snd rub down his horse, build his little fire snd cook Ms slab of bacon snd brew ttie battered pot of coffee, snd snstch such sleep under the ■tars as was possible, braving Indians, rattlesnakes or mountain lions without ■ tremor, for the sake of an Irishman's pride in bis troop, his love of dangerous duty snd his full assurance of a good time at the journey"a end. Grafton listened rather grimly. He was many years older than his wife, as bas been said, and much less credulouV Again the same uneasy presentiment oppressed him. "1 don't think she should come here. Ilarrle," he gravely ■aid. "Anywhere else, perhaps. I could have shared with you the feeling of welcome—certainly the desire to pay the debt of hospitality, but at Sedgwick, with the Merriams here, it cannot be." A butterfly goes winging by, A singing bird copies after, And nature, all from earth to sky, Is bubbling o'er with laughter. • • • • • Don't talk to me of solemn days In antumn's time of splendor Because the sun shows fewer rays And these grow slant and slender. "You are to be congratulated on the Dla*ticity with which you recover from even severe attacks. Mr. Merriam. Your fever was said to be such." Why, It's the climax of the year, The highest time of living, Till naturally its bursting cheer Just melts into thanksgiving. —Paul Laurence UunHar "1 hsve been fortunate in two recoveries. Mrs. MrLane," wan the cool reiponse. "Vow If you are ready to present me to Mr. McLane, I am at your service; if not, I desire to return to my wife.** in nusn toai leaped to Her lace, the angry light to her eyes she could neither conceal nor control. For a moment she stood there sraszed, enraged and trembling, then these worda burst from her lips: "I thought I loved you, Randj Merrism—not two months ago —yes, despite everything! Now I hate youl" And with this melodramatic speech she Impetuously and abruptly turned, and for the second time took fefuge, dust or no dust, at the rear doorway, the presentation to her husband apparently forgotten. For a proper and reasonable minute be awaited her return—then, quickly stepping back, seated himself by his young wife's side. His hand sought and found hers; his fond eyes, eagerly searching, were not long denied the upward, appealing glance of hers. "Did you read? Do yon approve, dear love?" he softly psked. "It would he nasperatloa to And here poor Mra. Grafton broke down and wept. "Oh," she cried, "it's got to bel I thought you'd forgiven her and that all was well; and I urged —and she's coming—ne—nc—next' w—week." [rheumatism! ♦en 111, ■ HBU ttATiflTA and rimllar Complaints, I ■ ahe*a and prepared under the stringent M |L GERMAN MEDICAL LAWS, jA prescribed by eminent physioian8t^jf5| taband In) DR. RICHTER'S IM -22 B?" ANCHOR rJS [PAIN EXPELLERl Dnd« of 9 T^orldrenowned! RemarkablyBDccesufDi! ■ ■Onlrcenatna with Trade Mark" Anchor."■ . some Hf, 14. Hefctn 'Co., 8i&PeariSt», New York. I De for I 3' highest awards. ' , M 13 Braaoh Hoaaes, Own Olaisworki. M xioui y 50e. Endorsed &recommended b\ JB * bead- '•rrer ft Peck. 30 Lnzerne Avenue. ta the G-C. Olick.50 North Main St. , , J. H Houck, 4 North Main St.^| ind she flBK Pitttston, Pa. anptlt, roomIjSHl Dran ff DR. RICHTCR'S k t! I W for | MP Breathless. Merriam listened, his face Ealing, and breathless Florence watched Im. When the reader had finished snd his wife began to ask questions, Florence said no word. Her dark, pathetic eyes were fixed upon her busband's pallid face, then timidly she stretched forth her hand. "Bandy, dear!" abe whispered. about to urg* him to come «w Merriam bad to aaj som«thli (his, in evident constraint, it w We need not record the further re'marks of Capt. Grafton on this point, since they were after all lnopeiratlve, but the first dark shadow over their domestic peace fell that very day and hour. For the life of him he could not but feel that he bad been tricked and deceived, and yet ao plausible were the explanations he could not brush them entirely aside. At all events he would not now require his wife to recall the Invitation, sent and accepted. It might even be as ahe claimed, that Fan loved and | clung to her as her only dear and intimate friend, and craved her society and sympathy now in her bereavement and Ill-health, and, though still auspicious and Ill-satisfied, he gave hla reluctant assent to the plan, and was on hand at the Junction to meet and welcome his unwelcome guest. "Yes—we—did meet—Mr*. M I'm very sorry to hear she's b ■aid: and am much surprised to heai coming: here. Excuse me, Mrs. Grafton, I must burry on." Merriam roused himself with a sudden start. "Forgive me, Floy, Floy darling! But this is a dreadful shock. Will you mind my getting a paper?" and be looked appeallngly about him. A waiter sprang forward. Did the captain wish anything? The morning paper? Certainly. Which one? Oh, any one—all of them in fact; and presently they were brought, aa was the breakfast, and the breakfast grew cold while he read on through paper after paper, grewsome details in one and alL yet not the details he sought. Another day and a rude grave was dug in the canyon, and the doctor read the simple service of the church over the shrouded form of the young prospector; and then, against that doctor'a wishes, but not without his reluctant consent, Lieut. Merriam, with an escort of two troopers, started in person to ride by the shortest trail to Sedgwick. And he was a very devoted lover, too. Only twice a week did the mall rider g% out to the cantonment, but Randy wrote to her long, crowded page* every day, and her lettera came even longer and brimful of love and sunshine and happiness. He had sent to St. ICouls for her engagement ring, and her delight over it and its beauty was something delicious to see, though she pruperly rebuked him for hia extiavagejice and warned him never again t« spend so much money In jewelry for her while he was yet a poor ltouteBant. By and by, when he be came * great general, aa surely CHAPTER VII That evening Floy and her I (ailed to attend the formal hop was held each week, and theli mil noted, for she loved to dai had promised waltzes and tw without number to her old fr the Riflers and the cavalry botl one proposed going- after then Hayne did call on her way ho. she left early, and Inquired anx for Florence. "She has a •eve' ache." said Randy, who cam* The manner In which Mrs. Frances McLane secured her invitation to visit the Graftons reflects credit on her generalship If not on her general character. She was deep in widow's weeds and woe the lovely summer of '04 so long aa she remained in the neighborhood of the mausoleum of the dear departed, and Mrs. Grafton twice or thrice ran down from the Pgint to pour out sympathy and consolation, but dear Fanny had sustained too severe a shock. This dreadful, thiB mysterious, this murderous assault upon Mr. Mc- Lane had unnerved her completely, said Un. Grafton, on her return to her liege. It was now the 6th of June. It would take him nesrly a week to reach and cross the Santa Clara. It might take him eight days to Sedgwick, and every hour seemed a day. Meantime Dr. Wells set about having litters made for fee two wounded troopers, and by the * HI «• tk» ■aaih fcsia thsss saislv is door with gloom in hit eyea, " felt too good-for-nothing toatt «o i persuaded her to go to hei Ha uktd them In, bat did not Both Hajne and hU wll* noted And Florence had loat all appetite and was intent only on him, waiting almost meekly lor him to apeak. Some of the The Merriams had been paying a holiday visit to Floy's devoted parent* ot