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} + +hr.end-of-book { + width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 3em; + margin-right: 0; + margin-left: 0; + height: 4px; + border-width: 0px; + color: gray; + background-color :gray; +} + +p { text-indent: 1em; } + +p { text-indent: 1em; } + +.p1 { margin-top: 1em; } + +.b1 { margin-bottom: 1em; } +.b2 { margin-bottom: 2em; } +.b4 { margin-bottom: 4em; } + +hr.r10 { + width: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 45%; + margin-right: 45%; +} + +hr.preface { + width: 7%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: 46.5%; + margin-right: 46.5%; +} + +.pagenum { font-family: serif; } + +.illowe20 { width: 20em; } +.illowe30 { width: 30em; } +.illowe35 { width: 35em; } + +.small { font-size: small; } +.x-small { font-size: x-small; } + +.bold { font-weight: bold; } + +.noindent { text-indent: 0em; } + +a { text-decoration: none; } +a.underline { text-decoration: underline; } + +.transnote { + background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size: small; 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+ padding: 1em; + margin: 3em; +} + +.container { + display: flex; + justify-content: center; +} + +.nowrap { white-space: nowrap; } + +.attr, .x-ebookmaker .attr { + float: right; + font-size: small; + /* margin-bottom: 0.5%; */ + margin-bottom: 1em; +} + +.attl, .x-ebookmaker .attl { + float: left; + font-size: small; + /* margin-bottom: 0.5%; */ + margin-bottom: 1em; +} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76813 ***</div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe20 x-ebookmaker-drop"> + <a rel="nofollow" href="images/cover.jpg"> + <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""> + </a> +</figure> + +<div class="transnote chapter p4"> +<a id="top"></a> +<p class="noindent center TN-style-1 bold">Transcriber’s Note</p> + +<p class="noindent center TN-style-1">The cover image was restored by Thiers Halliwell and is granted to the public domain.</p> + +<hr class="r10"> + +<p class="noindent center TN-style-1">See the <a class="underline" href="#TN">end</a> +of this document for details of corrections and other changes.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="container"> + <div class="box"> + <p class="noindent center bold"> + <span class="small smcap">CAPT. CHARLES KING’S</span> + <br> + <span style="font-size: 130%;">Popular Military Novels</span>. + </p> + + <hr class="r10"> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;">THE COLONEL’S CHRISTMAS DINNER,</p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;">and Other Stories. 12mo. Extra cloth. $1.25.</p> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;">CAPTAIN BLAKE.</p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 3.5em;">Illustrated. 12mo. Extra cloth. $1.25.</span></p> + + <p class="noindent small bold right" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 1.2em;">THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER.</span></p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 2.8em;">Illustrated. 12mo. Extra cloth. $1.25.</span></p> + + <p class="noindent small bold right" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 2.0em;">MARION’S FAITH.</span></p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;">Illustrated. 12mo. Extra cloth. $1.25.</p> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;">STARLIGHT RANCH, and Other Stories.</p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 9.0em;">12mo. Cloth. $1.00.</span></p> + + <p class="noindent small bold right" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">KITTY’S CONQUEST.</span></p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;">12mo. Extra cloth. $1.00.</p> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;">LARAMIE; or, The Queen of Bedlam.</p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 11.0em;">12mo. Cloth. $1.00.</span></p> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;"><span style="margin-left: 1.0em;">THE DESERTER, and FROM THE RANKS.</span></p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><span style="margin-right: 8.0em;">12mo. Extra cloth. $1.00.</span></p> + + <p class="noindent small bold" style="margin-bottom: 0.2em;">TWO SOLDIERS, and DUNRAVEN RANCH.</p> + <p class="noindent x-small bold right" style="line-height: 10%;"><span style="margin-right: 9.0em;">12mo. Extra cloth. $1.00.</span></p> + + <hr class="r10"> + + <p class="noindent center small">J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, Publishers,</p> + <p class="noindent center x-small smcap">PHILADELPHIA.</p> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe35"> + <a rel="nofollow" href="images/frontis.jpg"> + <img class="w100" src="images/frontis.jpg" alt=""> + </a> + <figcaption> + <p class="noindent small" style="justify-content: center;">“She paused abruptly upon the threshold, and for an instant simply stared at them.”</p> + <div class="attl"> [<i>Frontispiece.</i>]</div> + <div class="attr">[See page 92.] </div> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap p3 x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1 class="p2"><span style="font-size: 120%;">THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER;</span> +<br> +<span style="font-size: 45%;">OR,</span> +<br> +<span style="display: inline-block; font-size: 85%; margin-top: 0.9em;">WINNING HIS SPURS.</span> +</h1> + +<p class="noindent center p4 b4 bold"><span style="font-size: 90%;">BY</span><br> +<span style="font-size: 115%;"><span class="smcap">Capt.</span> CHARLES KING, U.S.A.</span></p> + +<hr class="r10"> +<p class="noindent center small bold">WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY</p> +<p class="noindent center bold">A. F. HARMER.</p> +<hr class="r10"> + +<p class="noindent center small p4 bold">PHILADELPHIA:</p> +<p class="noindent center bold">J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.</p> +<p class="noindent center b4 bold">1892.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="p4"> </p> +<hr class="r10"> +<p class="noindent center small bold">Copyright, 1882, by <span class="smcap">J. B. Lippincott & Co.</span></p> +<hr class="r10"> +<p class="b4"> </p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="noindent center bold small p2">TO</p> +<p class="noindent center bold">MRS. JAMES B. RICKETTS,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold x-small" style="margin-top: 1.3em;">WHO,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small" style="margin-top: 0.9em;">WHETHER SHARING THE LOT OF WOUNDED PRISONER,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold x-small" style="margin-top: 1.3em;">OR</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small" style="margin-top: 0.9em;">GRACING THE HIGHEST CIRCLES OF SOCIETY,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold x-small" style="margin-top: 1.3em;">HAS BEEN</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small" style="margin-top: 0.9em;">THE DEVOTED WIFE TO ONE,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold x-small" style="margin-top: 1.3em;">THE</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small" style="margin-top: 0.9em;">FAITHFUL FRIEND TO MANY A SOLDIER,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold x-small" style="margin-top: 1.3em;">THIS</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small b2" style="margin-top: 0.9em;">ARMY STORY IS DEDICATED.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak"> + PREFACE. + </h2> +</div> + +<hr class="preface"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson</span> is responsible for +the statement that “Spartans, stoics, heroes, saints, +and gods use a short and positive speech.” This may +account for the fact that there are no conversations +worth reading in this entire story.</p> + +<p>The spontaneous wisdom and eloquence that animate +the characters of Bulwer and Disraeli to the +habitual and familiar use of language outrivalling the +diction of Richelieu; the colossal attainments of the +natives neighboring Chattanooga, as set forth in St. +Elmo, and discovered (by aid of the unabridged) in +their off-hand chats; the wit and sparkle of that phenomenally +delicious couple, Tom and Bessie, who irradiate +not only “One Summer,” but every season in which +they may be encountered,—all will be found wanting +herein. My people simply talk, as people in the line +of the army <em>will</em> talk,—most prosaically.</p> + +<p>When it comes to portraying life in the staff, as opposed +to existence in the fighting force, needless to say +some other pen must be employed than that of</p> + +<p class="right" style="font-size: 105%;">THE AUTHOR. </p> + +<p class="left small"> November, 1882.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[3]</span></p> + +<p class="noindent center bold" style="font-size: 200%;">THE COLONEL’S DAUGHTER;</p> +<p class="noindent center bold small">OR,</p> +<p class="noindent center bold b2" style="font-size: 140%;">WINNING HIS SPURS.</p> + +<hr class="r10"> + + <h2 class="nobreak p2"> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">“Sergeant-Major!”</span></p> + +<p>“Sir-r-r!” and the rasp and rattle of a hastily-moved +chair preceded but an instant the appearance of a +soldierly form in the doorway.</p> + +<p>“That Prescott mail’s late again to-day?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir; been late every time last three trips.”</p> + +<p>The sergeant-major clips his words as close as his +cropped hair and uses no superfluities. Having said +so much he waits, mutely “standing attention,” for his +superior’s next remark. The latter is dreamily contemplating +a pair of rather shapely feet perched on the +desk in front of him, and tapping the boot-toes thereof +with a long ruler. Finally he <span class="nowrap">queries,—</span></p> + +<p>“Think that man Finnegan’s been drinking again?”</p> + +<p>“Looks like it, sir; but can’t say. Horse shows hard +riding every night when he gets in; but you can see +him for six miles up the valley, and he comes at an easy +lope all the way from the Point.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[4]</span></p> + +<p>The adjutant slowly lets down his long legs, quits +his chair, takes from its case a signal-service binocular +and saunters to the open doorway leading to the parade. +His subordinate remains a moment, in his invariable +attitude, at the door of the inner office, then, finding +himself addressed no further, steps back quickly as he +came.</p> + +<p>Leaning against the post of the narrow piazza in +front, the adjutant blinked his eyes in unwilling deference +to the blazing sunlight and gazed out towards the +north.</p> + +<p>Before him, straight away, lay a level barren of +gravelly earth, brown and desolate: no sprig of grass, +no sign of shrub or tree; the parade of Camp Sandy, +in the year of our Lord 187-, was as bald as the head +of the commanding officer. Midway between the office +and the glistening white line of picket-fence that +spanned the northern limit of the garrison a lance-like +staff shot upward into the burning vault of heaven, +and from its summit hung motionless the heavy folds +of blue and scarlet and white, the symbol of Yankee +supremacy in the midst of surrounding desolation. It +hung aloft as though paralyzed with wonderment at its +unlovely <span class="nowrap">companionship,—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza small"> + <div class="verse indent0">“It hung in the heat like some bright dead bird,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And the air was so still you could hear the tramp</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Of the pacing sentry all over the camp.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>Bounding this arid surface on right and left were two +long lines of adobe buildings. Those on the eastern +side, with their broad piazzas and mansard-roofs, indicating +in greater pretence the homes of the officers of +<span class="pagenum">[5]</span>the command; those on the left, low, one-storied, and +colorless as the dun hue of the parade itself, the quarters +of the men.</p> + +<p>Beyond the former, a thousand yards away, rose a +turreted palisade of conglomerate shale and yielding +sandy earth that shut out wall-like all view to the east. +At its foot rolled the shallow stream from which the +post derived its sole supply of water. It never seemed +to rain at Camp Sandy, though torrents might be descending +in the mountains that shut it in. To the west, +beyond the line of barracks, lay, in the same colorless +clods of adobe, the cavalry stables,—the quartermaster’s +“corrals,”—and beyond them tumbled heaps of foot-hill +rolling higher and higher until, in the near distance, +they rose a thousand feet above the plateau and +joined the long ridge of mountain-chain that stretched +down, claw-like, from the grand range of the California +Sierra. Northward the eye roamed over a valley +hemmed in towards the setting sun by dark, pine-covered +mountains, while on the other side, vivid, dazzling, +scintillating in the blazing rays, lay the barren +yet brilliant cliffs of the Red Rock country. The +winding fringe of cottonwood in the valley depths—a +lively green contrasted with the sombre hue of all +nature near it—marked the course of the stream, and +far, far to the north, plumb under the spot where +the pole-star glowed at night, a snow-capped peak +glistened and shimmered through the heated air, the +one gleam of blessed coolness vouchsafed in the entire +picture.</p> + +<p>Still holding his binocular in his listless hand, the +adjutant lounged in the shade of the porch, and gazed +<span class="pagenum">[6]</span>drearily over the scene before him. Save the occasional +lizard, darting about the sun-baked parade, no sign of +life or motion greeted the eye. Along “officers’ row” +every blind was tightly closed against the blazing west. +One or two sleeping forms could be detected along the +shade-line of the opposite “quarters”; but even at the +guard-house the sentry had been drawn inside, and was +pacing the narrow corridor in front of the barred windows, +through which swarthy, hungry-eyed Apache +faces were doubtless glaring out in miserable hatred of +their captors.</p> + +<p>It was a cheerless scene, and in face and form, expression +and attitude, there could be detected on the +part of the one visibly wakeful being a thorough appreciation +of its dreariness. Tall, “six feet two in his +stockings,” lithe and thin in flank, but with massive +shoulders and powerful limbs, the adjutant’s form would +have enraptured the life guardsmen of England. Clad +in the coolest of white duck and flannel, every line of +his frame was patent to the observer, and the head and +face were fitting accompaniment. Eyes of darkest hazel, +a straight, slender, broad-nostriled nose, a mouth firm +and clear-cut under the curling moustache, chin and +jaw square, resolute, and clean-shaven, forehead broad +and white, in odd contrast to the bronze that spread +over face and neck, hair that might have been dark +and wavy in boyish days, but now close-cropped to the +shapely head, the adjutant was well termed among his +comrades a “splendid-looking fellow.” Yet at this +moment the whole face was marred by its expression +of utter weariness and discontent.</p> + +<p>Turning sharply with a disgusted snap of the case, +<span class="pagenum">[7]</span>he looked at the thermometer hanging well back in the +<span class="nowrap">shade,—</span></p> + +<p>“One hundred at 5 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>! Well! not so bad as yesterday, +but hot enough for Tophet. What <em>in</em> Tophet +did we ever take this hole from Mexico for anyhow?” +is the muttered comment that falls from his lips. “An +ape or a Greaser is the only thing on two legs fit to +live in this infernal Arizona, and yet, by gad, here’s +old Pelham going to bring his wife and daughter out +to join.”</p> + +<p>Something in the absurdity of this last idea provoked +a smile upon the face of Mr. John Truscott, adjutant +of Uncle Sam’s <span class="nowrap">—th</span> regiment of cavalry, and while +he did not give way to soliloquy his thoughts ran somewhat +as follows:</p> + +<p>“She’s the girl” (she being, of course, Miss Pelham, +the daughter aforementioned) “the youngsters have all +been raving about for the last two years. Just finished +school in New York, but spent her last two summers +at West Point, and had no end of adorers in the graduating +class. I half fancy Glenham to be one of her +victims. Almighty good thing for her and the old +folks if he <em>is</em>, for the Fates have blessed him with infinite +lucre, and those three boys of Pelham’s have +drained him poor as—as, begad, as I am. Wonder +what she’s like anyhow? You never can tell from +what these young fledglings say. Good lord! how +long it is since I’ve had a glimpse of a pretty face, or +anything civilized!”</p> + +<p>Mechanically, Mr. Truscott turned once more northward, +and, adjusting the glass, took a long survey of +the valley and the point where the road disappeared +<span class="pagenum">[8]</span>among the mountains. This time, with better success, +his practised eye noted the faintly visible whiffs of dust, +rising at intervals beyond the cottonwoods, yet four +miles away.</p> + +<p>A sudden clatter of hoofs came rapidly up the slope +in rear of the office from the south, and a horse and +rider plunged into space by his side.</p> + +<p>“Mail in yet, Jack?” shouted a fresh cheery voice, +and the sunburnt, bright-eyed young face of the horseman +beamed down upon the adjutant.</p> + +<p>“Nary,” is that official’s inelegant but terse reply. +“Coming though, I think,” he adds, as he notes the +shade of disappointment creeping over the features of +his interrogator. “Where have you been?” he asks. +“You must find riding hot work such a day as this?”</p> + +<p>“Can’t help it,” replies the junior, swinging lightly +to the ground. “Old Catnip says those herds have got +to be visited by the officer of the day at least once before +stable-call, and I made it late as I could. You +look bored to death, Jack.”</p> + +<p>Now, just why every officer in that garrison should +invariably address Mr. Truscott as “Jack” is one of +those mysteries which has puzzled metaphysicians. +Some profound thinker has recorded as the result of +his observations that a man hailed by his fellow-men +by his Christian name may be beloved, but is always +“blind to his own interests.” The two fit into one +another after a fashion, for it usually happens that the +man “blind to his own interests” is apt to be the most +unselfish and considerate fellow imaginable, and as +such is apt to be popular, and, in army circles, to have +“troops of friends” until, in his blindness, he stumbles +<span class="pagenum">[9]</span>into a scrape, when it is curious to mark how quickly +the “Jack” gives place to the distant surname, and the +friends dwindle to few. Mr. Truscott <em>was</em> popular, +but it rose from no pronounced “blindness to his own +interests.” He was generous, even lavish, in his way, +but with all the fact of an acknowledged intellectual +superiority over his comrades, and the record of being +a splendid soldier and a “thorough-bred” gentleman, +the best explanation of his popularity, perhaps, is to +be found in the remarks of Captain Tanner on the subject. +“I like Truscott,” said he, “because in the +eight years I’ve known him he has never spoken ill of +a man behind his back, and because he holds a woman’s +name as sacred.” The knot of officers to whom this +opinion was delivered contained no dissenter. Yet Mr. +Truscott had his enemies. A certain uncompromising +“hit-or-miss” way of doing his duty, and coming down +hard on delinquents, had stirred the rancor of more +than one of his brethren, who, negligent or ignorant +themselves, had no patience with his sternly military +system, and, having been rapped over the official +knuckles by the commanding officer, they would gladly +have seen the adjutant deposed from his influential +position. Nor was it among his own sex that Mr. +Truscott had acquaintances who were not all well-wishers. +In the utter isolation of that distant station those +ladies of the regiment who had followed their husbands +in their exile (and perchance brought unmarried sisters +with them) had, or fancied they had, little else to talk +of than the affairs of the garrison and of their neighbors. +Possibly that very trait which so aroused the +enthusiasm of Captain Tanner, “that he held sacred a +<span class="pagenum">[10]</span>woman’s name, and could not be brought to speak ill +of one,” was the very thing which rendered him unbearable +to some three or four of their number. For +how inexpressibly stupid in the eyes of one woman is +the man who cannot be induced, for her entertainment, +to criticise another!</p> + +<p>Treating them one and all alike with a certain grave +courtesy and gentle deference, he trod metaphorically +upon the sweeping trains of both Mrs. Raymond and +Mrs. Turner, and in the observance of a strict neutrality +had at one time or other given offence to these rival +belles of the garrison. “Why,” said Mrs. Raymond, +“I merely hinted to him at the hop last week that Mrs. +Curtis’s last dress from San Francisco must have been +a frightful tax on her husband’s pay, and you know it +was, and he drew himself into his shell in that awfully +superior way of his and fairly snubbed me.” Now, +Mr. Truscott was incapable of “snubbing” any woman. +Grant-like, he fell back upon an inflexible silence when +pressed for his opinion on matters of which he chose +not to speak. But this passive rebuke was to women +of Mrs. Raymond’s calibre as exasperating as an active +“snub,” and in her feline way she resented it.</p> + +<p>Neither she nor her sisters in garrison cared to declare +open war against the best-looking man and one +of the best partners in the command. Besides, Mr. +Truscott had a way of showing very delicate attentions +to the ladies of the regiment, though distributing all +such with a strict impartiality; for whether from hunting, +a trip to Prescott, or the rare luxury of a “leave” +in San Francisco, he seldom returned without an acceptable +remembrance for each and every one. Then, +<span class="pagenum">[11]</span>too, he had all the latest books and magazines. “He +kept up his reading,” as the officers said, and his taste +was indisputable. Younger officers went to him in +their troubles and perplexities, sure of sympathy, and +surer still of inviolable confidence; older officers, sorely +against their will at times, consulted his opinions on +matters wherein they should have been, but were not, +thoroughly informed. But for his part, it was a circumstance +of frequent remark that he never once was +known to seek advice or sympathy, and never alluded +to affairs of his own. Many and various were the +theories advanced as to why Mr. Truscott, at the age +of thirty, remained unmarried. Most of his brother-officers +had taken unto themselves wives, and were as +happy as is possible under such circumstances, but to +all questions, however deftly put, bearing upon the +matter, the adjutant replied with imperturbable gravity +that he thought too much of the sex in the abstract to +offer it anything so unworthy its acceptance.</p> + +<p>There were matrons in the regiment who looked +upon him as a most eligible catch for a younger sister, +and who had imported such sisters in days when the +<span class="nowrap">—th</span> was stationed in climes more accessible for the +avowed purpose of capturing the tall subaltern, but +Jack appeared as serenely unconscious of their wiles +as he did of the oft-thrown signal for flirtation from +some of the giddy matrons themselves. Tradition had +it that Mr. Truscott’s obduracy was due to a love-affair +of long standing; that since the days of his graduation +he had adored and been adored by a damsel far away +in Massachusetts, and for a time it was known that +delicate missives with a womanly superscription reached +<span class="pagenum">[12]</span>him from that quarter; but, some three years before, +he had gone East on a long leave of absence, and when +the regiment received orders for Arizona had suddenly +reappeared in their midst, older, graver, and at times +very absent-minded, but never since had he sought +further opportunity of going to “the States,” and his +secret, whatever it might be, was buried in his own +bosom. Wherever there are women there are apt to +be audacious flirts, and many a time had some practised +coquette baited her hook in the vain hope of getting a +rise from the adjutant of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. It would be a reflection +on his sagacity to say that he did not see the +fly, but he possessed the faculty of appearing so utterly +obtuse as not to see it, and, whether real or assumed, +his indifference was unmistakable. Nellie Blossom, +the brightest, merriest, and withal the fairest girl +known to military circles in the West,—the niece of +one of the prominent officers of the department,—had +actually been accused by the critical matrons of the +garrisons of Prescott and Camp Sandy of having +thrown herself at Jack Truscott’s head. But she had +returned to San Francisco wiser if not sadder, and was +last heard of flirting desperately with the artillerymen +at Alcatraz and the Presidio, and when inquisitive +Circes of Camp Sandy sought to probe Jack’s inner +consciousness, they received for all answer an assurance +that if he could admire any one as much as he did the +ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, that lady was Miss Blossom.</p> + +<p>One day “Old Catnip,” as he was popularly termed, +Colonel Pelham, as he was known officially, electrified +the garrison of Camp Sandy by the information that +Mrs. Pelham and his daughter Grace were coming out +<span class="pagenum">[13]</span>to join. Now, it is a peculiarity of the ladies of the +army that the simple announcement of a fact is as +stimulative of conjecture and reflection as was the fall +of Isaac Newton’s apple. There wasn’t a woman in all +Camp Sandy who did not immediately set to work to +fathom the motives of Mrs. Pelham in thus suddenly +starting for such an utterly out-of-the-way place as +Arizona; and there was not a woman in all Camp +Sandy who by noon on the following day had not +decided that she was coming to capture Lieutenant +Arthur Glenham and his handsome fortune. Grace +was a girl of sixteen at school when the regiment was +hurried to the Pacific coast, and Mrs. Pelham had decided +to remain in New York until her daughter’s +education was completed. Each summer she had gone +with her to West Point, where Grace had been an +acknowledged belle among the cadets, and where frank, +whole-souled young Glenham had most unequivocally +shown himself an adorer. It was said that he had +gone so far as to offer himself to Grace, saying humbly +that “he wasn’t much to look at, but at least he could +offer the woman he loved a home and an ample fortune.” +Grace never told it to a soul, nor had she encouraged +the boy, but a sharp-sighted mamma had noted every +symptom, and speedily won from Glenham himself a +statement of his prospects financial, and had bidden +him hope as regarded his prospects otherwise. Meantime, +jolly old Pelham had established his headquarters +at Sandy, and his red face and bald head could be seen +for an hour each morning at the office, after which they +were invisible until sundown, when he reappeared on +the veranda of his quarters ready to chat with any one +<span class="pagenum">[14]</span>who came along, and was completely happy if three or +four of his officers would consent to spend the evening +and play whist with him.</p> + +<p>Glenham’s classmates had exchanged some sly witticisms +when the order assigning him to Pelham’s regiment +was received, and it was said at Sandy that the +colonel eyed the young gentleman very sharply when +he reported for duty. “Mr. Truscott,” said he, “I +think that young fellow has some good points about +him. Suppose you take him in hand and draw him +out.” So it happened that Glenham had been welcomed +to the adjutant’s quarters, and, as there were by no means +houses enough to give each subaltern a “set” to himself, +he had there remained to this day.</p> + +<p>It was Arthur Glenham himself who reined up at +the adjutant’s office, and it was his cheery voice that +accosted Truscott in eager inquiry for the mail.</p> + +<p>The two officers were a striking contrast. Glenham +was short in stature, broad of shoulder, stout of limb, +with a face almost as broad in proportion as his body, +with merry laughing blue eyes, a large mouth, expanded +in the perpetual grin which his perfect teeth +rendered excusable, a face and form, in fact, indicative +of the utmost good nature, if not of the utmost +intellect. And Glenham was more than good-natured. +He possessed a trait rare as is an unconscious manner +in those men to whose grandsires wealth was unknown. +His bounty was lavish, yet no comrade was allowed to +feel that he was the victim of a special favor. As a +consequence, young Arthur was frequently imposed +upon by the rank and file of the regiment, who were +incessantly coming to know “Would the loot’nint lind +<span class="pagenum">[15]</span>me the loan of tin dollars till pay day?” and then, in +emulation of Captain Costigan of convivial memory, +going off to disburse the amount at the sutler’s store.</p> + +<p>For a long time Truscott noted the frequent appearance +of the worst class of men in the command at the +back door of his quarters; they invariably inquired +for Lieutenant Glenham, and always wanted to see +him alone. Truscott said nothing, but had no difficulty +in divining the object of these visits. One day, +however, the colonel was more conflagratory in temper +than was customary; “I’m willing to put up with the +pay-day spree,” was the warrior’s remark, after some +indirect profanity, “but here’s the guard-house cram-full +of the old topers of the garrison this morning, and +the sutler swears he hasn’t trusted them a cent’s worth. +Now where in blazes did they get their money?”</p> + +<p>Finding himself addressed, the adjutant replied that +he “thought he could find out, and, furthermore, could +put a stop to it in future.” Pelham stared hard at his +subordinate for a moment, as though he half detected +the fact of his entire knowledge of the source of supply. +He longed to press the matter and extract further +information, but in the calm gravity of Mr. Truscott’s +manner he was vividly reminded of the experience of +a former colonel of the regiment, and having been in +the habit of declaring that it served the colonel right, +he turned sharply on his heel and walked to his +private desk. A moment more and his voice was +heard, placid and low, “Very well, Truscott; you +attend to it.”</p> + +<p>The story of this previous experience was an old one +in the regiment, indeed, had been told all over the +<span class="pagenum">[16]</span>Plains. Its former colonel was blessed with a wife, +daughters, and as many unmarried feminine relations +as Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., and ordinarily half a +dozen of them were his guests in garrison. His adjutant, +a consumptive relic of the war, had won his undying +gratitude by taking a sister-in-law off his hands, +but, as he was compelled to bury that adjutant with +military honors some six months afterwards, and subsequently +to provide for both the fatherless and the +widow, the benefit was but temporary. Then he summoned +Truscott to headquarters, and appointed him +adjutant <i>vice</i> the defunct brother-in-law. Truscott +speedily showed consummate ability in the performance +of his duties, but a correspondent lack of inclination +for the delicate functions of his predecessor. Resisting +all feminine wiles, he declined to spend his unoccupied +hours in dancing attendance upon the sisters, cousins, +and daughters, though always showing them scrupulous +attention at the garrison hops; but there was one thing +in which he utterly differed from the deceased, and in +which he succeeded in winning the ill will of every +woman in the colonel’s household, and, of course, before +long that of the colonel himself. Nothing would +induce him to talk to them of the affairs of any officer +or lady in or out of the regiment, and no longer could +they derive information from the man whose position +enabled him to be “well posted.”</p> + +<p>This was outrageous. “The idea that the adjutant +of my husband’s regiment is going to ignore <em>my</em> position +is something I’ll not tolerate,” was the repeated +remark of “<i lang="fr">Madame la Colonelle</i>” to her cronies in the +garrison. “You’ll see that he cannot hold it a week.” +<span class="pagenum">[17]</span>Naturally, in <em>less</em> than a week, Mr. Truscott, from a +dozen different sources, received what “his friends” +chose to denominate “warnings,” but he went on about +his duties as usual, for the colonel had many soldierly +qualities that he firmly respected. It pained him +greatly to note the daily increasing coldness and injustice +of the commanding officer, but he said nothing.</p> + +<p>One morning the storm broke. Something had gone +wrong at the colonel’s. They were then stationed in +Kansas, near a large railway town, and it was a source +of much gossip that several of the young officers were +frequent visitors during the midnight hours at places +of varied entertainment in the vicinity, but none had +been absent from any roll-call or duty. There are +always one or two officers to tell the colonel of such +affairs, and always ten or a dozen women to tell the +colonel’s wife, which generally amounts to the same +thing.</p> + +<p>On this particular morning the colonel’s face was +wrathful, and he opened fire on his adjutant at once +<span class="nowrap">with,—</span></p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott, what officers were absent from reveille +this morning?”</p> + +<p>Truscott promptly rose, stood like a statue before his +colonel, and calmly replied, “None, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Then you and they must have made almighty good +time back from town. I am told you were playing +poker at the Alhambra till after four this morning.”</p> + +<p>“So far as I am concerned your informant is mistaken. +I was not out of the garrison, sir.”</p> + +<p>There were several officers sitting or standing about +the room. Some slipped quietly out, unwilling to listen +<span class="pagenum">[18]</span>to a conversation already so painful. Others remained, +with attentive ears.</p> + +<p>“At all events you know who <em>were</em> there, and I +expect you, as my staff-officer, to inform me.”</p> + +<p>“It so happens, colonel, that I do not know. I +have not even heard.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I know that you <em>do</em> know who were playing +cards in Captain Lapham’s quarters two nights ago, for +you were seen coming from there at ten o’clock, and +this was probably the same party.”</p> + +<p>“I was Captain Lapham’s guest on that occasion, as +were the others, colonel; and now I must say emphatically, +but with all respect, that I never heard of such +a thing as its being the duty of the adjutant to keep +the commanding officer informed of the movements of +the officers off duty, but as such seems to be your view, +I beg to be relieved at once.”</p> + +<p>“You are, sir, you are; and, had I listened to advice, +you would have been long ago,” fairly roared the +colonel. “Leave the office at once!” And, with the +respect of every man in the regiment, Jack Truscott +took himself back to his troop. Some time afterwards, +over a year, promotions and retirements brought Colonel +Pelham to the command of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, and about +the first thing he did was to send for Truscott and reinstate +him in the adjutancy.</p> + +<p>From that day to this the colonel never regretted it, +and it was with complete assurance that he left the +matter of stopping the irregular supplies of the garrison +to his staff-officer. Glenham’s open-handed liberality +met with a sudden check, nobody knew why or +how, for what passed between Truscott and himself was +<span class="pagenum">[19]</span>never mentioned, but a report rapidly gained credence +in Camp Sandy that Mr. Glenham had lost a great deal +of money in unfortunate investments. Soft-voiced +sirens inquired of Mr. Truscott whether Glenham had +said anything to him about his losses, and on Mr. +Truscott’s replying gravely that he had not, and merely +bowing with equal gravity to the supplementary remark, +“You know, as his room-mate and most intimate +friend, I thought he probably would have told +you. Of course, it’s a matter I would never think of +mentioning,” the soft-voiced siren had retired in defeat, +and conveyed her verdict to some chosen intimate that +Mr. Glenham must have been speculating heavily, she +“had been talking with Mr. Truscott, but don’t for the +world say I said so,” etc. Consequently, when Colonel +Riggs, the bluff old inspector-general of the department, +dropped in at Sandy on his way from a hunt, +and with his usual happy facility of hitting the nail +on the head accosted Glenham with, “Hello, youngster! +I hear you’ve been speculating and lost most of +your money,” the boy was indignant, and in denying +the statement <i lang="la">in toto</i> demanded the name of Colonel +Riggs’s informant, so that in the course of the week +there was an unpleasantness at Sandy, and Mrs. Turner +lost one of her admirers. Between Truscott and Glenham +there existed a firm friendship which nothing +seemed to shake. The former was neither demonstrative +nor outwardly warm in his manner to the younger +man, but it was evident that he influenced him in +everything,—his duties, his tastes, the employment of +his time, and, though imperceptibly, in the selection of +his friends and associates. On the other hand, Glenham, +<span class="pagenum">[20]</span>in his impetuous and enthusiastic way, was wont +to talk of Truscott and his admiration for him by the +hour. So when it was noised abroad that Miss Grace +Pelham was soon to arrive, and all the story of Glenham’s +devotion to her was renewed, it was with much +amazement and more incredulity that the ladies of the +garrison heard Mr. Truscott’s answer of “Nothing,” in +response to their eager queries as to what Glenham had +ever told him about her.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[21]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Big</span> with importance was Mrs. Captain Raymond +when the mail from Prescott finally came in on this +hot September evening and there was placed in her +hands a letter from no less a personage than “Lady +Pelham,” as the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> was accustomed to designate the +portly matron who shared the joys, sorrows, name, and +much more than shared the stipend of the jolly colonel.</p> + +<p>Seldom was it that her ladyship saw fit to honor the +lesser lights of the regiment with letters written in her +august hand. “Never indeed,” said Mrs. Wilkins, +who was not one of her ladyship’s satellites, “unless +she has an axe to grind or wants chestnuts pulled out +of the fire.” Mrs. Wilkins was rich in metaphor, but +limited in elegance, and from the first had made an +unfavorable impression on the new colonel’s wife; but +none the less was Mrs. Wilkins eager to hear the purport +of her ladyship’s communication, and so postponed +her departure for tea, barely restraining her impatience +until Mrs. Raymond had finished the eight closely-written +pages and looked up, expectant of question. +“What does she say about Grace and Mr. Glenham?” +was the first propounded.</p> + +<p>“W—ell,” replied the recipient, slowly. “You +mustn’t mention it to a soul, because she says I’m not +to allude to it; but, as you were here when the letter +<span class="pagenum">[22]</span>came, why, I can’t see how she can expect me to say +that she did not mention the subject when she did; but +you mustn’t breathe it. They are <em>not</em> engaged.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, of course I knew that all along,” persisted +Mrs. Wilkins; “but what does she <em>say</em>?”</p> + +<p>And so after much interchange of solemn promises +never to tell a soul or betray one another, Mrs. Raymond +read to Mrs. Wilkins an extract pretty much as +follows from the last page of her ladyship’s letter:</p> + +<p>“Oh, I knew there was something else I wanted to +speak about. You know Mr. Glenham, of course, and +very probably you have heard some silly rumor connecting +dear Grace’s name with his. Now let me assure +you, my friend, there is absolutely nothing in it,—that +is, of course, nothing definite. He was perfectly devoted +to her at West Point, and evidently very much +in love; but Grace is so young, you know, so perfectly +childlike, that his marked attention seemed to make no +impression upon her, and no child of mine shall ever +be coerced in a matter of the affections. Such things I +look upon as criminal in a mother. Of course with +his fine character and attainments, not to mention his +means, it might not be a bad match for Gracie, though +she <em>could</em> look much higher. You have no idea how +lovely the child has grown, and only I can say how +utterly sweet and lovable a daughter she is; but she is +very sensitive, and with regard to Mr. Glenham is painfully +nervous at times about meeting him again. She +gave him no encouragement at all, and assured me that +her heart was untouched, but, as I say, she was very +young and inexperienced, and no one can predict what +may come of it. Now with your known tact it will +<span class="pagenum">[23]</span>be an easy matter to give people to understand (without +letting it be known that I wrote you) that there is no +engagement, but that any allusion to the matter in +Gracie’s presence would be prejudicial”—“Yes, she +has written prejudicial, then scratched it out and written +painful,” said Mrs. Raymond—“painful to her in the +last degree. Some women are so heedless and others +so malicious that it would be just like——” And +here Mrs. Raymond stopped short with an embarrassed +cough and “Well, that’s about all,” which Mrs. Wilkins +did not at all believe, but went off homeward, +confident that her ladyship had made a most uncomplimentary +allusion to herself in the very line where +Mrs. Raymond balked, which, in fact, she had.</p> + +<p>“Don’t tell me any such stuff,” soliloquized the irate +lady, as she banged the door of her own domicile +behind. “That woman will bow down to and worship +money wherever she sees it, and she’ll just make that +girl marry him. See if she don’t.” And at an early +hour that evening Lieutenant Wilkins made his appearance +at the card-room down at the store, a circumstance +that by this time had become the generally accepted +signal at Sandy that the wind was in the east at “Castle +Wilkins,” as that subaltern’s quarters were dubbed by +the “society” of the post.</p> + +<p>To just how many more of her intimates that and +other portions of her ladyship’s letter were read by +Mrs. Raymond is not of sufficient importance to relate. +That she had revealed the chapter on Grace to one was +sufficient to insure its speedy transmission throughout +the garrison, not perhaps with strict accuracy as to +detail, but with those unavoidable embellishments with +<span class="pagenum">[24]</span>which the sex succeeds at most times in quadrupling +the proportions of any story.</p> + +<p>Mid-October came, and the blazing sun disappeared +at an earlier hour behind the range to the west, and +crimsoned and gilded the lofty battlements of Squaw +Peak down the valley even as the evening recall from +herd and fatigue duty was echoed from the mesa across +the stream. With each succeeding day old Pelham +waxed more jolly and jubilant, and huge were the +preparations being made at the commanding officer’s +mansion for the reception of her ladyship and the sole +daughter of his house and name.</p> + +<p>“They sail from San Francisco to-morrow!” he +shouted one evening to the knot of officers coming in +from retreat roll-call, and waving the brown envelope +of his dispatch, the colonel soon gathered his adherents +about him. “They sail to-morrow. Come in everybody. +Let’s drink their health and wish them God-speed!” +And the glad-hearted veteran set before them +the unaccustomed luxury of fruity Cucumungo wine, +the nectar of Californian vintage, and clinked his glass +with one and all in joyous recognition of their cordial +good wishes.</p> + +<p>“I go all the way to the Colorado to meet them,” +said he. “They will reach Yuma by Tuesday fortnight, +and the general has given me his own teams and +ambulance to bring them to Prescott, and there all of +you who can must come up to the ball the staff are to +give them. We’ll have lots of good times, and escort +them down here in style.”</p> + +<p>Why was it that in his rejoicing the honest-hearted +old fellow put forth his hand and rested it kindly on +<span class="pagenum">[25]</span>young Glenham’s broad shoulder, and that he looked +into the boy’s flushed and eager face with eyes suffused +with unbidden tears? Every man in the party noted +the fact, and even there some smiled significantly.</p> + +<p>That night Truscott turned over lazily in his bed, +where he had lain for some time listening for the regular +breathing, placid as a baby’s, that generally marked +Glenham’s slumber. Then he hailed through the open +doorway, “Glenham, I wish you’d go to sleep and +snore; I miss my lullaby. I’ve fixed it all with Wilkins +that he is to take your duty for a week, so that +you can have all that time in Prescott when the Pelhams +come. Now do go to sleep, and don’t toss about +there any longer.” And without another word or +caring to hear Glenham’s confused expression of thanks, +Truscott turned his face to the wall again and was lost +in his own reflections.</p> + +<p>Early in November the “Newbern” was telegraphed +at the mouth of the Colorado, and Colonel, Mrs., and +Miss Pelham were the guests of the commanding +officer at Yuma. Six days more and, their long drive +across the desert completed, they would be at Prescott. +It did not require half an eye at Sandy to mark how +eager, nervous, and absent-minded Glenham had become. +It had been arranged that six of the officers, +including Truscott and himself, were to leave for Prescott +as soon as the Pelhams arrived there, and that as +many of the ladies of Camp Sandy were to accompany +the party to take part in the festivities at headquarters +Grand times were anticipated. The staff of the commanding +general were to give a ball in honor of the +arrival of so noted an army lady as Mrs. Pelham and +<span class="pagenum">[26]</span>so lovely an army girl as her daughter. Then the +infantry officers of Fort Whipple were to give another, +and there would be a series of dinner-parties, rides, +drives, picnics, and possibly hunts in the neighboring +mountains. The band of the infantry was daily practising +the latest and most attractive music, imported +from New York expressly for the occasion, and their +energetically eccentric leader was grinning and capering +and writhing himself into the verge of convulsions in +his efforts to make them throw <i lang="it">espressione</i> into the +waltz composed and most respectfully dedicated to her +Excellenza Signora Colonel Pelham by her most humble +and admiring servant Paolo Bianchinnetti. Bandmaster +Paolo was always composing and dedicating waltzes to +the ladies of the senior officers, and trusting to luck to +secure the kindly graces of the younger ones, in which +course he was wiser in his generation than many a +native, for while the dancing subalterns swore at him +for his execrable time, the elders swore by him, and +they held the balance of power.</p> + +<p>The time was fast approaching. Captains Raymond, +Turner, and Tanner, with their wives and the three +young lady relatives who were to make up the party, +were to drive in two large ambulances over the mountain +roads to Prescott, while Truscott, Crane, and Glenham +escorted them on horseback. The command of +the post in Pelham’s absence had devolved upon Captain +Canker, a martinet in his way, and a man whom a +little brief authority would transform into a nuisance. +The party was to start on Monday morning, and on +Sunday night, after parade, Mr. Wilkins came to Truscott +with an air of profound embarrassment. “Jack, +<span class="pagenum">[27]</span>I’ve got to go to Prescott after all. Mrs. Wilkins has +set her heart on going within the last ten days, and I +cannot get out of it.” Truscott said not a word, so +Wilkins stumbled painfully on, “I never wanted to go, +and I know that it will disappoint Glenham, as I had +promised to take his duties.”</p> + +<p>“You were to have taken his tour as officer of the +day Tuesday, and to have attended his stable and company +duties during the week,” said Truscott. “When +did you decide to go?”</p> + +<p>“Not until this morning.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you tell me then?”</p> + +<p>“Well, I thought Mrs. Wilkins would change her +mind.”</p> + +<p>“When did you tell Captain Canker?” asked Jack, +and a set look came into his face as he gazed straight +into the eyes of the other.</p> + +<p>“I told him this morning, and he said it was all +right.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all I want to know,” said Truscott, and +turning abruptly, he walked over to his office. Just +as he expected, Captain Canker was seated there overhauling +some late muster-rolls, and as Truscott entered, +the temporary commander accosted him with, “Mr. +Adjutant, you will notify Mr. Glenham that he cannot +go to Prescott to-morrow as Mr. Wilkins is entitled to +the preference, and he has decided to go.”</p> + +<p>Truscott replied, quietly, “Very good, sir,” and +seated himself at his desk as though the matter were +definitely settled.</p> + +<p>Now, Canker hated his colonel, who had on several +occasions interfered with his harsh and arbitrary system +<span class="pagenum">[28]</span>as troop commander; he heartily disliked, yet respected, +Truscott, because he was the colonel’s loyal and +trusted staff-officer, and he was at all times as discourteous +and fault-finding with his second lieutenant, Glenham, +as he dared be at a post where the colonel was +always ready to listen to any appeal for justice, either +from officer or man; but Canker was weak withal, and, +finding that Truscott would ask no questions or express +no opinion as to his action in Glenham’s case, he proceeded +to do just what Truscott was morally certain he +would do, defend it. “You see, Jack,” said Canker, +“I must have at least two subalterns here this week. I +would be very glad to oblige Mr. Glenham by taking +stables, recitations, and the like, but we must have four +officers for officer-of-the-day duty. If anybody were +here to take his place, I would be delighted to let him +go.” Truscott continued his calm occupation of conning +over some company returns, and merely bowed in +acquiescence, so Canker continued: “It is very disagreeable +to me to have to interrupt so pleasant a programme, +but you see yourself that we ought to have +four officers for duty, do you not?”</p> + +<p>“Undoubtedly,” says Truscott, imperturbably. “We +ought to have a dozen.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you agree with me,” says Canker. “Mr. +Glenham is prone to think me extremely exacting and +capricious where he is concerned, and will be more apt +to complain than ever.”</p> + +<p>“Doubtless he will be much disappointed,” says +Jack; “but he will see the real reason as quick as the +rest of us, and, as he would not think of asking any +one else to give way in his favor, he will take it as it is +<span class="pagenum">[29]</span>meant.” And the adjutant looks squarely at his superior +as he says it.</p> + +<p>Canker doesn’t half like the ambiguity of the reply; +but after scrutinizing the features of his junior in a +quick, furtive glance, he says, <span class="nowrap">hurriedly,—</span></p> + +<p>“Of course, certainly; but if any of the subaltern +officers who are going were to remain here in his stead, +then I would be willing to let Glenham go. However, +I suppose every man has set his heart on attending +those balls, and there will be no chance of that.”</p> + +<p>“Every man, to my knowledge, <em>is</em> very eager to go,” +replies Jack, “but I presume I may say to Glenham +that if some one of the lieutenants will stay and take +his place, he can leave with the party at reveille.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, certainly, certainly,” replies Canker. And +with that and the conviction that nobody will make +any such quixotic offer, he presently says “good-night,” +and goes off homeward.</p> + +<p>His footsteps are no sooner out of hearing than +Truscott rises and strolls out upon the piazza. The silence +of night has fallen upon Camp Sandy. The +bright stars are twinkling aloft through the rare, cloudless +atmosphere. Here and there along the company +quarters a gleam of light streams out through open +doorway or window upon the parade, and some half-dozen +of the men are droning a sentimental ditty in a +style uncultivated, but apparently satisfactory to themselves. +Far across the parade, along officers’ row, the +lights are more frequent, and an occasional burst of +musical laughter, the soft tinkle of a guitar, and the +deeper voices of some of the garrison beaux, floating on +the still night-air, tell where the usual party has gathered +<span class="pagenum">[30]</span>on some one of the broad piazzas for the evening’s +ration of gossip and small talk. Truscott sticks his +hands deep in his pockets, and, fixing his eyes on the +toe of his boot, gives himself to solitary reflection. +Two or three of the greyhounds rise, stretch, yawn, +then come up to their friend and poke their cool muzzles +against his wrists, and mutely plead for recognition. +He draws his hands from their ambush, and bestows a +few absent-minded pats upon their sleek heads, emboldened +by which, two of the lithe creatures place +their paws upon his breast and strive to lick his face. +“Down, Hualpai! down, Verde!” he protests, as he +brushes them off; then seeing their crestfallen looks as +they slink away, he whistles them back, whereupon +they come, bounding, and Truscott laughs to himself, +as he covers their heads and flanks with hearty slaps +of endearment. “Good boy, Wally! good boy, Verde! +<em>You’d</em> miss me, at any rate. By Jove, I’ll do it!” +Another minute and he stepped into the telegraph-office, +took a couple of blanks from the desk, placed +them in the ordinary brown envelope, closed it, then +turned to the soldier <span class="nowrap">operator,—</span></p> + +<p>“Corcoran, several officers will breakfast in the mess +room at reveille to-morrow. Address this envelope to +me, and bring it to me there at that time; do you understand?” +and with that he left.</p> + +<p>Long before the sun came peeping over the Mogollon +range (locally known as the Mogeyone) on the following +morning, and even as the mellow notes of the +cavalry trumpets floated upward with the flag through +the balmy air, hailing the dawn with stirring reveille, +a busy group, horses, mules, and men, were preparing +<span class="pagenum">[31]</span>for the start from officers’ row. A large ambulance, +with its frisky four-in-hand of sleek, well-fed mules, +was loading up with baskets, satchels, and trunks in +front of Captain Tanner’s quarters, another, similarly +supplied and occupied, stood at the Raymonds’ door. +In front of bachelor’s hall were the favorite “mounts” +of Truscott, Glenham, and Crane, and those of the +two orderlies who were to accompany the party. The +orderlies themselves were busily strapping on the saddle-bags +and ponchos of their leaders; for while it +rarely rained at Sandy, as has been said, it might pour +in torrents before they reached the Agua Fria. In the +mess-room three or four officers in riding dress were +hastily sipping their coffee, when Glenham, feverishly +impatient as all could see, rose hurriedly from the table, +and bidding the others make haste, strode to the door, +and there bumped up against the telegraph operator.</p> + +<p>“For the adjutant,” said the latter, saluting and +answering the inquiry in the lieutenant’s eye.</p> + +<p>Truscott received the brown envelope without a word, +slowly opened and drew forth the contents, which he +glanced over with a slight uplifting of the eyebrow, +and then silently rose and walked off towards his office.</p> + +<p>“<em>Now</em>, what’s up?” said Crane. “Two to one that +means that a scout’s to be sent out right away,—those +cussed Tontos must be jumping the reservation +again.”</p> + +<p>“If that were the matter the order would come to +the ‘C. O.,’ not to the adjutant,” said Glenham; “but +we can’t wait; it’s time we were off. I’ll hail Jack +and see what’s the matter.” With that he called his +orderly, who came up leading the lieutenant’s horse. +<span class="pagenum">[32]</span>Glenham quickly mounted, and cantered across the +garrison after Truscott, overtaking him at the office.</p> + +<p>The adjutant turned, and, without giving his friend +time to question, held out his hand. “Glenham, you +and Crane go ahead; I can’t leave now, but I’ll follow +as soon as it is possible for me to get away. Just tell +the orderly to leave my saddle-bags at the house and +take ‘Apache’ back to the stable. Off with you, old +boy,” as Glenham hesitated, “and good time to you; +I’m going right to the telegraph-office.”</p> + +<p>“One second, Jack: nothing serious, is it?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing at all, Glenham; go ahead.”</p> + +<p>The ambulances, with cracking whip and plunging +mules, were rattling out of the north gate; fluttering +white handkerchiefs signalled “come on;” Crane and +his party were mounting; the hounds, leaping, yelping, +and excited, were rushing about the parade in anticipation +of a chase up the valley. So with one uneasy, +half-dissatisfied glance at his friend, Glenham suddenly +struck spur to his horse, wheeled, and, with a wave of his +hand, galloped off in pursuit. Truscott stopped at the +door and gazed after the stout, bulky young knight, +who “bobbed” clumsily in his saddle as he rode. A +smile half amused, half sorrowful, stole over his face. +“Poor Arthur, ten times three years in the riding hall +couldn’t have made him a horseman.”</p> + +<p>Three hours later the commanding officer <i lang="la">pro tem.</i> sat +in state to receive the report of the officer of the day. +The trumpets were “turning off” the old guard, and +two tall subalterns entered girt with sabre and precise +in dress. Acknowledging the salute of the first, and +reaching out his hand to receive the guard report book, +<span class="pagenum">[33]</span>Captain Canker looked up in amaze at the familiar face +and form of the adjutant, who calmly raised hand to +cap visor and remarked, “I report as new officer of the +day, sir.”</p> + +<p>Canker reddened and stammered for a moment, then +hurriedly stuttered, “You are not required to perform +guard duty, sir. It is Mr. Glenham’s turn. Where +is he, sir?”</p> + +<p>“Well on his way to Prescott, captain. You were +so good as to say that he could go if any one of the +subalterns would remain and take his duties. I do +that, sir.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[34]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER III + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perched</span> aloft in the very summit of a glorious +mountain range, yet nestling in the shelter of pine-covered +heights sweeping in circle around it, watered +by the purest and coldest of running streams, and revelling +in an atmosphere bracing and clear as only a +Sierran atmosphere can be, the little town of Prescott +and the outlying post of Fort Whipple owed to nature +all their attractiveness. They were embowered in a +veritable oasis, for, whether from east or west, north +or south, miles of desert sand or sterile and volcanic +rock had to be traversed before the eye of the traveller +rested upon the glad sight of something like civilized +homes. In the days of which we write San Francisco +lay three weeks’ journey away, and more than a month, +unless one took a bumping trip to the railway by +“buckboard,” was occupied in the devious route to the +Atlantic States. Rugged miners, savage Apaches, root-grubbing +Digger Indians, swarthy Mexicans, and prowling +coyotes were the inhabitants apparently indigenous +to the soil, but to prey upon their necessities those +pioneers of civilization, the shop-keeping Israelites, had +established the inevitable “slop-shop,” and those precursors +of settlement, the scum and froth borne ever +upon the outermost wave of the great tide of emigration, +the bar- and gambling-hell-keepers, had planted +<span class="pagenum">[35]</span>their vile booths around the plaza, and stood guard +with self-cocking revolver over their stock in trade ere +ever the outlines of that plaza were staked.</p> + +<p>A governor in course of time had been duly expatriated +to look after the interests of the United States +in this hopelessly turbulent neighborhood, and for some +years twice the realized revenue was spent in keeping +up communication with his exiled excellency. Eventually, +as a means of recruiting a population fast killing +itself off, to the no great detriment of society in general, +but the undoubted jeopardy of the commercial interests +of those merchants who had shipped their goods thither +in hopes of fabulous profit, a few lodes were duly +“salted” by experienced hands of Californian education, +the inflammatory announcement was made that +Arizona was teeming with mineral wealth, and gold, +silver, copper, and iron could be picked up by the +bucketful. A swarm of eager adventurers pushed in to +try their luck, and having invested their last shilling in +the attempt, were compelled to stick there and swindle +others into coming and doing likewise, and finally it +was brought about that three regiments and a brigadier-general +of the United States army had to be scattered +broadcast over this barren land to whip into subjection +the Apache hordes, who looked with not undeserved +hatred upon the original white invaders, and one of +these regiments was so composed of horses and men as +to comply with the generally accepted requirements +which in this country entitle it to the designation of +cavalry.</p> + +<p>Two years of sharp work and stubborn fighting in +the mountains had won for the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> the peace they +<span class="pagenum">[36]</span>were now enjoying, but had effected many important +changes on their muster-rolls. Some of their best and +bravest had been sacrificed in the thankless task, and +bright hopes, buoyant, loyal, gallant hearts, lay buried +under the worthless soil with no other honors than their +comrades’ parting volley, no other notice than the pithy +explanation of the yearly register in its list of casualties, +“Killed in affair with Indians,” every bit as complimentary +and gratifying to mourning widow or +stricken parent as though it read “in pothouse brawl.” +What though the regiment could tell (when it chose to +talk of those things) of deeds of heroism that rivalled +the blazoned records of the great war or matched the +later knightliness of Beresford at Ulundi? What +though in hand-to-hand encounter young striplings +from the Point had won their spurs or received their +death-wound, and dying had, like Philip Sydney, +spurned the cooling drink craved in their burning +agony that an humbler comrade, needing it more than +they who could but die, might drink and live? What +though in the proud, yet untold record of their campaigns, +thirst and starvation, bitter cold and scorching +heat, lonely death in a distant land, the torture of carriage +through miles of mountain wilderness that festering +wounds might receive the care only to be looked +for days’ journey away, all were borne uncomplainingly, +unflinchingly for duty’s sake? What though not one +defeat had marred the wreath of hard-won conquests, +that never had officer or man like craven Cary turned +his back upon wounded friend or advancing foe? +What mattered it that their general, himself as reckless +in exposure as their hardiest trooper, sought again and +<span class="pagenum">[37]</span>again the recognition their deeds demanded? An all-powerful +if not all-wise Congress had decreed that +Indian warfare was not war in the sense that permitted +any honor or reward to be extended to its participants. +As a Western and consequently friendly Representative +once put it, a man might sit in an easy-chair through +four years of a great rebellion, and without ever hearing +the whistle of a bullet be “brevetted” all the way +up from captain to major-general, but let him get shot +into smithereens in hand-to-hand struggle with the +Indians of our mountains and prairies, why, that wasn’t +war said the Senate, and so the recommendations of +the general and the nominations of the President went +into the Congressional waste-basket, and except the +copper-bronze medal worn by some few enlisted men,—an +affair similar in appearance and presumably equal +in intrinsic value to the old-fashioned cent,—the regiment +had gone unrewarded.</p> + +<p>But peaceful times seemed to have come. Band after +band of hostile Apaches had surrendered and been +gathered on the reservations. Scouting expeditions +became infrequent, visits began to be exchanged between +the detached posts, and at department headquarters +balls and “hops” were of weekly occurrence. +The arrival of ladies from the States brought about a +revival in the latent interest in Eastern fashions, feminine +conversations became less intelligible to masculine +ears, and feminine garments as noted at the dancing-parties +became scant as to skirt and entangling as to +trains. Those heroines who had gone into Arizona +with the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> had originally astonished the Mexican +señoritas by the balloon-like expansions of dress-goods +<span class="pagenum">[38]</span>worn just below the small of the back, alluded to as +<i lang="fr">paniers</i>, and maintained in position by “bustles.” +Now it seemed that a new order of things was to come +into vogue, and Mrs. Wilkins, an exponent in fashions, +whatever she might be in linguistics, had already won +enviable distinction by appearing at Sandy in what she +assured her friends to be the “very latest style of +<i>pol</i>linay.” The other ladies readily forgave the brief +ascendency thus acquired in consideration of the sly +merriment occasioned by her unconscious slaughter of +the proper name.</p> + +<p>And so it happened that all was jollity in the Territory +when Grace Pelham arrived at Prescott, and so +it chanced that two nights after her arrival there were +gathered from far and near, from Bowie, Lowell, +Apache, and Grant, along the southern line of posts, +from Yuma and Mohave, from all over Arizona little +squads of officers and ladies, eager as children, after +their long exile, to join in the festivities consequent +upon the coming of her ladyship and the colonel’s +daughter.</p> + +<p>The day of the staff ball had come. Every instant +of Grace’s waking hours had been occupied with receiving +visits, driving, riding, and dining. The delegation +from Sandy went <i lang="fr">en masse</i>, at soon as the proper +toilets could be effected after the rough and dusty drive, +to pay its respects to madame and to loyally welcome +the younger lady. Glenham, a radiant, intensified +Glenham, was already there, and there the ladies and +their lords left him when they retired to their temporary +homes. “He’s simply dead in love with her,” said +Mrs. Raymond to Mesdames Turner and Wilkins. +<span class="pagenum">[39]</span>“Yes,” said Mrs. Wilkins, “and her ladyship’s dead +in love with his money,” and somehow or other Mrs. +Pelham was duly informed of the remark before the +setting of a second sun.</p> + +<p>Glenham <em>was</em> dead in love with her. From morning +till night he hung about the girl; he it was who secured +the first ride, the only one before the ball; he who was +accepted as her escort thereto; he who accompanied her +to the croquet ground or band concert, who alone of the +subalterns was invited to the general’s house to sit by +the side of the sweet, fair guest and dine with them <i lang="fr">en +famille</i>.</p> + +<p>“It’s a put-up job,” said the slangy and sulky young +fellows who were vainly striving to “cut in” and catch +an unoccupied moment; but between them and the apparently +unconscious object there ever interposed that +placidly smiling, imperturbably watchful mother (“that +confounded old tabby,” said Bay of Camp Cameron). +It was all plain sailing for Glenham, all rock, shoal, +and sand-bar for them.</p> + +<p>“But where’s Truscott?” said Colonel Pelham, suddenly, +the morning of the ball; and with a pang of +self-reproach, Arthur Glenham for the first time remembered +that his friend was left behind. “A telegram +reached him just as we were starting,” he explained, +“and he said it would be impossible for +him to start until later. He made us come on without +him, but I surely thought he would be here last +night.”</p> + +<p>“’Deed and you’re wrong there, Mr. Glenham,” +broke in Mrs. Wilkins. “I can tell you the whole +thing in a jiffy, colonel. With Captain Canker in +<span class="pagenum">[40]</span>command there was no chance of little Glenham’s getting +away, and it’s just my belief that Mr. Truscott stayed +back in his place. Ah, Miss Gracie,” she added, mischievously, +“there’s one young man that don’t come to +his knees even for you.” After which graceful piece +of <i lang="fr">badinage</i> the lady confronted Lady Pelham, and the +two dames squarely met one another’s glance, the war +began right there.</p> + +<p>In the silence that followed Glenham stood like one +in a maze, the colonel turned sharply on his heel and +left the room. Ray and Captain Tanner nearly collided +with him in the hall, and came in upon the group +wondering what old Catnip was damning that man +Canker for this time.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Captain Canker, seated in the +adjutant’s office at Camp Sandy, received a dispatch by +telegraph in these words: “Department commander +desires Lieutenant Truscott’s presence to-night, unless +services urgently needed.” Canker ground his teeth, +threw the paper to the adjutant, thrust his hands in his +pockets, and strode to the door. There he turned and +angrily spoke, “You can go, of course, but this is a +damned piece of interference on somebody’s part.” +Truscott glanced at the telegram and went on with his +writing without a word.</p> + +<p>Canker walked away half across the parade, then +stopped, pondered a moment, and returned. “Mr. +Truscott, I can’t spare any more teams or men. If +you go you must ride, and you cannot take your orderly. +I don’t intend to allow government horses to +be ruined by fifty-mile gallops while I’m in command,” +and with that he was off.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[41]</span></p> + +<p>Truscott looked at the clock, sent a few lines to his +servant, finished his work, and, as the noonday sun beat +hotly down, with Sandy far behind, he crossed the first +range and rode rapidly over into the gorge of Cherry +Creek—alone.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[42]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> ball was at its height. The well-waxed floor, +on which the post quartermaster had lavished his finest +boarding, and enthusiastic bachelor officers hours of +individual supervision and personal effort, shone like +satin, and rendered all but those who were thoroughly +experienced vaguely nervous and reluctant about joining +in the most solemn of square dances. Around the +walls, draped with flag and guidon, and glittering with +sabre and scroll-work, were interspersed dozens of +lamps with polished reflectors. Candles and kerosene +furnished all the illumination that sun or moon withheld, +despite official edicts against volatile and explosive +oils. Crude and warlike as may have been the +decorations, never did the “swellest” German at Delmonico’s +present much better music or any better +dancing than was to be found at the large garrisons of +the frontier, and certainly for genuine enjoyment an +army ball yields the palm to no other. An army lady +never becomes a wall-flower. She has this one compensation +for marrying in the service. After two or +three seasons in the great cities of the East even the +prettiest girl becomes to society people <i lang="fr">passée</i>, and, +once married, only when exceptionally attractive and +brilliant does she continue to be sought as a partner; +but, owing probably to the dearth of young and +<span class="pagenum">[43]</span>unmarried ladies, the army wife retains all the hold she +ever had upon bellehood, even increases it in many instances, +and the bright and witty and dancing woman, +though her children be tall as herself, never lacks for +“attention.” As for the army girl, with any vivacity, +with any pretensions to beauty or grace, she lives +and moves a queen.</p> + +<p>And so the ball-room was filled with dancers; the +sombre uniforms of the staff and the infantry, the +gayer trappings of the cavalry, the aiguillettes of the +aides-de-camp mingling with many an exquisite toilet +that would have shone resplendent in the distant East. +It was long after midnight, supper had been served, +even the musicians, in detachments, had been fed and +otherwise comforted, some few elders had slipped away +and gone homeward, but the ringing music of “Le Roi +Carotte” sent ten full “sets” through the figures of the +Lancers, and compelled many a staid spectator to beat +time with his feet. Many a group of lookers-on +watched the spirited movement of the dance from corner +and doorway, while out in the “club-room,” where +numbers of the senior officers and non-dancing civilians +from Prescott had gathered for a smoke, many a +time had beaming Colonel Pelham to touch glasses with +friend or comrade who came to congratulate him on the +arrival of madame, and to say, with serio-comic earnestness, +“By Jove, Pelham, if I were twenty years +younger there would be another victim on Gracie’s +list.”</p> + +<p>Well might they do her homage. Confessedly pretty +before, Grace Pelham was simply lovely, radiant, to-night. +Taller perhaps than many girls of her age, +<span class="pagenum">[44]</span>yet not above the average height, with a form slender, +willowy, and graceful, there was a queenliness in her +bearing that distinguished her even in her girlhood. +Perhaps this was due to the carriage of her royal head, +for that was Gracie’s glory. Small and shapely, it was +crowned with a wealth of soft shining hair, the richest +hue of golden brown, shot with radiant lights and +tints of reddish bronze. Who could tell its color? +“Red, of course,” said Mrs. Wilkins at first sight. +“Chestnut sorrel,” said Captain Turner, who loved the +color as that of the mount of his company. “Golden +bronze,” said Ray of Camp Cameron; and the “bonniest +brown in the world,” said a poetical aide-de-camp. +All about her pure white forehead and temples it clustered +in shimmering little curls, each with a halo of its +own. Thence, brushed smoothly back, it was gathered +in one massive knot, mantling, yet disclosing the +perfect shape of the head it graced.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza small"> + <div class="verse indent0">“A thing to be braided and jewelled and kissed,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">’Twas the loveliest hair in the world, my pet,”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="noindent">was poor Glenham’s constant thought of it, and all too +soon that of more than one other.</p> + +<p>But Gracie’s glories ended not here. The dark eyebrows +which spanned her forehead were full, boldly +marked, yet but slightly curved, and underneath the +brows, curtained with lids of purest white, shaded and +fringed with lashes long, thick, and curling, were eyes +so large, so soft, yet so ready to flash with merriment +or sparkle with animation, that to look into their dark +depths was enough to make more than one young fellow +<span class="pagenum">[45]</span>long to see them melt with tenderness. Like her +hair, Grace Pelham’s eyes were indescribable in color, +for they too were shot with odd little gleams of golden +light. “Yellow, you know; real like cats,” said Mrs. +Wilkins, and yet those eyes were lovely. Lovely in +the frank, fearless innocence of their gaze; lovely, in +the truth and purity of soul that shone through every +glance; lovely in the thought and earnestness of their +expression; lovely despite the dash of yellow in their +hazel brown; lovely enough to be declared her very +best feature, unless the sweet soft mouth were excepted. +Once before in his lifetime the narrator had seen such +eyes as Grace Pelham’s, but not once a mouth like hers. +Closed, it was the perfection of Cupid’s bow, so unerringly +had nature stamped thereon the utmost grace of +curve and line. Even the point in the short upper lip +was as exact as though modelled from the marble of +Praxiteles. Around the corners were clustered such +shy little curves and ripples that—that looking was +longing; and when Gracie smiled, white, even teeth +flashed through their roseate frame-work. Her mouth +was always an attractive feature, but simply exquisite +in repose. <i lang="fr">Du reste?</i>—a fair oval face, a straight, +“thorough-bred” nose, a delicately modelled chin with +its faint suspicion of lurking dimple, a throat and neck +white and soft and spotless, and hands and feet long, +slender, the former at least fragile-looking and softly +white. “Too thin and scrawny to my taste,” said Mrs. +Wilkins, redundant in person as she was in criticism. +“The sweetest girl in the army, Nellie Blossom not +excepted,” said Lieutenant Ray, as he gazed at her +through the canopied entrance to the ball-room, and +<span class="pagenum">[46]</span>then sighing profoundly as he contemplated the mortgaged +condition of his pay accounts, turned back into +the club-room.</p> + +<p>Not a vacancy was there on Grace’s card that night, +and though she showed no favor, kept no waltz or galop +for one who might prove a better partner than another, +she had engagements for every number from first to +last before she had been half an hour in the ball-room. +Glenham as her escort had seized upon the card, and, +with boyish selfishness, scribbled his initials in five different +places. Later in the night, finding new applicants +for her hand who protested against being compelled +to go home without one dance with the belle of +the evening, she had laughingly summoned her cavalier +and notified him that he must yield at least two +of his claims in favor of the unprovided-for applicants, +a thing that young Arthur most grudgingly acceded to.</p> + +<p>Waltz, lanciers, quadrille, and galop succeeded one +another in rapid succession as the night wore on, and +still even matrons and “chaperons” danced untiringly; +still some new sweet strain from Paolo’s orchestra +would call the half-wearied ones again to the glassy +floor. There was marked diminution among the spectators +at the windows where, earlier in the evening, +dozens of the soldiers and the soldiers’ wives had gathered +to feast their eyes upon the scene within. There +was hardly an elderly man among the dancers, yet the +sets continued full, and the spirit and movement untiring.</p> + +<p>It must have been late in the morning, past three +o’clock, when, after a genuine romp through the merry +figures of the army quadrille, the dancers hurried out +<span class="pagenum">[47]</span>in couples to the club-rooms for a breath of fresh air +and a sip of punch or lemonade, as tastes might demand. +Among them strolled Grace with her partner, +an aide-de-camp on the staff of the commanding general, +and with him she stopped one moment at a table +where Colonel Pelham, with three or four oldsters, was +deep in a game of whist. The colonel looked fondly +up into her sweet flushed happy face, and taking the +hand she had rested lightly on his shoulder, pressed it +to his cheek, as he <span class="nowrap">inquired,—</span></p> + +<p>“Having a good time, daughter? Any of these +boys dance any better than your father could fifteen +years ago?” Whereat everybody laughed. “Fact,” +he continued; “I wouldn’t mind trying a tilt with the +majority of them now, except Ray or Truscott. How +does Truscott dance, Gracie?”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t met him, father. Is he here to-night?”</p> + +<p>“Here!” exclaimed the colonel. “Why! <em>isn’t he?</em> +General,” he cried, turning suddenly to another table, +where, all alone, sat the chief; absorbed, as was his wont, +in a game of solitaire. “General, hasn’t Truscott reported? +I declare I had forgotten.”</p> + +<p>“Not to me,” said the chief, looking up with an expression +of evident anxiety. “Where’s Wickham?” +A soldierly, black-haired, black-bearded officer stepped +quickly to him. “Wickham, didn’t you get reply to +the dispatch to Sandy about Mr. Truscott?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, general. Truscott left the post before ten this +morning.”</p> + +<p>Grace noticed a sudden twitch of the arm of the +aide-de-camp on which her hand was resting. Looking +quickly up, she saw him biting at the heavy moustache +<span class="pagenum">[48]</span>which shaded his mouth, though his sharp, eager eyes +were fixed upon the general’s face.</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand it,” said Pelham, gravely. “It’s +a long, rough, fifty-mile ride, but Truscott has often +made it in ten hours.”</p> + +<p>“Pardon me, Miss Pelham,” quietly spoke the aide-de-camp. +“There goes the waltz you promised Evans, +and he will be tearing things to pieces in his efforts to +find you if we don’t get back to the ball-room.” And +with that he led her quickly away, talking laughingly +but in three minutes he was back beside his chief, and +a hurried conversation took place in a low tone.</p> + +<p>“No, gentlemen,” Colonel Pelham was saying, in +answer to a suggestion from the card-table, “it’s no +case of a lost shoe or a lame horse. Truscott never was +known to lame a horse or to start with a loose shoe. +Something has gone wrong, or he would have been +here before ten o’clock, and now it’s half-past three.” +Another minute, and after some muttered words with +the general, Wickham and the aide-de-camp silently +slipped out of the room.</p> + +<p>Even the Pelham ball (as it was long afterwards +termed among the participants) had to come to an end +some time. Yet it was after four o’clock when the last +waltz found still a dozen enthusiastic dancers gliding +about the room, and the performer on the double-bass, +falling asleep to the droning accompaniment of his own +music, was aroused by a kick to the consciousness that +his comrades were playing “Home, Sweet Home,” +while he was still sawing away at his part of “Künstler +Leben.” From first to last it had been one glowing +triumph for Grace, and her ladyship had listened with +<span class="pagenum">[49]</span>pardonable and parental pride to many a tribute to her +daughter’s beauty, her winning ways, and unaffected +manner. Now, as fleecy wraps were being donned +previous to venturing forth into the sharp morning air, +Mrs. Pelham stood at the door of the dressing-room +exchanging last good-nights with those who had lingered +to the end. Of these were our Camp Sandy party, one +and all indefatigable dancers, except Lieutenant Wilkins +who had long since been snoring with his head on +his arms in a sheltered corner of the card-room; but +even the asperity of his better-half had melted under +the genial influences of such music, such partners, and +such punch, and for once she had spared him public +reprimand; but the sight of her ladyship, smiling, +portly, and majestic, showering confidential salutations +upon her intimates and condescension upon the juniors, +was, as she happily expressed it, “the red rag for my +bull,” and once more the matrons met with a clash, and +one incident occurred to mar the equanimity with which +Mrs. Pelham had witnessed her daughter’s triumph. +It had required no keenness of perception throughout +the evening to note how thoroughly she had kept Grace +and her partners under view; how eagerly she watched +the devotion of Glenham; how frowningly the attentions +of such ineligibles as Ray, Evans, Hunter, and +the like had been regarded; for poor as those youngsters +might have been in pocket, in point of personal attractions +poor Glenham had little to offer in competition +with them.</p> + +<p>“Ah, Mrs. Pelham,” said Mrs. Wilkins, halting in +front of the colonel’s wife, “Miss Gracie has won all +hearts to-night. I predict it won’t be long before we +<span class="pagenum">[50]</span>have a grand wedding at this rate. Sure all the young +fellows will be cutting one another’s throats if she +isn’t married inside of the year.”</p> + +<p>Amazed at the effrontery of her manner, as well as +stung by its fearlessness, Mrs. Pelham’s portly bosom +swelled with wrath, and the color surged to her forehead. +In the desperately hopeless effort of crushing +her foe with an overwhelming hauteur, she <span class="nowrap">replied,—</span></p> + +<p>“It is to be hoped, Mrs. Wilkins, that my daughter +will have too much character to rush into any such +matrimonial gulf as you suggest. She will be guided +by her parents, not by freak or fancy, and need be in +no hurry.”</p> + +<p>“’Deed and you’re right, Mrs. Pelham; she’ll never +be in a hurry so long as only such brainless boys as +Glenham are allowed to approach her. But wait till +men like Truscott step in. It’s her father’s own +daughter she’ll be then, or I’m mistaken.” And a +sarcastic laugh was the only rejoinder her ladyship had +time to make before Glenham and Grace appeared at +her side; but wrath was in her heart and vengeance +plotting in her brain as she turned to her escort.</p> + +<p>It was so new to her to be braved and badgered this +way by a woman vastly her inferior in social station; +the wife of an officer, to be sure, but that officer but +an old lieutenant of her husband’s regiment, a man +who, having rendered his country good service during +the war of the Rebellion, had thankfully accepted a +second lieutenancy in the regular cavalry at its close. +He and his sharp-sighted, razor-tongued wife had +“joined” together in ’67, and long association among +ladies of refinement and culture had only slightly +<span class="pagenum">[51]</span>dulled the edges of her uncouthness; but she was a +prudent, saving, and thrifty woman in her household; +had been a far more valuable helpmeet to patient, +plodding Wilkins than he knew, and, except when indulging +in a fit of ill temper and consequent explosiveness +of language, she kept his home in reasonable comfort +and his children in excellent dress and discipline. +Policy she had, and cared to have, none. She had +some warm impulses; was a faithful friend in time of +trouble or illness; had been a devoted nurse to young +Gregg when he was down with the mountain fever, and +to Plympton when he was slowly recovering from the +wounds the pestilent Apaches had inflicted in the last +fight he and her husband had had with them; but the +moment another woman attempted to override or ignore +her there rose in her bosom a spirit of resentment that +overswept all bounds. She had neither education nor +polish, but a faculty of saying just what she thought, +and more too, and, to use her husband’s rueful admission, +“She wasn’t afraid of the devil.”</p> + +<p>Still swelling with suppressed wrath was the colonel’s +wife when Lieutenant Ray, with his cavalry circular +(“cape” as they called it) thrown over his arm, re-entered +and hastily approached her. Well he knew that +had more than once that night looked askance +at his attentions to Grace; possibly, too, he realized the +importance of seizing upon the opportunity while it +served, for his manner was deferential and courteous in +the extreme as he bowed before her ladyship. “Colonel +Pelham has been called off with the general, madame. +I cannot imagine what is going on, but may I not have +the honor of escorting you home?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[52]</span></p> + +<p>Now, here was a young man who properly appreciated +her position, or his own inferiority, no matter +which. So lately dared by one of her own sex, her +ladyship’s ruffled feathers were smoothed by the tone +of deference with which the diplomatic Ray made +tender of his services. Her flushed features unbent in +a smile of patronizing (matronizing?) consent, and, +with a sweeping and comprehensive good-night bow to +the throng, she accepted the subaltern’s arm and majestically +left the hall.</p> + +<p>Gracie lingered, with Glenham flitting impatiently +about her. There were so many good-nights to be said, +so many repetitions of “Just the loveliest ball ever +known,” so many projects for rides or drives and dances +when they had had time to get over this one, though +there was not a belle present who did not profess her +entire ability to start right on and begin all over again, +but at last the group broke away, and in a few moments +Arthur Glenham was leading his sweet partner up the +winding path towards the general’s house, and not a +soul was within earshot.</p> + +<p>Brilliantly the stars were gleaming in the rare purity +of the Sierran atmosphere. Cold and calm and glittering +they shone down upon the dark pine-crested +heights, and upon the dim valley in which sleeping +town and outlying cantonment lay nestled. High aloft +the studded girdle of Orion hung resplendent in the +zenith, while farther west, from the lowering front of +the great Bull, Aldebaran, radiant in his isolation, shone +sparkling through the silent skies. Eastward, fringing +the tumbling, ragged outline of the hills, a grayish pallor +overspread the firmament, but left in deeper shade +<span class="pagenum">[53]</span>all objects at their base. Here and there along the +spur of foot-hill glimmering lights betrayed the homes +of the officers, and lower down, midway across the valley, +a broad yellow glare shot athwart the high road +from the doors of the post-trader’s, opened at that late +hour presumably for the benefit of the drivers and +hangers-on who had conveyed the guests from Prescott, +but probably more to the benefit of the trader himself, +for Arizona whiskey is of the vile vilest. The last +wagon-load had rolled away towards town, the beat of +hoof and rumble of wheel dying in the distance full +ten minutes ago, and still those enticing doors stood +open, evidence of further patronage, yet no sound came +from the usually noisy bar- or card-room. All was so +still that the cry of the sentinel’s “Half-past four-o’clock +and a-a-all’s well” rang through the frosty air +like notes of clarion.</p> + +<p>Along the opposite ridge the dim night-lights at the +hospital had given place to some unwonted illumination. +Glenham and his companion strolling slowly up the +path must have marked it, had she known how unusual +a feature these lights were at Whipple, had he marked +anything but the beauty of the sweet face that enchained +his eyes. For a moment they paused midway up the +steep and looked back towards the now deserted ball-room +“whose lights were fled.” It lay in a little valley +midway between them and a line of low one-storied +buildings on the rise beyond. Oh, Glenham, where +were your eyes that you noted not the lights moving +rapidly to and fro among them, the offices of the adjutant-general +and aides and the telegraph station? Where +were your eyes that you saw not, still farther beyond, +<span class="pagenum">[54]</span>the line of windows in the cavalry quarters, or down +in the valley of the stream itself, the flitting lanterns +in the stables and corral? Poor boy! he saw nothing, +thought of nothing but the face and form beside him, +the glorious eyes that had haunted his dreams for two +long years. The pair had stopped one brief moment +to look around at the scene they had so lately left, and +she, noting how he had no eyes for aught but her, +marking with woman’s quick intuition the silence that +had taken possession of him, dreading the avowal she +knew must be trembling on his lips, strove to move +on again, and broke nervously into speech, but he resisted +the gentle effort, and looking up she met his +gaze. With an intensity of longing she had never +dreamed of seeing Glenham’s blue eyes were fastened +passionately upon her face, drinking in her beauty. +With a quick, impulsive movement he seized the +slender hand that had lain upon his arm, and eagerly, +brokenly, almost sobbingly, the words burst from his +<span class="nowrap">lips,—</span></p> + +<p>“Grace! Gracie! I can wait no longer. You know +I love you; you <em>must</em> know it. Haven’t you one word +of hope for me after all this long time?”</p> + +<p>No time to hesitate now, no backward look or step, +the plunge was taken; the words that, come what might, +could never be forgotten, were spoken irrevocably. All +along she had known they must be said, though in +many a gentle way she had striven to give him to +understand how hopeless it was, and now she must +meet the words and, all too late, turn them back. +Looking quickly into his quivering face, yet making +no effort to disengage the hand he clasped so tightly as +<span class="pagenum">[55]</span>almost to crush, her answer came like a cry of pain, +“Oh, Mr. Glenham! I have tried so hard to avert +this. I had hoped, almost prayed, you had forgotten +what—what you told me at West Point.”</p> + +<p>For a moment no further word was spoken. She +could hear the heavy beating of his heart, the gasping +sob that rose to his lips, as, in dumb misery, his head +fell upon his breast.</p> + +<p>“If it had been a thing I could write of, I would +have tried even harder to explain to you why it could +never be,” she presently went on gently, almost caressingly, +her tone was so full of sympathy and sorrow. +“You remember, don’t you, that I told you two years +ago, when you first spoke of—of this, that, though I +did like you, it could only be like?”</p> + +<p>Mutely he bowed his head, then releasing her hands +he clasped his own, and leaned drearily against the little +tree that stood beside the path. Then once again his +head drooped upon his breast, and, with sudden movement, +he covered his face with his hands, and next +great sobs shook his young frame. Distressed beyond +measure, alarmed at his violent grief, Grace knew not +what to do. The tears were streaming from her own +eyes as she stretched forth her hands, and, clasping +his wrist, strove to turn him towards her. “It breaks +my heart to see you suffer so, and yet I have no words +to comfort you. Oh, Arthur, I never deserved such. +I never thought it possible. Why <em>did</em> you not believe +me when I told you then? Surely, I have not let you +cherish this feeling for me.”</p> + +<p>Almost roughly he shook her hand away, and started +up. “I’m not reproaching you,” he said. “You could +<span class="pagenum">[56]</span>not crush it out if you had tried ten times as hard; +but Grace, Grace, I could not help hoping. You were +so young then; your mother——No! I couldn’t +have crushed it even if she had not——”</p> + +<p>“She! my mother!” broke in Grace. “How do +you mean, Mr. Glenham? Mother could never have +induced you to believe other than what I told you.”</p> + +<p>But Glenham had no time to reply; a quick, springy +step was heard approaching. In the dim light a soldierly +form came swinging into the path, and, catching +sight of the white “burnouse” which enveloped Grace’s +throat and head, Lieutenant Ray stopped and held out +his hand.</p> + +<p>“Just in the nick of time, Miss Pelham. I’m off +to join my troop fast as horse can take me. That you, +Glenham? We’ll probably meet again then. All you +Sandy fellows are ordered out. The Tontos have +jumped the reservation. Good-by, Miss Pelham. If +you miss the tassel of your fan to-morrow don’t think +you lost it, I stole it an hour ago.” And with that +he bounded down the path.</p> + +<p>Even as he disappeared a ringing trumpet-call pealed +stirringly through the air the well-known signal, +“Boots and Saddles!” and Glenham started from his +attitude of utter despondency with an exclamation of +almost fierce delight: “Thank God for that,—for anything +of the sort!” And, dashing his hand across his +eyes, the boy turned hastily up the path, leading his +startled companion by the hand.</p> + +<p>“Tell me what it means, Mr. Glenham,” she said, +as soon as she could recover breath.</p> + +<p>“More fighting and scouting, I suppose. I hadn’t +<span class="pagenum">[57]</span>hoped for anything half so good,” he added, biting +savagely at his lip.</p> + +<p>Two horses, held by an orderly, stood in front of the +general’s quarters, and the door opening suddenly gave +exit to the aide-de-camp who had been one of Grace’s +devotees during the night. Springing down the steps, +he swung into the saddle before he heard Glenham’s +hail.</p> + +<p>“You’ll find Turner and Raymond over at Wickham’s +office,” was all he had time to say. “They’ve +got the orders for Sandy,” he called back as he disappeared, +followed by his orderly.</p> + +<p>“Then it’s good-by, Grace,” said Glenham, slowly, +as they ascended the steps. His voice was harsh and +constrained, stern and harsh it sounded to her, but he +was struggling against his deep emotion now, and the +soldier in him rebelled at the betrayal of weakness.</p> + +<p>On the porch he stopped, still not looking in her +face: “I don’t know when we’ll meet again. I did +not mean to risk and lose all so soon, but—but I was +a fool, I suppose. You let Ray have that tassel, give +me this glove. It isn’t much to ask now.”</p> + +<p>It was Grace’s turn to be wellnigh weeping. Despite +her efforts the great tears were coursing down her cheeks, +and she could not trust her voice to utter a word. The +sight of his suffering, the utter dejection of his tone +and mien, were too much for her nature, always sympathetic, +always gentle.</p> + +<p>“Just one word, Grace,” he said, as he suddenly +turned and seized her hands. “You say I must not +hope. I’m going now without another plea. Tell me +the truth, is there any man for whom you do care?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[58]</span></p> + +<p>And her eyes, tear-dimmed, yet sweet and truthful, +looked fearlessly up in his face. “No, Mr. Glenham, +no.” He bent low over her hand, pressed it to his lips, +and turned suddenly away. “No,” she cried, “no one +whom I even like as I do you.” He would have +turned once again to her, but the door opened suddenly, +a broad light streamed out upon the porch, and Grace +Pelham, her face flushed and wellnigh bathed in tears, +confronted Jack Truscott.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[59]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty</span> miles up the valley above Camp Sandy lay +the agency of the Indian reservation, and for some +time previous to the date on which our story opens a +young cavalry officer of large experience among the +Apaches had been doing the double duty of commanding +the Indian scouts and acting as agent for the six +or seven thousand aborigines then being fed and clothed +at the expense of the government. Of course, there +had been, previous to his time, an actual (<i lang="la">bonâ fide</i> was +almost written) Indian agent, one of the factors of that +mysterious and complicated piece of cabinet-ware known +as the Bureau, but, though this was before the halcyon +days of Schurz, even the Department of the Interior +could not close its eyes to the convincing proofs of the +peculations which he had been so injudicious as to strive +to keep entirely to himself, and so, having proved a +doubly unprofitable servant, the Bureau was not unwilling +to cast him out, whereupon he showed signs of +insanity, was placed under medical care, and escorted +back to his home in Massachusetts under the guidance +and at the expense of Uncle Sam, the method of his +madness subsequently manifesting itself in the realization +that had he been discharged on the spot he would +have been compelled to pay his own way. Then there +was an interregnum. Even Indian agents could hardly +<span class="pagenum">[60]</span>afford the trip to Eastern Arizona, the journey to San +Francisco and thence by sea or desert to the Colorado, +and thence by “buckboard” to the mountains, costing +more for self and family than one could possibly hope +to save in a year without getting found out. “If it +were not for those d—d army officers,” said one of +these shrewd financiers, “a man might live like a gentleman +even in Arizona.” But the commanding general +had for years of his life been dealing with Indians, +and his maxim was to fight like blazes when +fighting had to be done, teach them to dread the power +of the Great Father, but to promise and insure fair +treatment when they surrendered. The general had +promised these Apaches fair treatment, and was bound +to see his promise carried into effect. This led to his +keeping an eye on the agents, and that led to the agents +hating him worse than one of their own inspectors, +which, after all, is a mild way of putting it. Nearly +all the Arizona agents about this time were doctors of +something or other, and bore the title if for proficiency +in no other art, science, or profession than that of +“doctoring” returns, and when this particular doctor +was taken crazy and home (where he took to lecturing +on the wrongs of the red man, and to himself the contributions +of the charitable), the general was empowered +to name a <i lang="la">pro tempore</i> agent, and sent Lieutenant +Stryker of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. Stryker was well known to all +the Apaches as a fearless young chief who had thrashed +them many a time, and the one thing an Indian respects +is bravery when combined with force. As a +consequence there was peace and propriety on the reservation. +Stryker kept rigid account of the warriors +<span class="pagenum">[61]</span>under his control; there was little or no straying away +from the limits, the few settlers began to take courage +and let out their stock to graze, new “ranches” began +to spring up in the deep valleys, and all promised +well until the arrival of another “ringster” from the +East relieved Stryker of his duties, and the Indians of +restraint. Still there had been no outbreak; the road +between Prescott and the valley of the Sandy, though +lying dangerously near the Apaches, was considered so +safe that the mail-carrier rode to and fro without escort, +and small hunting-parties scoured through the +mountains without meeting a “hostile”; but for some +weeks past unpleasant rumors had been in circulation, +and for three or four days the agent had been sending +down to Sandy sullen-looking specimens of the tribe, +with the request that they be confined in the guard-house, +among the murderers and worst characters of +their brethren lodged therein. The guard reported +that they were holding frequent pow-wows in the +prison room, and that when out at work under the sentinels, +occasional attempts had been made by them to +steal knives, scrap-iron, and any odds and ends of +metal that could be sharpened and used. Stryker had +been sent to the southern part of the Territory, and +none of the officers at Sandy knew anything of the new +agent. The surgeon at the reservation, however, had +twice been down to the post, and on both occasions had +displayed keen anxiety as to the condition of affairs. +He even asked Colonel Pelham to come up and take a +look at things, saying that at the rate he was going on +the agent would precipitate a mutiny in less than a +fortnight,—he was arresting and ordering into confinement +<span class="pagenum">[62]</span>some of the best and most influential Indians on +no pretext whatever, and what was worse, said the doctor, +“he is making them believe it is by your order or +that of the general.” Pelham had decided to lay the +whole matter before the department commander in a +written communication,—but the result was as yet unknown, +as the general could not interfere with the proceedings +of an officer of the Interior Department, and +could only “forward” the statement with a strong indorsement, +in which case it generally resulted in being +pigeon-holed among the musty files of the Bureau, and +the informant was the only one who got into trouble.</p> + +<p>And so it happened that the solitary ride on which +Jack Truscott had set forth proved an eventful one. +Along towards two o’clock in the afternoon he had +stopped to water his horse at a little spring well over +towards the valley of the Agua Fria, loosening the +girths and easing the saddle a while to rest his pet +“Apache.” The horse was a noble specimen of his +race, tall, sinewy, almost gaunt in build, but with powerful +limbs, an eye full of fire and intelligence, and the +tapering, sensitive ears of the purest breed. Truscott +stood with his left arm thrown negligently over the +withers, stroking the glossy mane, and softly patting +the sturdy neck of his friend, all the while talking +caressingly to him, while “Apache,” having indulged +in a dozen long-drawn swallows, was now, with uplifted +head and dripping muzzle, taking a leisurely survey of +the scene preparatory to another dip. Satisfied apparently +with the tranquillity of his surroundings, he +was about to return to the sparkling water at his feet, +when the leaves were stirred by a faint, rustling breeze, +<span class="pagenum">[63]</span>and suddenly he threw up his head and with dilated +eye and nostril gazed fixedly into the thicket near him. +Next he gave a start, snorted as though alarmed, and +sprang back towards the road. Truscott’s quick hand +was on the rein in an instant, while with his right he +as quickly unslung the Henry rifle, that swung, Arizona +fashion, athwart the pommel, still speaking gently, +soothingly to his horse. “Steady, boy! steady, old +man! you don’t scare as a rule; what do you see, +sir?” and with his rifle at ready the adjutant backed +slowly from the thicket, stepped to the near side of his +horse, and then deftly reset and “cinched” his saddle. +Still “Apache” quivered with strong excitement, and +Truscott, keeping his eyes fixed on the quarter from +which his alarm seemed to come, led back to the road; +there he stopped to consider. “Apache” still stamped +and snorted, a thing he had never been known to do +under ordinary circumstances, and his conduct was a +puzzle. He had seen, smelled, and chased bears without +special emotion before, and no other beasts of prey +were to be found around Sandy,—rattlesnakes were +plenty, but not a whit did “Apache” mind them, but +the one thing he hated was an Indian. Could it be +that Indians were crouching in the tangled brushwood +back of the spring?</p> + +<p>Truscott slung the reins over a stumpy little cedar, +cocked his rifle, and, bending low, stepped over the +brook and, parting the interlacing branches, forced his +way through the bushes. Something wet and slimy on +his hand caused him to raise it to the light, and he found +it stained with blood. Close examination showed fresh +gouts of blood on the leaves and twigs on either side, +<span class="pagenum">[64]</span>then came a little patch of sunlight, a mere break in +the thick tangle of shrubbery, and there, stripped, +gashed, mutilated,—two arrows still sticking out from +the brawny back showing the shots were from the rear,—lay +the corpse of Finnegan, the mail-carrier; horse +and equipments, arms, ammunition, clothing, and boots, +all but the ghastly life-ridden frame, gone. Further +search revealed the soldier’s blouse and shirt, so hacked +with knives and stained with gore as to be useless even +to an Indian, while among a pile of rocks were scattered +the letters and papers of the mail for Sandy. Five +minutes more and Jack Truscott was speeding down +into the valley to the west, sparing neither spur nor +word, and “Apache,” nerved to excitement, was making +the best time known to Arizona records.</p> + +<p>The winding, rocky road lay for a distance under +hanging cliffs and boulders, and Truscott, bending low +over the pommel with his Henry advanced on the +right, peered warily ahead at every turn. A few miles +farther, down in the open valley, lay a ranch where +travellers and teamsters were accustomed to rest and +refresh themselves and their cattle. The next turn +would bring him in view of the valley and the ranch +itself, and with keen anxiety he gazed as “Apache” +bounded over the road. Another moment and the +bend was reached, the valley lay before him, and plainer +than ever before there stood the ranch, a glare of flame, +while a thick cloud of smoke, black and heavy, floated +slowly into the air. Never drawing rein he darted +ahead; he knew that a party of cavalrymen from the +post were out repairing on the line of the military telegraph, +that they were on the western side of the range +<span class="pagenum">[65]</span>and could not fail to see the conflagration down in the +valley; he knew that a few strides more would bring +him to the point where the road and the telegraph line +lay side by side, for the latter had been strung across +country by the most direct route, and between the Agua +Fria and the Sandy ran far south of the winding highway. +The sergeant in charge of the party was an +Irishman who bore an enviable name for bravery and +efficiency in Apache warfare, and Truscott felt sure that +he and his men would not be far away when there was +need of his services. “Two to one the sergeant has +seen that fire long before this, and he and his men are +well on their way,” was his reflection as he galloped on.</p> + +<p class="b1">He was among the foot-hills of the western slope +now; the road dipped and twisted among the spurs, +sometimes in plain view two miles ahead, sometimes +not a dozen yards. At a sharp bend “Apache” suddenly +swerved violently to the left, and Truscott reined +op alongside the smouldering remains of a wagon, near +which, gashed and hacked with savage fury, lay the +body of a Mexican teamster. The cattle had disappeared, +driven off to the northward as the trail indicated, +but examining the ground, Truscott saw to his +joy the fresh imprint of a score of horse-shoes, crossing +the road from the south, evidently in pursuit. Once +more “Apache” felt the spur and darted west along the +road,—once more his rider came into view of the ranch, +and saw with satisfaction that while the sheds and “corral” +were a mass of flames, the home of the station-keeper +was still safe. The one thing now was to find +the sergeant and his men and hie to the rescue. Truscott +lost no time by following the trail; he knew well +<span class="pagenum">[66]</span>that before this the flames had been seen, and the troopers +were taking the shortest line across country towards +the point of danger, if, indeed, they were not already +there. Five minutes more and now a gently-sloping +stretch of road, only a mile or so, lay between him and +the ranch, and then—hurrah! off to the right he saw a +little squad of blue jackets bounding over the slopes +with carbines advanced, and Jack’s voice rang out +through the still air, “This way, this way, sergeant; +make for the road!” and never drawing rein, he spurred +ahead. Now he could hear the crackling of the flames, +and every now and then the report of a rifle. Another +moment, and scurrying off towards the reservation he +caught sight of a party of some twenty Indians, running +for dear life, throwing away the plunder they had +picked up, clinging to the tails and manes of the few +horses their luckier comrades had secured; away they +were going, caught in the very height of their devilment, +no time to palaver or parley, their hands still +stained with rapine and murder,—the cowardly curs +had suddenly caught sight of the little band of rescuers, +and their first impulse was flight. Truscott +turned in his saddle, waving his broad-brimmed hat to +the men spurring along behind him, “Head ’em off, +men; spread out to the right!” and in another instant +“Apache’s” hoofs thundered through the burning corral, +past the scorching ranch, whose beleaguered occupants +found time to cheer with delight as they dropped their +rifles to rush for buckets and water, out through the +open court beyond, splash through the rivulet, scramble +up the bank on the other side, and Truscott was +in full view of the chase. But horses were wellnigh +<span class="pagenum">[67]</span>exhausted now, and eager though the riders might be, +it was pitiful to hear the gasp and groan with which +the steeds made answer to the spur. The mounted Indians +were plainly seen striking at their comrades, who, +clinging to their mounts, impeded their flight, and some +of the troopers, trusting to luck, had opened a long-range +fire at the pursued. But “Apache” kept on, fire, +mettle, endurance, and speed, all were combined in his +glorious race, and almost before he realized it Truscott +found himself closing in upon the stragglers.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe20"> + <a rel="nofollow" href="images/i052alt.jpg"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i052alt.jpg" alt=""> + </a> + <figcaption> + <p class="noindent small center" style="justify-content: center;">“With vengeful eye, drove shot after shot.”</p> + <div class="attr">Page 67. </div> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p style="clear: both;">Throwing away the arms they dared not stop to use, +two Indians flung themselves flat upon their faces on +the sward; but another, wheeling quickly, knelt, aimed. +Truscott bent low upon his horse’s neck, and the harmless +flash of the savage’s rifle was answered by a surer +shot that sent a bullet crashing through the tawny, +naked breast. Then there came another report, sharp +and ringing, close at hand, and with it poor “Apache” +wavered, staggered, plunged headlong to his knees and +rolled in agony upon the turf. Truscott alighted, cat-like, +on his feet, but quickly knelt to avoid the hurried +missiles sent back at him by the scattering foe. He +ground his teeth in bitter rage as he saw his favorite +lying there in his death-struggle, and with vengeful +eye drove shot after shot at his slayers, and not till the +sergeant and his men could reach him did he know or +realize that the blood was streaming down his left arm, +and that an arrow had torn a deep rent under the +shoulder-strap.</p> + +<p>There was no further pursuit: horses were exhausted, +and few white men afoot can catch an Apache; but +four of the tribe had paid the forfeit of their crimes +<span class="pagenum">[68]</span>and lay weltering along the trail. Slowly the victors +returned to the ranch, where the owner, a sturdy Norwegian, +and his good wife, with eager volubility, poured +forth their thanks for the timely rescue, and brought +water and bandages for Truscott’s shoulder. One or +two bucolical-looking Swedes were still dashing water +against the adobe walls, as though the now smouldering +ruins of the corral-sheds could communicate flame to +dried mud, while in one of the rooms two teamsters, +badly wounded but worse scared, were stretched upon +the floor groaning lustily in their distress. Close by +the corral lay two more Tonto “bucks,” who had presumed +too much upon the easy victory over single and +unprepared victims, and had ventured with reckless +confidence in their overwhelming force to attempt a +rush upon the stout-hearted ranchmen. Olson hurriedly +told the story of the raid as known to him: how, long +before noon, a small party had strolled in to beg for +something to eat, and were noticed peering about at the +interior of the ranch; how his wife had snatched away +a rifle one of them had taken and was eagerly examining; +how, later in the day, a trapper rode by from the east, +saying he had seen numbers of ’Patchie tracks among +the hills and didn’t like the looks of things; and +finally, how, after two o’clock, the two teamsters had +come tearing in on one horse saying that the Indians +had attacked them in the cañon among the foot-hills, +and they had to flee for their lives, then came the +Indians themselves. He “thought there must have +been a hundred of them,” some dressed in soldier +clothes, some on horseback, and he and his people had +run for the house, which they placed in as defensible a +<span class="pagenum">[69]</span>state as they knew how, and fought them back like +heroes, according to the good man’s story, though, from +the fact that few of the Apaches had fire-arms, and only +two of them breech-loaders (which they had secured +at the expense of poor Finnegan and the Mexican that +morning) and that the household was still quivering +with excitement, Truscott concluded that their relief +at his appearance was the most genuine portion of the +entire exhibit. The Apaches had not made a very +determined assault, and the besieged would hardly have +held out against one.</p> + +<p>It was not probable that another attack would be +made that afternoon. The sun was well down towards +the west by this time, and Truscott decided, as soon as +he could rest his weary horses, to push in to Prescott +with the news. A wagon was filled with straw, in +which the wounded teamsters were carefully laid. Two +of the cavalry horses, refreshed by a two hours’ halt +and a hearty feed, were harnessed in, and, leaving the +sergeant with two men at the ranch as guard, the adjutant +and a little party of three “effectives” set forth at +sundown with the wagon-load of wounded.</p> + +<p>The road was rough, the night, though still and +starlit, was dark in the deep pine forests through which +they rode after leaving the Agua Fria. Off to the +northeast the signal-fires of the Indians told the story +of the outbreak, and the highway was deserted. It +was near three o’clock in the morning before Truscott +reached the post, turned over his wounded to the care +of the hospital steward, and went to headquarters to +make his report. The ball was still in progress, and +the strains of gay music fell upon his ear as he climbed +<span class="pagenum">[70]</span>the slope towards the offices. Lights were burning in +the telegraph-room, however, and here he found the +operator clicking away at his instrument “My God! +lieutenant,” said he, springing up; “we’ve been mighty +anxious about you. The Apaches have raided the +valley,—just got the news from Sandy half an hour +ago, and particulars are coming in every minute. Hold +on one second until I tell Sandy you are here.”</p> + +<p>Stiff, chilled, and tired, smarting with pain from his +torn shoulder, Truscott sank into a chair; his thoughts +drifted back over the events of the day, but lingered +with keen, and even bitter sorrow on “Apache’s” death. +For three long years he had been Truscott’s one pet, +his pride and delight. He had borne his rider gallantly +that day over hill and dale, rock and rill, a wild +rush to the rescue; he had distanced all competitors; +was the only horse “in at the death,” thought poor +Jack, and as he recalled that mute appeal in the +glazing eyes of his favorite, and recalled too that not +once before death put an end to his misery had there +been a chance for a single caress or word, not one sign +to his faithful charger of the love in which he held him, +Jack’s pale, set face grew paler, there was an odd quiver +about the stern lines of his mouth, and a gathering film +in the tired eyes he so hastily covered with his hand. +Quick steps came bounding up the pathway, across the +narrow piazza, and Colonel Wickham entered with the +aide-de-camp. “Well, what’s the latest? Have they +heard from Truscott?” was his immediate question.</p> + +<p>The operator motioned towards the sitting figure with +one hand, while the right kept busily clicking its message, +and Truscott, rising, stood before the questioner, +<span class="pagenum">[71]</span>who eagerly grasped his hands. “Safe, Jack, thank +God!—but you’re hurt! Where did you run across +them? D—n it, what a time to ask questions! We’ve +had an awful scare about you. Sit down again, man. +Here, Bright, run down to the club-room and bring +me some whiskey.” The aide was off without a word, +and by the time he returned with the required stimulant +Wickham, who never used it himself, but knew +when it was needed for others, had told Truscott that +at midnight a despatch had come from Sandy saying +that raiding-parties of Indians were in the valley, and +that all the settlers had taken refuge at the post. “The +general said to keep the thing quiet until we received +further particulars, and sent orders to have the cavalry +at Camp Sandy out at daybreak on the trail. From +midnight up to half-past two reports came of the +Apaches being in force along the valley, but not until +half an hour before had anything indicated that they +were west of the range. Then a ranchman from the +Agua Fria had ridden post-haste into the quartermaster’s +corral saying that Olson’s ranch had been +burned and his family slaughtered; that lots of teamsters +had been killed; and then we thought of you. I +hurried off a message to Canker, who replied that you +had left the post about ten o’clock, and he ‘feared you +had gone alone.’ Then the general ordered ‘G’ company +out at once, and the men are stirring up now. +All the time though we were trying to keep the thing +quiet so as not to spoil the Pelhams’ ball, but just five +minutes ago old Catnip and that lovely daughter of his—By +Jove! Truscott, there’s a girl to make your head +swim—came at the general with point-blank questions +<span class="pagenum">[72]</span>about you, and I don’t see how we could have kept it +much longer.”</p> + +<p>Then Truscott briefly reported the facts as known to +him. Bright, the aide, went off to notify the general, +and came back saying that the general begged Truscott +to come at once to his quarters, and there Jack found +an anxious group, consisting of the department commander, +Colonel Pelham, and three or four captains of +the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, and after warm greetings and congratulations +the adjutant again recited tersely the story of his ride. +The general listened intently, never interposing word +or query until it was finished, then it came. “How +did you happen to have no orderly?” and though for a +brief instant Truscott hesitated and looked embarrassed, +he replied gravely that “an orderly had not been considered +necessary, everything had been so quiet for +months past,” and his comrades at least felt pretty +certain that in virtually taking upon himself the responsibility +Jack Truscott was shielding a man who +would have lost no opportunity of hurting his defender, +could he have done so. The general’s orders were +prompt. The cavalry officers from Sandy were directed +to make immediate preparations to return, escorted +thither by the troops then saddling, and with hurried +farewells they went off to attend to the matter. At +the general’s request the colonel and Truscott remained. +“The ladies must all wait here at Prescott,” he said. +“Let Canker and ‘the boys’ have this tussle to themselves, +Pelham, they will scatter and whip them back +in short order. You and Truscott must wait here a +day or two. Now, first thing, Truscott, I want your +shoulder looked after. You are to stay with us. The +<span class="pagenum">[73]</span>doctor will be here in a moment, and I’ll show you your +room.” Truscott begged to be excused; he knew that +the house was full of the fair sex, or would be as soon +as they returned from the ball. Even then their +silvery voices and laughter could be heard on the walk +outside, and the adjutant was far from indifferent to +his personal appearance. Just now, covered with dust +and his uniform stained with blood, his face haggard +with pain and fatigue, he would have much preferred +going off to his bachelor comrades; but even as he was +attempting to enter his protest the door opened, and +Mesdames the General and Pelham, escorted by Lieutenants +Hunter and Ray, came sailing in. “Pretty +men you are to desert your wives in this way,” vociferated +the portly partner of the general, all in a good-humored +glow after her pull up the hill. “Pretty +men to——Why, Jack Truscott! When did you +get here? Why, you’re so pale—and all blood—are +you wounded? What’s happened?” And so, hurriedly +and disconnectedly, this good lady—“the warmest-hearted +woman in the army,” the Arizona exiles used +to call her—poured forth question, sympathy, and welcome +all at once upon her prime favorite, the adjutant +of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>.</p> + +<p>“Now don’t bother Truscott,” the general vainly interposed. +“The doctor’s coming, and I want his shoulder +dressed, or he’ll be having fever in it;” but his +better half could not be suppressed, and over again, +quietly and smilingly, Jack strove to tell something of +the day’s adventures, but failed signally, because by +this time both dames were popping questions at him +quicker than he could singly answer either. Ray and +<span class="pagenum">[74]</span>Hunter stopped only long enough to grasp his hand, +and learn from their colonel that their companies were +under orders, when they hurriedly left. The tramp of +hoofs and jingle of Mexican spurs was heard in front, +staff-officers came quickly and quietly in, received their +instructions as quietly from the low-voiced general, and +were off in a moment about their business. Pelham +seated himself to write a few words of caution to Canker, +who was a reckless and impetuous campaigner, +whatever might be his disagreeable qualities, and Truscott, +breaking away from his female inquisitors, had +just stepped to the door to intrust this despatch to +Bright, when he came face to face with Grace. It was +almost a collision. Truscott stopped short, bowed low, +and with a courteous “Pardon me,” held the door open +for her to pass. Grace bent her flushed and tearful +face, sweeping one quick, furtive glance from under +the long lashes at the tall soldier, stepped into the hall, +and hearing many voices in the parlor, darted up the +stairs to her room, there to bathe her eyes and collect +her startled thoughts.</p> + +<p>Finding Bright already gone, Truscott carried the +despatch to headquarters, gave it to Captain Turner, +and then, feeling weak and weary, returned slowly to +the general’s. The tear-stained face of the graceful +girl who had swept past him at the doorway had by no +means escaped his attention. He knew well that it was +Grace Pelham, felt thoroughly satisfied that the footsteps +bounding away into darkness as he came out +upon the piazza were those of Glenham, had quickly +decided that it was more than probable the latter would +not care to see him just then, and so had not called +<span class="pagenum">[75]</span>after him, and saved himself a fatiguing trip. Returning +to the parlor, he was seized by his colonel. +“<em>Now</em>, Truscott, I want to introduce you to my daughter. +Never mind your dress, man; I <em>want</em> her to see +what my fellows have to go through. She’ll like you +all the better, or I’ll disown her.” And, pale and half +faint, Jack was led up to the group of ladies, and in +another moment was looking down into the most glorious +eyes he had ever seen, into a fair frank face that +met his gaze with an expression of earnest interest and +concern, while a slender white hand cordially greeted +his nervous palm, and a gentle voice exclaimed, “It +doesn’t seem possible that you and I have never met +before, Mr. Truscott; father’s letters have made me +feel as though I knew you.” What man would not +have thought her welcome both gracious and graceful? +What mamma, with ambitious projects of her own, +would not have shown alarm? Lady Pelham barely +gave Jack time to offer any response before she burst +in with, “Now, Grace, Grace, Mr. Truscott is utterly +exhausted; too much so to talk, and (with cheerful +irrelevance) I know that your father and he have a +dozen things to attend to.”</p> + +<p>“Not a bit of it,” said the colonel. “He sha’n’t do +another stroke of work to-night. I want him to get +to bed, but, first of all, to meet Grace. Ah, Truscott, +she could ride ‘Apache,’ I’ll warrant you.”</p> + +<p>Grace, looking up into the calm features of her new +acquaintance, marked a sudden change, a deeper pallor, +a knitting of the tired brow, and a nervous twitching +at the corners of the mouth. “Miss Pelham’s riding +is something the last year’s graduates never tire of +<span class="pagenum">[76]</span>talking about,” he answered; but she thought only of +the pang that seemed to shoot across his face, and +eagerly <span class="nowrap">spoke,—</span></p> + +<p>“You must be suffering from your hurt, Mr. Truscott. +Surely you ought to see the surgeon,” and this +at once brought the general’s energetic lady to the rescue, +even Mrs. Pelham promptly joining in the sympathizing +chorus. Jack was remanded to his room, +whither the general himself insisted on accompanying +him; the doctor, already summoned, was soon on hand, +and the ladies Pelham were left alone. Without a +moment’s hesitation madame took her daughter’s hands +in hers, looked searchingly into her face, and <span class="nowrap">said,—</span></p> + +<p>“Grace, you have been in tears. Has Arthur Glenham +spoken to you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, mother.”</p> + +<p>“My darling child, I knew it!” And the maternal +arms were thrown about the slender form, and an anxious +kiss was pressed upon the pale forehead. Then,—“And +you answered him?”</p> + +<p>Grace paused a moment. She well knew her mother’s +ambition, and her love for all the good that money +can bring. She knew how hard she had struggled, +planned, pinched, and saved that she, her one daughter, +the very apple of her eye, should never lack for +even the luxuries of life. She loved her tenderly, yet +those half-spoken words of Glenham’s had given rise +to a painful suspicion. She raised her eyes to her +mother’s face, and <span class="nowrap">replied,—</span></p> + +<p>“I do not love him. I could not accept him, mother. +I have tried not to encourage this avowal. Have you +ever spoken with him? You surely have not let him +<span class="pagenum">[77]</span>keep this delusion. I told you at West Point it +was useless.”</p> + +<p>“Grace, my daughter, think a moment what you +are doing. He is a gentleman. He loves you devotedly. +He can place you above any possibility of want or care +in this world. You may never have such another +opportunity. Why, my child, were your father to die +to-morrow you would be penniless. Your brothers +could do nothing for you. Is it possible you can be +blind to our position?”</p> + +<p>Slowly Grace Pelham drew herself from her mother’s +arms and stood thoughtfully before her. “Do you +expect me to marry a man whom I merely like?” she +asked.</p> + +<p>“But why can’t you love him?” broke in her ladyship, +impatiently. “It will come soon enough, Grace; +you are too sensible for mere romance. Why, to-night, +when I saw you enter in tears, my heart was thankful. +I thought of course they were due to anxiety and distress +at his sudden summons to join his company. <em>Why</em> +were you crying, I should like to know?”</p> + +<p>“At his emotion. He seemed so—so—— <em>Mother!</em> +answer me: had you given him cause to hope that I +loved him?”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pelham hesitated. She knew her daughter’s +spirit, her keen sense of honor; she strove to find an +answer that might evade the issue, yet satisfy the scruples +of her child, but Grace’s clear eyes were fixed upon +her face. She reddened, then almost pettishly broke +<span class="nowrap">forth,—</span></p> + +<p>“Of course I did not absolutely encourage him, but +I did say you were too young to know your own mind, +<span class="pagenum">[78]</span>and I’m sure I hoped you would come to your senses +by this time. Grace, it is undutiful in you to question +me like this. I’m sure I acted for the best, and he deserves +better treatment at your hands.”</p> + +<p>Grace Pelham pressed her hands upon her temples. +Less than a year ago, and again, less than six months, +when their coming to Arizona was first discussed, her +mother had told her that she had never spoken of the +matter to Mr. Glenham; and now—for one moment +she looked wonderingly, wistfully, into the flushed and +angry face of the elder lady, then, with one half-stifled +cry, “Oh, mother!” she fled to her own room.</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterwards—a half-hour spent in bitter +tears—she heard her father enter the adjoining room, +and address his better half in his usual cheery tone: +“It wasn’t the wound that made Jack Truscott so miserable. +His pet horse was killed under him in the +fight, and he never said a word about it. Why, Dolly, +you look used up. What’s the matter?”</p> + +<p>And Dolly replied in melodramatic grandeur, +“Hush!”</p> + +<p>Fatigue, excitement, distress, all had spent their force +on Grace Pelham. Gentle sleep soon came to soothe +her troubled spirit, but, mingling with her last thoughts +those words floated through her drowsy brain, “His +pet horse was killed under him, and he never said a +word about it.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[79]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meantime</span> there had been the mischief to pay at +Sandy. Captain Canker, as we have seen, was irate at +the defeat of his little scheme for the “discipline” of +his subordinates. It was some consolation to discover +that Glenham had escaped the toils only at the expense +of Truscott, who, thought Canker, would be far more +missed at the ball than the officer whose going he had +originally interdicted. Then when the telegraphic summons +reached him which virtually made it his duty to +send Truscott up to Fort Whipple, he was chagrined +and disgusted beyond expression. There was an implied +censure in the words “unless services are urgently +needed” which indicated to him that the general thought +his detention of either Glenham or Truscott a piece of +arbitrariness (“not so much that as contrariness,” explained +Colonel Pelham afterwards) and unwarranted +by the circumstances as known to him the night before +the start. But Canker, like many a better man, was +judged subsequently by the light of events that he +could not then have known, and, unlike many a better +man, received support and sympathy in place of censure. +Now that two of the colonel’s favorites had +escaped him, Canker bethought him of a third victim, +the regimental quartermaster. This officer, a gentleman +who had grown old in service, was already gray +<span class="pagenum">[80]</span>and rheumatic, who habitually walked with a cane when +he walked at all, had originally been appointed to his +staff position because, said the then commanding officer, +“He isn’t good for anything else.” He had, nevertheless, +proved a very efficient and valuable quartermaster, +and had for some years performed the varied and intricate +functions of that office without having added much +to his own comfort, but a great deal towards the comfort +of others. There is never a time on the frontier +when the dames of the garrison, from the lady of the +commanding officer down to the widow of the late Private +Moriarty (who still hangs on to her husband’s old +company for sustenance), are not besieging the post +quartermaster with some plea or other,—a partition to +be put up here, a chimney repaired, glass put in, a new +coat of paint in the parlor, a storm-door like the +colonel’s, a new stove like the one you gave Mrs. +Major, or a wash-biler an’ findher like Mrs. Mulligan’s. +They are always pestering him for something. The +great depot of Jeffersonville does not contain the volume +of stores that could be asked for by the women of +a four-company post in one winter; there is never enough +of any one item to go round, and always more applicants +than there are coal-scuttles; somebody has to be +refused, and frequently fifteen or twenty somebodies, +and then nothing under heaven can save that quartermaster’s +reputation. The patience of Job (without his +boils), the meekness of Moses, and the resources of +Rothschild might help that functionary in his desperately +hopeless task of satisfying a whole garrison, but +they couldn’t do it long. The more you give some +women the more they demand, and the annual +<span class="pagenum">[81]</span>appropriation for the purchase of army stores and supplies +could readily be distributed among the laundresses of +any one regiment (in the days when we had those blessings) +without satisfying their cravings for more. It +isn’t always that they really need the article demanded, +they simply want something that some other woman +hasn’t, so that she may want and cannot get it, and the +rule is general, being by no means confined to the sturdy +wives of the rank and file, but applicable to the ladies +whose garments they weekly washed and mutilated at +New York prices. God help the nervous, sensitive, or +irritable man who has to take these duties on his +shoulders; not one in a hundred could long maintain +a mental balance, let alone the financial ditto.</p> + +<p>But Bucketts was no such martyr. He had been a +colonel of volunteers, was shot through the leg in the +Wilderness, and hobbled into the veteran reserves, thence +into the infantry of the line as a second lieutenant, and +had succeeded only in getting a modest bar on his shoulders +when the consolidation of ’71 took place and wellnigh +stranded him. Thrown upon the unassigned list, +he would have had small chance of retention but for +the fact that the “Benzine Board” speedily made more +vacancies in the cavalry than in the rest of the arms of +service combined, and very properly, said the slow +going infantry and artillerymen, we should profit by +the fastness of you horsemen which has rendered promotion +a possibility. And so several score of semi-invalided +and semi-mustered-out footmen, dozens of +whom had never straddled a horse in their lives (and +to this day are objects of wonderment to their men when +they “get into saddle”), became full-fledged cavalry +<span class="pagenum">[82]</span>officers. Bucketts accepted the situation like a man, +came out and joined the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> in Nebraska when the +Union Pacific was being built, his baggage consisting of +one trunk and three baskets of champagne. “Gentlemen,” +said he, “I understand that a cavalry officer who +is thrown has to set up the wine for the crowd. The +law of the land has made me a cavalryman, but all the +Congressmen from the Capitol to John Chamberlin’s +couldn’t make me a horseman. There’s my credentials: +pitch in, and let up on me hereafter!” Bucketts was a +popular man from that day. Whereas Canker, who +entered the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> at the same time and under precisely +similar circumstances, barring the wound, seemed to +imagine that his new commission as captain of cavalry +carried with it all that the name implied, and that he +became an authority on horses and horsemanship without +further qualification. Profound discretion in the +selection of his “mounts” had enabled him thus far to +escape the ignominy of a “throw,” but he never rode +or could ride a horse twenty-five miles without laying +that horse up chafed and sore for days afterward, yet +he was incessantly punishing his men for faulty horsemanship.</p> + +<p>Bucketts had not done a particle of guard duty for +three or four years. His office duties were constant, +and when not at his desk he would bestride a fat, easygoing +little saddle-mule and amble about the post with +a green-lined sun-umbrella hoisted over his head and +blue-glass shades for his eyes, and thus keep track of +the improvements and the working-parties; he gave +his whole attention to his legitimate work, and was +rarely called upon for any other; but this time Canker +<span class="pagenum">[83]</span>concluded, in his own language, to “give Bucketts a +whirl.”</p> + +<p>“My compliments to the quartermaster,” said he to +the orderly some hours after Truscott left the poet, +“and say I want to see him.”</p> + +<p>There had been a time when Bucketts and he were +on intimate terms, had wellnigh concluded an alliance +defensive and offensive on their entrance into the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, +because they thought that their new comrades would +be apt to slight or snob them in some way; but Bucketts +had speedily won his way into the affections and respect +of the officers of the regiment, a thing which Canker +never succeeded in doing, and he hated Bucketts and +called him a “bootlick” behind his back because of his +better fortune. They had drifted apart, and were only +on terms of ordinary garrison courtesy, but Canker +never lost an opportunity of endeavoring to worry +Bucketts in some way, and generally got the worst of +it, since Bucketts, without trying at all, could stir up a +company commander a dozen times a day. However, +Canker had the whip-hand now and meant to use it. +It was just the time of day when the quartermaster, +having completed the rounds of the post, was wont to +send his mule to the corral, get out of his collar and +cuffs into an easy old alpaca duster, and with a palm-leaf +fan in one hand, and, not unfrequently, a comforting +beverage of his own composition in the other, to +spread himself upon a wicker settee in the cool retreat +of his own parlor and doze away an hour in a noonday +siesta. “I’ll spoil his nap anyhow, d—n him!” gritted +Canker between his teeth, “and I’ll partly pay off old +Catnip into the bargain.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[84]</span></p> + +<p>Poor old Bucketts rose with a sigh as the orderly delivered +his message, and having arrayed himself in his +cool white blouse, he took his cane and umbrella and +stumped slowly and painfully along officers’ row in the +blazing heat until he came to Canker’s quarters, knocked +and entered. “Mr. Bucketts,” said the temporary commander +(Bucketts was a brevet major, and generally so +addressed; but Canker had not a brevet, even in the +volunteer service, and ignored everybody else’s when +he could), “you will have to do officer-of-the-day duty. +The colonel has seen fit to deprive me of the services +of the adjutant this morning, and now I have nobody. +You will have to act as adjutant, therefore, attend stables +with Company A, run your own work, and go on +as officer of the day.”</p> + +<p>Bucketts merely bowed acquiescence, and looked serenely +undisturbed. Knowing his man, the communication +was by no means unexpected. Indeed, before +leaving, Truscott had asked him to attend to these very +matters, and had sent a note to Canker informing him +that the quartermaster would do so. Canker had an +undoubted right to send for the latter and satisfy himself +of the understanding, but if it had put the staff-officer +to no inconvenience there would have been no +solace to his wounded self-importance. Bucketts’ unruffled +urbanity only served to irritate him the more. +“Anything further, sir?” asked the quartermaster after +a pause, in which Canker had been pettishly tossing +about some papers on his desk. “Yes, sir. Mr. +Bucketts, when you come into the presence of your +commanding officer you should wear your uniform: it +is not respectful to appear as you are dressed.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[85]</span></p> + +<p>“This is exactly what I wear every day in Colonel +Pelham’s presence, captain; he knows that I have to +be out much of the day in the hot sun, and it has +grown to be a custom here,” replied Bucketts, coloring +slightly, but speaking calmly notwithstanding his sense +of annoyance.</p> + +<p>“That don’t excuse it, sir,” said Canker; “Colonel +Pelham has ideas of discipline which differ materially +from mine. When I am in command it will not be +permitted. That will do, sir.” And Bucketts, mad +enough to hammer his superior’s features into pulp, +which he could readily enough have done, stomped +sadly off to his lonely quarters. So kindly and courteous +himself, so ready to oblige, so considerate in all +his relations with others, he nevertheless was keenly +alive to any slight or injustice; and that a man who +was in every way his mental inferior should take this +method of despitefully entreating him was a hard thing +to bear. But then that is one of the blissful features +of army life.</p> + +<p>Bucketts’ misery was not one to lack for company. +Too indignant to seek consolation in his customary nap, +he was about to return to his office, when the doorway +was darkened by the entrance of the officer of the day, +one of the subalterns who had not been included in the +Prescott party. He looked hot and ill tempered.</p> + +<p>“Bucketts, lend me your mule; my horse is out at +herd with the rest of them, and that d—d man, Canker, +has sent me orders to go out at once and visit the +herd guard. What’s got into him, anyhow?”</p> + +<p>“Take the mule if you like, but don’t ask conundrums. +He sent for me just now and rode over me +<span class="pagenum">[86]</span>rough-shod for not being in uniform. I’m mad enough +to take a drink. Have one?”</p> + +<p>The junior assented, and, pending the arrival of the +quartermaster’s mule, the two officers discussed their +toddy and the vagaries of their temporary post commander. +Ten minutes spent in this occupation had +partially blunted the edges of their grievances, and they +were prepared to look with more equanimity upon +matters in general, when the orderly trumpeter suddenly +darted into the room.</p> + +<p>“Commanding officer’s compliments, sirs. Wants +to see you both,” and was off like a shot.</p> + +<p>“Now what new devilment is he devising?” said +Bucketts, ruefully, pulling off his “working-dress” +and preparing to get into the hot uniform he had to +wear. Before he could complete the change, however, +there was a quick, sharp step along the piazza, and +Canker himself appeared.</p> + +<p>“Never mind your blouse now, Bucketts; it’s business +this time. Here, Mr. Carroll, get your herds in +quick as a flash; take a dozen men with you, armed; +I’ll look out for your guard and prisoners; the Tontos +have jumped the reservation!”</p> + +<p>What change in tone and manner! Ten minutes +ago, peevish, querulous, almost complaining, and entirely +unjust, Captain Canker had disgusted his subordinates. +Now, quick, animated, a soldierly ring in +every word, his whole bearing commanded their respect. +Many a time before had his comrades noted this +odd trait in his character. The presence of danger, the +chance of a fight, the excitement of active service +wrought an instant change in the very nature of the +<span class="pagenum">[87]</span>man—and in the thoughts of his officers. A moment +before they were ready to hammer him, now eager to +support and obey.</p> + +<p>Carroll picked up his sabre, and started across the +parade on the run. Canker and Bucketts followed as +rapidly as the latter could stump his way while listening +to his senior’s recital of the news. Two ranchmen +living up the valley had just come in to say that the +Indians had swooped down and driven off their horses +and cattle soon after noon. Then, before they had +half told their story, a teamster came tearing in to the +post from the Prescott road, his horse wounded, saying +that the foot-hills were swarming with Apaches, and +begging for ammunition. At the guard-house Canker +ordered the sergeant to call in at once all the working-parties +of the Indian prisoners, and himself inspected +the locks and fastenings of the room in which some +particularly hard cases were confined. Meantime, Carroll, +with a dozen or more of the men, had hastened +off to the westward, among the hills and ravines, to +search for and bring in the herds, while throughout +the barracks the men were quickly and without confusion +buckling on their “thimble-belts” and revolvers, +and gathering, carbine in hand, along the company +parades. The civilians who had come in with the +news were surrounded by an eager group, and were +enlarging upon their experiences of the morning, when +suddenly a shot was heard down under the bluff towards +the post garden, where many of the Indian prisoners +were kept at work during the day. It was quickly +followed by another, then half a dozen sputtering shots, +and some men over by the hospital, which commanded +<span class="pagenum">[88]</span>a view of the low ground, were seen excitedly running +towards the quarters, and could be heard shouting that +the prisoners were breaking away. Canker seized a +carbine. “Take command of ‘A’ company, Bucketts, +and stay here. Come on, you other men;” and away +he went at a rush, with half the command at his heels. +Sure enough, the prisoners were loose. Running like +deer, half a dozen of the lithe, swarthy fellows could +be seen a thousand yards away, “streaking it” over the +sandy bottom towards the foot-hills, others dashing +towards the river, while here and there through the +sage-brush and cactus, puffs of blue smoke shot out +from carbine-muzzles indicated the slower pursuit of +the astonished guard. Canker swore with rage. There +would have been no earthly chance of recovering his +charges, when suddenly, in a great cloud of dust and +with the thunder of half a thousand hoofs, the herds +of two of the companies came sweeping at full speed +around a low hill towards the west, and, skilfully +guided by the troopers in charge, bore down direct +upon the corrals. “Mount! quick as you can, all of +you!” he shouted, and signalling to the corporal in the +lead of the herds, he threw himself upon his horse, +quick as the other could vacate the saddle in his favor, +and, carbine in hand, and calling again to his men to +follow, he tore off towards the chase.</p> + +<p>Bold horsemen there were in the old days at Sandy. +There were men that day who threw themselves without +either saddle or bridle upon their horses’ backs, and +trusted to voice, leg, and instinct to guide them. Others, +less confident, bridled their chargers, but none stopped +to saddle. In five minutes a hundred horsemen were +<span class="pagenum">[89]</span>scattered over the valley in pursuit of the escaping +Indiana. Man after man they were run down, seized, +and dragged back, most of them taking it as good-naturedly +as though the escapade had been a mere +school-boy lark devised for the entertainment of the +garrison. Three or four were savage and sullen; only +two made any resistance. Poor devils! they had nothing +to fight with, and only one had been shot by the guard. +Canker at first had furiously ordered his men to fire +everywhere, but Mr. Carroll and some of the sergeants +had quietly cautioned those nearest them to hold their +shots or aim high. It was an easy matter to overhaul +and recapture so helpless a foe, and shooting them down +in cold blood was something the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> did not believe +in. Canker himself thought better of his order as soon +as he saw that his men were masters of the situation, +and revoked it, so that the firing ceased entirely. In an +hour all but five men were returned to the charge of +the guard now strongly reinforced, and sending his +prisoners back to the garrison, the commanding officer +resumed the search for those still missing.</p> + +<p>Up the stream-bed, through the willows, east, west, +and north over the arid valley, the troopers scoured in +knots of two or three, Canker riding to and fro, encouraging +or swearing as occurred to him most expedient; +and so another hour passed away. The men +were widely scattered by this time, and it must have +been towards five in the evening when there came from +a gorge in the foot-hills, fully eight miles above the +post, a sudden rattle of fire-arms. Instead of slackening +after the first few seconds it increased, and Canker, +pausing but an instant to listen, turned an attentive +<span class="pagenum">[90]</span>ear to the veteran first sergeant, who rode on his left at +the moment.</p> + +<p>“That’s no overhauling prisoners, captain; that’s a +fight,” said he.</p> + +<p>“Come on, then!” shouted Canker, and putting +spurs to their horses, and signalling to all the men in +sight, they dashed off in the direction of the firing.</p> + +<p>It was a fight, sure enough. Far over among the +foothills to the west, Lieutenant Carroll, with three or +four men, had found traces of some of the fugitives. +Following slowly as they could find further signs, they +had at last come in sight of the chase, and way in a +winding gorge or cañon had pushed in pursuit, when, +without the faintest warning, a volley of rifles and +arrows brought them to a sudden halt, and one of the +men dropped from his saddle. To rein about and +shout to his men to dismount and get under cover +among the rocks was the work of an instant, and turning +loose their horses, which would only have hampered +them there, they scrambled half-way up the hill-side +among a lot of loose boulders, and rapidly opened fire +on the ambuscading Apaches. In three minutes they +were joined by others of the command, and in five, +Carroll felt justified in ordering an immediate rush +upon the position of the enemy, some of the mounted +troopers endeavoring to get around on their flank and +rear. No especial order was observed. Every man +took a hitch in his belt and a firmer grip on his carbine, +and somebody said, “Now then, fellers!” the +generic title by which the regular cavalryman invariably +addresses or speaks of his comrades, and with that the +fifteen or twenty blue-jackets had “bulged ahead,” as +<span class="pagenum">[91]</span>Carroll reported, and Canker, galloping in on his +staggering charger, found his command skipping up the +rocks like young rams, and the Apaches rapidly disappearing +among the thickets of pine, scrub-oak, and +juniper with which the mountain-side was covered. +Horses were there of no avail, and the agility of the +sinewy Indians far more of a power than our men could +contend with. Pursuit was useless, and before dusk +Canker had his mounted men hunting for the loose +horses, while his courier galloped in to the post to +summon the surgeon and the ambulance. Four of our +men were struck and two seriously wounded, and, to +his rage and mortification, Canker could not show a +dead warrior to offset his losses.</p> + +<p>It was in a very unpleasant frame of mind that he +rode back to the garrison that evening. Five of his +prisoners had escaped, four of his men were crippled, +several horses gone. A general outbreak of the Apaches +had evidently taken place. He had practically been +confronted by them most of the afternoon. Their +movements and the attempted escapade of the prisoners +were doubtless concerted. So far they had very much +the best of it, and what <em>could</em> he report to department +headquarters?</p> + +<p>At the north gate the quartermaster, with a grave +and anxious face, was waiting for him.</p> + +<p>“Captain Canker, Truscott has not reached Prescott, +and Finnegan isn’t in.”</p> + +<p>Canker turned white as a sheet, and with a stifled +groan covered his face with his hand. “Come to the +telegraph-office,” was all he said, but that was an +anxious night at Sandy.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[92]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Lady Pelham descended upon the household +the day after the ball, the sight which met her eyes in +the general’s parlor was not one to add either to her +placidity or her ordinarily reliable appetite. Mr. Truscott, +with his uniform blouse thrown loosely over the +injured shoulder, was ensconced in an easy-chair near +the west window, and at the instant of her ladyship’s +entrance was looking earnestly up into the fair face of +her daughter, who, for her part, was looking as earnestly +down into the bronzed features of the adjutant, +while her slender white hand was clasped about a goodly-sized +envelope and letter. Considering the fact that the +pair had been acquainted less than twelve hours, it must +be conceded that her ladyship had cause to look surprised. +Not another person was in the room when she +opened the door and entered, breaking in upon this +interesting <i lang="fr">tête-à-tête</i>.</p> + +<p>She paused abruptly upon the threshold, and for an +instant simply stared at them. Truscott courteously +rose, though with evident effort, and bade her a calm +good-afternoon. Grace turning and seeing the expression +on her mother’s face flushed crimson, and yet +moved quickly to her, and dutifully raised her lips to +the maternal cheek with a gentle, “I hope you rested +well, mother.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[93]</span></p> + +<p>“<em>Very</em> well, thanks,” was madame’s stately reply. +“You have all had lunch, I presume. Is nobody at +home, pray?”</p> + +<p>She was still smarting under the sting of last night’s +interview. She had been detected, she felt sure, in a +piece of out and out equivocation, to call it by its most +innocuous title, and detected by her only daughter. +True to human nature, she was incensed at her daughter +for having discovered her falsehood, and longed for a +pretext to excuse or warrant an exhibition of parental +displeasure, and here it was. Unwelcome as the sight +would have been at any other time, there was something +absolutely greedy in her reception of the circumstance +now. Her daughter’s kiss was unreturned, a frigid +and unbending acceptance was all she vouchsafed her. +Civility demanded that she should inquire as to the +state of Mr. Truscott’s wound, but her ladyship was +not disposed to be civil, and in her wrath at what she +chose to consider her daughter’s undutiful conduct she +decided to include under the ban of her censure the +adjutant himself, who was in no way responsible. A +very distant salutation, therefore, was her response to +his courteous greeting. Seeing which, he as calmly +resumed his seat, and became absorbed in the contemplation +of some objects on the road in the valley +below.</p> + +<p>As for Grace, who never in her life had concealed a +thought or had a secret from her mother, this assumption +of displeasure on her ladyship’s part startled at +first, then wounded her with its utter injustice. Ten +words would have explained the situation, but now she +felt that anything like explanation was a self-humiliation +<span class="pagenum">[94]</span>totally uncalled for; besides, there was really +nothing in the situation that demanded anything of +the kind. That is to say, not to the portly and peevish +matron, who, without further word to either, swept +through the parlor into the adjoining dining-room, +whence her voice was presently heard requesting that +solace to femininity—a cup of tea.</p> + +<p>But the reader will want an explanation beyond +doubt, and very humbly at your feet is it laid.</p> + +<p>Truscott had slept but little. The excitement of +the previous day, the irritation of his wound, poor +“Apache’s” death, and his anxiety about the next +move of his comrades, all tended to restlessness. At +nine to the morning the surgeon had come in and +dressed his shoulder, finding Jack out of bed and +already half attired. After a few questions he spoke +gravely and decidedly.</p> + +<p>“I’m not going to condemn you to staying in bed +all day, Truscott, you will be better sitting in the +parlor; but, no matter what turns up, you are not to +quit this house; you are on sick report and under +my charge. Of course I know you are fidgeting to +get down to Sandy after the command, but Colonel +Pelham is not going, and you shall not go.” Truscott +frowned but made no reply. The doctor went on with +his sponging and his calm talk: “I saw the general fifteen +minutes ago; he is waiting for news from Sandy +and asked after you. Canker and his people started +up the valley at daybreak, and the cavalry from McDowell +and here are to work right over to the Mogollon +range. The chief says that in four days most of the +renegades will have slipped back to the reservation, +<span class="pagenum">[95]</span>and only a few scattered bands will be out; but, by +Jove! it was a miracle that you got through.”</p> + +<p>Then the doctor and Truscott had breakfasted together. +The general and Colonel Pelham had dropped +in to see him and charged him to keep quiet, and then +gone over to headquarters. No one else appeared; the +ladies were all asleep aloft. Some of the Sandy party +had called at the door eager, probably, to hear any news +the ladies of the general’s household might have, or to +retail that which they had heard, but, informed by the +servant that no one was down, had reluctantly retraced +their steps. All headquarters and Fort Whipple seemed +to be sleeping off the effects of an all-night dance and +jollification so far as Truscott could judge, but he could +not see the busy life over at the offices and in the +corrals, and so moped and read and fidgeted about the +parlor until noon, without a soul to speak to and relieve +his anxiety. As a consequence he fretted infinitely +more and had less actual repose than if he had +been in the saddle and on his way back to join his +comrades on the war-path; but that is always the way. +A man may be worrying his heart out with eagerness +and anxiety to be in his proper place among his +troopers, and some old woman of a doctor says, “Now +stay in-doors and keep perfectly quiet if you want to +pull out of this.” How in the mischief, thought Jack, +can a fellow be expected to keep perfectly quiet, or +approximately quiet, at such a time? And then he +almost swore to think that since nine not a man at the +office had thought enough of him to send him word of +the latest news from Sandy. There was not an orderly +or a male servant about the premises, and Jack, pacing +<span class="pagenum">[96]</span>feverishly up and down the floor, was just determining +on mutiny and a sortie when the rustle of dainty skirts +was heard upon the stairs: light footsteps came dancing +down. Jack stopped short, and the door opened. For +the second time Grace Pelham confronted Mr. Truscott.</p> + +<p>“Which is it, good-morning or good-afternoon?” she +blithely inquired, coming forward with frankly extended +hand. “How is your shoulder? tell me that first,” she +hastily added, looking up into his face; for the hand +which had taken hers for one brief second was hot and +dry, and the bronzed face was flushed.</p> + +<p>“Afternoon, I should say, if not evening or day +after to-morrow. The morning has seemed interminable,” +he answered.</p> + +<p>“Yes; and you have been growing feverish with +every minute, I fear. Has the doctor been here?”</p> + +<p>“He has; but the doctor I most need is your respected +father, my colonel. In fact, Miss Pelham, for the first +time in my acquaintance with that officer I have been +tempted to upbraid him savagely. He promised to +send me news from Sandy three hours ago, and here +it is after one o’clock and not a word.”</p> + +<p>“Then there is no news,” replied Grace, very calmly +and with a half superior smile.</p> + +<p>“I accept the implied rebuke in all humility,” said +Truscott, smiling, despite his worries, at the queenly +decision of her words. “I am unworthy to hold my +position another day, and shall resign the adjutancy in +<em>your</em> favor.”</p> + +<p>“All the same you are anxious for news, and so am +I. Possibly there is a way of relieving us both. Will +you promise to sit down in that big chair and look at +<span class="pagenum">[97]</span>pictures or read the papers for fifteen minutes? Will +you promise?” she repeated.</p> + +<p>“Solemnly,” said Jack, and subsided into the seat +nearest the window. The next instant he bent eagerly +forward and half rose. “Confound it, she’s going herself!” +For, throwing a light circular over her shoulders, +the girl had quickly left the house, and was even +now briskly stepping down the broad walk towards +headquarters. Truscott watched the graceful, slender +form until it disappeared from sight, and then watched +the spot where it disappeared for full five minutes. +He was not given to soliloquy. I never knew a man +that was,—novels by the thousand to the contrary notwithstanding,—but +what he would have said, had he +said anything, was, “Glenham, you are a lucky man.”</p> + +<p>Near headquarters Grace encountered two or three +officers of infantry, one of whom eagerly went in search +of Colonel Pelham, who promptly appeared and led +his daughter into the general’s office. “She says Truscott +is fretting himself into a high fever,” he explained +to the chief, who had risen to greet her cordially, “and +that she, too, wants to know how matters are going +down at Sandy.”</p> + +<p>“You can tell him that he must have scared the tribe +out of their wits in yesterday’s fight,” said the general. +“They seem to be scattering in every direction.”</p> + +<p>“Give him this, daughter,” said the colonel. “A +courier just brought it half an hour ago. It is Canker’s +letter to me with full particulars, and tell him he +is to keep quiet or I’ll put a sentinel over him. You +go and be the sentinel,” he added fondly, and with her +infantry friends as escorts Grace returned to the house. +<span class="pagenum">[98]</span>Truscott, watching at the window, saw the quartette as +they hove in sight, and instinctively pushed back his +chair. “Confound those fellows!” he thought. “Of +course she will ask them in, and I’m in no mood for +talk with any of them.” With that he slipped off to +his own room. Two minutes after he heard voices on +the piazza, the hall-door opened, and Grace Pelham’s +breezy tones fell upon his ear. “I know I ought to +ask you in, but I won’t. Mr. Truscott will defy the +doctors and insist on having a talk with you all, whereas +he is ordered to be perfectly quiet. Forgive me, won’t +you?” Then pleasant good-afternoons, a swish of +skirts and pit-pat of feet along the hall, the noise of +opening the parlor-door. Then a “Why!”—then +silence.</p> + +<p>For the first time that day Truscott’s step was +springy as he hastened back to the parlor. “Bless her +heart,” he thought, “she is as wise as she is pretty. +Glenham, you are a mighty lucky man.” And somehow +his step faltered and his face clouded a trifle as he +reappeared before her.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott, you have broken your arrest.”</p> + +<p>“I confess it,” he said. “The sight of your escort +was too appalling. Forgive me for ever having doubted +your tact, but I’ll never do it again. I did not see how +you could discharge them at the door.”</p> + +<p>“Utterly specious and unsatisfactory. Go back at +once to your limits.” Jack returned to the chair. +“Sit down.” Jack obeyed. “Now listen to your instructions.” +And with that she stood threateningly +over him, and with mock gravity delivered the general’s +message. Then that of the colonel with reference to +<span class="pagenum">[99]</span>the sentinel being posted over him, until she came to +recollect the injunction, “You go and be the sentinel,” +whereat the conclusion of her message lost suddenly its +truculent character and she faltered. <em>Was</em> it a blush +that suddenly mounted to her temples? Watching her +intently he was sure he saw it, but she recovered her +self-poise instantly. “And now, sir, here are despatches +from the commanding officer at Camp Sandy +which you are to read, mark, and pigeon-hole, I suppose.” +And still holding them in her right hand, she +approached the arm of his chair with impressively uplifted +finger. “But now that I am going to leave you +in peace, remember that you are a prisoner. If you +want anything——” And here her ladyship entered.</p> + +<p>Jack had received his admonition with becoming +gravity, as indeed it had been delivered. <em>Very</em> becoming +he thought as, after the brief scene with madame, +Grace hesitated for an instant at the parlor-door. She +had announced her intention of leaving him alone,—she +did mean to go. She had not been in the room +with him more than sixty seconds when her ladyship +appeared and saw fit to assume an air of tragic displeasure +at so finding her. Now, knowing that she +had been misjudged, the spirit of the woman was +aroused. Truscott sat there with the despatch folded +in his listless hand, looking not at it, but at her. Five +minutes before this he was all impatience to get the +particulars of the fight near Sandy. Here was the +letter, and he did not open it; his eyes and his thoughts +followed Grace, who had paused and was steadfastly +gazing after her mother into the dining-room. Her +hands were clasped before her, the fingers tightly +<span class="pagenum">[100]</span>interlacing, and her bosom rose and fell rapidly once or +twice. Something hot and dry seemed to catch in her +throat. She turned abruptly towards him once more +and met his earnest gaze, then without another word +quickly withdrew her eyes, the long lashes sweeping +down over her cheeks, bent her head, and hurried +from the room. Truscott heard her ascending the +stairs; he listened to her light footfall overhead, heard +her close the door of her room, and all was still except +madame’s clinking knife and fork in the adjoining +room. The letter still lay in his hand, but he did not +open it. Once more he turned his eyes to the window +and gazed thoughtfully out over the shallow valley +towards the pine-crested heights on the western side; +full five minutes he sat thus, then madame’s chair made +a discordant noise upon the floor, her voluminous skirts +rustled in premonition of her coming; he started, +opened Canker’s letter, shook himself into attention, +and began to read in earnest as she re-entered the +room.</p> + +<p>Even that potent mollifier, tea, seemed to have failed +in its office on this occasion. What woman is so hard +to placate as she who knows herself to be in the wrong? +Mrs. Pelham was in a most unenviable mood as she +returned to the parlor. Her sleep had been unrefreshing, +her morning toilet unaided by Grace’s deft fingers. +She had repelled her daughter’s affectionate advances +on her first appearance, and been discourteous, if +not downright rude, to Mr. Truscott. Now she chose +to consider herself aggrieved because her hostess, the +general’s wife, was still sleeping the sleep of the just +and the clear of conscience in her own room, while she, +<span class="pagenum">[101]</span>Lady Pelham, was left without a soul with whom to +sympathize or squabble. It would have been balm to +her troubled spirit just now to have had one or two of +her cronies at hand, and with them to have dissected +the toilets and characters of the ladies attending the +ball. Even comparative strangers would not have +been unwelcome, for that feminine freemasonry which +puts most of the sex on terms of interesting ease with +one another when discussing the absent would soon +have created a distraction for her gloomy reflections. +But she was practically alone. Truscott merely looked +up and bowed gravely, then returned to his reading. +She did not fancy going up-stairs and possibly meeting +Grace. She did not care to disturb her hostess. She +had nothing to occupy her in the parlor. She would +have been glad to talk with Truscott and satisfy herself +as to this reputed intractable; her curiosity was +piqued by all she had heard of him; but it was evident +that he had noted her discourteous greeting, and that +now any advances towards conversation must come +from her: he was not the man to be cajoled one minute +and dropped the next; but she was still too rancorous +to stoop to conciliation, so she stood a moment +tossing the cards and notes on the centre-table, and +carelessly examining the inscriptions thereon, then she +marched out on the piazza and majestically paced up +and down, sniffing the bracing air and keeping keen +watch for any ladies who might appear along “Headquarters +Row.” Late as many, if not most of them, +had slept, she knew full well that the interest and excitement +attendant upon the sudden departure of the +cavalry officers for the field would soon bring them +<span class="pagenum">[102]</span>together to discuss the probabilities, and presently there +appeared, leading her little daughter by the hand, poor +Mrs. Tanner, “like Niobe, all tears.”</p> + +<p>Among some of her companions this gentle lady was +held pretty much as Mrs. Major O’Dowd, of blessed +memory, regarded that poor, weak-spurted Amelia, and +like Amelia there wasn’t a man in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> who would +not have leaped to her defence. She had married early, +had lost the darling of her heart—a winning blue-eyed +baby girl—in the stirring days when the regiment was +clearing the way for the transcontinental railways, and +her dearly-loved husband was constantly with his troop +scouting over the prairies, while she, lonely and heart-sick, +watched over the cradle of their little one in the +humble log hut which had been assigned them as quarters. +Her agony when that baby was taken from her, +her dumb, patient suffering when the regiment was +ordered to Arizona and she had to bid farewell to the +little grave under the cottonwoods (poor Tanner had +lifted her in his arms, finding her white hands firmly +clutching the bunch-grass on the tiny mound), the wistful, +far-away gaze in her soft eyes all through that tedious +and dreary journey, none of the officers had ever +forgotten; nor had they forgotten her constant efforts +to appear bright and cheerful, especially to her husband, +whose heart was sorely wrung with their loss, +yet, stubborn and manlike, strove to hide its wound +under the guise of unwonted brusqueness of manner, +sometimes even to her.</p> + +<p>And then the night of that dreadful storm on the +Pacific, when they were off the coast of Lower California, +and not a soul on board the laboring steamer +<span class="pagenum">[103]</span>believed that day would ever dawn upon them, how +calm and brave and serene she was! while, if regimental +traditions were reliable, Mesdames Turner and others +whom we won’t mention had behaved like lunatics, +and made consummate nuisances of themselves. Somehow +that storm-night on the old “Montana” was never +a popular reminiscence with the ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. It +<em>could</em> not be, since no man of their acquaintance could +ever be induced to omit some such remark as, “By +Jove, what a little heroine Mrs. Tanner was!” when +alluding to it. They had always spoken of her rather +pityingly up to that time. “So daft about her husband +and that baby, you know; she can’t think of anything +else.” But that night she had serenely taken care of +other women’s olive branches while their husbands were +on deck helping the ship’s officers, and they themselves +were indulging in hysterics or lamentations. Not all, +be it understood. There were three brave women there +that night, but two of them are so fortunate as to have +no place in our story, and to have had the good luck +not to be stationed with regimental headquarters at +Sandy when all those most unpleasant episodes—but +this is anticipating. The ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> respected +Mrs. Tanner,—they could not help respecting +her,—but all the same they levelled their little slings of +malice and all uncharitableness whenever they were in +conclave among themselves, and whenever they dared +at other times, for they could not forgive it in her that +the officers to a man should refer to her as the bravest +and pluckiest and sweetest-natured little woman in the +regiment. They could not be expected to forgive it in +her that she absolutely held herself aloof from all +<span class="pagenum">[104]</span>garrison gossip or small talk, that she was always courteous +and kindly, always bright and cordial to those who +sought her society; but she had no intimates, as women +define them, except her husband, and feminine confidences +were with her unknown. A devoted wife, a +rapturously loving mother to the little ones who had +come to partially replace the idolized first-born, she made +her home her sanctuary, and his, and there peace and +happiness, if ever they are permitted to abide with us, +reigned perennially.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tanner was not the utterly weak-spirited woman +her sisters would have made her out to be. Though +she preferred to shine in the pure light of her own fireside +rather than in the glare of garrison society, and in +her retiring way was far more apt to hide her light +under a bushel than to permit its radiance to be seen +abroad, those who knew her well soon discovered that +she was far better informed, far <em>deeper</em> than the average +army woman, that she had cultivated and refined tastes, +that she was not plain by any means, for, when interested, +her face would light up vividly, and her eyes +were lovely whether in animation or repose. Her +features, despite their habitual pallor, were delicate and +regular, her hair soft and brown and wavy, and her +voice—ever that matchless gift in the woman who wins +and would hold the queendom of her home—low and +sweet. The ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> had long since abandoned +their sly allusions at her expense when speaking to their +husbands or the men who knew her. Green subalterns, +just joining, were disposed at first to keep at a distance +from her, and were wont to dance attendance for their +year of “plebe-hood” at the skirts of other ladies her +<span class="pagenum">[105]</span>seniors in years but juniors in manners. She never +sought to attract anybody.</p> + +<p>Now, one would suppose that such a woman was +above suspicion, and that so pure, so chaste, so retiring +in thought and act, she at least would escape calumny. +But once, just once, a strange thing had happened, and +over and over again had the ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> rolled +it with their tongues, pulled it out of shape, twisted +and tortured and, some of them, swearing that they did +not believe, believing had gone so far as to transplant +the story to alien soil and let it grow like a weed in the +luxuriant gardens of other regiments. During the first +year after they came into Arizona the heroine of the +“Montana” had noted an odd, half-hesitating manner +on the part of the ladies of the infantry and the staff +on receiving her; some had failed to call. Finally +Tanner had noticed it, and not until he questioned her +did she admit that she was struck by the circumstance. +Tanner tried to fathom it, but found that his brother +officers fought shy of the question. Truscott was his +stand-by ordinarily, but Truscott and he were not at +the same post for some time after entering the Territory; +indeed, the entire regiment was in the field scouting +and fighting through the Apache-infested mountains, +and in all the anxiety and distress experienced by the +ladies in garrison while the regiment was in daily conflict +with the savages, and in the excitement and incidents +of the campaign, the affair faded from the mind +of the people generally, and nothing more was said or +done on the subject for quite a little while.</p> + +<p>But the story was a serious one, and in a very few minutes +Mrs. Pelham was to be made acquainted with it in +<span class="pagenum">[106]</span>all its details. How mach better, therefore, not to tell +it here, but to wait and let those innate romancers, the +ladies of her coterie, tell it themselves! As yet there +was but slight acquaintance between Mrs. Pelham and +Mrs. Tanner, the former, however, had been greatly +impressed, shrewd society woman that she was, by the +perfect manners and gentle ways of the little lady; had +admired her at the ball the night before, and was disposed +to “cultivate” her, as the expression goes. At +this moment, however, Mrs. Tanner would have been +glad to avoid an interview. The captain had left her at +sunrise hurrying back with his comrades to join their +commands at Sandy, and she, late in the day, had +started out to give her little girl a needed airing when +she met a soldier of her husband’s troop, who had +come back with despatches and brought her a few pencilled +lines from him. Their loving tenderness and the +allusion he made to a little locket which he always +carried in his breast,—a locket containing a golden curl +from the bright head sleeping under the sod in far-away +Kansas,—these combined had overcome her self-control, +and as she retraced her steps and strove to +reply to the light-hearted prattle of her little one, the +tears were streaming from her eyes, and it was thus she +encountered the glances of the colonel’s wife.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Mrs. Tanner?” said that lady, by no +means unsympathetically, as she hastened down the +steps to greet her. “No ill tidings, I hope; you look +so distressed. Do come with me and rest awhile; there +is no one here.” And, taking her hand, she led the +young mother to the piazza.</p> + +<p>Hurriedly thanking her and striving hard to control +<span class="pagenum">[107]</span>her emotion, Mrs. Tanner assured Lady Pelham that +there was no real cause for her apparent distress, +apologised in fact for her weakness, and presently +succeeded in leading the conversation to the ball of +the night before and to Grace herself. On these topics +the ladies were getting along admirably when little +Rosalie, playing about the balcony, suddenly exclaimed, +“Oh, mamma, mamma, here’s Uncle Jack!” and turning, +Mrs. Tanner caught sight of Mr. Truscott seated +close to the parlor-window and smiling greeting to the +child. She rose instantly, walked to the window, and +finding it impossible to hear his reply to her inquiries, +and in response to his beckoned “Come in!” she returned +to Mrs. Pelham, saying, “I had not hoped to +find Mr. Truscott able to sit up; may I go in and see +him?”</p> + +<p>“Why—certainly—I suppose so,” replied madame, +not very cordially, however, for she did not relish the +evident pleasure with which the younger lady accepted +the prospect of quitting her society for his; but Mrs. +Tanner never noticed the change in tone, and, taking +Rosalie with her, entered the house. She had hardly +closed the hall-door when three ladies appeared, issuing +from the adjoining quarters of the adjutant-general, and +came briskly down the path, all smiles and salutations, +to greet her ladyship. In another minute Mrs. Raymond, +Mrs. Turner, and the wife of one of the staff-officers +were seated in cosey conversation with Mrs. +Pelham, chatting as gleefully as though separation from +their lords were an every-day affair, and not at all to +be deplored beyond the conventional, “So horrid, you +know; and now I suppose the infantry ball will be +<span class="pagenum">[108]</span>abandoned entirely.” Then came inquiries for Grace, +and lavish praises of Grace’s beauty and bearing. Both +ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> were evidently bent on making as +favorable an impression as possible on the colonel’s +wife, and their Fort Whipple friend as a consequence +was allowed small share in the chatter. In the midst +of the talk the hall-door opened, and as they rose expectant +of receiving Miss Pelham there reappeared +Mrs. Tanner and Rosalie.</p> + +<p>“Why, good-afternoon, Mrs. Tanner; I’d no idea +you were here,” was the greeting of the three. Mrs. +Tanner pleasantly responded to their salutations, inquired +if they had heard any news from the detachment, +briefly told them of the note she had received from her +husband, and then turning to Mrs. Pelham bade her +good-morning, left some message for Grace, and excusing +herself to all for hurrying home she and Rosalie +went smilingly away.</p> + +<p>“What a charming little woman!” said her ladyship +after a pause, during which all four pairs of eyes had +followed the two out of earshot.</p> + +<p>“Sweet,” said Mrs. Turner, reflectively.</p> + +<p>“So gentle and ladylike,” said Mrs. Raymond.</p> + +<p>“I’ve always admired her so much,” said their companion. +Then came a pause.</p> + +<p>“It is a perfect mystery to me how any one can help +liking her,” said Mrs. Raymond, softly and slowly. +Another pause.</p> + +<p>“Well, I <em>always</em> did,” said Mrs. Turner, dreamily +gazing across the valley.</p> + +<p>“And I supposed everybody did,” said Mrs. Pelham, +looking very intently at her two “subordinates,” +<span class="pagenum">[109]</span>who thereupon became more intently interested in some +distant objects, waiting with well-assured shrewdness +to be drawn out by farther questioning.</p> + +<p>“Has she been in to see Grace?” asked the staff lady.</p> + +<p>“No,” replied her ladyship, promptly. “She went +in to see Mr. Truscott.”</p> + +<p>Instantly Mrs. Raymond and Mrs. Turner exchanged +glances of much significance, which Mrs. Pelham was +as quick to observe, and which, as soon as satisfied that +she had observed, the two ladies discontinued and again +became absorbed and preoccupied in manner.</p> + +<p>The other lady said “Oh!”</p> + +<p>Now, there are dozens of ways of saying “oh,” each +eminently expressive of some different idea or emotion. +This one was eminently expressive of, “Well, of course +it’s her own business, but if <em>I</em> were in <em>her</em> place,” etc., +and then there was a general lull of at least three +seconds in the conversation. Just enough had been +said, indicated, and acted to pique her ladyship’s curiosity +to the utmost. She readily divined that any one +of the three ladies could impart interesting information, +and as all sat silent, as no attempt had been made by +any one of them to change the subject of conversation, +it was evident enough that all she had to do was to +start them and the story, whatever it was, would speedily +be at her service. There <em>are</em> women in the army, thank +God! who at such a crisis would have calmly and decidedly +led the talk into another channel and virtually +have declined to be made the recipients of a garrison +scandal, but their number is not legion, and Lady Pelham +is not of their number.</p> + +<p>The silence was broken by her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[110]</span></p> + +<p>“Why, I hope there is no reason why I should not +like Mrs. Tanner. Is there, Mrs. Raymond?”</p> + +<p>“No indeed. Far from it—only——” said that +politic lady, beginning vehemently and concluding +with vague and hesitating manner, indicative of anything +but triumphant confidence.</p> + +<p>“If anything is not as it should be, surely <em>I</em> ought +to know it,” persisted madame, slowly and impressively; +“and surely, Mrs. Raymond, my friends ought not to +keep me in ignorance.”</p> + +<p>This being precisely what both Mrs. Raymond and +Mrs. Turner thought, and exactly what both expected +Mrs. Pelham to say at this juncture, a little further +coquetting with the subject became appropriate.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, Mrs. Pelham, there isn’t anything,—that +is, <em>I</em> never believed it; and it’s something I never can +<em>bear</em> to think of, and have <em>never</em> alluded to,” said Mrs. +Raymond, and actually at the moment she believed her +own assertion.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Turner, it is evidently a matter you all know. +Is there any reason (majestically) why <em>I</em> should not be +informed?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, dear, no! Mrs. Pelham,” replied Mrs. Turner, +“only it’s a thing I never would have mentioned for +the world. Even now I can’t believe it; and when I +heard it at the time, <em>you</em> know, Nellie (appealingly to +Mrs. Raymond), I said it couldn’t be true. She was +too thorough a lady, and then he had never——”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know, dear,” broke in Mrs. Raymond, “and +so did I, and how it ever got out I <em>never</em> could imagine. +I know Captain Raymond was furious when he heard +that Mrs. McGinty, of the infantry, speak of it, and +<span class="pagenum">[111]</span>he said it would be a bad day for the gossips if it ever +reached Truscott’s ears.”</p> + +<p>“Truscott! Mr. Truscott!” exclaimed Lady Pelham, +now all agog with curiosity. “Pray what had +he to do with it?”</p> + +<p>And then, little by little, in fragments, and with +mutual assistance, promptings, and suggestions, but +never without such comments as, “You know I can’t +believe it, although——” and, “He has never shown +her any more attention than he has anybody else, except——” +etc., etc., the direful story came out.</p> + +<p>Divested of its feminine embroidery, it amounted, +substantially, to this: Truscott had been first lieutenant +of Tanner’s troop in the old Kansas days, and when in +garrison, which was seldom, had shown a decided fondness +for spending his evenings at the Tanners’ quarters; +he “messed with them,” as the army expression goes, +in the days when only two companies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> were +stationed at Fort Harker, and he did not find the society +of the infantry officers altogether as desirable as it subsequently +became.</p> + +<p>He used to write frequently to them after he was +made adjutant and joined headquarters, especially after +the baby died, and all this seemed natural enough. +When the regiment was ordered to Arizona, Captain +Tanner’s troop went with the first detachment, leaving +Kansas early in December. Truscott did not arrive +in Arizona until some months after they did. Tanner +with his company was out on a scout, and she, with +her new mite of a baby, was at Camp Phœnix when +Truscott unexpectedly appeared at the post and went, +within an hour of his arrival, to call upon her, and +<span class="pagenum">[112]</span>Mrs. Treadwell, rushing in unceremoniously as next-door +neighbors will, was stupefied to find Mrs. Tanner +sobbing in Jack Truscott’s arms. She could have sworn +she was looking up in his face and kissing him as she +entered the hall and saw them through the half-opened +door. Now, in justice to Mrs. Treadwell, who was +the wife of one of the prominent field-officers of the +regiment and a most worthy woman, let it be recorded +that for an entire fortnight she kept the thing to herself.</p> + +<p>Truscott was at the post four days, and during that +time had otherwise shown no more attention to Mrs. +Tanner than to the other ladies, and <em>possibly</em> not a soul +would ever have heard of this affair but for the fact +that a nurse-maid employed by Mrs. Tanner was suddenly +discharged about this time for good and sufficient +reason, and was furnished transportation to the nearest +town. Servants were scarce and high in Arizona, and +the Abigail had no difficulty in finding immediate employment, +and in informing her new mistress, the wife +of a large contractor, that the reason of her leaving +Mrs. Tanner was that she couldn’t stay in a house where +there was such goings on as she had seen between her +and the adjutant. Thus started, the story attained in +less than no time colossal proportions and soon reached +Camp Phœnix. Mrs. Treadwell was told confidentially +by another lady of the servant’s story, and was asked +point-blank whether she had ever noticed anything, +which, being a next-door neighbor, she might have +done, and, the lady being her most intimate friend, +Mrs. Treadwell imparted her secret.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that the story gained the solid foundation +<span class="pagenum">[113]</span>that first was lacking, but once surely grounded there +is no telling to what heights an army story may not +soar. It fairly flew about from post to post, and women +who had never seen anything out of the way in the +friendship of the Tanners and Truscott before now recalled +a dozen suspicious circumstances they never could +account for. This explained her agitation at Yuma on +receiving a letter in his handwriting. This was why +she never could listen to any of the stories in circulation +about other people’s frivolities. This was why he was +so set against gossip and small talk, and finally a dozen +ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> had settled in their own minds that +that artful little Mrs. Tanner was actually the cause of +his broken engagement. How they wished they knew +the girl’s name!</p> + +<p>Nor was it a story confined to the fair sex. Such +worthies as Mrs. Wilkins and others had speedily imparted +it to their husbands and to the men who were +jealous of Truscott; and Canker, Crane, Wilkins, and +others of that ilk had stealthily discussed it among +themselves, but had been cautious enough to say nothing +about it to Truscott’s friends or to Tanner’s. One +night, however, Mrs. Turner, in the exasperation of +some trivial matrimonial squabble, stung by a most injudicious +though very just comparison drawn by her +liege lord between her conduct and Mrs. Tanner’s, had +burst forth with, “Mrs. Tanner, indeed; if you knew +what I know about that woman you would not dare +insult me by comparing me with her!” whereat honest +Captain Turner was thunderstruck, and then very flatly +told his wife that he had heard too many garrison stories +laid at her door, and warned her that there was +<span class="pagenum">[114]</span>one woman she had better not asperse, and that was +Mrs. Tanner.</p> + +<p>Oh, foolish and short-sighted mortal! What greater +provocation could he give the wife of his bosom? In +a minute she had accused Mrs. Tanner, and that “paragon +of yours, Mr. Truscott,” of half the sins in the +Decalogue, and was ready to prove it. “Ask Mrs. +Raymond, ask Mrs. Wilkins, ask Mrs. Anybody,” +flashed the indignant lady in response to the pishes +and pshaws and trashes with which he greeted her vehement +recital, till finally both had lost utter control +of their tempers, and Captain Turner had clinched the +nail of his domestic enormities by slamming out of the +room with the parting remark, “Well, my dear, if you +have known all this of Mr. Truscott for the last six +months, your eagerness for his society and attentions is +utterly unbecoming, to say the least,” and very properly +she would not speak to him for a week afterwards.</p> + +<p>All the same, Turner was seriously discomfited; he +thoroughly liked Truscott and he loved his regiment, +was proud of its name and its record, proud of the +honor of its officers and of their ladies. In her fury +Mrs. Turner had told him that those two names, Truscott’s +and Mrs. Tanner’s, were bandied about all +through the Territory. He didn’t believe it, but something +had to be done if such were the case. He didn’t +want to go to the colonel with the story, for then there +would be an awful row. He did not want to go to Truscott, +for then he would have to give his authority, and +the chances were that in tracing the thing to its foundation +there would be no end of snarls and entanglements, +and if any man was found to have had a word +<span class="pagenum">[115]</span>in the thing, why, the Lord be merciful to us, thought +Turner—Truscott or that man would have a military +funeral, and we’re having too much of that now. Raymond +was away and he couldn’t consult him; as for +the others, the only man at headquarters whom he felt +willing to talk to was old Bucketts, and Bucketts had +blocked the whole game by sharply declining to hear a +word on the subject “I don’t know; I don’t want to +know. Whatever it is, it’s a d—d infamous lie, and I +won’t listen to it!” said the quartermaster hotly. It +seems he had overheard Canker and Wilkins one evening, +had just caught enough of their conversation to +get the drift of it, and had thereupon burst upon their +startled ears with such a “tongue-lashing” as even their +wives did not often devote to them. Just what to do +Turner could not imagine, but, as has been said, the +all-engrossing excitements of the campaign soon drove +the matter out of his thoughts, and when that was +over the ladies had apparently dropped it. Then Major +and Mrs. Treadwell had been promoted to another +sphere of duty and left Arizona, and up to this day +neither Tanner, Truscott, nor Colonel Pelham had ever +heard a word of the story. As for Mrs. Tanner, it +soon became evident even to her detractors that her +general character and conduct would absolutely render +them liable to the imputation of deliberate slander. +The men would listen to no repetition of their statements. +The contractor’s wife, who with the nurse had +started the story, had both fallen into the further disrepute +to be expected of them, and Mrs. Treadwell, the +one reliable though only partial witness, was now two +thousand miles away. And so the story only smouldered +<span class="pagenum">[116]</span>for two or three years, and even when, a few +months before the coming of her ladyship, the Tanners +had been transferred with their troop to regimental +headquarters, and several ladies watchfully waited to +note the bearing of Truscott and Mrs. Tanner towards +each other, the sharpest eye could detect no difference +between the grave courtesy with which he always +treated her in public and that which marked his intercourse +with all the rest.</p> + +<p>As for other indications, he perhaps was more frequently +at Tanner’s at dinner or tea than elsewhere, +but always with Tanner, and it must be confessed that +the situation was rather disappointing.</p> + +<p>All this or most of it, and much more than some +parts of it, Mrs. Pelham listened to with politely +veiled avidity, and when finally she had extracted all +the information possible from her three not unwilling +witnesses (once started they outrivalled one another in +volubility), she carefully expressed her conviction that +though there might have been something very imprudent +some years past, it was all over and done with +now. “And so we won’t tell any one of this conversation, +will we?” was the parting injunction to the +ladies of her “suite” as the appearance of Colonel +Pelham, sturdily tramping up the walk, warned them +that it was time to change the subject. Then as that +gentleman manifested no desire to remain with them, +but immediately inquired for Truscott and went in to +see him, the ladies, finding other subjects of trivial interest +compared with the one they had so wellnigh +exhausted, concluded to leave.</p> + +<p>But tell it Mrs. Pelham did, and mercilessly, and soon</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[117]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Notwithstanding</span> his prophecy that Canker and +the boys would whip the renegades back into the reservation +in two or three days, the general determined to +go down to Sandy and take a hand himself. All that +day he had fidgeted about the office dissatisfied with +the meagre reports that came, and the more that came +the more it looked as though Canker’s brief administration +of command had not been felicitous. At five +o’clock in the afternoon he quietly appeared at the +house, and without telling Colonel Pelham of his intention, +was making his characteristically brief preparations +for the start when the colonel caught him in +the act, and very positively announced that he would +go too. Mrs. Pelham had protested, of course, but +there were some things in which she could not move +her lord, and this was one of them. “There, now, +Dolly,” he said, “that will do. I’ve only ten minutes +in which to get ready and no time for argument. +Where’s Grace?” So Grace came with ready hand to +her father’s assistance, asking no questions and evidently +regarding his decision as eminently proper and +incontrovertible.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship would fain have button-holed the +general himself and importuned him not to let the +colonel go, but, once before in her life, such a performance +<span class="pagenum">[118]</span>on her part had come to the ears of her ordinarily +placid and even-tempered husband, and his remarks +anent that piece of petticoat interference had been a +revelation. Indeed, nothing but tears, contrition, and +a solemn promise on her part never, never to do such +a thing again had saved her from consequences more +serious than a marital lecture; but this was a long time +ago, so long that her resolution never to do so again +had been modified by the mental reservation of “when +there is a possibility of being found out.”</p> + +<p>The general, indeed, had not intended to take Pelham +with him, yet was secretly glad to have him return +at once to Sandy. “Things worked better when he was +there.” And so it resulted that by six o’clock that +afternoon Jack Truscott found himself left alone in a +household of ladies.</p> + +<p>To say that he was downright unhappy over the +circumstance would be more than so gallant and courteous +a man as Truscott would say himself, but to say +that he, on the contrary, was not, would be a wide +departure from the truth. He knew nothing of his +superior’s plans until the ambulance drove up to the +door, and the sight of the general’s favorite aide in his +well-worn and well-known scouting costume sent Truscott’s +pulse up to one hundred and twenty at a bound.</p> + +<p>Stepping into the hall, he met Grace with her father’s +cloak and Navajo blanket in her arms. “We are stealing +a march on you, Mr. Truscott,” she smilingly remarked, +glancing over her shoulder at the colonel +himself, who came waddling after her down the stairs. +Shall it be recorded? Truscott’s eyes, full of surprise +and pain, even of reproach, had not so much as a glance +<span class="pagenum">[119]</span>for her; he answered not a word, but mutely stood +questioning his chief.</p> + +<p>“I couldn’t help it, my dear boy; don’t look as +though I had deserted you,” that warm-hearted gentleman +had hastened to explain. “I only knew fifteen +minutes ago that the general was going, and I decided +to slip off and run down with him. I knew just how +you’d feel, Truscott, and hadn’t the heart to tell you. +Confound it, man, I’m only going to Sandy, not into +the field, and if you’ll only keep quiet you will be able +to come down yourself in less than a week.”</p> + +<p>“Has anything gone wrong?” asked Truscott.</p> + +<p>“Nothing at all. Only the general wants to look +after things himself, and can do so more readily at +Sandy than here. I’ll leave Mrs. Pelham in your +charge, and you in Grace’s. Think you can keep him +in subjection, daughter? He is tractable enough ordinarily, +but just now he wants a steady hand.”</p> + +<p>Then the general came forth, followed by his philosophical +wife, who was amiably assuring Lady Pelham +that this was a thing she wouldn’t mind after six +months in Arizona. “I’ve grown so used to it as +never to be surprised at his waking up and starting off +somewhere in the dead of night.”</p> + +<p>Five minutes more and the ambulance had rattled +off down the hill, leaving the three ladies and Truscott +a silent group on the piazza,—Grace looking sad and +anxious, madame melodramatic, Truscott very pale and +quiet, and their hostess alone cheery.</p> + +<p>“Come, now, I won’t have any moping,” she said. +“We’ll get everybody up here this evening and have +lots of fun. Jack Truscott, you shall have twenty +<span class="pagenum">[120]</span>nurses. Grace, all the infantry boys will be here on +your account. Come, let’s go in and order tea. I’m +hungry as a dozen bears.”</p> + +<p>Early in the evening Truscott managed to slip away +from the noisy party assembled in the parlor and sought +his own room. He excused himself to his hostess on +the plea of fatigue, and she, big-hearted woman that +she was, and knowing full well that his heart was anywhere +but in the glee and merriment and music and +twaddle going on, covered his retreat very successfully.</p> + +<p>Later she went to his door with some comforting +drink of her own manufacture, found him sitting up +and pretending to read, and later still, noting the interest +with which Grace had inquired for him, she placed +some delicate custard in her hands, saying, “Take it to +him; he’ll like it.”</p> + +<p>Truscott heard the light footsteps he had already +learned to recognize coming along the hall, then a pause +at his door, and presently a timid, fluttering little knock. +“Come in,” he said.</p> + +<p>The door slowly opened, and there stood Grace upon +the threshold smiling and with a suspicion of heightened +color in her face. He rose to greet her, but she protested. +“Don’t get up; I was asked to bring this to +you,” with the slightest emphasis on the “asked.” +Nevertheless he stepped to the doorway, took the custard +from her hands, and then, leaning against the +door-post, stood looking down at her.</p> + +<p>“Miss Pelham, are you in a merciful mood?” he +asked.</p> + +<p>“I! Unquestionably. Why not?” And the earnest +eyes looked frankly up in his face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[121]</span></p> + +<p>“Then you will grant me absolution for a sin of +omission,” he said, smiling. “The sight of my chief +starting for the war-path startled me into a rudeness +towards you.”</p> + +<p>“In that you did not answer an utterly unimportant +remark of mine, I suppose. As you <em>ought</em> to have discovered, +Mr. Truscott, I claim to be a soldier’s daughter, +and do not expect to be considered at such a time.”</p> + +<p>“Then you are a marvellous exception to the rest of +your sisterhood,” said Jack, with an emphatic impulsiveness +very unusual in him.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, Mr. Truscott? Is that your opinion of +our sex? How did you ever succeed in winning the +name of being so very gallant and courteous, I wonder? +I thought you the champion of all the ladies of the +regiment. I’m sure they do; and what <em>would</em> they say +if your treachery were known?” she added, laughing.</p> + +<p>“I am at your mercy,” he replied. “Betray me and +I am ruined. Thank you for bringing this to me, and +good-night. Don’t let me keep you from the fun.”</p> + +<p>A ring at the door-bell, and the servant admitted a +tall sergeant of cavalry. “A despatch for Lieutenant +Truscott,” they heard him say. Truscott called to him +to come thither, and as he opened the envelope Grace, +not knowing why, but anxious for any news, remained.</p> + +<p>Leaning against the casement he slowly read the +message, and Grace patiently stood looking up into the +pale, clear-cut face.</p> + +<p>“This will be welcome news to Mrs. Tanner,” he +said, presently, “and I would like her to know it to-night. +Is she here?” he asked Grace.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Tanner? No. She has not been here at all.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[122]</span></p> + +<p>“She never had heart for fun of any kind when he +was in the field, Miss Pelham, and this will greatly +relieve her anxiety. His company is ordered to remain +at the agency on guard for a few days; the others +have gone across into the Red Rock country. Take +this over to Captain Lee’s quarters and ask that it be +shown to Mrs. Tanner at once, sergeant, then come back +to me,” he said; then turning again to Grace, “Late as +it is I think she will still be awake, and this news may +put her to sleep.”</p> + +<p>“I am so glad for her sake. She seems so very +lovable a woman. They have all been extremely pleasant +to me, but there was something especially winning +in her manner, and I like her greatly. <em>You</em> know her +very well, do you not?” asked she, still looking frankly +up in his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Better than any of the ladies, I think,” he replied. +“May I ask how you so readily divine my friendships?”</p> + +<p>“I had heard that you were very warm friends. It +was Mr. Glenham who told me—I think.” (You +knew, Grace, and it wasn’t like you to hesitate there.)</p> + +<p>“Ah, yes,—Glenham,” he repeated, while for the +life of him he could not repress a mischievous merriment +on noting how at the mention of the name she +had faltered, and, under the steady glance of his eyes, +colored red an instant after. “Glenham has doubtless +been a most efficient means of strengthening your acquaintance +with the regiment, but I warn you against +his enthusiasm; you will come expecting to find us +models of genius and geniality, and will be all the +more bitterly disappointed.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[123]</span></p> + +<p>“He certainly glories in his regiment, Mr. Truscott, +and, as one of his heroes, you ought not to disparage +his opinions.”</p> + +<p>“Grace dear, I want you,” at this juncture was heard +in solemn and remorseless tones from the other end of +the hall. Grace started like the guilty thing she certainly +was not, and beheld the matronly form of her +ladyship rigidly posed at the parlor-door. There was +something indefinably, gratingly disagreeable about her +voice and manner, that intangible something that a +woman can throw into her tones as expressive of the +extreme of displeasure, and yet be able to subsequently +and triumphantly establish that you have no grounds +whatever for saying so.</p> + +<p>“Good-night, Mr. Truscott,” said Grace. “Please +let me know when you send any despatch to the valley.” +Then seeing her mother still stonily, severely awaiting +her, she did just what she would not have done had +she felt herself unwatched,—turned, held out her slender +hand, and said, warmly, “I <em>do</em> hope you will have a +good night’s rest and feel ever so much better to-morrow. +Good-night,” and then walked briskly off down +the hall, looking calmly into her mother’s face. That +lady contented herself for the time being with ushering +her erring daughter into the parlor. It must be admitted +that the latter had delayed much longer at Truscott’s +door than the delivery of a plate of custard could +possibly warrant, and that her present attitude towards +her mother was not as dutiful and loving as it might be.</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterwards, when the guests of the +evening had gone home and the ladies were preparing +to abandon the parlor, Truscott himself appeared at +<span class="pagenum">[124]</span>the doorway. Her ladyship was at the moment indulging +in some slight refreshment in the dining-room. +He held a large despatch envelope in his hand. “Miss +Pelham, you desired me to let you know when I had +opportunity of sending word to the valley. It seems +that the sergeant is to start at daybreak to ride in search +of Captain Canker’s command, and I am sending a +few lines by him. He will be glad to take anything +you have.”</p> + +<p>“To Captain Canker’s command? Thank you, Mr. +Truscott. I do not know of any one with him. It +was to father I wanted to write.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, pardon me,” said Jack. “I’m sorry, but the sergeant +will cross the valley way to the north of the post, +and won’t be apt to see any one from there. I thought +it possible you might wish to send a message after some +friends in the field column.”</p> + +<p>“I believe not,” she answered. “Who is there with +him to whom I owe a message?” she asked, laughingly.</p> + +<p>“I can simply answer for it that there are six or +eight who would be most happy to receive one,” said +he, with an odd relapse into his regimental manner +of somewhat stately courtesy. “May I be the transmitter?”</p> + +<p>“Evidently he is thinking of Mr. Glenham,” said +Grace to herself, and a strange shade of annoyance +swept over her. His change of manner too struck her +at once.</p> + +<p>“Is it the customary thing in Arizona for us non-combatants +to send sustaining and encouraging messages +to the front?” she coolly inquired. “If so, put +<span class="pagenum">[125]</span>me down for anything that may occur to you as at +once brilliant and to the point. Mr. Truscott, that +smile is satirical, and you plainly mean to indicate that +<em>then</em> it would be recognised at once as not my message.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Pelham, I am no match for such acuteness. +Are you repenting having shown mercy half an hour +ago?”</p> + +<p>“Not quite, but that very superior smile is an aggravation, +I confess. Now, who is there to whom you +supposed I wanted to send a message? Answer that.”</p> + +<p>“Let me answer by saying that Messrs. Glenham, +Hunter, and Dana are by this time with Captain Canker, +and that Mr. Ray with his company will have +joined him to-morrow. I name them as young gentlemen +any one of whom would be charmed by a message +from you, and two of them I have heard absolutely +raving about you.”</p> + +<p>“Now you expect me to ask which two, do you not? +But I decline. Mr. Ray I never met until three days +ago, though I have heard of him, and have wanted to +know him ever since father joined the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. The +others I knew when they were cadets. Mr. Hunter +has already distinguished himself. Has Mr. Glenham +been engaged?”</p> + +<p>“Is not that a matter on which your own sex would +be better informed than I?” he asked, wilfully and +mischievously.</p> + +<p>She replied almost coldly.</p> + +<p>“The question is utterly unworthy of you, Mr. +Truscott. I mean, and you know I mean, to ask has +Mr. Glenham been in action?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[126]</span></p> + +<p>“She must know perfectly well whether he has or +not,” thought Jack, but gravely replied, “No. Glenham +says that it is his ill luck. He has had a few +scouts, but the Indians have kept out of his way as +yet. My note is to him. You might inspire him.”</p> + +<p>“And Mr. Ray?” she queried.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Ray is a hero of many engagements, martial +and matrimonial, and I am bound to say that it isn’t +his fault that he has escaped with so little danger. He +has received more recommendations for brevets for the +one and more ‘mittens’ for the other than any man in +the regiment. I testify to the first as custodian of the +records, to the second on his own frank statements. +Ray says that he has been refused at least once a year +ever since he graduated.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Ray is unusually candid. Is it to him you +suggest my sending a message?”</p> + +<p>“I do not presume to suggest anybody. You desired +to be informed when I had a chance of sending a +messenger to ‘the valley,’ and I was so much in error +as to fancy that you might want to send a message to +some one in the command. Then my sympathies being +with the possible recipient made me obtrusive. I +really beg pardon, Miss Pelham.”</p> + +<p>Stepping to the door he quickly summoned the sergeant, +handed him the package, “Give it to Lieutenant +Glenham,” he said, and then returning to her with +a quiet smile on his face, “So it goes without a pleasant +word for him after all, Miss Pelham.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said Grace. “Mr. Glenham would be +surprised, to say the least, at receiving any message +from me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[127]</span></p> + +<p>For an instant, only an instant, an expression of +pain, even incredulity, shot across his face. Brief +as it was, looking steadfastly into his eyes, she saw it +and it stung her. But he recovered himself and +promptly, pleasantly spoke.</p> + +<p>“Then it seems that I have twice to ask pardon. +I’m glad my first offence did <em>not</em> offend, and shall +strive to make amends for my second.”</p> + +<p>What Grace would have said cannot be told. Once +again there suddenly appeared before them her ladyship, +re-entering from the dining-room with her hostess. +Once again the measured tones of her voice +broke in upon their interview. “Well, Mr. Truscott, +I thought you left us two hours ago to seek repose?”</p> + +<p>“I did, Mrs. Pelham,” replied the adjutant, with +calm civility, “and found it.” And then, apparently +inviting further remark, he stood looking seriously down +into her flushed features. She began to hate him from +that minute, but then it was the most natural thing in +the world that she should do so.</p> + +<p>At that instant there came a knock at the front door, +and a servant handed in a note. “For Lieutenant +Truscott,” he said, “and there is no answer.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Jack,” said the general’s wife in her straightforward +innocence of all possible harm, “that’s Mrs. +Tanner’s writing. What is she sending for at this time +of night? I hope Rosalie isn’t sick. She can’t have +bad news either. What is it?”</p> + +<p>“With your permission, then, I’ll open it,” said he; +and with Mrs. Pelham’s eyes glaring upon him he +calmly glanced over the lines. “Nothing wrong,” he +continued. “She merely writes to thank me for sending +<span class="pagenum">[128]</span>word of Tanner’s detention at the agency.” And +yet madame could have sworn that where the strong +light from the hall-lamp fell upon the page in his hand +the distinctly saw the words, “God bless you, dear +Jack.” And so she did.</p> + +<p>For three days after this event the confinement and +monotony of his life would have told on a man stronger +than Truscott. No news came from Canker’s command, +no especial tidings from Sandy. He had much fever, +and was confined to his room many hours each day. +When he did appear Grace was not visible. His hostess +brought kind inquiries from her each day, and he frequently +heard her blithe voice in the hall or mingling +in the hum of conversation in the parlor. On the +third day, while the doctor was dressing his shoulder +and congratulating him upon a release from confinement +that morning, his hostess, who had been unremitting +in her care of and attentions to her favorite +subaltern, came to the door to ask the doctor if she +could not take Mr. Truscott in town for a drive. Receiving +his permission, she was off in a moment, and +presently came back delighted. “Jack,” she whispered, +“I am going to take Grace, too. Her ladyship is out +of the way, and Grace has just got back from band +practice. Ain’t we in luck?”</p> + +<p>Truscott expressed due enthusiasm, and in a few +minutes the trio were bowling along the smooth road +to Prescott. The bracing air, the bright sunshine, the +rapid motion, perhaps too the very sweet face and dainty +form of Grace Pelham seated so near him, all tended +to bring brightness to his eye and color to his wan +cheek. Looking critically at him as he sat opposite +<span class="pagenum">[129]</span>her, conversing with her <i>chaperon</i>, Grace decided that +he was an undeniably handsome man. But he spoke +very little to or with her, and this seemed odd to the +general’s lady. Match-makers as her sex are by every +instinct of their being, she had already determined +that here was the very girl she wanted to see married +to her friend. Rumors of Glenham’s devotion had of +course reached her, but she had virtually scouted all +ideas of the kind. Her ladyship, Mrs. Pelham, had +twice or thrice waxed confidential and shown an inclination +to speak of him and of Grace in conjunction, +so had other women, but the lady would not listen. +“Don’t mention him in the same breath,” she exclaimed +to Mrs. Wickham and to Mrs. Wilkins, to +the latter’s huge delight. “She has more brains in +her little finger than he in his whole good-natured +head.”</p> + +<p>Somebody went so far as to say that she had pitched +into her husband, the general himself, for inviting +Glenham to dine with them <i lang="fr">en famille</i> before the ball. +“It’s as good as giving her dead away, and I don’t believe +she likes it at all,” was what she did say, and the +chief had absolved himself by explaining that Mrs. +Pelham herself had requested it. This had mollified +madame to a certain extent, but increased the dislike +she had already begun to feel for that lady.</p> + +<p>She was determined to bring them together, and +so, on arriving in town, had bounced out of the Concord +wagon (which answered all her purposes as well as +a landau) and saying she merely wanted to look in at +two or three shops, had precipitated upon her unprepared +companions a <i lang="fr">tête-à-tête</i> which neither had +<span class="pagenum">[130]</span>expected and yet to which each was by no means disinclined.</p> + +<p>From all that he had heard, Truscott had been led +to suppose that, if not actually engaged, it was more +than probable that Miss Pelham and his friend very +soon would be. Consequently, when he confronted +her the morning after the ball, her face bathed in tears, +just having parted from her lover as he set forth on +his hurried, probably dangerous duty, Truscott had +many reasons for supposing that the rumors were true, +and that it was not altogether a loveless match, as the +ladies would have made it, on her part. Else why +should she have been so distressed at parting? He +had been unfeignedly glad to believe she did care so +much for him. He knew well how Glenham loved +her, though the subject had never been mentioned between +them. Glenham, indeed, had more than once +given shy indication that he would not mind confiding +the whole story of his hopes and fears to his friend, +but Truscott never invited confidences and preferred +not to be made a recipient in this case. Everything +Grace said or did attracted him from the first moment +of their meeting up to the time of his sending that +letter to Glenham. He liked, admired, and was beginning +to feel a warm interest in her, when she calmly +looked him in the face and said, “Mr. Glenham would +be surprised at receiving any message from me.” “It +was all very well in her to decline sending a message,” +thought Jack, “but why should she attempt to—why +should she desire to deceive me? It’s none of my +business, of course; but it isn’t what I had hoped for +Glenham.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[131]</span></p> + +<p>As for Grace. We have seen that she did not care +for Glenham, and was distressed by his avowal. No +woman wants to be considered attached to a man for +whom she feels nothing more than a friendly interest. +She saw in Jack Truscott a knightly soldier. She had +heard of him for two years as the model officer of the +regiment, her father’s stand-by and stanchest friend, +and when she met him he was bleeding from a recent +fray in which all knew he had borne himself most gallantly. +She saw him, even in his fatigue and suffering, +gentle, patient, courteous. She heard of his bitter +grief in the loss of his favorite horse, and, thorough +horsewoman herself, she had warmly sympathized with +him in that sorrow. She had been able to serve him +in his anxiety and loneliness the very day of their first +meeting—then—then she had been made to suffer on +his account, to bear her mother’s injustice because of +her interest in him, and then—and now—he believed +her engaged to or in love with Arthur Glenham.</p> + +<p>Given these conditions and a heart absolutely free +before, a somewhat romantic streak somewhere in her +composition, and an enthusiastic love for all that was +soldierly and knightly in man, it must be admitted that +it only needed the strenuous opposition of parents or +circumstances to render any woman liable to fall in +love. And now Grace Pelham was being opposed in +what she deemed a perfectly proper and justifiable +interest in Mr. Truscott. She was being reminded in +every look from the maternal eye that she was expected +to concentrate her thoughts on Mr. Arthur Glenham. +She——Oh, well, why dissect the situation further? +She probably would have indignantly repudiated the +<span class="pagenum">[132]</span>idea that already she was falling in love. Far be it +from the writer to assert anything of the kind, but one +thing is certain: she did not want him to think her +engaged to or in love with his friend, Mr. Glenham, +and was worried and perturbed in spirit that he evidently +did think so. More than that, she had begun +to read him well enough to realize that he considered +her virtual denial of Glenham as disingenuous, and this +stung her to the quick. Now she had an opportunity +of talking uninterruptedly with him, but how was she +to introduce such a subject? Time was short. It was +he who broke the silence.</p> + +<p>“You have not been riding since I came, Miss Pelham. +When am I to have the pleasure of seeing you +in the saddle?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed I don’t know. Everything was broken up +by the regiment’s rush to the field. We have been so +anxious I have hardly cared to ride, and—shall I be +humble and confess it?—nobody has asked me since +the ball. Don’t the staff or infantry officers ride?”</p> + +<p>“Some of the youngsters do, very well,” said Truscott. +“Possibly ‘mounts’ are not to be had.”</p> + +<p>“But Mr. Glenham rode a very nice horse, and we +were to have gone again day before yesterday,” she said, +“and he told me that both the horses we used were regimental +horses.”</p> + +<p>“They are off in the Mogollon range somewhere by +this time, but when you get down to Sandy you shall +ride all you can desire. We have just the very nicest +kind of a ‘mount’ for you there, a quick, nimble little +bay full of style and action, plenty of fire, too, and I +do not believe a horse at Sandy can catch him. Glenham +<span class="pagenum">[133]</span>wants to buy him provided the company commander +will part with him.”</p> + +<p>“To whose company does he belong?”</p> + +<p>“Captain Tanner’s,” answered Truscott. “You will +easily win him over to your cause, for he worships a +woman who rides well.”</p> + +<p>“Then Mrs. Tanner must want to keep the horse: +she rides, of course?”</p> + +<p>“No, Mrs. Tanner never rides. It is one of the +sorrows of her life, I think; she gave up all attempts +some years ago.”</p> + +<p>“What a pity! An army woman who cannot ride +loses half the joy of being in the cavalry; but, does no +one besides Mr. Glenham ride the horse you speak of?”</p> + +<p>“A trumpeter boy of Tanner’s troop ordinarily, and +Tanner won’t let the ladies at Sandy ride him at all; +their hands are too uncertain, he says. As for Glenham +or any of our heavy weights, he would not permit +it.”</p> + +<p>“Then how did you and Mr. Glenham decide he +would be just the mount for me?”</p> + +<p>“Ray did that, I believe; he doesn’t ride over a +hundred and forty, and has a very light hand, light as +any girl’s on the bit, and Tanner would let him have +his whole stable. When your coming was first announced, +and the young officers commenced telling of +your riding at the Point, they decided on having a +suitable horse for you. Ray came up from Cameron +on a scout, and he picked out ‘Ranger,’ and last week +Glenham was in despair because there was no suitable +side-saddle, and the colonel said it would be some time +before yours could arrive.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[134]</span></p> + +<p>(“Always ‘Glenham’ or ‘they, the young officers,’” +thought Grace. “Am I so far beneath him that he +could not afford to take any part in these preparations?”)</p> + +<p>“You have never ridden ‘Ranger’ yourself, then, +Mr. Truscott?”</p> + +<p>“Three or four times, possibly, just to try him and +teach him a little better manners than he would be apt +to learn from his ordinary rider, the trumpeter.”</p> + +<p>“Will he stand the skirt, do you think? That +seems to be the great objection at first to a spirited +horse.”</p> + +<p>“Very well; he has been practised with a trailing +blanket and then with Mrs. Tanner’s old skirt.”</p> + +<p>“And Captain Tanner—or was it the young officers, +as you say, who took all these precautions in my behalf? +Pray whom am I to thank?”</p> + +<p>“Nobody, Miss Pelham. They all look upon a young +lady who would resign the sweets of civilization to come +out to us as a being for whom no degree of devotion +can be too great.”</p> + +<p>“Now, Mr. Truscott, that is all very gratifying, too +good to be true, perhaps, and I mean to cross-examine +you a moment. You say ‘they all,’ referring, I suppose, +to the ‘young officers’ aforementioned. Now tell +me to whom you refer; I had been led to suppose that +of the four companies at Sandy, Mr. Glenham, Mr. +Crane, and Mr. Carroll were the only young officers, +the other lieutenants being on leave or staff duty, or +detached in some way, or like Mr. Wilkins, married +and settled down; and Mr. Crane being neither young +in years nor exhibiting anything like the faintest +<span class="pagenum">[135]</span>desire to make my acquaintance, the number seems limited. +<em>Who</em> were <em>they</em>?”</p> + +<p>Truscott laughed merrily, and looked frankly down +into the bright face before him. “You are too analytical,” +he said. “I shall have to stop and consider +the weight of every word when talking with you. +You see I included Ray, Hunter, and Dana in the list +with Glenham, because they all took a hand when at +the post.”</p> + +<p>“Which must have been very seldom, if at all, for +Mr. Hunter and Mr. Dana both told me they never +got a chance to come to headquarters, and were so eager +to do so.”</p> + +<p>“Undoubtedly they are now,” said Truscott; “but +they looked upon it as purgatorial before.”</p> + +<p>“Still you don’t answer my question, and you compel +me to riddle your statements. It finally must be +reduced to the melancholy fact that Mr. Glenham was +the only one at Sandy who took an interest in my +coming. I am not exacting. I had looked for nothing +of the kind, but when you say ‘all the young officers,’ +and allude to such numbers being engrossed in preparation, +you must admit my right to disappointment +either in them or my informant when I find there +is only one. Furthermore, you have not once had the +grace to confess yourself one of the interested.”</p> + +<p>“That would simply have been presumption. I +alluded to the young officers.”</p> + +<p>“And Mr. Ray, who graduated but one year behind +you, and is said to be one year older, why include him +and exclude yourself, unless truth compelled you to +the admission that you had no earthly interest in the +<span class="pagenum">[136]</span>matter? Mr. Truscott, you have taught me a lesson, +but you leave me in no further doubt. It is evident +that I am to thank Mr. Glenham for all the training +of my horse (O Grace, what a subterfuge!), and that +the others were merely accidentally interested.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Pelham, you overwhelm me with the consciousness +of my neglect. Glenham has so devoted +himself to the matter that no efforts of mine could +have competed with his, and yet, I assure you, he will +require no thanks other than your pleasure in the general +result.”</p> + +<p>Grace Pelham was ready to stamp her pretty foot at +this juncture. Anything or anybody so utterly imperturbable +as her new acquaintance she had never met. +She shrewdly suspected that poor Glenham had never +so much as attempted to mount the new horse, and that +it being Mrs. Tanner’s skirt that was employed, Jack +Truscott himself had taken charge of that part of the +lessons. Womanlike, she longed to extract the admission +from his lips, but he would admit nothing. Then +came their jolly hostess, bundle-laden, and then, to her +dismay, Mrs. Wilkins with a party of friends from the +post, in a vehicle similar to their own.</p> + +<p>Truscott removed his forage-cap in salutation, and +Mrs. Wilkins’s unmodulated tones straightway filled +the plaza. “Is it you, Mr. Truscott, and you, Miss +Gracie?” (“Confound the woman!” thought Jack, +savagely biting his moustache, “how dare she call her +that?”) “Faith, I thought it was time you were getting +him out in the air. You look like a ghost; have +you any news from the boys, pray? It’s time we +were hearing from them, I’m sure. How is your +<span class="pagenum">[137]</span>mother, Miss Pelham? I’d call to see her, but I never +feel like talking when the regiment is out scouting” +(here Grace’s eyes sought Truscott’s, and found them +brimming over with merriment. They had some +thoughts in common, then), “but I’ll be over to-night +or to-morrow; you and he won’t miss me, I’ll be +bound. Go on, driver. Good-by all!” And off she +rattled, triumphant.</p> + +<p>“Jack Truscott,” said their matron, impressively, +“do you know what I would do with that woman if +she were in my regiment, if I had one? I’d appoint +a day for prayer and humiliation, and——What are +you laughing at? You know you detest the ground +she walks on.”</p> + +<p>“Being Arizona soil, there is no harm in that, madame; +but were harm to come to Mrs. Wilkins the +spice of life at Sandy would be snatched away. To +me she is invaluable.”</p> + +<p>Bowling briskly along the smooth, hard road, they +were soon again within the limits of the military settlement +and in sight of headquarters. Grace Pelham, +baffled in her effort to extract from Mr. Truscott some +admission that he had been instrumental in the training +of her horse, and feeling vaguely that she had not +succeeded in penetrating the armor of reserve with +which he was surrounded, determined on a final sally.</p> + +<p>Turning to the general’s wife, she broke <span class="nowrap">forth,—</span></p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott has mystified me completely. He +tells me of a capital horse awaiting me at Sandy, and +endeavors to make me believe that a number of young +officers, as he calls them, have had him in training for +some time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[138]</span></p> + +<p>“Young officers, indeed!” burst in her friend. +“When I was there with the general, three weeks ago, +the <em>young</em> officers were watching Mr. Jack Truscott +himself. He was cavorting round on that very bay, +with somebody’s old skirt, or a blanket, almost every +day.”</p> + +<p>Grace had won her point, but had no time for remarks +on the subject. The ambulance whirled up to +the general’s quarters, and there on the piazza stood +Mrs. Pelham with her hands full of letters.</p> + +<p>“Mail for everybody but me,” she remarked, as the +ladies, scoffing at the idea of accepting assistance from +a one-armed man, sprang out, and then jocularly offered +to assist Mr. Truscott. “Grace, you will want to run +and read yours at once, I know.” And she ostentatiously +handed a little note to her. “These, madame, +are yours.” And their hostess turned away to peer +into the envelopes of her letters and wonder who could +have written them. Then Mrs. Pelham turned to +Truscott with a small packet of letters, “And these +for you. I know <em>that</em> handwriting to be Ralph’s; +would you mind opening it at once and letting me +know how he is?”</p> + +<p>The topmost letter in Truscott’s package was post-marked +San Francisco, and addressed, in a dashing, +bold hand. He recognized it at once as coming from +Ralph Pelham, his colonel’s second son; and, with +Mrs. Pelham’s eyes eagerly searching his face, he +slowly opened and commenced to read. He had never +received a line from young Pelham before in his life, +and, though knowing him well, was surprised at the +mere sight of a letter from him. Even as he opened +<span class="pagenum">[139]</span>the envelope he noted the keen anxiety in Mrs. Pelham’s +face, and it put him on his guard. The first +line was enough to test his nerve, but he glanced down +the page, coolly turned the leaf and read the next, then +very gently and courteously addressed her ladyship: +“He seems in capital health, madame. You were not +anxious about it, I hope?”</p> + +<p>“Who, mother?” asked Grace, rejoining them at +this moment and fearing that her father was spoken of.</p> + +<p>“Merely a—not your father, Grace, so you need not +worry. He is perfectly well, as this letter will show +you,” replied madame, hurriedly.</p> + +<p>Grace took the letter her mother handed her, and +with one glance in Truscott’s face, a look in which +inquiry was blended with surprise, turned and left +them.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott,” said Mrs. Pelham the instant they +were again alone, “I did not know Ralph wrote to +you. He—he has been somewhat wild at times, and I +fully expected a letter from him to-day, but the letter +is to you. His father is very anxious about him, and +only yesterday wrote me that he wished Ralph were +here again instead of in San Francisco. The colonel +says you had so good an influence over him. Mr. +Truscott, tell me if anything has gone wrong with my +boy.”</p> + +<p>And Jack Truscott, looking steadily down in the +anxious face before him, <span class="nowrap">replied,—</span></p> + +<p>“Nothing that I know of, and nothing shall that I +can avert. This letter is about a matter of business +in which I am interested. You should see the letter, +but it concerns others besides myself.” And Lady +<span class="pagenum">[140]</span>Pelham, relieved in mind yet vaguely feeling that +something might be extracted by dexterous cross-questioning, +was compelled to drop the subject. She +thanked him somewhat hesitatingly, looked as though +she longed to ask still more, but drew aside and watched +him as, with a grave bow, he entered the hall and +went to his own room.</p> + +<p>There Truscott seated himself by the window, and +this time slowly read the following letter:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 3.0em;"> + “<span class="smcap">San Francisco</span>, November 15. +</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Truscott</span>,—Just what you warned me against has +come to pass. You made me promise that if I got +into the scrape I would write at once and let you know. +God knows I don’t know another soul to whom to turn. +It is for five hundred dollars this time, and I’ve given +my note at thirty days. You see, they know my people, +feel sure of their money, and would rather have +the interest on it than the cash. But they don’t know +what I know,—that father is drained dry; that Grace’s +outfit the mother insisted on her having and this tremendous +pull of a journey have strapped him completely. +Four months ago he wrote me sadly enough +not to draw for a cent, and things were booming then. +I had been doing first-rate. Consolidated Virginia +brought me in eight hundred dollars in a week. To +be sure, Best and Belcher knocked most of it out of +me, but the other fellows in the office were wild over +the New Nevada, and, Jack, I raised the money for +the margins, and it’s gone—utterly gone.</p> + +<p>“What am I to do? Why do you wish me to write +you? I cannot meet this. I see nothing for it but a +<span class="pagenum">[141]</span>bullet or a bolt to the mines, where I can change my +name with my shirt and hire out as a day laborer. The +brokers will show me up to the firm and the situation +be swept from under me instanter.</p> + +<p>“If you mean that you can get Glenham to let me +have five hundred dollars at once to meet my note I +will give you my word to stick to my desk, to live <i lang="fr">en +retraite</i>, and not to speculate or gamble a cent until it is +paid. Glenham has two or three thousand idle in the +bank here I know; but, my God, I can’t ask <em>him</em> for +money, and hardly know him at all. But father must +not know, and above all Grace. She would scorn me +if she knew I had accepted a cent from him, and she +is right. Yet it is that or ruin, Truscott, and—you +helped me when I was in Arizona last year—for God’s +sake, for father’s sake, who trusts you so, keep my +secret, and if you see a way to help me, believe in my +resolution. Wire or write at once.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Yours,</span><span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 5.0em;">Ralph Pelham</span>.”</p> +</div> + +<p>Truscott sat with pale, stern features, his eyes fixed +on vacancy, the letter resting on his knee. He heard +the voices of the ladies in the hall, the rustle of feminine +skirts past his door, the tinkle of the luncheon-bell, +but he did not stir. A year previous Ralph Pelham +had spent a month in Arizona with his father, +had been thrown frequently into Truscott’s society, and +had soon learned to look up to him in every way. +Pelham was only twenty-two, full of spirit and buoyant +with hope, a handsome, cheery, reckless fellow, who +had all the attributes of a mother’s darling and a father’s +torment. The colonel loved his boy, but shrank from +<span class="pagenum">[142]</span>exercising much control over his movements. He knew +the youngster had his full share of youthful frivolity, +had cheerfully paid his boyish debts, and had shaken +his head at some college extravagances; but Ralph was +the “brightest” of his sons, every one said, and beyond +doubt the most indulged. A very good position had +been secured for him in a business house in San Francisco, +his salary was fair, his prospects fairer, and all +had promised well. Truscott, however, had heard +from the boy’s own lips in the confidence resulting +from an escapade of the previous year that he had, in +common with other young men in his station in life, a +mania for getting rich in a hurry and without the +equivalent of labor. The fever of speculation was +raging all over the Pacific coast. Fortunes were being +made every week and lost every day. During a brief +stay there Ralph Pelham had fallen in with some acquaintances +whose haunt was Montgomery Street, had +tried his luck on “margins,” and with ease and astonishment +had realized a few hundred dollars,—just +enough to inspire him with wild visions of wealth and +grandeur, and to send him on his way to visit his father +with an unaccustomed plethora of funds, and a concomitant +inflation of conceit and business airs that +vastly entertained the officers of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. The money +was soon spent and lost; more was needed, for Truscott +found his young friend deep in the toils of “draw-poker” +on returning to Sandy from court-martial duty. The +colonel had just advanced the boy a quarter’s allowance, +and he dared ask for no more, and Truscott insisted on +becoming his banker. “I make no conditions whatever, +Pelham,” he said, “but, don’t play with those fellows, +<span class="pagenum">[143]</span>unless you really want to throw money away.” And +Pelham had played no more at Sandy, where the scouts, +the quartermaster’s employés, the traders, and occasionally +one or two of the officers were to be found in the +nightly game down at the store. But this strengthened +his trust in Jack, and steadied him a great deal, and +before he left he manfully told his father of the circumstance, +begging him not to show Truscott that he knew +it, and the old soldier had forgiven his young prodigal, +provided him with money for his return to San Francisco, +and Truscott suspected that the truth was known, +because of the fatherly way his colonel had of speaking +to him for some time after, but they never alluded to +the matter.</p> + +<p>And now young Pelham was in a far more serious +difficulty. Truscott read those lines again.</p> + +<p>“And above all Grace. She would scorn me if +she knew I had accepted a cent from him, and she is +right.”</p> + +<p>“Then Ralph, too, was certain there was an understanding +or something like it between his sister and +Glenham,” mused Truscott, and again the worn, tired +look settled on his brow, and as he mused there came +along the hall the quick, light step he was growing to +know so well, the rustle of skirts that sent already a +thrill to his heart, a light tap on his door; he sprang +up, dashed his hand across his forehead, thrust the letter +in the breast-pocket of his blouse, and strode to the +doorway. There stood Grace with a tiny tray in her +hands, a light luncheon and a cup of fragrant tea +thereon.</p> + +<p>“We thought you too tired perhaps, or too busy, to +<span class="pagenum">[144]</span>come to the dining-room, so I was sent with this,” she +said, smiling brightly. He bent and took the tray from +her hands and placed it on the table in the room, thanking +her as he did so, and stepping quickly back to her +side.</p> + +<p>“I brought it myself,” she continued, smiling archly +and mischievously, “in partial payment of a kindness +and attention you would not confess. It was you who +trained my horse, sir, and you strove to conceal the +fact. Mr. Truscott, I don’t know how to thank you.”</p> + +<p>The frank, glorious eyes were gazing up into his; +the sweet, mobile features, all smiles and sunshine, +were turned towards him, her soft white hand toying +with the fringe of the Indian tobacco-pouch that hung +on the door-post. It was long since Truscott had +looked upon a vision half so fair, and, despite himself, +look he did earnestly, seeing which her eyes fell, a +quick flush rose to her white forehead, she turned to +go, but he recovered himself.</p> + +<p>“Don’t attempt to thank me,” he said. “Ride with +me once or twice when we get to Sandy, and I will be +more than repaid.”</p> + +<p>“Ride with you! Indeed I will—gladly.” And +with that she was gone.</p> + +<p>Truscott stood gazing after her as she disappeared +through the parlor doorway. There she had glanced +quickly back: their eyes had met, she smiled brightly, +but never stopped. For a full minute he stood there, +then with a half-stifled sigh rising to his lips he turned +to re-enter the room, when a white object on the floor +at his feet caught his eye. He bent, picked it up, and +bore it to the light. It was a dainty handkerchief, +<span class="pagenum">[145]</span>and in one corner was embroidered the simple name +“Grace.”</p> + +<p>With bowed head he stood a few moments holding +it in his hand, thinking intently, his eyes fixed upon +the name. Then he took Ralph’s later from his +pocket, read it once again, and softly repeated to himself +the closing words, “For God’s sake, for father’s +sake, who trusts you so, keep my secret, and if you see +a way to help me, believe in my resolution.”</p> + +<p>“For God’s sake, for father’s sake. Yes,” he whispered, +“for Grace’s sake I’ll help you, and then—and +then—may God help me.”</p> + +<p>And when Ralph Pelham’s letter was replaced in the +breast-pocket of Truscott’s uniform his sister’s handkerchief +lay between it and the wearer’s heart.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[146]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">She</span> is no more engaged to him than I am, Jack +Truscott, and you may take my word for it. More +than that, it is my belief she has no interest in him +whatever,—never has had, and that all the talk of this +match is due to Lady Pelham’s manœuvring. The +wish is mother to the thought.”</p> + +<p>So spoke the general’s wife the evening of the drive, +and Truscott listened with outward calm, but with +emotions far from placid. He had not seen Grace since +their brief conversation, and, the ladies being out at +tea, had spent several lonely hours. During the afternoon, +however, he had visited the telegraph-office, and +a despatch worded as follows was already in the hands +of his anxious correspondent in San Francisco:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Ralph Pelham</span>, Occidental Hotel, San Francisco.</p> +<p> “Rely on Glenham. All fixed. Letter by mail.</p> +<p style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“<span class="smcap">Truscott.</span>”</p> +</div> + +<p>Now considering the fact that Glenham was miles +away in the mountains, with no possibility of communication, +it may be considered a piece of assumption +on Truscott’s part to make such positive use of his +name. Truscott, however, though well knowing that +his friend would be prompt to respond to any call he +<span class="pagenum">[147]</span>might make upon him, had no intention of putting +him to the test.</p> + +<p>Some two years previous, after an extended consultation +with some business friends in San Francisco, +Truscott had placed his savings in the hands of a firm, +one of whom he knew well and trusted. His wants +were few in Arizona, his habits methodical, and from +time to time he had added from his pay to the original +amount. These were matters of which he never spoke +to anybody, but the investment had proved moderately +remunerative. The growing business of the firm led +to further enterprises, and Jack’s money, with his entire +consent, had been devoted with other funds in +their hands to the purchase of a mining claim in Nevada, +which gave promise of a profitable yield when +properly developed. Already the firm had sent three +successive offers to Truscott to purchase his stock at a +tempting “rise,” but he had no need for money at the +moment and decided that he preferred to hold on. The +promise of the investment was quite as good as any +other in which he could embark. Glenham for a while +had placed ten times as much money in the hands of +the same firm, but had declined to invest in the very +purchase in which Truscott was interested. “I don’t +know enough about mining ventures to risk it,” he +said to Truscott, showing him the prospectus and the +familiar letter-head of the firm. “What do you think +of it, Jack?”</p> + +<p>“If you have money you don’t know what to do +with, it might be put there as well as anywhere, but +you know I never advise any one in a matter of this +kind.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[148]</span></p> + +<p>“Well, what would you do yourself?” persisted +Glenham.</p> + +<p>“I never had so much money at my disposal, but it +seems to me that it is poor policy to take it from a safe +though slow investment to put it where you may lose +the whole lump in no time.”</p> + +<p>Glenham inferred that Truscott had no confidence in +the new scheme, never dreamed that he had invested +his all therein (“Why tell him?” thought Jack, “he +will then be sure to go in full tilt, and if we are +swamped hold me accountable”), and had concluded to +try elsewhere; but the firm held, as Pelham had stated, +a few thousand dollars of his money, and within a +week from the receipt of Truscott’s despatch young +Ralph was relieved in mind by the arrival of a letter +which, with one other, Truscott had written that very +afternoon. It ran somewhat as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Pelham</span>,—On presentation of yourself and +this note at Rundell, Stearns & Co. you will find five +hundred dollars at your disposal. You know Stearns, +I think: simply give him a receipt for the cash as +voucher.</p> + +<p>“Glenham is off on a hurried dash after Apaches, +but the matter was easily arranged. I think it would +be just as well <em>not</em> to write him any thanks, but to stick +close to your work and resolution, and don’t worry +over the matter. Preaching is abhorrent to me, and +experience, though expensive, a far better teacher.</p> + +<p>“Your letter reached me by the hand of Mrs. Pelham +herself, and excited her anxiety. I assured her +you were well and in no trouble, as she imagined. +<span class="pagenum">[149]</span>(Mental trouble was not allowed to count.) May I +suggest that frequent letters to her or to Miss Pelham +would be the easiest way of dispelling their anxiety +and averting the possibility of cross-questioning me? +No one should know of this transaction, and I can +assure you that Glenham, who is a noble fellow, will +not breathe it to a soul. My reasons for suggesting +that you say nothing farther to him are cogent, but too +many for explanation here. Be guided by me, however, +I will make all due acknowledgments.</p> + +<p>“Were I to attempt to tell you of the sensation created +by the arrival of Miss Pelham this letter would +require extra postage, and I regard letters of that +length as an imposition on friendship. The colonel is +at Sandy. I am on escort duty with the ladies, and +expect to join him next week.</p> + +<p> + <span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Yours sincerely,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 12.0em;">“<span class="smcap">John G. Truscott</span>.”</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>This letter, as was stated, was posted with another +addressed to his business friend in the city:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 3.0em;"> + “<span class="smcap">Fort Whipple</span>, A. T., November 28, 18—. +</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Stearns</span>,—Mr. Ralph Pelham will call upon +you in person for five hundred dollars, which please +pay him and charge to my account. If necessary, dispose +of sufficient stock to cover it. Your voucher will +be his receipt.</p> + +<p>“I have reasons for preferring that he should regard +this as coming from Mr. Glenham (who would not have +to sell), and desire you to consider the affair as strictly +confidential. +</p> + +<p> + <span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Very truly yours,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 12.0em;">“<span class="smcap">John G. Truscott</span>.”</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[150]</span></p> + +<p>Late that night the ladies had returned from a quiet +tea-party at Captain Lee’s, Grace and her hostess enthusiastic +over the lovely, winning ways of Mrs. Tanner, +Lady Pelham, to their perplexity, maintaining on that +subject an attitude of austere, even mysterious noncommittalism +(for which word the writer desires to +apologize). Grace had been speedily summoned aloft +by her mother, so that when Jack entered the parlor +only his hostess was there.</p> + +<p>“You ought to have been with us,” she said. “Grace +Pelham sang, and sang sweetly. See here, Jack Truscott, +you need not be so sublimely indifferent to that +young lady. I don’t like it. I warrant you never saw +many sweeter or brighter girls.”</p> + +<p>“I never saw any,” replied he, briefly.</p> + +<p>“Then why do you stand aloof, I’d like to know? +One would suppose you had no appreciation of what +was attractive in woman.”</p> + +<p>“My dear lady, is there not such a thing as having +too much? What sense is there in losing one’s head +over a girl already bespoken?”</p> + +<p>And then it was that his friend gave utterance to the +words at the head of this chapter.</p> + +<p>Overhead he could hear voices in colloquy; one, unmistakably +that of her ladyship, was so loud and emphatic +that an occasional word could be distinguished; +the other, subdued and gentle, was indistinguishable. +Evidently, too, the conversation was not placid. Mrs. +Pelham’s somewhat ponderous tread made the lightly-built +army-ceiling quiver and crackle as she paced +rapidly to and fro.</p> + +<p>“What in the world is she storming about to-night?” +<span class="pagenum">[151]</span>said the lady. “I shall confide to you, Jack, that your +colonel’s wife strikes me as being a tartar.”</p> + +<p>A door overhead opened, closed, tones again became +muffled, and Jack Truscott and his hostess sat staring +in blank amazement in each other’s face, for in the +brief instant in which the chamber-door had been ajar +her ladyship’s voice, angry and unguarded, was distinctly +audible to both,—to all in the house in fact.</p> + +<p>“—and Mrs. Tanner is not a fit person for a daughter +of mine to——” And here, in the language of the +Congressional reporter, the hammer fell; to be literal, +her ladyship banged the door.</p> + +<p>For a minute the occupants of the parlor were +aghast. Then Truscott calmly stepped to the hall-door +and closed it.</p> + +<p>“She may open the ports and fire another volley,” he +said, “and I don’t care to hear her, even by accident.”</p> + +<p>“Well!” said his companion. “Listeners never +hear any good of themselves; but I never expected to +live to hear evil of Mrs. Tanner. She is my ideal of +a perfect wife and mother. What do <em>you</em> think?”</p> + +<p>“My acquaintance is not extensive,” he replied, deliberately; +“but in the army or out of it I know of +no one truer, purer, or nobler. Now, if you will excuse +me, I am going to bed. Good-night.”</p> + +<p>The next morning Grace did not appear at breakfast. +“Had a headache,” said her mother in response +to inquiries. Soon afterwards, as Truscott started forth +for a stroll with the doctor, she inquired if he intended +going to the office, and requested him to post a letter.</p> + +<p>“Do you happen to know where Mrs. Treadwell is +stationed now, Mr. Truscott?” she asked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[152]</span></p> + +<p>“At Fort Hays, I think. Colonel Treadwell was +in command there last month.”</p> + +<p>“Then this address is right,” she remarked, handing +him the letter and narrowly watching his features.</p> + +<p>He glanced at the superscription, bowed in acquiescence, +and turned away.</p> + +<p>As a specimen of feminine ingenuity that letter deserves +to take rank. This is a chapter of letters thus +far. Here is her ladyship’s:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<span class="smcap">My dear Mrs. Treadwell</span>,—Though we have +not met for years, I hold in warm remembrance the +days when we were stationed together at Sedgwick, and +the kindly relations which then existed” (which was +more than the recipient of the letter could do, for she +could not bear Mrs. Pelham). “I write in haste, and +know well that you will be surprised at my writing at +all; but duty as a mother compels me to appeal to you +for information on a very delicate subject, and I trust +you can relieve my mind. You may not have heard +that Grace and I have recently ‘joined’ the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> here +in Arizona, and naturally I am most anxious that she +should be well guided in the selection of her friends +and associates.</p> + +<p>“Among the ladies who at first made a most favorable +impression was Mrs. Tanner, whom, I am told, +you knew well at Camp Phœnix. She seemed everything +that was desirable, but I regret to have to say +that <em>circumstances</em> have occurred which seriously affect +my opinion of her, and among other stories which <em>late +events</em> have revived is one that you at Camp Phœnix +found her and Mr. Truscott alone in her parlor during +<span class="pagenum">[153]</span>Captain Tanner’s absence in the field, and saw them in +a most indelicate and questionable a—well, I cannot +write what was told me (in the strictest confidence); +but knowing you as I do, a woman who never was +known to say an unkind or a slanderous thing, it impressed +me most painfully and powerfully to be told +by ladies whom I believe in that you had positively +made this statement. If it be true, I beg you to tell +me <em>exactly</em> the truth; for Grace’s sake I <em>must</em> know.</p> + +<p>“The colonel, Captain Tanner, and all the officers +are in the field except <em>Mr. Truscott, who is here, and she +also</em>. You know he is still adjutant of the regiment, +and Colonel Pelham must be in utter ignorance of this +affair or he would not regard him as he does. Pray do +not ask me for any particulars. Simply tell me what +you know, and please consider this letter as inviolably +confidential. I have no heart to write any news, for +this wretched affair fills me with anxiety.</p> + +<p> + <span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Your attached friend,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 12.0em;">“<span class="smcap">D. de Ruyter Pelham</span>.”</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>And this was the letter Jack Truscott carried over +to the office and dropped in the mail-box this bright +November morning. A fortnight more and it was in +Mrs. Treadwell’s hands, and a constrained and reluctant +answer was despatched to Arizona; but long before that +reply could reach Mrs. Pelham at Sandy it was possible +for the very complications to occur which she most +ardently desired to frustrate. That very night there +came a despatch from Colonel Pelham pronouncing the +road safe and practicable, and the next morning Truscott +was convoying the ladies of Camp Sandy, now +<span class="pagenum">[154]</span>reinforced by Mrs. and Miss Pelham, down to the +valley wherein lay their frontier home. Three large +ambulances carried the party, a small guard of soldiers +went along for appearance’s sake, and without event of +material importance the journey was safely effected, +and Grace Pelham made her <i lang="fr">début</i> at Camp Sandy, +little dreaming of the months of mingled happiness +and serene content, of doubt and utter misery, that lay +before her.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[155]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Without</span> event of material importance, it has been +said, the journey from Prescott to Sandy was effected. +Yet the journey was not devoid of interest.</p> + +<p>For two or three days previous Mr. Truscott had +seen little or nothing of Grace Pelham. He had been +stunned by the angry words that both he and the +general’s wife had overheard when Lady Pelham’s +door was opened for that one brief instant, he had +pondered over them that night after going to bed, and +the more he thought the more his blood boiled within +him at the idea of this coarse, imperious woman daring +to speak so shamefully of his gentle little friend. +Next morning Grace did not appear at all, as we have +seen, and it was all Truscott could to do to behave with +common civility to her ladyship. As for their hostess, +it must be confessed that she absolutely snubbed Mrs. +Pelham on two or three occasions, kept out of her way +as much as possible, and when the time for starting +came she kissed Miss Pelham warmly and affectionately, +begged her to come up and spend the Christmas +holidays with her, but not a word of invitation did +she extend to her mother. “Good-day, Mrs. Pelham, +I trust you have enjoyed your visit,” was all she +vouchsafed her ladyship, and that lady readily +<span class="pagenum">[156]</span>comprehended that she had offended her hostess, and, true +to nature, hated her accordingly.</p> + +<p>Only in company had Truscott met Miss Pelham +since that night until the morning of their start. Then +he suddenly encountered her alone, he returning from +a visit to the corral to inspect the condition of the +ambulances that were to convey the party to Sandy, +she from the infantry quarters on the other side of the +garrison, whither she had been to say good-by to a +baby pet of hers, the daughter of one of the officers +here stationed.</p> + +<p>Truscott greeted her cordially and complimented her +upon such very early rising. Her reply was a nervous +and embarrassed platitude, and she hurried along with +bent head and downcast eyes up the very path which +she and Glenham had taken the night of the “Pelham +Ball.” All her old frank, bright manner had disappeared; +she would not even look at him. Stung to +the quick by her evident wish to avoid him, he +presently raised his forage-cap, and turning at a side-path, +<span class="nowrap">said,—</span></p> + +<p>“Pardon my not escorting you home, Miss Pelham; +there are some matters I must arrange before we can +start.”</p> + +<p>Then for an instant her eyes met his, she faltered +when she marked the pain and surprise in his face. +She almost held out her hand to him, but as though +suddenly recollecting herself, simply bowed, said in a +low tone something that sounded like “Good-b—morning, +Mr.——” and scurried away up the path +like a frightened fawn. With a sadder brow than we +have yet seen in Truscott he turned aside, and by a +<span class="pagenum">[157]</span>circuitous route regained the house, where he found +them all at an early breakfast.</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterwards and they were off. Mrs. +and Miss Pelham and her ladyship’s homesick maid +occupying one ambulance, Mesdames Turner, Raymond, +and Wilkins another, while Mrs. Tanner with +Rosalie and one of the young ladies from Sandy were +bestowed in a third,—Captain Tanner’s own; for Tanner +was a man of substance, and had money enough to +buy out the rest of the regiment, Glenham perhaps excepted. +A fourth ambulance contained a small guard +of infantry-men, while two or three trailers, left behind +in the rush for the Apaches, the mail messenger, +and two scouts, who had come in with despatches, accompanied +the party as escort.</p> + +<p>Amid the fluttering of handkerchiefs and cheery <i lang="fr">au +revoirs</i> the party rattled off, cracking whips and whistling +drivers sending the lively little mule-teams along +at a spanking gait. Truscott paused one moment to +hold out both hands to his kind hostess and with something +of a tremor in his voice to say farewell. She +looked up in his face and seized the outstretched hands,—“Jack, +don’t you worry. <i>It’ll come out all right yet, +and I know it.</i>” He turned quickly, mounted his +horse, and, with a wave of the hand, cantered off down +the slope after his convoy.</p> + +<p>The journey to the Agua Fria was accomplished +without incident. It was a dismal party that rode in +her ladyship’s vehicle. She was in execrable humor +herself, ready to snap at anybody. As a consequence +Grace sat silently and wistfully gazing out on the pine-covered +heights, the maid was in tears most of the way, +<span class="pagenum">[158]</span>and Lady Pelham, echoing the sniffling from the front +seat, sniffed at her smelling-salts, and finally inquired +for the sherry-flask. Twice or thrice at difficult parts +of the road Grace saw Truscott, seated on his horse, +cautioning the driver of each ambulance as in turn +they came to the spot, but ordinarily he was well to +the front, and only at sharp curves of the road could +she catch sight of him, the guard ambulance being just +in front of them. Then she looked with all her eyes, +for well as he looked at all times it was in the saddle +Jack Truscott was at his best. She worshipped fine +horsemanship, and never had she seen anything to +equal the grace and ease of Truscott’s. Half angry at +herself, she yet could not withstand the fascination that +kept her gaze fixed upon him at every opportunity.</p> + +<p>Before the sun reached the meridian Truscott conducted +his train into the court of Olson’s ranch, and +politely notified her ladyship that here they would rest +an hour and then push on. The ladies were assisted +from the ambulances, and were welcomed with much +red-faced embarrassment by Mrs. Olson, who showed +them into her best rooms. The ladies of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> she +knew well. They had often stopped with her, but the +stony grandeur with which her ladyship glared around +the bare walls and rude furniture, sniffing at everything, +overawed and upset her completely. None the +less did she hasten to sacrifice her pet chickens and +produce the freshest eggs, in order that the ladies who +were so grand in her eyes might be regaled with the +best her larder could command.</p> + +<p>Something like twenty minutes had the ladies been +resting and chatting among themselves when Truscott +<span class="pagenum">[159]</span>came striding up from the corrals, whither he had been +to superintend the refreshment of his horses and mules. +Seeing him approach, Mrs. Tanner quietly laid her +sleeping Rosalie upon the bed, rose and went out to +meet him. Two or three of the ladies exchanged +glances, then looked at Mrs. Pelham. Taking Truscott’s +arm, Mrs. Tanner walked with him slowly +through the ranch-yard, past the corrals, and, with the +eyes of every woman in the party except Grace’s upon +them, they strolled up the bank of the stream, and +were soon out of sight from the windows.</p> + +<p>“Come with me a moment,” said Mrs. Pelham, abruptly, +to her daughter, who rose without a word and +followed her mother out into the court and around the +corner. The elder lady silently pointed up the stream, +and Grace, looking, beheld Mrs. Tanner leaning on +Truscott’s arm, and both of them, some three hundred +yards away, were walking farther. Another moment +and they disappeared from sight around a little +knoll.</p> + +<p>Then Lady Pelham slowly turned, and impressively +the words fell from her lips, “Grace, what did I tell +you?”</p> + +<p>When, half an hour later, Jack Truscott extended +his hand to assist Miss Pelham to her seat in the ambulance, +as he had been assisting the others, she passed it +without notice, seized the door frames with both hands, +and with the agile spring of the mountain deer popped +up into her place. Truscott calmly closed and fastened +the door, nodded to the driver, and away went the +Pelham equipage.</p> + +<p>The sun was setting behind the great range to the +<span class="pagenum">[160]</span>west, and the ambulances had halted for a moment at +a point where the road wound around a precipitous +ledge, when Truscott rode up to the door of the Pelham +equipage, and, pointing far down in the valley +below and some miles to the south, quietly remarked, +“Mrs. Pelham, there is Camp Sandy,” then rode on +to the head of column. Eagerly gazing, Grace could +see rows of what looked like toy-houses painted a dismal +brown, but Mrs. Pelham was cross and tired, and +the sherry had been a little too strong or too frequent, +or both, she did not care to look. An hour more and +Grace was in her father’s arms, while her gracious +mother was turning up her nose at the parlor furniture. +Soon afterwards, Grace, delightedly examining +her own dainty little room, heard her father’s voice +hailing from the piazza <span class="nowrap">below,—</span></p> + +<p>“Truscott! oh, Truscott! that you?”</p> + +<p>A voice from the darkness out on the parade <span class="nowrap">replied,—</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, colonel.”</p> + +<p>And Grace stood still—yes—to listen.</p> + +<p>“Been to dinner or supper yet?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet, sir; I’ve had several things to attend to.”</p> + +<p>“Then come and take high tea with us.”</p> + +<p>“I would with pleasure, sir, but—I’ve promised Mrs. +Tanner.”</p> + +<p>A tap at Grace’s door, and her ladyship swept in.</p> + +<p>“You heard that, I suppose. How much confirmation +do you require, may I ask?”</p> + +<p>And all that evening Grace Pelham was feverishly +gay.</p> + +<p>The general, it seems, had gone out into the Mogollon +<span class="pagenum">[161]</span>after the troops; he had spent a day at the agency with +Tanner, and then, on his renowned saddle-mule, had +struck eastward for the trail leading to the Colorado +Chiquito. Every hour the renegades were sneaking +back into their limits, and the next day were begging +around camp as persistently as ever and with that childlike +expression of innocence and utter lack of guile in +which the Apache excels. In the brief conversation +Colonel Pelham had enjoyed with Truscott after tea, +when the latter had betaken himself to the office and +was working away by candle-light, the adjutant learned +that the entire command was on its way back, having +had only one or two unimportant brushes with the +Indians, who had scattered all over the Territory on +finding themselves pursued by so large a force. Then +the colonel went back to his quarters to enjoy the unaccustomed +luxury of the society of his wife and daughter; +but Truscott remained at his desk “straightening +out” the regimental papers until long after midnight. +Grace Pelham, going to her room after a long, loving +talk with her father, had thrown open her window and +stood there gazing out into the starlit night. Way +across the dark parade she saw towards her right the +dim lights of the guard-house. She knew it to be +such, because, even as she gazed, there came from that +point the prolonged call of the sentry, “Nu-mber One. +Ha-lf pa-st twelve o’clock.” Then way beyond, over +towards the corrals, a shrill Hibernian tenor responded +for Number Two, and added, “A-a-ll’s w-ell!” and so +the watch-call went the rounds, echoing back from the +foot-hills until it again reached the guard-house. Grace +thought it lovely. But what was that brilliant light +<span class="pagenum">[162]</span>off to her left? She could make out the outlines of a +low one-story building that seemed to stand by itself, +and from two windows broad beams of light streamed +forth and illuminated the parade. Hearing her father’s +step on the stairway, she called him in. “I’m so interested +in it all, father; the sentries have just been +calling off. Now that’s the guard-house over there; +but what is this bright light here to the left?”</p> + +<p>The colonel peered over her shoulder. “That! It’s +the adjutant’s office, and that confounded Jack Truscott +is sitting up there at work when, with his shoulder, +he ought to have been in bed long ago. By Jove, I’ll +go and send him!”</p> + +<p>Then he turned, took her in his arms, and looked +proudly, fondly, down into the sweet upraised face.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if you dream, my little girl, what a joy +it is to your old father to have you here? God bless +and guard you, my child!” With that he kissed tenderly +her white forehead, and the next minute she +heard him tramping across the parade to the office. +She was about to close her blind, when the sound of +hoof-beats and voices coming into the garrison from +the north attracted her attention. At rapid lope the +riders came, and in a moment flashed into view in the +lights from the adjutant’s office. Then came her +father’s cheery <span class="nowrap">voice,—</span></p> + +<p>“Why, Ray, is that you? You, too, Glenham? +Welcome back, boys!”</p> + +<p>Then she heard Truscott’s deep baritone and Ray’s +and Glenham’s mingled greetings, and the “old fellows” +and hearty slaps on back and shoulder with which +the comrades of the frontier are wont to welcome one +<span class="pagenum">[163]</span>another; and then she did close her blind, and for a +while sat there in the darkness thinking, thinking.</p> + +<p>Two days more and the entire command was once +more in garrison. Rough, stubbly beards were shaven +off, ragged hair trimmed to soldier style, scouting-rigs +were stowed away, and on the following Sunday morning +six fine troops of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> formed line, mounted +and in full dress, for inspection. The band, too, had +returned from a visit to the southern posts of the Territory, +and for three days the rank and file had been +cleaning, polishing, and scrubbing generally, for “Old +Catnip” was a stickler for drill, discipline, and neatness +in every particular.</p> + +<p>Much of the time the officers had been occupied superintending +the overhauling of the barracks and stables, +but such hours as Captain Canker would allow him +Arthur Glenham had spent at Grace’s side. <em>Was</em> it +hope that fathered the thought, he wondered, or was she +really more gracious, more encouraging in her manner +towards him? Mrs. Pelham was everything that was +delightful to him, inviting him there to tea, affording +him frequent opportunity for uninterrupted interviews +with Grace, and eagerly inquiring how soon Ranger +would be ready for the promised rides. Tanner, too, +had come in with his troop, and Ranger had been duly +inspected and delightedly praised by Grace, but the +captain preferred that she should not ride until after +the general inspection. Of Truscott the ladies at Colonel +Pelham’s saw nothing except at a distance. He +spent all his time at the office, and in going thither or +returning to his quarters kept way out in the middle of +the parade, for he lived at the extreme northern end of +<span class="pagenum">[164]</span>officers’ row, and the colonel’s house was at the other +end. Officers old and young and all the ladies had +called to welcome the Pelhams to Sandy, but just as +at Prescott, when Ray, Hunter and other ineligibles +attempted to converse to any length with Grace, the +“confounded old tabby” would swoop down upon them +and monopolize the talk herself.</p> + +<p>Oh, how superb the sight was to Grace when, early +Sunday morning, the whole command appeared in full +uniform, the martial-looking helmets with their long +horse-hair plumes, the bright colors of the stripes and +facings, the blue and gold and glittering sabres of the +officers, and the handsome equipments of their steeds! +She stood on the piazza watching it all,—officer after +officer mounting in front of his quarters and trotting +off to join his troop. (Of course, Glenham came down +the line to exhibit himself and his beautiful horse to +her before joining his captain.) Then the four stately +non-commissioned officers, the guard of the standard, +each with his war chevrons and his bronze medal for +bravery, rode up in line and received their charge from +her father’s hands. Then came the stirring adjutant’s +call, and the thrilling burst of martial music from the +band, and troop after troop rode steadily into line; and +then from the right there came at full gallop a stalwart +form she had grown to recognize instantly in any dress. +The horsemanship was unmistakable, and still at full +gallop on his powerful black charger he darted out to +the front until midway to where the colonel sat on old +“Rappahannock,” when with sudden halt and wheel +he reined about, and at the deep, ringing baritone, that +resounded along the line, the sabres flashed in air, and, +<span class="pagenum">[165]</span>again wheeling, his own sabre rose and was lowered in +graceful salute. Grace Pelham gazed with all her eyes, +eagerly interested in everything, but then the ladies +who had seen that sort of thing a hundred times +gathered around her, and she saw no more of the ceremony +that so delighted her.</p> + +<p>Disappointed as she was at the interruption of her +view of the inspection, Grace found it hard work to +be cordial and courteous to her visitors. Ordinarily +on each occasions the ladies swarmed about Captain +Turner’s quarters, which, bring opposite the centre of +the line when formed, afforded the best point of observation. +Mrs. Turner with great self-complacency used +to attribute this gathering to her powers of entertainment +and conversation, and talked and chattered like a +magpie; but on this particular Sunday, seeing Grace +alone on the piazza of the commanding officer’s house, +the meeting adjourned and proceeded <i lang="fr">en masse</i> to entertain +her with garrison platitudes, Mrs. Wilkins being +by no means the least voluble. As a consequence, when +the jovial colonel rode up to the piazza after the dismissal +of the command, his face all aglow with the unaccustomed +exercise, and called out in his cheery way, +“Well, daughter, what do you think of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>?” +she replied, with an air of serio-comic disappointment, +“I could see nothing of them, father, except (<i lang="it">sotto voce</i>) +the ladies.”</p> + +<p>“Confound those women!” growled the colonel. “I +might have known they would spoil the whole thing, +and I particularly wanted you to see the regiment. +Your mother isn’t visible yet, I suppose. She never +did care for anything connected with my profession +<span class="pagenum">[166]</span>except the pay accounts,” he added to himself, with a +weary sigh. Then he and Grace went in to breakfast.</p> + +<p>Late that afternoon two grimy-looking, shaggy-bearded +men, accompanied by Mr. Truscott, appeared +at the colonel’s door, and were promptly ushered into +the parlor, where Lady Pelham was yawning over a +novel (for which the writer of this gives her full absolution) +and her husband was snoozing on the lounge +with a handkerchief over his face. In response to +Truscott’s courteous bow, her ladyship rose from her +chair, stared for an instant at the uncouth-looking +bipeds who stood uneasily at the door, then, with an +indignant “Well, I declare!” and without noticing +Truscott in the least, she swept majestically into the +adjoining room, slamming the door behind her.</p> + +<p>The colonel woke with a start, and for an instant +gazed stupidly at his visitors.</p> + +<p>“What’s up, Truscott?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Fanshawe and Craig have come in to report, sir; +they bring important news,” replied the adjutant.</p> + +<p>“Fanshawe, hey! Craig, too! Good! Sit down, +boys. What news do you bring?”</p> + +<p>The taller of the two cleared his throat, while the +other, “his pardner,” slowly twisted his old slouch hat +in his hands and looked to his senior to do the talking. +Wiping his face with a faded red bandanna, then stowing +it away in the breast of his buckskin hunting-shirt, +Fanshawe, with a voice like a cracked bassoon, began.</p> + +<p>“We’ve treed ’em, colonel. There’s three big rancherias +out yet. We follered ’em down from nigh Chevlon’s +butte into the Tonto basin. There’s two on ’em +there somewhere, close in under the Black Mesa, nigh +<span class="pagenum">[167]</span>the head o’ the creek. The other band cut loose and +seemed to go over to the Chiquito. Craig and I wanted +to go in farther and find just where they were, but old +Kwonahelka and Charley,—Washington Charley, you +know, colonel; Araháwa ’s his ’Patchie name,—they +dasn’t resk it; so we come back. If the gin’ral will +send out a couple of troops now, with fifteen days’ +rations and ’Patchie-Mohave scouts, I reckon he can +gobble the Tonto basin crowd, and it’ll only take a +small detachment to corral the outfit that slid out over +towards the Chiquito; there can’t be more’n forty bucks +among ’em.”</p> + +<p>“Where are Kwonahelka and Charley?” asked the +colonel, after a moment’s thought.</p> + +<p>“Right outside, sir,” said Fanshawe. “We didn’t +like to bring ’em in.”</p> + +<p>The colonel nodded to Truscott, who quickly stepped +into the hall and signed to the two Apache Indians +squatting on the piazza. They silently rose and entered +the house.</p> + +<p>An exclamation of “Goodness!” caused Truscott to +glance to the head of the stairs. There stood Grace, +her eyes opened in wonderment “What strange creatures +are those, Mr. Truscott?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Apache scouts, Miss Pelham.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, <em>may</em> I come down and see them?”</p> + +<p>“Most assuredly,” he answered.</p> + +<p>So down she came, pausing irresolutely at the door +until her father, catching sight of her, called out, +“Come in, come in, Grace. You’ve never seen our +Apaches. Gentlemen,” he continued, turning to Fanshawe +and partner, “this is my daughter, just arrived +<span class="pagenum">[168]</span>in Arizona.” Whereat Fanshawe and partner arose in +bewilderment and awkwardness and bobbed their heads, +and grew redder under the bronze which desert suns +and winds had painted on their faces.</p> + +<p>Grace bowed and smiled a pleasant welcome, not +knowing what to call them, and being quite uncertain +as to whether she ought to shake hands or not.</p> + +<p>“This will all interest Grace,” said her father, at +once. “Truscott, you explain the situation to her. +Now I want to question these aborigines.”</p> + +<p>And so, despite herself, Grace was thrown into confidential +relations with the man she had been trying to +avoid, and yet—and yet—whom she had caught herself +watching from her window, or gazing over at the +midnight lights in his office, a dozen times in the last +four days.</p> + +<p>She colored, then turned and became absorbed in contemplation +of the Indians, strange objects indeed to her. +Their swarthy features, glittering, bead-like eyes; their +coarse, matted black hair, for all the world like a Shetland +pony’s mane and forelock, falling in masses like +an immense “bang” over their foreheads and down to +the eyes in front, hanging in tangled clumps to the neck +behind; their slender but sinewy legs and arms; their +rude dress,—not an ornament or a patch of paint, things +she supposed inseparable from the red warriors, no +gracefully-draped blanket, no eagle’s-feather war-bonnet, +none of the accessories she had supposed were +always to be seen with the Indians. But here were two +noted men of their tribes,—Kwonahelka, a chief of the +Apache-Mohaves; Araháwa, sub-chief and interpreter +of the Apache-Yumas,—and dirty white cotton turbans, +<span class="pagenum">[169]</span>shirts, and breech-clouts, with substantial moccasins, +constituted their costume.</p> + +<p>Araháwa had once been taken to Washington,—hence +his nickname,—and having been kept some time +at San Francisco, had picked up a little English, not +unlike the “pidgin-English” of the Chinese. It was +“Charley” whom the colonel was now questioning.</p> + +<p>“But what I want to know is, whose bands are these +down in the basin?” said he, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“Mebbe so Deltchay; mebbe so ’Skiminzin; no can +tell,” replied Charley, volubly.</p> + +<p>“Ask Kwonahelka; he knows,” said Fanshawe. So +Charley and his associate held a brief confab, in which +much gesticulation was used on both sides. Finally +Charley turned.</p> + +<p>“Kwonahelka he say ’Skeltetsee by Mogeyone. +’Skeltetsee got plenty Tonto.”</p> + +<p>And so the strange colloquy went on, and Grace, her +curiosity getting the better of her reserve, finally turned +to the silent soldier by her side and inquired, “What +<em>does</em> it all mean, Mr. Truscott?”</p> + +<p>“Briefly this,” he replied, still keeping his eyes fixed +on Charley. “There are still some hostile Apaches +scattered over the country to the east of us, and these +scouts were sent to discover their lair if possible. They +have succeeded in tracing three of the bands, and have +come in to report.”</p> + +<p>“And what will be done now?” she anxiously inquired.</p> + +<p>“Their report will be telegraphed to the general at +Prescott, and then, probably, scouting-parties will be sent +from here to hunt them to their holes and fight it out.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[170]</span></p> + +<p>Grace’s face paled visibly. She was about to speak, +when Glenham entered the room, and, barely glancing +at the others, addressed himself to <span class="nowrap">her,—</span></p> + +<p>“Everything is ready now, Miss Gracie. Tanner has +given me Ranger. Will you ride with me to-morrow?”</p> + +<p>And as she answered, “Gladly, Mr. Glenham,” a +close observer could have seen a contraction of the +brows and a twitch of the muscles about Jack Truscott’s +stern, set mouth, but his eyes were fixed upon his +colonel’s face.</p> + +<p>A moment more and that gentleman rose. “Well, +that settles it,” he said. “Come to the office, Truscott, +and bring them along.” And so Grace and Glenham +were left alone.</p> + +<p>That evening the colonel sent his orderly with his +compliments to Captain Canker, and the information +that he, Canker, should command at dress-parade. And +taking Grace’s arm in his as the adjutant’s call sounded, +and the companies came marching out to the line dismounted, +he strode up beyond Turner’s quarters, grimly +declining the dozen invitations to “come and sit down +on our piazza,” and led his daughter out beyond the +chattering groups to a point in the parade whence she +could witness the ceremony undisturbed. She gazed +with pride and delight at the long solid line, the +six companies standing at parade-rest as the band—a +glorious band the old <span class="nowrap">—th</span> had in those days—“trooped” +down the front and back to its place on the right. +Then came the stirring “retreat” upon the trumpets, +the roar of the evening gun, the fluttering folds of the +great garrison flag to the ground as though its halliards +were shot away; and then from the distant flank the +<span class="pagenum">[171]</span>same deep, glorious voice rang along the line, and the +tall, soldierly form came stalking out to the front. +She could not take her eyes off him, but watched his +every movement,—quick, agile, yet erect and stately. +She marked the vehement contrast between his rich +voice and Canker’s reedy twang as the latter put the +battalion through the manual; but when the officers +closed on the centre, and some sixteen of them came +marching to the front to the stirring music of “<i lang="fr">En +Avant</i>,” and as one man saluted the commanding officer, +she could not but see that in stature, carriage, grace, +and dignity there was not his peer among them.</p> + +<p>“Grace,” said her father suddenly, “I’ve got the +finest adjutant in the United States army, and he is as +noble a man as he is a soldier.” She looked up in surprise, +for his voice trembled, and tears had started to +his eyes. He had received a letter that day from Ralph +and had not shown it to them, but he struck his cane +sharply upon the stony ground, tossed his head, and +was all joviality when, as though with one accord, the +officers came crowding around Grace to welcome her to +her first parade. All but one; Truscott went straight +to his quarters.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[172]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Soon</span> after guard-mounting on the following morning, +Arthur Glenham, faultlessly attired, cantered down +officers’ row to Colonel Pelham’s quarters, dismounted +and gave his horse to the orderly. Almost at the same +moment Captain Tanner’s pigmy trumpeter appeared +with Ranger, and it needed but half a glance to detect +the fact that in that precious pair, boy and horse, the +devil of mischief was abnormally developed. “Kid,” +as the boy was called by the entire command, had a +rollicking Irish eye that twinkled with fun. Ranger +was similarly provided with organs of sight that rolled +restlessly about in their sockets, while his nervous legs +and pawing hoofs, his incessantly tossing head, gave +conclusive evidence that he was ripe for any devilment +that chance might afford him. The Kid rolled off the +bare back of his pet and saluted Glenham, with a half-suppressed +grin on his freckled “mug.” I crave pardon +for the slang, but “face” could never apply to the +broad, flattened mouth, the turned-up, utterly Hibernian +nose, and the shock-headed appearance generally of the +worst young scamp in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. His colonel, his captain, +and the adjutant were the only men in the garrison +to whom the Kid looked up with anything like awe, or +even with great respect, and as he rolled his quid of +tobacco over with his tongue and “stood to horse” as +<span class="pagenum">[173]</span>he grinningly saluted Mr. Glenham, he presented small +show of that deference expected from the rank and file +towards a superior; perhaps he was thinking of the +many five- and ten-dollar bills with which the lieutenant +had accommodated him, and what an ass the +lieutenant must be if he ever expected to get them back.</p> + +<p>Grace had accepted the invitation to ride about five +o’clock on the previous afternoon. Before tattoo, consequently, +every lady along the row was duly informed +of the fact, and as a matter of course all household +duties were suspended as the horses came up, in order +that the ladies aforesaid might see the mount and start. +Even Mrs. Tanner was taking the air on her piazza, +which was only two doors away from the colonel’s, and +Mesdames Raymond, Turner, and Wilkins had gathered +around Mrs. Canker, who lived next door, and who +was not ordinarily one of the society circle at the post,—a +retiring disposition, an absolute indifference to anything +or anybody except her husband and children, and +rather plain, homely ways, rendering her “Well,—rather +uninteresting, you know,” as Mrs. Turner put +it. A knot of officers had gathered some distance +farther away.</p> + +<p>Presently Grace appeared upon the colonel’s piazza, +and all eyes far and near were fixed upon her. “Heavens +and earth!” exclaimed Mrs. Wilkins, “a chimney-pot +hat in Arizona!”</p> + +<p>In Arizona or out of it, ’twould be hard to find a +lovelier picture than was Grace Pelham that morning. +The short, jaunty silk hat with its mite of a veil, the +stylish, perfectly-fitting New York habit, the dainty +gauntlets, all combining to make a costume that set off +<span class="pagenum">[174]</span>her exquisite face and slender form to admirable advantage. +After her came a servant carrying her English +saddle and bridle, which had arrived but a day or +two before. And now came the onerous task of equipping +Ranger. Grace could not bear the looks of the +heavy, clumsy cavalry bit and bridle, and had decided +to use her own from the start.</p> + +<p>“Please have this put on him first, Mr. Glenham,” +she said. And obedient to her wish he took the dainty +tan-colored bridle with its burnished steel bit and +chains and signalled to the Kid to slip off Ranger’s uncouth-looking +head-gear, and then proceeded himself +to replace it with the other. It is one thing to slip off +a bridle, another to put one on. Ranger, accustomed +only to the dingy regulation deformity, snorted suspiciously +at the brilliant and novel-looking affair that +Mr. Glenham was cautiously raising towards him; he +eyed it askance, and then, notwithstanding the firm +hold of the young officer’s broad hand upon his forelock, +Ranger threw up his head. This brought Glenham +on tiptoe, increasing his difficulties and vexation.</p> + +<p>“Come here, trumpeter,” he called, “and hold his +head down while I get the bridle on.”</p> + +<p>The Kid darted forward with unusual alacrity, and +simultaneously Ranger started and commenced to back, +dragging Glenham with him. The more rapidly the +Kid approached the more did Ranger recede. The +Kid made a spring as though to catch him, Ranger +made a corresponding jump, shook free his head, then, +with a most hilarious leap into mid-air, he let drive his +heels at some imaginary foe, and, with a snort of malicious +delight, dashed off around the parade, leaving +<span class="pagenum">[175]</span>Glenham puffing, blowing, and discomfited, and the Kid +grinning in malignant enjoyment of the catastrophe.</p> + +<p>Poor Glenham! He ran back to the piazza, dropped +the bridle at Grace’s feet, and saying, “Please don’t be +impatient; I’ll have him back in a minute,” clambered +into his saddle, and, striking both spurs into his +horse, went sputtering off in pursuit.</p> + +<p>The neighboring ladies instantly came to condole +with Grace; the group of officers remained as they +were, and, after the manner of their kind, indulging +in hearty and pitiless laughter at poor Glenham’s discomfiture, +except Ray. Ray came running down to +the party, now gathered on the colonel’s piazza, and +laughingly raising his cap to Grace, exclaimed, “Never +mind, Miss Pelham, we’ll soon have him back,” then +he turned on the Kid, who, with his hands in his pockets, +was bending nearly double in the contortions he +resorted to to keep him from roaring with laughter. +But the look in the lieutenant’s eye straightened him +up in an instant. Out went the quid; out came the +hands; together came the heels with a snap, and with +a half-scared and demure countenance the Kid “stood +attention.”</p> + +<p>Ray stepped close to the youngster, and in a low, +savage tone spoke quickly, “You young whelp, you +know perfectly well you drove that horse loose. Go at +once to my sergeant, tell him to send two men out after +Ranger, and you bring me my horse bareback quick as +a flash. Off with you now!”</p> + +<p>And the Kid, well knowing Mr. Ray’s energetic way +of dealing with his own black sheep, darted off full +speed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[176]</span></p> + +<p>Meantime, Mr. Truscott was in his quarters at the +other end of the row, changing from the full-dress uniform +he wore at guard-mounting to the “undress” of +the day. He was never known to whistle in his life, +but he had a way of singing softly to himself as he +dressed, sometimes as he wrote or worked, but of late +no song had escaped his lips. To Glenham his manner +had been more gentle and brotherly than ever, but +there was none of the old familiar talk between them. +Glenham spent his evenings at the colonel’s, came home +late, and found Jack in bed and, to all appearances, +asleep, while during the day the latter was always at +the office.</p> + +<p>Very sad and pale looked Mr. Truscott as he slipped +into his sack-coat; then the rush of hoofs burst upon +his ear, and with a face suddenly blanched he sprang to +the door. A sigh of relief, a fervent “Thank God!” +escaped him as he caught sight of Ranger, unencumbered +with either saddle or bridle, tearing out of the +north gate, while Glenham came lumbering after.</p> + +<p>“That d—d young Paddy scared him off!” he +almost sobbed to Jack as he thundered by. Quickly +mounting his own great charger, who was pulling excitedly +away from the orderly, Truscott soon overtook +Glenham down on the flats below. Ranger still far +ahead and making for the foot-hills, where the herds +were grazed during the day.</p> + +<p>“He’ll go right up that broad cooley, Glenham. +You take this one to the left. I’ll chase and drive him +over towards you, then head him in towards the post, +and we’ll nab him at the stables.”</p> + +<p>With that he was off: his fresh, magnificent horse +<span class="pagenum">[177]</span>sweeping way out to the right <i>beyond</i> Ranger’s trail, +and Glenham, implicitly obeying Jack’s directions, +plunged into the mouth of the narrow valley or ravine +before him, and still urging his steed to his best efforts, +was soon separated by the ridge to his right from all +sight of the chase.</p> + +<p>By this time Ranger, finding himself no longer +closely pursued as he was in the garrison, condescended +to hold up for a minute and look back on his trail. +The horse and rider with whom he had been delightedly +playing fast and loose for some five minutes had +disappeared entirely, and that big black horse he had +been so accustomed to following on battalion drill and +the tall rider at whose voice he daily wheeled into column +without waiting for pressure of leg or rein from +his own little rascal of a rider,—why, <em>they</em> were riding +<em>away</em> from him! And genuine equine surprise and +disappointment he gazed after them. It was more than +he could stand, and in another moment, with a piteous +neigh, he galloped off in pursuit. This being precisely +what Truscott expected, he slackened his pace +and reigned slightly to the left; next he dove into a +little ravine, and here dismounting and drawing the +reins over his horse’s head, he calmly lay down on the +turf, and his steed went to cropping the scant herbage. +A minute more and Ranger, with another eager neigh, +reached the bank, and catching sight of his comrades, +stopped short, then gingerly trotted down close to them, +as though to inquire what the mischief they meant by +trying to avoid him in that unfriendly way. Then, as +neither Truscott nor his horse took the faintest notice +of him, he lounged up alongside his brother quadruped +<span class="pagenum">[178]</span>and, sniffing for a moment at his nostrils, set his ears +back and aimed a vicious little snap at his nose. With +his back to the pair, Truscott slowly and indifferently +arose, and, drawing in his rein, raised the black’s head +and brought him close to his right side, quietly patting +his head and neck. Ranger followed as before, bent +his head to sniff again at the nostrils of the black, and +found his forelock held in the iron grasp of the half-concealed +biped, who had reached quietly over the +black’s neck and nabbed him.</p> + +<p>Then Truscott mounted, and, firmly holding his prize +on the off side, rode slowly back towards the garrison. +One of Ray’s men with a lariat met him half-way in. +Truscott knotted the rope carefully about Ranger’s neck, +sent the man up the ravine to recall Glenham, and continued +on his way until close in under the plateau. +There he stopped and waited for his friend. He could +have saved time, and a good deal of it, had he galloped +in, leading Ranger by the lariat, but he waited. Glenham +came bumping along presently, all gratitude and +perspiration. Truscott handed him the rope, saying, +“Hold him firmly, old boy.” Glenham rode up the +hill and, amid the applause of the ladies, into the garrison +with his prize. Truscott rode under cover of the +hill to the rear of his quarters, and there dismounted.</p> + +<p>Nearly half an hour had been lost. Glenham was +nervous and full of vexation. Grace too was a trifle +annoyed by the half-patronizing, half-sympathetic remarks +of the swarm of ladies, but their occasional +criticisms of Glenham’s awkwardness aroused her sympathy +for him, and made her unusually gentle, almost +tender, in her manner to him. The deft hands of Mr. +<span class="pagenum">[179]</span>Ray speedily adjusted saddle and bridle, and he obligingly +stood at Ranger’s head while Glenham bunglingly +assisted Grace to mount. With any skilful hand she +could fly up like a bird. Then, without further delay, +they turned and started up the row, Grace patting +Ranger’s neck and endeavoring to make friends.</p> + +<p>But that ingenuous quadruped had not half had his +spree out, and was ripe for more. The first thing he +discovered was that instead of a huge bar of crooked +iron in his mouth he was champing a slender rod of polished +steel. No clumsy curb-strap chafed his jaw, and +the light hand on the rein had not yet made him acquainted +with the glittering chain that hung there, +ready to do as good, even better, service than the strap. +Then there was no pressure of muscular legs on both +sides; that struck him as something utterly out of the +usual line. Revolving these things in his mind, he +concluded it worth while to experiment with this unknown +rider. They were close to the end of the row, +and here, right in front of the doctor’s quarters, next +to Truscott’s, stood a group of six or seven officers. Six +or seven caps were simultaneously raised, and that was +all the excuse Ranger wanted. Stopping short, he +strove to whirl about, but Grace’s practised hand kept +him faced to the front. Failing in that effort, he commenced +to back, and a sharp cut of the whip was his +reward. Stung by the blow, he sprang into air and +came down “stiff-legged,” but with no effect upon the +seat or temper of his fair rider. Then he backed again, +and received another lash. Enraged at a punishment +he neither understood nor had ever known, he shook +his head, backed again, and would almost have gone +<span class="pagenum">[180]</span>upon his haunches, when suddenly a firm hand was +laid on the rein, and Grace, flushed, vexed, and wellnigh +defeated, looked down into the calm features of +Mr. Truscott.</p> + +<p>“Pardon me, Miss Pelham,” he said. “I think I +have just what you need here. Ranger doesn’t know +a whip, but he <em>does</em> understand the meaning of the +spur.”</p> + +<p>With that he produced from the inner pocket of his +blouse a pair of little silver spurs. “These look like +toys,” he continued, “and I bought them as such, but +they are really very effective, as you will find. Stand at +his head, orderly. Permit me, Miss Pelham.” And +stepping to her side he raised the skirt of her riding-habit, +quickly and deftly adjusted one spur to her +slender boot, then hung the other on the off-side of +her pommel. “The straps are old and weak, and may +break, so you had better have both,” he explained, then +was about to step back, when speech returned to her.</p> + +<p>“Oh, <em>thank</em> you, Mr. Truscott, ever so much! Now +I <em>know</em> I can manage him. This is very thoughtful of +you, and I’ll return them to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t think of it,” he answered; “you will need +them on many a ride, and besides, I know you will win +them.”</p> + +<p>“Then take my whip,” she impulsively cried, and +tossing the slender toy with its wrist-loop of dark blue +ribbon to him, she gathered her horse, the orderly +stepped aside, her barbed heel drove firmly into Ranger’s +flank, and, obedient to the sting he knew, he +sprang forward, and in an instant bore his fearless +rider, guided by her firm hands, through the north +<span class="pagenum">[181]</span>gate, around the long curve of the road and down the +slope until even hat and veil disappeared from view +below the edge of the plateau. An instant after, Glenham +likewise shot out of sight, his forage-cap popping +up twice before its final occultation.</p> + +<p>Truscott’s face wore a very anxious look as he slowly +returned to his quarters, closed his bedroom door behind +him, and, stepping to the window, lingeringly +examined the pretty toy she had thrown to him. It +was of English make, slender and delicate, but of the +very best material and workmanship, fit accompaniment +to the perfect saddle and bridle his appreciative +eye had marked as he adjusted her spur. The silver-mounted +handle bore a simple inscription, “Grace, from +Father.” He gazed longingly at the name, thinking, +he could not help it, of the many times her soft, slender +hand had closed upon it; then suddenly turning, he +stepped to the wardrobe, paused one instant to press +the handle to his lips, hung it by its loop way back +in the dark recess, and abruptly hurried from the +room.</p> + +<p>On the piazza stood Ray, with clouded brow, gazing +through a binocular up the distant road. Hearing +Truscott’s step, he turned.</p> + +<p>“See anything of them?” asked Truscott, shortly.</p> + +<p>“Not at this moment. They’re behind that belt of +cottonwood, going like blazes. There they are now!” +he added, suddenly. “I hope to God that Glenham +will have sense enough to make her stick to the road. +The horses can’t stand the pace much longer in that +heavy sand.”</p> + +<p>Truscott took the glass and looked. “All right so +<span class="pagenum">[182]</span>far,” he said, after a pause, still keeping the glass at +his eye.</p> + +<p>“Truscott, what do you think of that bit?” asked +Ray, abruptly. “She rides better than any woman I +ever knew; but if that blackguard of a horse should +bolt—you see I never thought of her riding him with +anything but the cavalry curb.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I,” said Truscott. “The bit is all right; +unless—you remember the trick he used to have of +catching the branch in his teeth?”</p> + +<p>“By heaven! yes. And with these straight English +curbs he could do it as easy as lying.”</p> + +<p>Truscott took out his watch, and with a start exclaimed, +“I ought to have been at the office half an +hour ago, and here comes the colonel’s orderly after +me now. Ray, what are you going to do this morning?”</p> + +<p>“I was going to write up the record of that last court, +but d—d if I can now. Going out Ranger will do +well enough, probably. It’s when he gets his head +turned homewards that stampedes me. If he <em>should</em> +bolt above the bend, where the road runs along the +creek, why, it’s as crooked as Oakes Ames, and he’d +dash over some of those banks——”</p> + +<p>“Take your horse,” broke in Truscott,—“take your +horse and go out beyond the four-mile bend anyhow. +Yes, orderly, say to the colonel I’m coming at once.”</p> + +<p>Five minutes after Ray was speeding up the valley, +and Truscott was at his desk in the office. To his +colonel’s surprised and almost hurt “You are very late, +Truscott,” he replied very gently, in a voice that shook +a little, “It was almost unavoidable, colonel; I will +<span class="pagenum">[183]</span>explain it all when we get through.” And good old +Pelham asked nothing more.</p> + +<p>Now to follow Ray. As he bounded along over the +flats, taking short-cuts wherever he could, he had time +to think over the situation, and did not half like it. +Ever since the night of the ball at Prescott he had +carried with him the tassel of Grace Pelham’s fan, +and Glenham knew it; more than that, Glenham +had become cool and constrained in his manner towards +him. It will be remembered that Ray had carried off +the tassel just as he was hurrying to join his troop, and +from that time to this he had not been back to his own +station, Camp Cameron. During the brief campaign +his troop had been attached to Canker’s command, and +around the bivouac-fires at night the young officers, +frequently talking over the ball, could not refrain from +speaking in terms of enthusiastic admiration of Miss +Pelham’s many attractive and lovely qualities, Ray +being by long odds the most outspoken, while poor +Glenham, with his heart burning with love for her, +sat silently apart, puffing nervously at his pipe. He +could not speak of her himself,—it was torture to him +to hear them talk of her. It seemed like profanation +to hear her name mentioned under such circumstances, +though every word spoken was in genuine admiration +and respect. Ray had been quick to notice this, and +being a warm-hearted fellow, full of consideration for +other people despite his recklessness as regarded himself, +he it was who had privately suggested to his +comrades the propriety of discontinuing the subject. +“You can all see how wretched it makes Glenham,—poor +devil! I know how it is myself, so let’s quit it, +<span class="pagenum">[184]</span>fellows,” and quit it some of them did. But Crane +and Carroll were possessed with malice and all uncharitableness, +and Wilkins was not a gentleman, and +this trio saw fit to disregard Ray’s request. They +were glad of a chance to worry Glenham, and for two +evenings after the others had agreed to avoid the +subject in Glenham’s hearing these worthies had delightedly +encouraged one another in keeping up sly +allusions to the fact that as Miss Pelham and Truscott +were all this time at Prescott together it would doubtless +be an engagement by the time they got back. It +was a significant fact that they selected such times as +Ray was absent from the circle, looking after his herd +guard, as he always did before turning in at night, to +indulge in this luxury. Turner and Raymond were +always early to bed, and, rolled their blankets under +the trees, heard nothing of it. Canker did not interpose. +Hunter and Dana were boys just out of “the +Point,” and stood a little in awe of these older campaigners; +but Ray ranked all the subalterns present, +they knew and trusted him, for he had been one of +their instructors in tactics and horsemanship at the +Academy, and so the second night when he returned +to the camp-fire Dana called him to one side and told +him that Glenham had taken his blankets and gone +off out of earshot and of the remarks of the trio on +both nights while he was away. Ray blazed with +wrath a moment, then he strolled unconcernedly back +to the fire telling Dana to remain where he was, and +in the most dulcet tones imaginable said, “Oh, Crane, +Carroll, just come with me a moment, will you?” And +ignoring Wilkins entirely, he led them, wondering, to +<span class="pagenum">[185]</span>where Dana stood among the pines, out beyond the +sleeping group of soldiers into a little open space in +the dear moonlight, and there he turned and faced +them.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Crane, I address my remarks particularly to +you. Mr. Carroll has but recently joined, and has not +learned our ways yet. You have been <em>with</em> us for +years. You never have been, probably never <em>will</em> be, +<em>of</em> us. It seems that despite the discovery that our +thoughtless talk about Miss Pelham greatly distressed +Mr. Glenham, you have not only persisted in, but have +added to this means of annoying him. One moment. +Mr. Crane; let me finish, and then you may have the +floor as long as you like (there was something silvery +sweet in Ray’s voice and manner just here). <em>Gentlemen</em> +who detect what we detected abstain from the possibility +of giving pain or offence that cannot be resented, +as Mr. Glenham cannot resent this. Cads and blackguards, +Mr. Crane,—<em>cads</em> and <em>blackguards</em> continue to +affront and annoy so long as they think they can do so +unmolested.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to insult me, sir?” fiercely demanded +Lieutenant Crane.</p> + +<p>“Just as you please about that, Mr. Crane,” said +Ray, with all the placidity of a parson. “Mr. Dana +is witness to my remarks. <em>They</em> certainly can be resented, +and you are at liberty to take any steps in the +matter your fancy may suggest. We march at seven +to-morrow; there will be abundant light and time beforehand. +Mr. Dana will receive any message you may +choose to send. And now, Mr. Carroll, let me as a +man who would like to be your friend suggest that, as +<span class="pagenum">[186]</span> +you are just commencing your career in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, that +you cut loose from the society of men who are apt to +lead you into trouble; your participation in this matter +doubtless arose from inexperience and bad example. +Come, Dana. Good-night, gentlemen.” And with that +he turned to go.</p> + +<p>Crane sulkily muttered some foul language as he +stood glaring after Ray, and once more the latter faced +him.</p> + +<p>“Puppies, Mr. Crane, snarl and snap at the heels of +men before whom they grovel and cringe. If you have +anything to say, say it now while we are face to face, +otherwise be silent, or add whelp to what I have already +called you.” And Ray stood squarely confronting his +bulky antagonist. But Crane knew his man too well. +He muttered something about only having been in fun, +not meaning to hurt Glenham’s feelings, etc., to which +Ray replied with some asperity and much <span class="nowrap">contempt,—</span></p> + +<p>“Then let there be no more of it, unless you want +this night’s conversation and the fact that you did not +seek an officer’s reparation published through the regiment.”</p> + +<p>This put an abrupt stop to Glenham’s nightly annoyances; +he knew not to what influence to attribute the +change, he vaguely felt that Ray had something to do +with it, and yet <em>that</em> hurt him, for he knew that in the +breast of his scouting-jacket Ray carried the tassel of +her fan, and all that he had ever won from her was +the glove he wore next his heart. Poor boy! He was +very miserable throughout that brief raid, and when +the order came to make for home and, when one day’s +march away, he received reluctant permission to gallop +<span class="pagenum">[187]</span>ahead, it was with absolute dismay that he heard that +the general had directed Ray’s troop to be retained at +Camp Sandy, where Colonel Pelham wanted to gather +as many companies as possible for battalion instruction. +So Ray’s and “G” troop were ordered to go into +camp on the plateau behind the men’s quarters, and +Ray was sent ahead with him to make the necessary +preparations. Then Colonel Pelham liked Ray immensely, +so Glenham had always heard, and just as +soon as Ray could resume his uniform, which he had +left at Prescott, he appeared at the colonel’s, and had +been a very frequent caller during the few days preceding +this of the ride. It worried Glenham, and, boy +that he was, made his manner to Ray very distant and +cold.</p> + +<p>All this occurred to Ray as he sped up the valley. +“I must not join them,” he thought, “and even if +they should meet me ’twould be awkward. He would +be ass enough to think I was watching or spying.” +And so, perplexed and dissatisfied, Ray passed among +the sharp turns and along the stony road-bed at Four-Mile +Point, and after much twisting and turning, rode +out from under the cottonwoods and willows, and there +lay before him, winding up a gentle slope to the northwest, +some five hundred yards of smooth and unobstructed +road, the old road to Prescott as it lay in ’71—making +its first rise from the valley to climb the mountain +chain to the west.</p> + +<p class="b1">“All well so far, thank God!” he muttered to himself, +and then bringing his steed down to a walk, he +rode slowly up the slope, pondering over the next step +to be taken. “They won’t be apt to go much higher +<span class="pagenum">[188]</span>up the valley,” he said to himself. “She would like +to make the most of her ride, no doubt, and gallop a +good deal. They did gallop up along here,” he continued, +as his practised eye marked the hoof-tracks in +the sand; “but once over that ridge, Glenham will +want to go slow and spoon. There is no decent ford +to take a lady over for five miles along the Sandy +above here. No; they’ll come back this way. Now, +how the devil can I excuse my presence?” And thinking +thus, some distance below the ridge Ray checked +his horse and stopped still. Once on the crest, he +knew that he and his horse could be seen from far up +the valley. “I never felt so like a sneak in my life,” +he thought. “I’ve more than half a mind to go back; +but then Truscott—No, by Jove, I’ll stick.”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe30"> + <a rel="nofollow" href="images/i188fp.jpg"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i188fp.jpg" alt=""> + </a> + <figcaption> + <p class="noindent small center" style="justify-content: center;">“‘All right, Miss Gracie! Let him come!’”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p class="p1">Oh, well for many a loving heart, well for sweet +Grace Pelham, well for them all was it that the quickest, +surest light-horseman in Arizona stood to his post that +day! Looking back down the slope, he marked the +point around which the road suddenly turned out of +sight; marked the jagged rocks over which the Sandy +went tumbling and frothing to the willow-fringed +shallows below; marked how the road seemed to end +right there, to <em>lead</em> right there into the jaws of destruction. +“D—n the man who engineered this road!” +he says, aloud, and then, no longer irresolute as to his +course, he turns to go on up the slope, when—God! +what is that sound that blanches his cheek? The +sputter of gravel, the fierce, terrible rattle and clatter +of runaway hoofs. All in a second it flashed upon +him just what to expect. All in a second there rushed +into view upon the ridge a sight that froze the blood +<span class="pagenum">[189]</span>in his veins. Ranger, his head high in air, the bit +in his teeth, dashing blindly, madly towards him, and +Grace—Grace, hat and veil gone, her beautiful hair +streaming behind her, still firmly maintaining seat and +rein, but powerless to control the wild rush of her +steed,—horse and rider came flying down the slope, +down towards the pitiless rocks and surges that lay but +that short five hundred yards away. <em>Now</em>, Ray, +Where are you? Oh, never fear for him! Pluck and +skill and grit, coolness and nerve were never lacking +when Ray stood by. Quick as a flash he reins his +horse to left about. Quick as a flash the spurred heels +strike home, and with the shout of “Go, you scoundrel!” +ringing in his startled ears, Ray’s horse springs into a +charge down the slope, <em>leading</em> Ranger by half a dozen +lengths. Well over to the left of the road his rider +guides him, looking warily ahead and noting with satisfaction +that no boulders or heavy stones mar the track. +Then, cool and steady, he turns in the saddle and waves +his hand to her with cheery shout, “All right, Miss +Gracie! Let him come! Give him his head!” She +cannot distinguish the words, but her glorious eyes +brighten, and she smiles bravely back. Ranger is +gaining with every stride. The racer of the regiment, +he is furious at being led. Again Ray urges on his +fresher steed. No use to close in on Ranger now; he +would simply swerve off to the right and, once on the +turf, leave all behind him until he plunged into some +of the pits or sloughs along the flats. A hundred yards +more and the road dives under the steep bank which +shuts it close to the boiling water; but then, O God! +how short a span beyond is that terrible turn, those +<span class="pagenum">[190]</span>frightful rocks! With every stride is Ranger gaining. +Nearer they come to the sheltering bank. Warily +Ray lowers his right hand behind his thigh, and with +head half turned watches the crazy brute tearing up +closer to his flank. Now the bank is rising on their +right. Now Ranger’s head is close on his quarter, opposite +his shoulder, almost opposite his horse’s head. +<em>Now</em>, Ray! And like flash of feathered arrow the +gauntleted hand comes down on the curb, and a grasp +of iron is laid on Ranger’s mouth. Well he knows +the hand. There follow a few ineffectual plunges, and +then, with much crashing of gravel and hoof, panting, +heaving, foaming, he is brought to a halt,—ten yards +from the turn! Then Ray looks at Grace. She is +trying to say something, trying to smile, but the reins +drop from her nerveless hands, the words falter on her +lips, the smile dies away, and, white as a sheet, she is +reeling in her saddle. Quick, quick as ever, his right +arm is thrown around her waist, and he lifts her from +her seat, swings to the ground on the <i>off</i> side of his +horse, then, as he would carry a child, he bears her to +the bank of the stream, lays her gently at the foot of +a tree, fills his cap with water, which he sprinkles on +her face, then, as she starts and gives a little shuddering +sigh, he kneels close beside her, lifts her tenderly on +his arm till her head rests upon his shoulder, and then +with the same old foraging head-gear he fans and at +the same time liberally besprinkles the sweet, pale face. +Ah! what is he calling her? What is he saying to +her as the glorious eyes slowly open? Why do the +heavily-fringed lids close so quickly? And that faint +color that surges up to cheek and brow, what brings it +<span class="pagenum">[191]</span>there? What means this picture that bursts upon the +eyes of Glenham, who reins up beside them in an agony +of fear? Ray looks blithely up.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right, Glenham. No harm done; just a +little faint. Gallop in and bring out the ambulance, +there’s a good fellow.”</p> + +<p>And, sick at heart, Glenham goes.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[192]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Meantime</span>, the colonel and Truscott remained at +their desks in the office, the former occasionally addressing +some question to his silent subordinate, and +then going on in his methodical way with his letters. +From time to time the sergeant-major or a clerk would +enter with a fresh batch of papers, which would be +noiselessly deposited on the adjutant’s desk, and those +already signed were as quietly removed, and in the adjoining +room, where the clerks were busily at work, +made ready for the mail.</p> + +<p>At last, as eleven o’clock drew nigh, the colonel +appeared to have completed his writing, and, with a +stretch and yawn, rose and strolled over to Truscott’s +desk.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you think it strange we have no answer from +the general about those scouts?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” replied Truscott, rising. “But you know +that Sieber is still out. He may be waiting for his +report.”</p> + +<p>“All he says is this,” said the colonel, hunting first +in his coat-pockets, then among the papers on his desk, +and picking up finally a telegraphic despatch: “‘Hold +Fanshawe, Craig, and the Indian scouts at Sandy until +further orders;’” and in order to read he had stepped +to the window looking out on the parade. “Have you +<span class="pagenum">[193]</span>any idea when Sieber will be in?” he asked. “By +Jove! I believe the chief will come down again himself. +Even the telegraph is too slow for him. Truscott,” he +continued, while waiting for reply to his own question, +“you cannot be well. I never saw you so white and +haggard, and the circles under your eyes haunt me. +’Pon my word, I think you need medical advice, or rest, +or change, or something. I thought you looked ill +enough yesterday, but this morning it’s worse.”</p> + +<p>“It is nothing serious, colonel. I’ve been sitting up +late and smoking too much, I fancy. There was a vast +deal to be done when we got back, and I could not let +the work go.”</p> + +<p>“That is why we see so little of you at the house, I +suppose,” said Pelham. “You must try and come in +often. Jack—I—well—I never knew how to speak to +you about it, but that wild boy of mine has recently +written me something of what you have been to him. +He hasn’t told me all, he says, but he has told me +enough to make me very grateful, as his mother would +be too if she knew the influence for good you have over +him; but he shrinks from letting her know anything +of his scrapes, or Grace either. I don’t know how to +thank you, old fellow, but—let us see more of you. I +want you to know Grace.”</p> + +<p>He had put his hand affectionately on Truscott’s +shoulder, and now, though his eyes were filled with +tears, the old soldier looked straight into Truscott’s, +and for a second the two clasped hands, but the adjutant +said not a word. Then they strolled out on the +piazza together.</p> + +<p>“Did you see Grace and Glenham start this morning?” +<span class="pagenum">[194]</span>asked the colonel. “I had to hurry over here +to answer those telegrams, and missed it. Hollo! +here come Mrs. Tanner and Rosalie,” he went on. +“Morning, Mrs. Tanner,” he called out, cheerily, as +the stanch Concord wagon span along past them, and +the smiling faces of its occupants nodded cordial +response to the salutations of the officers. “Been +taking Rosalie a drive down the valley, I suppose,” +he said. “Truscott, I never knew that little woman +until Tanner’s troop came here last summer, and, do +you know? I think she’s one of the most perfect +ladies I ever met. And yet my wife, and Grace, too, +by Jupiter, are perfectly dumb when I speak of her +to them. What’s the reason, hey?”</p> + +<p>But Truscott did not hear; was not listening. With +cheek growing whiter every instant, his eyes were fixed +upon the figure of a soldier running towards them,—the +stable sergeant of Tanner’s troop. An awful +dread had seized upon him. He sprang forward to +meet the man.</p> + +<p>“What is it, sergeant? Quick!”</p> + +<p>“Ranger, sir. He’s just come in all foam, and——”</p> + +<p>“What, Jack! What is it?” gasped the colonel, +with ashen face and storing eyes.</p> + +<p>“Get into Mrs. Tanner’s ambulance and go right up +the valley, sir. Take her with you. Ranger is in +without Grace!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, my God!” cried poor old Pelham, as, bewildered +and horror-stricken, he ran with Truscott +towards Tanner’s quarters. There Jack almost lifted +him into the wagon, and quickly told Mrs. Tanner +what was wanted. Crack went the whip, and at a +<span class="pagenum">[195]</span>dead run they darted through the north gate, leaving +poor little Rosalie crying with fright and astonishment +upon the piazza. As they tore down the hill, Truscott, +seated beside the driver, rose and almost <span class="nowrap">hurrahed,—</span></p> + +<p>“Cheer up, colonel. We’ll find her all right. Here’s +Ray’s horse too, and he’s got her.”</p> + +<p>On they went, the driver lashing his mules into a +gallop as they whirled along the sandy flats. Once or +twice a groan escaped the colonel’s lips, and Mrs. +Tanner gently <span class="nowrap">spoke,—</span></p> + +<p>“I’m sure you will find her safe. Mr. Ray was +there in time, or his horse would not be here now.”</p> + +<p>Two miles out, and——“Here comes Glenham!” +exclaimed Truscott.</p> + +<p>“Where is Grace? Is she hurt?” almost screamed +the colonel, thrusting head and half his body through +the doorway.</p> + +<p>“No, sir. All safe—at Four-Mile——”</p> + +<p>“<em>Go</em> on, driver!” shouted the colonel, never caring +to hear the rest of Glenham’s report. Away went the +ambulance, and poor Arthur, breathless, unnerved by +excitement, terror, and misery, turned his panting horse +about to follow in their tracks, and then, drooping his +head upon the brawny neck before him, covering his +face with his hands, he burst into tears.</p> + +<p>A short drive took the party in the ambulance to the +Point, much to the astonishment and very much to the +disgust of Mr. Ray, whose determination to make hay +while the sun shone was thus summarily broken in upon. +He had calculated that at least an hour would elapse +before any vehicle could reach them from the post, and +here it was barely thirty minutes. Pelham sprang out +<span class="pagenum">[196]</span>and seized his daughter in his arms, kissing her repeatedly +before he spoke at all. Then he turned to +Ray, and grasped his hand.</p> + +<p>“I have heard no particulars. Glenham said she +was unhurt, but somehow I feel that we owe it to you.”</p> + +<p>“You ought to have seen it, father,” said Grace; +“it was the most skilful catch of a runaway horse that +ever I heard of. Ranger had the bit in his teeth and +was simply uncontrollable; and when we came tearing +down this hill, and I saw those rocks ahead—well, you +can hardly imagine how glad I was to hear Mr. Ray’s +voice.”</p> + +<p>Meantime, Truscott had assisted Mrs. Tanner to +alight, and the gentle little lady came forward with +him to congratulate Miss Pelham on her escape. Grace +looked embarrassed the instant she caught sight of the +pair, but thanked them with great civility for their +prompt appearance. Then the colonel insisted upon +her driving home with them at once. The wagon was +reversed, and the entire party took seats therein except +Glenham, who had meantime arrived, and remained in +the saddle a silent and miserable spectator of the scene. +His woe-begone aspect caught Grace’s eye, and she +leaned forward holding out her hand. “<em>Please</em> don’t +worry about it, Mr. Glenham,” she said, in her gentle +voice. “<em>Please</em> don’t worry. It was all my own fault; +you know I insisted on trying that gallop against your +advice.” And the young fellow’s face brightened as +he eagerly clasped the extended hand. Then they +parted; the “Concord” driving back to the post, and +Glenham riding up the road in search of the vanished +chimney-pot.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[197]</span></p> + +<p>That evening Mr. Ray dined at the colonel’s. On +every account it ought to have been to him a most enjoyable +occasion; but long before coffee was served the +young gentleman wished that he were dining, as indeed +he often had dined, on hard-tack, cheese, and herring, +with bottled beer <i lang="la">ad libitum</i>, down at the sutler’s store. +To begin with, Grace was very pale and silent. She +strove to entertain him at first, and to appear bright +and cheerful, but despite her efforts he plainly saw that +something had gone very much amiss. Her beautiful +eyes gave unmistakable tokens of recent and excessive +weeping, and her sweet, low voice was tremulous in the +last degree. In pity and sympathy he turned to the +colonel, and addressed his conversation exclusively to +him. It was the colonel who, with great effusiveness, +had burst into his tent about one o’clock in the afternoon +and seized him by both hands. “Ray, my dear +boy, in my anxiety to get Grace into the house and +with her mother I did not half thank you for the inestimable +service you rendered me. By heaven! I believe +that we owe her life to you,” he had exclaimed, +and then after a chat of half an hour had made Ray +promise to come to dinner and gone off homeward. But +dinner at the colonel’s did not take place until after +evening parade, and meantime all sorts of things had +happened; and when dinner-time came Grace was well-nigh +prostrated, the colonel was wretched, and madame, +the lady of the house, appeared only as dinner was +announced, took her seat with an air of melodramatic +grandeur, and not only failed to say one word of thanks +to Ray for the rescue of the morning, but absolutely +treated him with haughty displeasure. Not one civil +<span class="pagenum">[198]</span>word did she speak during the hour he spent in the +house; and to be brief, she had started in about two +o’clock, when the colonel came home saying he had invited +Ray to dinner, and spent the afternoon in making +her husband and daughter utterly miserable. How she +accomplished this will be detailed presently. Ray, as +has been said, addressed his conversation to the colonel, +and with all the tact at his command strove to hide his +own discomfiture. The colonel, for his part, made fitful +efforts to appear jolly and hospitable. To this end he +kept the wine in constant play, and to Grace’s consternation +it soon became evident that the unusual indulgence +was telling upon him with startling effect. He +talked incessantly, he made frequent repetitions, his +face flushed, and his tongue grew thick; and finally, +with a glare of wrath and defiance at his wife, he +brought his clinched fist down on the table with a +thump that made the glasses ring, and exclaimed, +“Ray, you saved my daughter’s life, my dear boy, and +you shall be welcome to my house and my table whenever +you choose to come, no matter who dares to interfere.” +Whereupon her ladyship rose and left the table, +Grace following, but stopping to bend and press her +pure lips upon her father’s heated brow; then giving +her hand to Ray, she begged him to excuse her going +to her room, saying that after all she found she was a +trifle shaken by the morning’s adventure; but her eyes +plainly said “Please go,” and go he did ten minutes +after, declaring he heard first call for tattoo, with tattoo +still an hour away. Then the colonel took a nap on +the sofa, and Mrs. Pelham sent a messenger to say that +she would like to see Mr. Glenham.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[199]</span></p> + +<p>No wonder Grace was looking pale and exhausted +that evening. With her buoyant health and her years +of experience in the saddle, there was nothing in the +runaway of the morning to cause any especial distress +as an after-effect; and so to reassure her mother she had +laughed off the affair, changed her dress, and appeared +at luncheon as though nothing had happened. She had +recounted the entire adventure to her ladyship in all its +essential particulars, but notwithstanding a rigorous +cross-examination she had found it possible to make no +mention of Mr. Ray’s emotional method of restoring +her to consciousness. Madame had sharply watched +her as she told how the last thing she remembered was +his lifting her from the saddle, and the vivid blush that +rose to her temples had excited the maternal curiosity, +if not suspicion, and had filled her with vague alarm. +Still, all might have gone well had not Mr. Glenham +appeared about noon bringing the riding-hat and veil. +Mrs. Pelham welcomed him eagerly, led him into the +parlor, and, noting his pallor and distress, had made +him swallow a glass of wine. Then she relentlessly +assailed him with questions, found him hopeless and +dejected, and strove to encourage him, but he broke +forth <span class="nowrap">impulsively,—</span></p> + +<p>“It is no use, Mrs. Pelham. I have no luck. Everything +is against me. I might have some chance were +it not for Ray, but every moment only adds to his advantage. +She has liked him from the very first; and +to-day—to-day—she <em>must</em> care for him, for when I +reached them she was in his arms and—and he kissing +her.” And poor Glenham covered his face with his +hands and groaned.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[200]</span></p> + +<p>Lady Pelham was horrified. What! Grace—her +Grace falling in love with that penniless, dissolute +young reprobate Ray! It was monstrous; it was unbearable. +It <em>should</em> not be. She made Glenham promise +to obey her instructions implicitly, and finally dismissed +him with the assurance that Ray should be +sent to the right-about, and that Grace should be +brought to her senses forthwith. Then she started +for Grace’s room; but the ladies began to flock in to +inquire after the young lady, and not until after +luncheon did she get her innings.</p> + +<p>Of that interview the less said the better. Grace +was accused of everything that was indelicate, immodest, +unladylike. A disgraceful flirtation with a +man who was utterly beneath her—accepting his +caresses—and for aught she knew returning them—<em>lying</em> +in his arms. Shameful! shameful! And all the +time leading Glenham on and encouraging him, and +Truscott, too. It was bad enough with him at Prescott; +but this—oh, what <em>would</em> her poor father say if +he knew it?</p> + +<p>Great heaven! why attempt to describe it? Is there +on earth, can there be in Gehenna, anything to equal +in bitterness, in rank injustice, in stinging, scourging, +scalding venom, the ruthless tongue of an infuriated +and disappointed woman? In vain Grace implored +and protested; in vain she declared that it was only in +her swoon that he had held her; in vain she denied all +knowledge of his kiss. Her mother stormed on until +in her agony Grace rushed from the room just as her +father entered the house, and threw herself, in a passion +of tears, into his arms. Sobbing and breathless, she +<span class="pagenum">[201]</span>strove to tell her story, but could not, though he led +her into the parlor, and taking her on his knee, holding +her close to his breast, as he had done so many a +time in her childhood, he strove to soothe and calm +her. Her ladyship followed and took the floor, reiterating +her accusations, for, thoroughly enraged, she +cared not what she said. For a moment he listened in +dumb amaze. Then, with his arm still holding his +daughter close to his heart, he sprang to his feet and +stood confronting her.</p> + +<p>“Stop it, I say! Stop it at once! I will not listen +to such outrageous talk,” he sternly spoke, while his +face grew white and his firm mouth set like a rigid line +under the crisp gray moustache.</p> + +<p>“Oh, better hear it from me, Colonel Pelham, than +as the scandal of the garrison, as you <em>will</em> hear it,” +she answered.</p> + +<p>“<em>Who</em> dared tell you such a thing? I don’t believe +a word of it. You are crazy, Dolly. Think what +you are saying, and restrain yourself. Grace, darling, +I know it is all a lie. Don’t sob so, girlie; <em>don’t</em> sob +so,” he pleaded, as his lips were pressed upon her +forehead and his trembling hand caressed her shining +hair.</p> + +<p>She raised her face to his, striving to smile through +her tears, striving to control herself.</p> + +<p>“I had fainted, papa. I—I know that he lifted +me in his arms, but—oh!—nothing else, except—except +some foolish words he spoke.”</p> + +<p>“How did you know this? <em>Who</em> is your authority +for <em>your</em> statement?” he said, angrily, turning towards +his wife, who was pacing the floor like a tragedy queen. +<span class="pagenum">[202]</span>She stopped and glared at them as she almost hissed +her reply.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Glenham, the gentleman she has been trifling +with, saw it all. He is my authority. Perhaps you +will doubt me now, Colonel Pelham.”</p> + +<p>“Glenham be d——d!” shouted the colonel, now +fairly beside himself with wrath. “The idea of his +coming whining here to you with such a miserable +complaint! If that’s the sort of man you want your +daughter to marry, you can understand right here that +I won’t stand it. As for Mr. Ray, by Gad! Mrs. Pelham, +he has my respect and sympathy. <em>Yes</em>, ma’am, +my respect and sympathy. I don’t see how he could +help kissing her; I—I’d have done it myself in his +place; and she’s no more to blame than you are, nor +half as much, by Gad!” Evidently the colonel was +getting madder and madder, and waxing illogical and +incoherent. Madame saw it and recognized her advantage. +Oh, woman, woman! you might have spared +him, you might have spared her, the bitter blow you +had in reserve, but in your relentless wrath nothing +short of torture could suffice.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Ray comes here to dinner to-day, Mrs. Pelham, +and you will see that he is properly received and +entertained. He saved our Gracie’s life, God bless +him! And you—you’ve no more gratitude than a cat,” +continued our irate and injudicious colonel. “And as +for this infernal story of your friend, Mr. Glenham, I +mean to sift it for myself. I had some regard for him +before. <em>Now</em> it’s my belief he’s a mere milksop.”</p> + +<p>Seeing her father’s increasing rage, poor Grace had +checked her tears and was striving in vain to restrain +<span class="pagenum">[203]</span>him. He still stood with his left arm closely enfolding +her, his right arm free and gesticulating violently. It +was upraised as he closed with his denunciation of +Glenham, and he stood there with flushed and angry +features frowning at his wife.</p> + +<p>For an instant there was silence. Then came her +answer. Every word sharp as the crack of a whip, +remorseless, relentless.</p> + +<p>“Invite your gamblers and libertines if you will, +Colonel Pelham, but spare your abuse of an honest +and generous gentleman. <em>Possibly</em> you may feel some +regret for your intemperate language when I tell you +that but for Mr. Glenham your own flesh and blood +would now have been involved in ruin and disgrace, +that but for his magnanimity your son would have +been driven to suicide.”</p> + +<p>Slowly the color faded from Pelham’s face, slowly +he unwound his arm from his daughter’s waist and +leaned uneasily forward, slowly the angry light faded +from his eyes, and little by little a wistful, bewildered +gaze took its place. He attempted to speak, +but choked in the effort. At last the words came. +“What do you mean?” he whispered. “I don’t understand.”</p> + +<p>“Simply this,” she answered, coldly: “Ralph has +been speculating: he obtained in some way five hundred +dollars which he felt sure of being able to replace +in three days; lost it all and was ruined. He had only +one hope—Mr. Glenham, and Mr. Glenham instantly +telegraphed him the money from Prescott.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know this?” gasped the colonel. +“Has Mr. Glenham told you this, too?” he asked, +<span class="pagenum">[204]</span>unjust in his misery, as many and many a man has been, +warm-hearted as he was.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Glenham is too much of a gentleman to +mention such a thing. There, sir, is your son’s letter +to me.” And she tossed him a rumpled sheet. He +took it from the table mechanically, seated himself +on the lounge, and began to read. Without a word +Mrs. Pelham strode from the room and ascended the +stairs. Grace stood a moment like one in a trance, then +wearily turning, slowly, dreamily sought her own +room. Colonel Pelham remained motionless on the +lounge, and Maggie, the housemaid, putting things to +rights in the dining-room, knocked off work and went +in next door to tell Bridget, the cook, of the high jinks +at the commanding officer’s that afternoon.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[205]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Pending</span> the arrival of Mr. Glenham, for whom +her ladyship had sent her messenger, she took a seat +upon the piazza. The evening air was chilly, and she +wrapped her mantle closely around her and fell to +thinking over the events of the day. It cannot be said +that she felt either elation or happiness over the result +of her efforts. Now that her paroxysm of rage had +vanished she began to realize that she had been horribly +unjust to Grace, and yet had anybody suggested that +she had been brutally unjust it would have fired her +with sufficient self-righteous fervor to have nerved her +to repeat with emphasis every word she had uttered. +Then there was her husband. She had humbled him +in the way of all others she well knew would hurt him +the most. She had goaded him into saying harsh and +unjust things about one of his officers, and then cracked +over his head the terrific whip of his great and hitherto +unknown obligation to that gentleman. She had inflicted +upon him in Grace’s presence the deep humiliation +of hearing that his favorite son had again been +resorting to questionable means of raising money for +stock-gambling, and having lost, had appealed to officers +of his regiment for assistance and got it. She had +absolutely insinuated, as though to throw brine upon +the quivering flesh she had galled, that Ralph had +<span class="pagenum">[206]</span>confessed to her that he had tampered with funds that he +had no authority to use, which was untrue and unpardonable +in a mother, but rage was in her heart when +she did it, and she thought of nothing but how surest +to wound. She had humbled him in the dust, and +what had she gained? Now that it was all over she +sat there brooding over the affair. The colonel was +sleeping heavily upon the lounge in the parlor; Grace, +who had gone to her room immediately after dinner, +had stolen down-stairs and arranged the pillow more +comfortably under his head, and then, after fanning +him a while, had seated herself in a low chair, and with +her face buried in her hands was trying to think calmly +over all that had happened. The lamp burned low on +the parlor table, and Mrs. Pelham looking through the +slats of the blind could see her as she sat in this attitude +of utter dejection. The mother’s heart for a +moment struggled within her and urged her to go and +take her to her bosom and beg her pardon for the +hideous language she had used that day, but no. It +was no time for weakness, she argued. By all means, +by <em>any</em> means, she must be made to marry Glenham, +and then, said her ladyship, once rich, independent, +with a husband who adores her, she will be happy, and +will thank me for my unswerving course. Yes, the +end will justify the means. She must fret and worry +now a while. Truscott is no longer to be dreaded. +Thanks to his devotion, or the story of his devotion to +Mrs. Tanner, <em>he</em> is disposed of, and Ray will be as easily +settled. She cannot have learned to care for him so +suddenly. And so ran her ladyship’s reflections, and +so she found excuses for her unnatural conduct.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[207]</span></p> + +<p>Ralph’s letter had by no means justified the tragic +manner and language of her announcement. It was a +simple, warm-hearted, boyish confession to his mother +that he had lost five hundred dollars in speculation, +that the money for the margins had been raised unknown +to his father, and that he would have been +swamped but for Glenham. “I wrote to Truscott of +my trouble, in accordance with a promise I had made +him, and instantly Glenham sent me the money. Now +I have quit it for good and all, and I want you to know +it,” was pretty much what he had written. All the +rest of her sensational account was purely an invention +of her own. She hated to think that Truscott was in +any way mixed up in the matter; but there is no need +of Grace’s knowing that, she argued. She must understand +that it is all Mr. Glenham’s doing. But where +was Glenham all this time? She had sent for him long +since, and he had not come, nor had the orderly returned. +What did it mean? The night was dark and +chill, occasional gusts of wind whirled through the line +of deserted piazzas. Officers’ row outside was desolate. +Every one was in-doors. Nobody seemed to be calling +on anybody. She had dreaded that some of the ladies +would be over to make further inquiries, but none had +come. In fact, her ladyship’s unpopularity had begun +to be recognized as established by this time, for she had +snubbed pretty much every woman in the garrison, and +none of them cared to call upon her unless some new +story about somebody or other was floated upon the +tide of garrison talk, and thereby rendered a chat with +her ladyship endurable. Very lonely she felt as she +sat there looking out on the dark parade and listening +<span class="pagenum">[208]</span>for the clank of the orderly’s sabre as he returned from +his quest. Over at the adjutant’s office the lights were +burning brilliantly as ever, and there she knew Truscott +to be at work. Half an hour passed, and at last a +form came stalking up before her through the darkness,—the +orderly, but no Glenham.</p> + +<p>“Could you not find Mr. Glenham?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“No, ma’am. The loot’nint isn’t in his quarters, +nor down at the store, nor over at the company. I’ve +looked everywhere, ma’am, except among the officers’ +quarters.”</p> + +<p>She pondered a moment. It was hardly possible +that he would be calling anywhere this evening of all +others. A sudden thought struck her.</p> + +<p>“Have you been to Mr. Ray’s camp?”</p> + +<p>“Yes’m, an’ he ain’t there. Mr. Ray, he’s down at +the store playin’——” and the orderly finished his sentence +with a conscience-stricken gulp, it suddenly occurring +to him that possibly poker was not to be mentioned +to so exalted a lady as the colonel’s wife, but madame +had no scruples in the matter. Here was a possibility +of confirmatory evidence at Mr. Ray’s expense.</p> + +<p>“What was he playing, orderly?”</p> + +<p>“Cards, ma’am.”</p> + +<p>“Yes. Cards, of course; but what game?”</p> + +<p>“They plays it with chips, ma’am,” said the orderly, +vainly struggling to repair the damage of his unlucky +admission.</p> + +<p>“You mean poker, of course,” persisted madame. +“Who else was in the game?”</p> + +<p>“Faith, ma’am, I didn’t notice. I was lookin’ for +Mr. Glenham,” stammered the soldier, wishing to +<span class="pagenum">[209]</span>heaven he were out of her clutches; and she, finding +it useless to question further, dismissed him and returned +to her reflections.</p> + +<p>Then soft and clear there rose from near the flag-staff +the trumpet signal for “first call;” and, as the +mellow notes were repeated, the doors of the men’s +quarters across the parade were opened, and, with jest +and laughter and merry talk, the troopers came +sauntering out. Here and there lights flitted to and +fro,—the lanterns of the first sergeants. Then the +trumpeters of the entire command, having united, +began their march around the garrison, sounding their +stirring quicksteps. Door after door along officers’ +row opened and gave exit to some muffled figure, and +the lanterns of the company officers danced away +across the dark parade. Then her own door opened +and closed with a slam, and her husband stood beside +her. He glanced curiously at her one instant, and, +without a word, strolled off to the other end of the +piazza; he who rarely met her without some kindly +greeting, and she knew well how deeply she had +wounded him; then the assembly rang out upon the +still air, and the “here,” “here,” of the men could be +distinctly heard, and the gruff voices of the sergeants +calling their rolls; then the lanterns all seemed to be +converging towards a solitary light that stood under +the flag-staff, each halting short some few paces from +it, and such communications as “Company ‘B,’ present, +or accounted for,” “Company ‘F,’ Private Mulligan +absent,” came floating along the chill night air; +then all the lanterns scattered, and soon were out of +sight; all save one,—the stationary light in the centre +<span class="pagenum">[210]</span>of the parade; and presently Truscott’s deep voice +was heard calling for the first sergeant of some company, +and then the colonel sharply <span class="nowrap">turned,—</span></p> + +<p>“Orderly, my compliments to the adjutant, and say +I wish to see him.”</p> + +<p>Another moment and the tall form of Mr. Truscott +appeared, lantern bearing, and the colonel <span class="nowrap">spoke,—</span></p> + +<p>“What troop was that failed to report?”</p> + +<p>“‘K,’ sir.”</p> + +<p>“‘K!’ Captain Canker’s! Whose duty was it to +receive the report of the roll-call?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Glenham’s, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Why, where on earth is Glenham? I never knew +him to miss roll-call before.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I, colonel. It is possible he has slept through +over home. He was looking very worn and tired at +dinner.”</p> + +<p>“Beg pardon, sir,” broke in the orderly; “I’ve been +everywhere for the loot’nint this evening, and I don’t +believe he’s in garrison.”</p> + +<p>“Where else could he be? There’s no earthly place +to go to,” said Pelham, impatiently. “See if you can +find him, Truscott,—not that I want to see him to-night,—and +then—come back, will you? I want to see you.”</p> + +<p>“And should you find Mr. Glenham, be so kind as +to say that Mrs. Pelham would like to speak with him +a few minutes,” said madame, placidly, and Truscott +walked rapidly away towards the northern end of the +row.</p> + +<p>Sitting in the parlor, Grace had heard most of the +conversation. Her heart was full of pity for Glenham +before the events of this day, and the suffering in his +<span class="pagenum">[211]</span>young face had touched her deeply when she saw him +at noon. Now, now it seemed that he had rescued +Ralph, the brother whom she dearly loved, from a fate +that was bitter as death. How could she thank him? +Where was he? What did this strange absence mean?</p> + +<p>Distressed and anxious, she stepped out on the piazza +and joined her father, who was standing in moody +silence where Truscott had left him. She slipped her +hand within his arm, saying not a word, and rested her +soft cheek upon his shoulder. The colonel sighed +deeply as he patted the little hand, and then touched +her brow with his lips. Neither spoke, but in deep, +sweet sympathy father and daughter understood and +comforted one another.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Truscott had reached his quarters. The +lamps were burning dimly, and a brief inspection +showed him that Glenham was not in the house, but +his cavalry overcoat and his favorite pipe were gone +too, and, taking his lantern, the adjutant quickly stepped +out on the back gallery, and in a moment more had +gained the edge of the bluff north of the post. Here, +a short pistol range from the gate, there had been built +in the bank a stout timber framework, on which was +hung a huge wooden water-wheel, turned by the flow +from the <i lang="es">acequia</i> on the plateau. The wheel worked +a force-pump, by means of which a small supply of +water was driven through wooden pipes along the back +of officers’ row. The plash of the water fell with a +musical sound upon Truscott’s ear as he approached the +little waste weir above the wheel. He walked quickly +and unhesitatingly towards it.</p> + +<p>“Poor fellow,” he said to himself, “he has dreaded +<span class="pagenum">[212]</span>meeting any of the ‘crowd’ to-night, and has stolen +out here somewhere to dodge them.”</p> + +<p>Searching along the bank, he came to a pathway +leading down to the well below the wheel, and, cautiously +descending it, he suddenly heard his name +called; a sleepy voice <span class="nowrap">inquiring,—</span></p> + +<p>“That you, Jack? What’s up?”</p> + +<p>“Time you were up, youngster,” was the half-laughing +answer. “What do you mean by gipsying out +here all night?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose I must have been asleep,” replied Glenham; +“though God knows I didn’t expect to sleep this +night,” he added, in a tone of such deep dejection that, +as he rose, Truscott stretched forth a kindly hand and +aided him up the slope.</p> + +<p>“Never mind, old fellow, none of the gang will be +around to bother you. Come into the house and spruce +up a bit. Mrs. Pelham wants to see you, and the chief +wants to see me. We’ll go down together.”</p> + +<p>And so the watchers on the colonel’s piazza were +soon rewarded by the sight of the adjutant and his +comrade rapidly approaching, the faithful lantern still +swinging in Truscott’s hand. Pelham greeted the +younger officer with an attempt at jocularity that well +nigh choked him. Then <span class="nowrap">saying,—</span></p> + +<p>“I believe Mrs. Pelham wants to have a word with +you,” he turned to Truscott. “Come in, Jack,” he +said, and led the way into the parlor, whither Grace +had already fled. She rose as they entered, intending +to leave the room, but her father called to her not to +go, and Truscott, stepping forward, held out his hand, +<span class="nowrap">saying,—</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[213]</span></p> + +<p>“It is the first opportunity I have had, Miss Pelham. +I heartily congratulate you on your escape +this morning. I think I ought to say on your own +pluck and good riding.”</p> + +<p>“Pluck and good riding would not have saved me, +Mr. Truscott, if Mr. Ray had not been there.”</p> + +<p>“Possibly not. Ray’s skill is proverbial, but pluck +and good riding kept you in your seat when many a +woman would have been hurled out and dragged.”</p> + +<p>“See here, Truscott,” broke in the colonel, “suppose +you ride with Grace to-morrow. You can spare the +time now, can you not? and I’ll feel safe when she is +with you.”</p> + +<p>Despite his efforts at self-control the blood rushed to +the very roots of his hair. Truscott had marked all +too keenly Grace’s constraint and coldness towards him +since their arrival at Sandy, and Mrs. Pelham’s rudeness +was the talk of the garrison. Grace, too, had colored +at her father’s abrupt request, but said no word +of remonstrance. So Truscott quickly <span class="nowrap">spoke,—</span></p> + +<p>“I shall be most happy, Miss Pelham, if you will +honor me as the colonel suggests;” and Grace could not +but accept. “To-morrow morning, then,” he added, +and with that he turned to his colonel as she passed on +into the adjoining room.</p> + +<p>Then the old soldier grasped his hand, and in a voice +that trembled in spite of his efforts at self-control, the +colonel impetuously broke <span class="nowrap">forth,—</span></p> + +<p>“Jack, what is this about Ralph? I want to know +everything. He writes to his mother that he has lost +money in speculating, and that through you he has borrowed +five hundred dollars from Glenham; and he +<span class="pagenum">[214]</span>intimates that but for this timely aid he would have been +ruined. Where—how did he raise the money in the +first place?”</p> + +<p>Again the flash of embarrassment rose to Truscott’s +temples. He hesitated before speaking, but presently +the words came, calmly, resolutely.</p> + +<p>“Just where he got it I do not know, but this I do +know, that in no way has he employed the funds of his +firm; in no way has he violated his trust. He borrowed +the money from some broker, giving his note at +thirty days,—some broker who knew him and felt sure +of his money. He has been led into this speculation +by overconfident friends in San Francisco, and he and +they have been swallowed by larger and shrewder +operators. It is an expensive experience, colonel, but +a valuable one. He wrote me fully and frankly, and +I feel confident that the case stands as I tell it to +you.”</p> + +<p>“God bless you, Jack! God bless you for the lifting +of this load from my heart. I—I feared it was far +worse. His mother said—well, she misunderstood him, +or his letter, or somehow she got it wrong. She thought +he might have been tempted and—you know, Jack—embezzled +the money. It upset her and made her +nervous, I suppose, for she broke it to us in rather +a rough way. God bless you again, Jack! you’ve +been a good friend to my boy.” And now the tears +were streaming down old Pelham’s rugged face, and he +stepped hurriedly to the door leading to the dining-room.</p> + +<p>“Grace, daughter, come here. I want you to hear +what Truscott says; it isn’t as your mother put it, thank +<span class="pagenum">[215]</span>God! it isn’t that at all.” And leading her in, he sank +upon the sofa and buried his face in his great bandanna, +almost sobbing in his relief and joy.</p> + +<p>Looking down into the sweet, pale features, Truscott +repeated to Grace, in his grave, gentle way, just what +he had told her father, and as he finished, and the eager, +anxious, wistful gaze fled from her face, giving place to +radiant joy, she stood one second looking up into his +eyes; then, with an uncontrollable impulse, she threw +forward both her little hands, seizing his with a clasp +that sent the blood thrilling through his veins, her +glorious eyes welled with tears, and she exclaimed, “Oh, +no wonder father says ‘God bless you!’ Mr. Truscott. +I say it. I pray it again and again. God bless you! +God bless you!” And upon this most touching and +delightful of domestic pictures who should there be +gazing in dismay and astonishment but Lady Pelham +herself? Yes, there she stood at the parlor-door, well-nigh +petrified with amazement. Not one of the three +observed her. All were too much occupied in their +own affairs to think of her an instant. Listening, she +heard Truscott reply. Oh, could any woman mistake +the meaning of that intonation, the infinite tenderness, +the tremulous, almost caressing sweetness of his deep +voice?</p> + +<p>“I have done nothing to deserve such thanks, Miss +Grace; though there is nothing I would not do. +Don’t fear for Ralph. You shall have his own +letters—yes, this very night if you like, and see for +yourself how undeserving he is of such suspicion.”</p> + +<p>And then, of course, her ladyship swept forward. +“If <em>you</em> have any letters of my son’s bearing upon +<span class="pagenum">[216]</span>this matter, Mr. Truscott, <em>I</em> desire to see them, and +to-morrow morning will be time enough. Grace has +had quite enough agitation for one day and needs repose. +Colonel Pelham, with your permission I will +say good-night. Come, Grace.”</p> + +<p>But Grace did not come with the alacrity expected +of her. Hardly noticing her mother, she stepped to +the colonel’s side as he sat mopping his face in his +handkerchief, bent over him, twining her arms around +his neck and kissing him tenderly. Then she rose, +and standing before Truscott, again held out her hand, +and smiling brightly up in his face, <span class="nowrap">exclaimed,—</span></p> + +<p>“I wish I knew how to thank you, Mr. Truscott, +but now I can only say good-night.”</p> + +<p>Only say good-night! But what went with it? +Oh, Grace, Grace! were you after all immodest, unladylike? +If not, how can you account for, how can +you defend, the fact that you did, honestly and actually, +not exactly squeeze, but press, Jack Truscott’s hand? +To this day he has never forgotten it.</p> + +<p>That Mrs. Pelham was all ready by this time to +inflict another tirade of abuse upon her daughter is not +to be doubted by any reasonable being who had once +become well acquainted with that energetic matron. +Having marshalled Grace out of the room, she likewise +made her exit, closing the door behind her, and +the stairs were presently heard creaking under her +weight. Grace had fluttered up like a bird, and rushing +to her room had closed her door with some +emphasis, quite as much as to say that she was in no +mood for further lectures. But her indomitable parent +followed relentlessly in her footsteps, and entered the +<span class="pagenum">[217]</span>sanctuary with no ceremony whatever. Another moment, +and her voice became audible in the parlor +below. Truscott bade his colonel good-night, and that +veteran went up the stairs two at a time and precipitated +himself upon his better-half in the midst of an +imposing sentence.</p> + +<p>“Dolly! We’ve had too much of this sort of thing +to-day. Not one word now. I mean it. Come at +once to your own room and leave Grace in peace.”</p> + +<p>Rare indeed were the occasions when he ventured +thus to assert himself before her. But when he did +she had the deep sagacity to obey. One experience at +revolt years before had resulted so disastrously that +never again did she attempt it, and so now with a +glance full of meaning at her daughter, and a heart +full of passion and bitterness, she rose in silence and +left the room.</p> + +<p>Jack Truscott walked home with a wild elation in his +heart, with pulses still bounding from the pressure of +that slender white hand. He heard Glenham moving +about in his own room, but somehow he could not bear +to see Glenham just then. Lighting his pipe, and +throwing his cavalry circular around him, he took a +seat out in the darkness of the piazza, and strove +calmly to think it all over. Until this night she +had plainly shown a desire to keep him at a distance, +and he, too proud to question, had accordingly avoided +her. He could understand the maternal antipathy, +but not that of Grace. To-night, all of a sudden, all +was changed, and sweeter, more attractive than ever, +she had shown herself to him in her true light. +Striving to fathom it all, he became absorbed in +<span class="pagenum">[218]</span>thought, and failed to hear Glenham’s footsteps as the +latter approached him; he started as a hand was laid +on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>“Jack, I want to talk to you; I want your advice.” +It was Glenham, pipe in mouth and camp-chair in +hand, who had accosted him. He shook himself together, +and with an effort bade his young comrade pull +up his chair and fire away.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t such a long story, Jack; I sha’n’t bore you +a great while. You know Mrs. Pelham sent for me +to-night, and we had a talk about—Miss Pelham.” +And already poor Arthur began to stumble and hesitate. +“You <em>must</em> know all about it, Jack; how—how +I’ve loved her ever since we met at the Point during +my first class camp two years ago. It has got to be +something mighty—mighty serious with me, and I’m +afraid you’ve thought me unfriendly and forgetful of +you of late; but it isn’t that, Jack; I’m too miserable +and unhappy to want to see anybody but—but her, and +that only makes me worse. Everything is going wrong; +I thought I had reason to hope; I was led to hope, +Jack, but—it was all a mistake I reckon, and luck is +dead against me here.”</p> + +<p>He stopped and looked appealingly towards the +dimly-outlined figure in the neighboring chair. There +was a moment’s pause, and then Truscott’s pipe was +removed from his lips and he slowly spoke:</p> + +<p>“Glenham, I have known it, of course,—that is, +something of it. Do you mean now that you <em>want</em> me +to know the whole story?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I do, Truscott, for I need your advice.”</p> + +<p>There was another pause, and then came the question:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[219]</span></p> + +<p>“You say you were led to hope. Had you spoken of +the matter to her before?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, two years ago, at West Point.”</p> + +<p>“And she led you to hope then?”</p> + +<p>“No, not at all; she was gentle and kind, but—but +she was nothing more.”</p> + +<p>“Then how were you led to hope?”</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Pelham, Jack, she talked to me two or three +times, and told me that it was only because Grace was +too young then, that it would all come right. That’s +why I applied for the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, and was content to come in +at the foot of the list. I’m no horseman; I’m only fit +for the infantry, and ought to have gone in it.”</p> + +<p>“And since you have been here and at Prescott together, +has there been nothing more favorable?”</p> + +<p>“I thought so, and Mrs. Pelham declares it is so, +but after this wretched morning—well, ever since Ray +got here I’ve thought otherwise.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that you look upon Ray as a rival?”</p> + +<p>“How can I help it, Jack? He carries the tassel +of her fan in his vest-pocket. He was devoted to her +every chance he got at Prescott, so he has been here, +and this morning—this morning he saved her life, and +you know it, and when I reached them—my God! he +had her in his arms, and—oh, I can’t tell you about it! +She never moved even when I came.”</p> + +<p>Truscott winced as though a sharp knife had suddenly +pierced him, and his voice was lower, deeper, +than ever as he <span class="nowrap">asked,—</span></p> + +<p>“Do you think she cares for Ray?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know. I can only judge by what I saw. +Why, Truscott, I—I saw him kiss her, and she—well, +<span class="pagenum">[220]</span>if she fancied him before, this morning’s work has +finished it. She owes her life to him.”</p> + +<p>Truscott sat a while in silence, then rose and slowly +paced up and down the piazza. Presently Glenham +joined him, and the two walked side by side.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what to make of Mrs. Pelham, Truscott,” +said he. “She sent to reassure me, she said, and +told me that while Grace might be grateful to Ray for +rescuing her as he did, she would be far more touched +by the infinite service I had done her brother. I asked +her what she meant, and she replied that Ralph had +confided to her that I had supplied him with a large +sum of money to relieve him from great and pressing +embarrassment. I swore I’d never done anything of +the kind; and when she found I was in earnest, she +asked me to forget that she had mentioned it, and to +say nothing about it to any one; but she is so mysterious +that I don’t like it. What is she up to, do you +think? My brain is addled to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Hard to say,” replied Truscott, briefly. “Tell me +this, Glenham, has she, Miss Pelham, ever alluded to +her brother to you?”</p> + +<p>“Never. She never does talk to me except on utterly +matter-of-fact affairs. That’s what grits me so. I know +I’m far from being her equal mentally, but I’m not +utterly a blockhead.”</p> + +<p>“Then as I understand you, Glenham, you think +that but for Ray’s interference you could hope for +success?”</p> + +<p>“Her mother says so, Jack, and I—I try to think +so, but I can’t get over the feeling that she—that she—well—almost +pities me. She has so much character, +<span class="pagenum">[221]</span>intellect, I suppose they call it, and I——” And here +poor Glenham stopped short with almost a sob, and +leaned drearily against one of the wooden pillars of +the piazza. Truscott, too, ceased his promenade and +stood beside him, puffing somewhat nervously at his +meerschaum.</p> + +<p>Then Glenham spoke again. “Jack, you have always +been my best friend here, and I have learned to lean +upon you. I want your advice. Do you think I have +any chance with her?”</p> + +<p>For a moment there was no reply; then it came, +slowly, almost sadly.</p> + +<p>“You have wealth and position, Glenham. You +have the best wishes of her parents. She herself cannot +but respect you and your honest love for her. I +should say that the chances were in your favor; but, +you said ‘advice.’ Do you mean it? Do you want to +know just what I think of this affair?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Glenham, huskily.</p> + +<p>“Then, in all candor, Arthur, I say to you, it is my +belief that the man who marries a woman who either +is, or who fancies she is, his mental superior, makes the +fatal blunder of his life.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[222]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> Mrs. Pelham should fail to put in an appearance +at the breakfast-table on the morning succeeding +her tirade at the expense of Mr. Ray was a circumstance +neither to be unexpected nor greatly deplored. +It had frequently happened of late that the colonel +and his daughter had been the only partakers of +that meal, as we Americans are perforce condemned +to designate those household gatherings whereat, be it +breakfast or dinner, tea, supper, or luncheon, we +thankfully consume our daily bread. I hate the word, +yet what have we as a suitable equivalent? Repast +is stilted, refection monastic, and refreshment applies +equally to a bath or a “cocktail.” Meal it must be +in all its Anglo-Saxon ugliness until some gifted +word-builder come to our rescue and evolve a term less +objectionable.</p> + +<p>The morning had dawned bright and beautiful, and +Grace, whose sleep had been broken and troubled, rose +with the sun, and busied herself noiselessly with a +neglected diary and an equally neglected correspondence +until the trumpets sounding first call for guard-mounting +warned her that it was time to make her father’s +coffee. First, however, she tapped at her mother’s door, +and receiving no answer, softly opened it and peered +in. Whether asleep or awake her ladyship gave no +<span class="pagenum">[223]</span>indication, so Grace stole on tiptoe to the bedside. +Her mother’s eyes were closed, and to Grace’s gentle +inquiry as to how she had passed the night, and +whether she would breakfast there, no reply was vouchsafed, +so the girl quietly turned and left her. Breakfast +over, she and her father had betaken themselves to +the piazza and watched the guard as it passed in review. +Then as the colonel walked over to his office to +receive the report of the officer of the day, Mr. Truscott, +in utter disregard of his established custom, came +striding towards her. Ladies on the other galleries +were as quick to notice it as Grace herself, and several +pairs of inquisitive eyes followed his movements as he +stopped before her and, raising his helmet in salutation, +stood, with one foot resting upon the lower step, +looking up into her face.</p> + +<p>Oddly enough, her first impulse on seeing him approach +was to retire within-doors and await his coming +in the parlor. Glancing along the line, she could see +that the unusual circumstance of the adjutant’s going to +greet her instead of direct to his own quarters had +attracted wide attention. Her cheek flushed, and her +eyes looked all the brighter in consequence; perhaps, +too, she bit her scarlet lip in the effort to quiet the +strange and tremulous emotion with which she marked +this, the first overt act on his part since her arrival at +Camp Sandy that savored of “attention” to her. Little +as it might have been among the other officers, it meant +something where Truscott was concerned. The instant +he had returned sabre after passing the officer of the +day, and before the guard had wheeled to left into line, +he faced about and went to the spot where she stood, +<span class="pagenum">[224]</span>and now here he was looking steadfastly up into her +eyes.</p> + +<p>“Are you sure you feel entirely equal to another ride +this morning, Miss Pelham?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I am; and I shall not rest until I have subdued +that scamp of a horse.”</p> + +<p>“Then, if the hour suit you, we will start at ten +o’clock,” he said, smiling at the determination of her +manner. “I see you are eager to try conclusions with +Ranger again, and there is nothing to prevent my +starting early, provided I go at once to the office.” +And with that, suddenly as he came, he left her. She +could hardly realize that he had been there at all. +Turning to enter the house, she saw that Mrs. Tanner +had stepped out upon her piazza, and Mrs. Tanner’s +eyes were fixed upon the retiring form of Mr. Truscott, +who, without backward glance, was walking +rapidly towards headquarters.</p> + +<p>Only the day before, despite the vague distrust inspired +by her mother’s innuendoes, Grace had been won +to the gentle-mannered little lady by the interest and +attention she had shown her after the runaway. She +wanted to greet her with a cordial “good-morning,” +but for a moment Mrs. Tanner absolutely did not seem +to be aware of her presence, and once more the feeling +of aversion struggled for the mastery. Grace seized +the knob of the door and turned it sharply, even then +looking back at her neighbor, and just as she did so +Mrs. Tanner caught sight of her; a bright smile of +recognition flashed over her face, and with a gesture of +invitation she stepped blithely forward as though to +speak. Grace Pelham simply bowed calmly, yes, coldly +<span class="pagenum">[225]</span>and entered the house; and Mrs. Raymond, two doors +farther north, saw the whole thing, and went over at +once to ask Mrs. Turner what she thought of it.</p> + +<p>It was a “troop drill” morning, and at nine o’clock +all the officers except the staff and the officer of the day +were summoned to their commands. For two years +previous drills of any kind had been the exception +rather than the rule in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, for the entire regiment +had been occupied incessantly in mountain and desert +scouting. Now, however, Colonel Pelham had succeeded +in assembling six of his companies at headquarters, +and had inaugurated a system of instruction +which promised well for the discipline and <i lang="fr">morale</i> of +the command. By half-past nine the flats to the north +of the garrison were alive with blue-bloused troopers +and gay with fluttering guidons, while the trumpets, +softened by distance, floated their stirring skirmish-calls +back to the spectators on the upper end of the +parade; and here it was that most of the ladies had +gathered to watch the lively evolutions up the valley.</p> + +<p>Followed by his orderly the colonel himself had +ridden past the group on his way to superintend the +drills, and to note with practised and critical eye the +work of his officers and men. And so it happened +that when ten o’clock came and Mr. Truscott with the +horses arrived at the Pelhams’ door, not a lady in the +garrison took note of the fact. Grace promptly appeared, +was swung up into saddle before she realized +that her foot was in his hand, and in another instant +found herself riding at a quiet walk down the slope +to the south, out of sight of the denizens of officers’ +row.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[226]</span></p> + +<p>Beyond a quiet commendation of her punctuality +and a request that she should “ride him on the snaffle,” +for a few moments Mr. Truscott had not spoken. He +was narrowly watching Ranger’s eye and the tapering, +sensitive ears, which kept tilting back and forth +in response to the varying emotions of that unrepentant +quadruped. As for Grace, she sat as gracefully +erect, as jauntily unconcerned to all appearance, as +though the runaway of the day before were a matter +of no earthly consequence; but her hand, light and +low, felt warily the champing mouth, and the curb-rein +lay within the pressure of her fingers, where a +mere inch of a turn of the wrist would bring it into +play. She noted that Truscott rode well forward, close +to Ranger’s head, noted the steady gaze of his dark +eye, and a feeling of security stole over her. Ranger +might curvet as he pleased, no movement could be too +sudden for that vigilant watch or for that ready hand. +Another moment and side by side the horses plunged +breast-deep into the rapid waters of the Sandy, forded +the stream, and disappeared among the willows on the +eastern bank.</p> + +<p>It must have been somewhere about eleven o’clock +when Lady Pelham descended to the dining-room in +quest of toast and tea. These not being entirely to +her liking, she fussily wandered through her parlor +for a few moments, tossing over the books and magazines +as was her wont when mentally disturbed, and +finally betaking herself to the piazza. Recall had +sounded, and the troops were returning from drill. +Some little distance up the row she saw her husband, +seated on his horse, conversing with one or two officers. +<span class="pagenum">[227]</span>She had not met him since the previous evening, and +she was not eager to meet him now. That he was +greatly incensed at her violent conduct of yesterday +she felt morally certain; and whether she had bettered +her cause, as she regarded Glenham’s suit, she felt by +no means assured. Presently the colonel came riding +towards her, and she prepared herself to greet him as +she thought might be most soothing to his ruffled feelings; +but to her amaze and wrath he actually pulled +up his horse the instant he caught sight of her, and +then, with a most flagrant counterfeit of interest and +cordiality,—so she deemed it,—he dismounted at Mrs. +Tanner’s door-step, and, bidding the orderly take his +horse to the stable, entered into a lively conversation +with that lady, who, with Rosalie, was awaiting the +return of the captain from drill. Angry again, and +in good earnest, her ladyship marched within-doors +and spent half an hour in the preparation of a lecture +to be delivered on her lord’s return. Then it occurred +to her that she had not seen Grace since breakfast-time, +when that dutiful daughter was tiptoeing out +of the maternal bedroom. Inquiry of the housemaid +resulted in the information that Miss Grace had gone +riding.</p> + +<p>“With whom?” asked Mrs. Pelham, shortly.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott, mum,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>For an instant her ladyship stood transfixed. Then +she abruptly left the room, mounted the stairs, took +from her desk a letter she had received only a few days +before, read it carefully over, thrust it in her pocket, +and returned to the piazza. Colonel Pelham was still +talking blithely to Mrs. Tanner, and the captain, holding +<span class="pagenum">[228]</span>Rosalie on his knee, was toying with the child’s +pretty hair. It made a cheery picture, that group at the +neighboring quarters, and Mrs. Tanner, catching sight +of her lonely ladyship, forgiving the slights and coldnesses +she had received at her hands, rose, and, coming +to the end of the gallery, invited the elder lady to come +and join them, but retired in unmistakable mortification +at the very discourteous manner in which her invitation +was received. Pelham himself colored with indignation +and speedily rose, bade them good-morning, and +with a fixed determination to bring his wife to a realizing +sense of the outrageous nature of her conduct, +accosted her briefly with, “I have something to say to +you, Dolly; come into the house,” and led the way into +the parlor. There he turned and faced her, and was +surprised to note how preternaturally calm and complacent +she looked.</p> + +<p>“Sit down,” he said, and without a word she obeyed. +“I had grave reason to want to see you earlier this +morning. Now I have still graver reason to claim +your attention to what I have to say. Are you at +leisure? Have you time now to listen to me?” he +continued, striving to speak gently and quietly.</p> + +<p>“I am entirely at your service, Colonel Pelham,” +was the stately reply.</p> + +<p>“Very well, then,” and as he spoke he paced slowly +up and down the floor. “Yesterday you saw fit to behave +with infinite discourtesy and rudeness to Mr. Ray, +my guest, at dinner,—a gentleman whom I have every +reason to regard highly personally, and an officer of +whom the regiment is proud. Yesterday morning”—and +here his voice began to tremble—“he saved your +<span class="pagenum">[229]</span>daughter’s life. Last evening you actually insulted +him at our table. The reasons you gave were frivolous, +if not absolute falsifications. I trust that a night +of reflection has taught you the propriety of your making +amends to him as well as to Grace in the near future.” +He paused and looked at her. She was seated placidly +in the easy-chair, her hard eyes fixed on a tiny statuette +on the mantel. She never looked more imperturbable +in her life, and he could not understand it. The mere +fact that he should have been allowed to address a few +score of words of reproof to her uninterrupted was in +itself so unusual as to be absolutely disconcerting. She +answered not a word. So he went on again: “Ten +minutes ago, in my presence, you rudely, very rudely +rejected a courteous invitation from Mrs. Tanner. I +have seen other instances of your discourtesy to her, +but nothing so glaring as this, and now I have called +you here to listen to my opinion of your conduct——”</p> + +<p>“One moment, Colonel Pelham,” she calmly spoke.</p> + +<p>“Hey?” he stammered, at the placidity of +her tone and manner.</p> + +<p>“One moment, I say. Let me suggest that before +you proceed to wither me by your remarks upon my +so-called rudeness to Mrs.—to the person you have +mentioned, it might be as well to be sure of your +ground. You propose calling me to account because I +repel, have repelled, and shall repel” (now she began to +warm up to her work) “every attempt of that woman +to seek my society. Be sure of your ground, colonel. +Do—you—<em>know</em> Mrs. Tanner, do you think?” And +with uplifted eyebrows and insinuating accents her +ladyship looked into his flushed and astonished face.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[230]</span></p> + +<p>“Know her? Of course I do! There isn’t a more +thorough lady in the regiment. What devil’s nonsense +is this you are driving at? What do you mean to—to—hint +or say? Speak out. I hate these feminine +slurs. Who has dared malign her to you? or what do +you dare say against her?”</p> + +<p>“<em>Dare!</em> Colonel Pelham. <em>Dare!</em> I warn you to +guard your temper. I pass over what you said regarding +my manner to Mr. Ray. <em>That</em> need not be touched +upon now, but it is high time you were made aware of +the character of the woman you desire to force upon +my acquaintance and your innocent daughter’s. More +than that, if you cannot see the desperate recklessness +of allowing such men as Ray and Truscott to monopolize +your child’s society and to go riding alone with her +through the seclusion of this out-of-the-way neighborhood, +I can and do, and as her mother I protest against +it. You hate feminine slurs, you say; then beware +lest the slurs of the whole garrison follow Grace, innocent +as she is, as they have followed Mrs. Tanner, +innocent as she is not!”</p> + +<p>“Stop right there,” said Pelham. “Before you go +one point further give me your authority for your +insinuations against Mrs. Tanner, that I may judge +whether it be even worth my while to hear a specific +statement.” And his voice was harsh and strained, his +eye troubled.</p> + +<p>“Your past experience <em>ought</em> to have told you that +I never made an allegation I could not substantiate,” +said madame, majestically (“It hasn’t, by a—gulp—good +deal,” said the colonel, <i lang="it">sotto voce</i>), “but you pay +no attention to my warnings. I tell you no idle gossip. +<span class="pagenum">[231]</span>Ask any lady in the garrison, any lady in the regiment, +ay, any lady in Arizona, how Mrs. Tanner stands, and +you will then begin to believe me. My ‘authority’ is +legion, Colonel Pelham.”</p> + +<p>“Then of what do you accuse her?” he demanded, +wheeling sharply about and again confronting her.</p> + +<p>“Of shameful or shameless (as you please) conduct +with an officer in this regiment during her husband’s +absence in the field.”</p> + +<p>“Trash and nonsense! I don’t believe a word of +it.”</p> + +<p>“Ask any lady in the garrison.”</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t believe one of them against her. The +whole thing is some vile concoction of jealous and malignant +women, who envy her the respect in which she +is held. By the eternal! Mrs. Pelham, you will do +well to keep out of such infernal garrison scandal as +this! You <em>would</em> do well to——”</p> + +<p>“Copy after her, I suppose you mean to say! Copy +after <em>her</em>, colonel! Now listen——”</p> + +<p>But listen he would not. The crunching of hoofs +was heard on the gravelly road in front, and through +the blinds he had caught sight of Grace and Truscott +on their return. He stepped eagerly to the door, but +even before he could reach the piazza the adjutant had +thrown his reins to the orderly and lightly swung her +from the saddle. A soft flush was mantling her fair +cheek, and the brilliant eyes seemed bathed in a dewy +light as she glanced up from under the fringing lashes +to thank her escort. Even as he came forth to greet +them the colonel could not but note how radiant was +her beauty, and how earnest, how grave and reverent +<span class="pagenum">[232]</span>was Truscott’s manner as he bent low over the shyly +tendered hand.</p> + +<p>“It has been such a lovely ride, Mr. Truscott,” she +said, “and I’m sure Ranger could not have gone better.”</p> + +<p>“It has been a lovely ride to me, Miss Pelham,” he +replied; “and I hope for others yet to come, may I +not?” he asked, and as he asked he—he could not have +been thinking as he stood gazing down into her face—retained +in his the slender hand he had taken, and for +an instant it did not seem to her at all an unusual +thing; then she suddenly but gently withdrew it, and +her color deepened as she <span class="nowrap">answered,—</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed; I will ride with you gladly.”</p> + +<p>And Mrs. Pelham, noting every look and word, set +her teeth and muttered, “Not one more if <em>I</em> know it.”</p> + +<p>“Come to lunch, Truscott,” called the colonel; “we +never see you nowadays. Come, man.”</p> + +<p>And Truscott looked first towards her, a quick, +flitting glance, but though she spoke no word, he +thought he could read a second invitation in the sweet +eyes that for one instant met his own.</p> + +<p>“I will come, colonel, with pleasure,” he answered. +“Let me sign those papers on my desk, and I will be +here in fifteen minutes.”</p> + +<p>Then Colonel Pelham re-entered the parlor. Grace +darted up-stairs to change her dress, and Lady Pelham +turned sharply from the window to meet her lord.</p> + +<p>“You have asked Mr. Truscott here to lunch?” she +inquired.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I have,” said he, stung by the indescribable +tone of her query.</p> + +<p>“You consider Mr. Truscott a suitable escort for +<span class="pagenum">[233]</span>your daughter, and a fit person to invite to your table, +I suppose?”</p> + +<p>“Suppose!” he broke forth, flashing with indignation +and annoyance. “Suppose! Look here, Dolly, +this is becoming insupportable. Last night it was +Ray. To-day, Truscott, my adjutant, the best officer +and most thorough gentleman in the regiment. What +has got into you? You of all others ought to welcome +him. You know he has been the means of saving +Ralph. You——”</p> + +<p>“I know nothing of the kind. We owe everything +to Mr. Glenham where Ralph is concerned, though Mr. +Truscott would, doubtless, like to arrogate all that to +himself. What I <em>do</em> know is this, that your paragon +of an adjutant is the man to whom Mrs. Tanner owes +her fall——”</p> + +<p>She stopped suddenly, trembling at her own audacity, +at the force and outrage of the blow she had struck, and +at the horror and amaze in his face. For an instant +she longed to unsay, at least to qualify her words, +to avert from herself the consequences she felt sure +would result from the vile exaggeration of which she +had been guilty. The expression in his face frightened +her. At first he glared with anger; then, little by +little, the color died away. Incredulity, pity, contempt, +one after another, shone in the steady eyes which never +left her face. At last, with a shrug of his shoulders, +a “pa-a-h!” of utter disgust, he turned coldly and +deliberately away. At the door he paused.</p> + +<p>“I <em>thought</em> the whole thing was a lie before. <em>Now</em> +I know it.”</p> + +<p>She fairly rushed towards him. “You shall <em>not</em> go +<span class="pagenum">[234]</span>until you have heard all. You must hear it now. +You say”—seizing his arm—“you would believe no +lady in this garrison. The time was when you used to +hold Mrs. Treadwell up to me as the model of all an +army wife should be. Perhaps you would ignore her +opinion?”</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Treadwell would never be mixed up in any +such disgraceful business as the circulation of such a +story,” he answered, coldly.</p> + +<p>“But it <em>was</em> Mrs. Treadwell,” she panted. “She +herself who saw—who discovered the whole thing. +She who warned the others that what they suspected +was—was true.”</p> + +<p>“You have been told this, perhaps,” he said, weary +of the matter and of her, striving to pull away from +her grasp; “but these women’s yarns are too malicious, +too utterly base and baseless to be listened to. I don’t +believe Mrs. Treadwell ever said such a thing.”</p> + +<p>“You wouldn’t believe it, I suppose, if she herself +were to write and tell you.”</p> + +<p>“She never would write such a thing.”</p> + +<p>“<em>Wouldn’t</em> she, Colonel Pelham? Read that.” And +her ladyship forced into his hand the letter she had +secreted in her pocket. Barely glancing at the superscription, +he thrust it aside.</p> + +<p>“I will not read it. It is—well, it <em>may</em> be hers, of +course, but I do not desire to see it.”</p> + +<p>“See or hear it you must. You accuse and believe +me guilty of slander and malice. I tell you that the +proof of my words is here. Be just, Colonel Pelham. +I have some rights in this matter.”</p> + +<p>Wearily his head bent forward on his breast, and his +<span class="pagenum">[235]</span>hands clinched in the paroxysm of disgust that had +seized him.</p> + +<p>“Read, if you must,” he said, finally; “I will hear +what she has to say.” And read she did, slowly, emphatically, +what follows.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 3.0em;"> + “<span class="smcap">Fort Hays, Kansas</span>, December 7, 18—. +</p> + +<p>“Your letter of the 23d ult. reached me yesterday, +my dear Mrs. Pelham, and I am greatly distressed at +its contents. You give me to understand that recent +events have revived a story that I had hoped was long +since forgotten, and you indicate that for your daughter’s +sake it is necessary that you should know just +what I know or saw. It is inexpressibly painful to +me to have to write upon such a subject, and that I do +so at all is due, first, to your urgent appeal on Grace’s +account; second, to the fact that I believe you have +heard a most exaggerated statement of what took place +at Fort Phœnix. Under these circumstances I yield +to your request.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott arrived suddenly at Phœnix. Captain +Tanner’s quarters adjoined ours, and for a month +or more Mrs. Tanner and I had been on terms of intimacy. +I felt for her a warm and constantly-growing +friendship, even admiration, and had been in the daily +habit of running in to see her at any hour, never thinking +of knocking at the door. Hearing of Mr. Truscott’s +arrival and knowing how warm a regard she and +her husband entertained for him, I dropped my work +and hurried in to tell her, as I supposed, of his presence. +The front door was open, the parlor-door partially +so, and, as I entered hastily, I could not but see +<span class="pagenum">[236]</span>what I did. Mrs. Tanner was sobbing in his arms as +he stood facing the door, her back was towards me, and +she was looking up into his face, he down into hers. +Neither of them observed me, and I withdrew at once.</p> + +<p>“Two weeks afterwards, to my infinite regret, I, in +strict confidence, told what I had seen to a lady now +no longer with the regiment. She had heard some very +cruel rumors, and—well, I cannot justify my action at +all. I told her, and, beyond all doubt, the story has +reached you in hideously expanded form. Beyond this +I know nothing, and I beg that you will do all in your +power to suppress any mention of even this that I have +told you.</p> + +<p>“It is hard to believe, but you compel me to believe +that what took place at Phœnix was but the preface to +the recent events you allude to. With all my heart I +hope that all may be satisfactorily explained. She +was my ideal of a true woman, and Colonel Treadwell +thought <em>him</em> a perfect gentleman and soldier.</p> + +<p>“I have no heart to write of ordinary news or gossip. +You will, of course, welcome the order relieving you +from duty in Arizona and bringing you all East. Give +much love to Grace, and tell her how I wish I could +see her now. We have heard so much about her from +Mr. Sprague and Mr. Walker of last year’s class. You +do not mention Mr. Glenham, and they did.</p> + +<p> + <span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Very sincerely yours,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 12.0em;">“<span class="smcap">E. G. Treadwell</span>.”</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>During the reading of this letter Colonel Pelham +had stood motionless. Little by little the lines upon +his brow grew deeper, and his mouth set firm and +<span class="pagenum">[237]</span>rigid. An ashy gray replaced the flush on face and +forehead. He passed his hand wonderingly once or +twice across his eyes, and at last stretched it forth.</p> + +<p>“Let me see that one moment,” he said; and, taking +it, he glanced over the pages, scrutinized the signature, +and then, with an irrepressible shudder, handed it +back.</p> + +<p>She stood in silence before him. Well she knew that +now it was no time to speak. The blow had struck +home. She watched him as again he passed his hand +along his forehead in that dazed, almost helpless manner, +and at last in a voice hoarse and strange he spoke:</p> + +<p>“Say no word of this to any one. I—I shall think +it all over. There is—there must be some mistake, +some explanation. Do you mean,” he asked, with sudden +vehemence, “that they assert worse than this of +her—of him?”</p> + +<p>“They do,” was her answer. And without a word +he turned and left the house. Going to the side-windows, +she followed him with her eyes. With bent head +and slow, uncertain steps he walked a few yards towards +his office, whither the adjutant had gone, but, as though +suddenly recollecting himself, he turned abruptly and +went to the bluff-side east of the post. There she lost +sight of him, and with vague uneasiness she left the +parlor and sought her room. Presently Grace’s voice, +blithe, low, and happy, was heard. The sweet words +of a favorite song came floating back through the hallway, +and her light footsteps went dancing down the +stairs and into the empty parlor. “More like herself +than she has been for days,” thought the mother, as she +listened to the thrill and gladness that rose in every +<span class="pagenum">[238]</span>mellow note. Were her efforts, then, all in vain? Had +she been too unwary in her guard? Had she allowed +her, after all, to become interested in this man, and that, +too, when fortune, position, independence, luxury, lay +at her feet? Bathing her hot face in lavender-water, +her ladyship stood in deep anxiety, even distress, before +her mirror. She had seen nothing of Glenham that +morning; he had not even come to inquire after Grace. +What could that mean? Then how had it happened, +too, that, despite all her warnings, Grace had gone +riding with Truscott? She could not control her annoyance. +Down she went into the parlor to investigate. +It was the first meeting of mother and daughter that +day, for Grace still believed that her mother had been +asleep when she entered her room before breakfast. +The girl had by no means forgotten her ladyship’s conduct +of the previous day, and her kiss of greeting, +though dutiful, was not warm and loving as of yore. +Her song, too, ceased the instant she heard the stairs +creaking under the maternal weight.</p> + +<p>“You look unusually well, Grace,” madame deigned +to say. “I was not aware that you proposed riding +again to-day, much less that you would ride with Mr. +Truscott.”</p> + +<p>“I went to your room to tell you, mother, but you +were asleep. As for riding with Mr. Truscott, that +was father’s doing, and I have to thank him for a very +pleasant morning.”</p> + +<p>Something in the calm glance of her daughter’s fearless +eyes awed yet provoked her ladyship. Had it come +to this, that Grace, always so docile, dutiful, and yielding +before, was now asserting independence of the +<span class="pagenum">[239]</span>mother’s counsel or control? It stung her all the +more, doubled her resentment to realize that her own +conduct had been such as to warrant, even to dictate, +the withdrawal of much of the trust and deference +that was a mother’s due. She struggled a moment with +the feeling of pride and love evoked by her daughter’s +radiant beauty as she stood before her. But the thought +of all that was at stake nerved her to other efforts.</p> + +<p>“Have you forgotten, then, the warnings you have +received as to Mr. Truscott?”</p> + +<p>“I have forgotten nothing, mother. I simply cannot +and do not believe what you have heard; and I +cannot help liking a man who has been so true a friend +to Ralph.”</p> + +<p>“What do you know, pray, of his relations to +Ralph?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing but what Ralph’s letters have told me, of +course, and what he himself admitted to-day——”</p> + +<p>“<em>What</em> did he admit? How did you come to speak +of such a thing?” asked Mrs. Pelham, alarmed and +angry.</p> + +<p>“I do not remember what he said, mother. I do +not know that he admitted anything. I was talking +of Ralph and of Ralph’s last letter to me, and—and +you know how gratefully he wrote of Mr. Truscott. +How could I help telling him how glad I was that +Ralph had found so good a friend? Ralph said he +owed everything to Mr. Truscott. And—well, he +really did not say anything except to protest that he +was only too glad to be of any service to father’s boy, +but that really he had done nothing deserving of any +thanks.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[240]</span></p> + +<p>“Then he <em>had</em> the conscience to admit that! Why +could he not have gone further and told you what +he perfectly well knew,—<em>who</em> it was to whom all +our thanks were due, our unspeakable gratitude, in +fact?”</p> + +<p>Grace opened her eyes in wonderment, but before +she could reply the tramping of feet was heard on the +piazza, and the hall-door burst open.</p> + +<p>“Come right in, Truscott,” she heard her father say; +and the colonel, holding an open telegraphic despatch +in his hand, hastily entered, followed by the adjutant. +The latter bowed silently to the ladies, the former +threw himself into a chair, and, with perplexity and +some little trace of excitement on his face, read through +the closely-written page. Then he looked up.</p> + +<p>“Two troops to start at once, Truscott. Can we get +scouts down from the reservation by sunset?”</p> + +<p>“An orderly can go at once, sir. Shall I send the +order?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; we want twenty of their best.” And Mr. +Truscott disappeared.</p> + +<p>“What is it, colonel?” demanded Mrs. Pelham. +“What is wrong? Another outbreak?”</p> + +<p>“The general directs me to send out a command to +hunt up the Apaches in the Tonto basin,” he replied +shortly, “and he may be down here himself.”</p> + +<p>“Who will have to go?” she asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Who? Oh, I don’t know. It goes according to +roster. Truscott keeps that,” he answered, rising and +pacing up and down the floor. “I’m sorry, too,” he +said, more to himself than to her. “I’m sorry, for +now or never is the time to nab this band of +<span class="pagenum">[241]</span>Eskiminzin’s, and—I’d like to select the officer to command. +Some men have no idea of handling Indians.”</p> + +<p>“Who are the best for such duty?” persisted madame.</p> + +<p>“They’re all good, Dolly; they’re all good so far +as zeal and that sort of thing goes,” he answered, +impatiently, “only Tanner or Raymond or some of +the youngsters like Ray and Stryker, seem to have +better luck—or something. I wish this were Tanner’s +detail.”</p> + +<p>“So does Mr. Truscott, no doubt,” was the dry rejoinder. +And looking sharply, angrily at her, the +colonel stopped short in his walk, and was about to +speak, when the sight of Grace’s troubled face restrained +him. Another moment, and Truscott knocked +and re-entered.</p> + +<p>“Whose companies are first for detail?” asked Pelham, +the instant he appeared.</p> + +<p>“Tanner’s and Ray’s, sir,” was the quiet, prompt +reply.</p> + +<p>Despite his effort the colonel started, and the color +leaped to his forehead. Madame gave an audible gasp.</p> + +<p>“I thought Tanner—at least I understood that Raymond’s +company had been longer in garrison than Captain +Tanner’s,” he said.</p> + +<p>“Tanner’s only went to the reservation on this last +scout, colonel,” answered the adjutant, very respectfully, +“and Raymond’s has been out twice since August.”</p> + +<p>“True. I had forgotten it. I’m heartily glad that +it is Tanner’s turn; he is the very man to settle this +business. Well, notify them at once, Truscott, then +come to lunch. I declare I had forgotten it. I would +like to see Tanner myself; as soon as possible, though, +<span class="pagenum">[242]</span>if you will tell him.” And bowing again, the adjutant +withdrew.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pelham had insinuated that Mr. Truscott would +be glad that it was Captain Tanner’s detail for scouting +duty. Very far from glad did Mr. Truscott look as +he knocked at Captain Tanner’s door. It was opened +by little Rosalie herself, her face all beaming with smiles +when she caught sight of her friend. Jack bent and +raised her in his arms, tenderly kissing the bonny cheek.</p> + +<p>“Run and tell papa Uncle Jack wants to see him,” +he said, as he set her down; and as she trotted away +he seated himself at the window and covered his face +with his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. The +dejection of his attitude struck Tanner the instant he +entered, but before he could speak the adjutant rose.</p> + +<p>“What news, Jack?”</p> + +<p>“Another scout; you to command; start to-night.” +And the two men looked into one another’s eyes without +a word for a moment. Then Truscott held forth +his hand and took that of his friend.</p> + +<p>“The thing has been worrying me ever since Craig +and Fanshawe got in. I knew the chief would be apt +to send out detachments from here, and—the detail +would come on you—just at this time.”</p> + +<p>“It is what I expected,” said Tanner; “but it is +pretty rough to have it come just now.”</p> + +<p>“Does Mrs. Tanner know?” asked Truscott.</p> + +<p>“No, she hasn’t heard, though the other ladies in +the garrison seemed to know all about it; but she never +goes anywhere, and I could not bear to tell her until it +became a certainty. To-night, do you say?” he asked, +suddenly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[243]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, to-night,” said Truscott, sadly. “I suppose +you will have to start soon after sunset.”</p> + +<p>“And it was just at tattoo that—that baby died, five +years ago. It will come hard to her; that’s all that +troubles me.”</p> + +<p>And for all answer Truscott could only press his +hand.</p> + +<p>“The colonel wants to see you as soon as possible; +he is home now. Tanner, I wish to heaven I could +take this detail for you. Won’t you let me tell him? +Raymond would be only too glad to go; and there’s +Ray, who goes anyhow. He knows every inch of that +country, and it would be a splendid thing for him if he +could have the command.”</p> + +<p>“Tell nobody, Jack. I never shirked a duty, big +or little, yet, and I won’t now. If it were not for poor +Nellie I wouldn’t ask anything better than this chance +at old ’Skiminzin. It is the breaking it to her I dread. +She’s up-stairs now with—with the little one’s shoes +and stockings. She thought I did not see her get them +from the baby trunk, but I did. My God, Jack! it’s +breaking it to her that upsets me. I’ll go and see the +colonel first.” And taking his forage-cap, Tanner and +Truscott went forth together, the latter crossing the parade +and proceeding to the camp in rear of the garrison. +It was after one o’clock, after lunch-time. The mess-room +of the bachelor officers was deserted, as he could +see. Several of the juniors—Crane, Dana, and Hunter—were +grouped around the doorway of the court-martial +room awaiting the arrival of the other members +of the court, then trying some cases among the enlisted +men, but none of them had seen Ray; he had not been +<span class="pagenum">[244]</span>to lunch, had not been seen since morning drill. Truscott +said nothing, but continued on his way towards +camp until he had passed beyond the company quarters, +then turning sharp to his left, he rapidly descended the +hill and took the shortest cut for “the store.”</p> + +<p>“Good-day, Mr. Truscott,” exclaimed the barkeeper, +as he entered. “Don’t often see you down here, sir,” he +went on, eager to be civil to the officer who represented +so much influence and power at headquarters. “Looking +for anybody?” he asked, as Truscott’s keen glance +took in the other occupants of the main room, then wandered +to the green-baize door of the card-room beyond.</p> + +<p>“Who are in there?” he briefly asked, in a low tone, +as he noted the silence that had fallen upon the group +of packers and quartermaster’s men who were loafing +about.</p> + +<p>The barkeeper winked confidentially, and whispered, +“Little game going on. Some of the boys down from +Prescott. The doctor’s there, and Ray and Wilkins.”</p> + +<p>“Tell Mr. Ray I want to see him, around at the +side-door,” said Truscott, and left the room.</p> + +<p>In another moment Ray had joined him, and Ray’s +face was flushed and his eyes glassy.</p> + +<p>“What’s up, Jack?” he queried.</p> + +<p>“Scout, and you’re wanted instanter,” said Jack, +gravely.</p> + +<p>“Hurray for hurrah! Who is it this time?”</p> + +<p>“Eskiminzin, I believe. It’s over your old stamping-ground. +Tonto basin, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“Bully! When do we light out?”</p> + +<p>“This evening. No time to be lost. Better come +up and get your men ready right off.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[245]</span></p> + +<p>Ray hesitated and looked grave. “By Jove, Jack, +that’s bad! I dropped a month’s pay last night, and +now the luck’s just beginning to turn. I want to quit +even if I can, but this scout business knocks it. D—n +the odds, though! I’m better out roughing it than +fooling around here, where I’m only in the way. Who +else goes?” he asked, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Tanner and you with your troops and some twenty +Apache-Mohaves.”</p> + +<p>“What subs? Don’t Glenham go?”</p> + +<p>“Probably not, as he is Canker’s only assistant now. +Why should he?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t know, only if I were in his place I’d +want to. I’ll be up in ten minutes, Jack.” And with +that Mr. Ray returned to the card-room to wind up +his connection with the game, and Truscott went direct +to his colonel’s.</p> + +<p>“What the mischief does Ray mean?” thought he, +as he walked rapidly along. “He has been drinking, +to be sure, but knows well enough what he is about. +‘If I were in Glenham’s place I’d want to go.’ What +<em>does</em> he mean?”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[246]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> duty performed of notifying the troop commanders +of their detail, Mr. Truscott proceeded at +once to rejoin the colonel, and found Captain Tanner +just leaving.</p> + +<p>“I am very sorry you will not stay and lunch with +us,” Pelham was saying, “but I understand well enough +that you will want every moment of your time. I +shall be out to see you off, though, and shall hope to +meet you again meantime.” Then, as the captain +walked away and Grace smilingly welcomed Truscott +and slipped her hand within her father’s arm as though +to call his attention to the fact that luncheon was waiting, +the latter stood gazing after Tanner’s receding form.</p> + +<p>“The more I see of that man the more I like him,” +he said, musingly. “He is one of the most soldierly +fellows I ever met; and yet, do you know, Truscott, +it seemed to me that he was anything but glad of this +detail?” And the colonel turned and faced his adjutant, +Grace still resting her hand upon his arm.</p> + +<p>Before he could collect his thoughts for the reply +evidently expected of him, Mr. Truscott became aware +of the fact that Mrs. Pelham had suddenly appeared +at the hall-door and was intently regarding him. His +hesitation instantly attracted the colonel’s attention.</p> + +<p>“Has he any reason for not wishing to go?” he +<span class="pagenum">[247]</span>asked, and there was an unusual tone as of annoyance +in his voice, something sharp and unnatural.</p> + +<p>Truscott colored slightly, but spoke slowly and +calmly in reply. Involuntarily he glanced at Grace, +and was surprised at the intent expression with which +her eyes, too, were fixed upon him. Instantly, however, +she looked away.</p> + +<p>“Nothing, colonel, that he would allow to stand in +the way of his going. Indeed, he will not thank me +for admitting that the detail was in the least unwelcome.”</p> + +<p>“Then you know he would rather not leave the +post just at this time, do you, Mr. Truscott?” asked +Mrs. Pelham, with a calm deliberation that perplexed +him for days after, as again and again her manner recurred +to him.</p> + +<p>“Captain Tanner would welcome this duty very +much at any other time, madame,” was the answer; +“but while it is hard for him to go at this time, he +would consider it most unfriendly in me to allude to it +with any view to having another take his place.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, I see that you are very jealous of the <em>rights</em> +of your friends. Some people, I fancy, would not +thank you for such efforts in their behalf.” And the +caustic emphasis on the words was so marked that the +colonel turned sharply upon her.</p> + +<p>“What earthly business is it of yours, Mrs. Pelham? +Truscott is perfectly right. Now <em>do</em> hold your +tongue, and don’t interfere with what is solely my affair. +Let’s go to lunch.”</p> + +<p>“You will excuse me, please,” said her ladyship, +with majestic dignity, looking at nobody at all. “<em>I</em> +<span class="pagenum">[248]</span>am going to Mrs. Raymond’s.” And with that she +swept across the piazza and up the row.</p> + +<p>“Mother breakfasted very late,” said Grace, apologetically, +as she led the way to the dining-room, “and +she rarely takes luncheon.” But whether she took +luncheon or not, her absence on this particular occasion +was readily forgiven.</p> + +<p>All the same, something akin to constraint had fallen +upon the trio. The colonel had hoped to hear from +Truscott a prompt disclaimer of any knowledge of a +reason for Tanner’s not desiring to go on the scout just +ordered, so, too, had Grace; but, to the vague distress +of both, he had virtually admitted that he <em>knew</em> of a +reason, and would not disclose the nature thereof. +Despite his efforts at cheery conversation, the colonel +could not drive from his thoughts the effect of that +strange letter of Mrs. Treadwell’s, and despite his long +acquaintance with his wife’s reckless language at the +expense of any man or woman to whom she took a dislike, +her words of the morning had powerfully, painfully +impressed him. All unconscious of the thoughts +in his colonel’s perplexed head, Mr. Truscott felt certain +that something had gone very wrong with the chief +within the past twenty-four hours, and, for his own +part, he found himself constantly oppressed with the +contemplation of the effect the orders would have upon +Mrs. Tanner. He strove to shut out the sorrowful +picture and to fittingly respond to Grace’s efforts at +being entertaining, but here, too, the effort was evident. +What could it all mean? Ray’s mysterious words +about Glenham, Mrs. Pelham’s extraordinary language +and manner, the colonel’s spasmodic struggles to be +<span class="pagenum">[249]</span>cheery, and, above all, Grace’s odd, constrained replies to +any allusion to Captain or Mrs. Tanner. Truscott was +indeed puzzled. Verily, a cloud seemed to have fallen +upon the house, and it was with absolute relief that the +trio heard a quick, light footstep on the piazza, and the +chirrupy voice of Mr. Ray inquiring for the colonel +and the ladies. They rose and met him in the parlor.</p> + +<p>Bright as a button looked that young gentleman as +he blithely greeted them. Even Jack, accustomed as +he was to the mercurial changes of his comrade, was +unprepared to see him so radiant; but a cold plunge-bath, +a change of raiment, and the enlivening prospect +of the work before him had chased away all vestige of +his morning’s dissipation, and Mr. Ray was to all appearances +the jolliest man in the garrison.</p> + +<p>“I have just left Captain Tanner, colonel, and I +wanted to come in to see you and Miss Grace before +shedding my regimentals and getting into war-paint, +which must be in an hour from now. Jack, I’ve been +to your quarters, and Glenham, who’s in the dumps +about something, said you were here. Everybody +knows we’re going by this time, and Glenham is ready +to cry because it isn’t his turn. Colonel,” he exclaimed, +suddenly, “may I see you a few moments? Please +excuse me, Miss Grace. It is my only opportunity.” +And with that Truscott and Grace were left alone.</p> + +<p>On the centre-table were two photograph albums, one +bound in Russia leather and stamped with the letters +G. P. in monogram.</p> + +<p>“May I look at this?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” she replied; yet, as he opened it, she +made an involuntary move as though to check him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[250]</span></p> + +<p>The first portrait was a cabinet-sized photograph of +Mr. Glenham in his cadet uniform. For a moment +Truscott gazed quietly at it without saying a word, but +the tired look she had marked before when at Prescott +had stolen over his forehead and eyes. Why should she +excuse the prominence of that picture to him? Why +make any explanation at all? He had said nothing; +but Grace, coloring vividly, looked up in his face.</p> + +<p>“The album was a Christmas present from Mr. +Glenham, two years ago,” she said, hurriedly, confusedly. +“That is where he placed his own picture.”</p> + +<p>“I did quite as boyish a thing, two years ago, Miss +Gracie,” said he, very quietly, while an amused but by +no means satirical smile appeared under the curling +moustache. “It is a most natural thing that he should +seek to be first with you,” he added, gravely, and the +dark hazel eyes looked steadily into her face as the +words fell from his lips. No wonder that the deep-fringed +eyelids drooped at once beneath the searching +glance. Her color deepened, and she knew not what +to say. <em>He</em> knew that his words were tantamount to +an impertinence, and yet, they had escaped him before +he had weighed their meaning; he who usually weighed +every word. He felt at once that, unexplained, his +last remark was unjustifiable. He knew well that +there was only one explanation which would condone +such a solecism in a woman’s eyes; and he knew well +that now, despite the estrangement of the past few +weeks, broken only by the sweet memory of the yesterday’s +ride, despite the open hostility of Mrs. Pelham, +despite all rumors of her engagement to young Glenham, +he loved, and loved her dearly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[251]</span></p> + +<p>Instantly he realized that in this ill-judged speech he +had done injustice to himself; possibly, nay, probably, +had offended her. The strong hand upon the album +trembled visibly; he stood for an instant, silent, gazing +with beating heart upon the drooping head and slender +figure before him. In the adjoining room the deep +voice of the colonel and the eager, energetic tones of +Mr. Ray could be heard in earnest conversation, but in +the parlor all was still. Oh, that dangerous silence! +How many an avowal has it precipitated! Grace! +Grace! where is your tact, your presence of mind? +Why do you not break the spell? Is it—can it be that +you have penetrated the veil of his reserve; that you +divine his thoughts; and that your woman’s heart +craves the confession of his love?</p> + +<p>Impulsively he steps to her side, his dark eyes glowing, +his lips firmly set; but as he speaks his voice is +low and tremulous, and a thrill of delight flashes +through every nerve as she hears it.</p> + +<p>“Forgive me, forgive me, Miss Gracie. I had no +right; I did not mean to let such a speech escape +me——”</p> + +<p>“I do not blame you. It was—why—everybody remarks +it, I suppose,” she broke forth desperately, incoherently; +“but the fault is not mine.” And once +again the shapely head drooped upon her breast.</p> + +<p>“Then it does <em>not</em> mean that he is foremost in——No. +Do not answer me until you hear more. I have +no right to question.” He spoke hurriedly and low. +Then with a sudden gesture he threw back his proud +head and stood gallantly before her. “It is your right +to know my reasons, to know why I so far forgot +<span class="pagenum">[252]</span>myself as to speak of such a thing as Mr. Glenham’s relations +with yourself. I had not thought to startle you +so rudely, but, come what may, I can brook this uncertainty +no longer, for, with all my heart and soul, I love +you, I love you.”</p> + +<p>Both her slender hands are resting on the table now, +as once again he bends eagerly over her. The room +seems whirling round. She has heard, and a glorious, +thrilling joy has seized upon her. She cannot speak. +She dare not raise her eyes to his, yet she can almost +hear the throbbing of his strong heart, and it finds its +echo in her own. The next instant she knows that his +firm hand is clasped upon hers; that he is waiting, +waiting for her words. Slowly she lifts her queenly +head, not yet daring to look up into the fervent love in +the dark eyes gazing so yearningly upon her. She +tries to speak, but all too late. Back from the dining-room, +jubilant, beaming, absolutely detestable in his +exuberant good spirits and undesirable presence, comes +Mr. Ray.</p> + +<p>“It’s all right, Jack; the colonel says that Glenham +may go with us provided Captain Canker will permit. +Use your influence with him like a good fellow. Let’s +go and see him now.” Then Mr. Ray falters. He +has had time to note the surging color in Miss Pelham’s +temples, the deep glow in Truscott’s eyes, the unmistakable +embarrassment of the former, the preternatural +gravity of the latter. “Oh!” he continues, irrelevantly, +as the gladness suddenly dies from his face +and a wistful expression takes its place. “You have +a raft of other things to attend to, I suppose. I’ll +go; and I won’t say good-by now, Miss Pelham.” +<span class="pagenum">[253]</span>With that he vanishes, and the colonel himself appears.</p> + +<p>“It seems that Glenham is eager to go with Tanner’s +command, Truscott, so if Captain Canker has no objections +I shall detail him.” He faltered a bit, looking +somewhat nervously at Grace’s brilliant color as he +spoke, but her cheek never paled, as he half expected +to see it. “You might see Glenham and Canker also,” +he continued, and the adjutant promptly took his +forage-cap. Grace glanced hurriedly, timidly up into +his face as he half turned towards the door, then impulsively +extended her hand. One instant they met, +the strong, sinewy brown hand and hers, so white and +fragile. One instant she looked up into his eyes, and +then with wild, exultant, joyous heart, he hastened on +his mission. In that thrilling instant he had read his +answer, and was satisfied.</p> + +<p>Meantime, where was Arthur Glenham, and how was +it that during this entire day he had not once appeared +at the colonel’s quarters?</p> + +<p>During the troop drill of the morning Mr. Ray, dismounting +his men for a five minutes’ rest after a half-hour +of sharp exercise, was occupying himself in a +comparison of the different company commanders. +Well over to the west of the plain Captain Turner’s +chestnut sorrels and Tanner’s bright bays were having +an enlivening though impromptu competitive drill. +It was pretty generally conceded that these two troops +were very evenly matched, and, except among the partisans +of other companies, it was as generally agreed +that they were much ahead of the rest of the regiment +in point of snap and style in drill. Both captains were +<span class="pagenum">[254]</span>fine instructors and individually liked and respected by +their men; whereas Canker, who really had enjoyed +finer opportunities for keeping his men up to a moderate +degree of proficiency, never could succeed in making +anything out of them. He studied hard, he worked +faithfully, he even furtively watched the methods of +such officers as Tanner and Truscott, and strove to +profit by what he learned in this way; but the cavalry +officer is born, not made; and, handicapped as he was +with the disadvantages of a bad seat, a bad hand, and +a very bad temper, Canker found it all up-hill work. +He had fine material in his company, but was desperately +unpopular among them, so much so that none +would re-enlist with him on the expiration of their +terms of service, but would “take on,” as they expressed +it, with other troops, notably Tanner’s and +Turner’s. Ray’s, too, was a favorite command since +he had been placed in charge; but its captain, now on +recruiting service, had been very inefficient, and since +his departure much of its time had been spent in +mountain-scouting, where drills were unknown and +discipline lax. It was Canker’s habit, when betrayed +into speaking of the matter at all, to say that “the +secret of the superiority of Tanner’s company was that +he got his best men from me;” but in the depths of +his heart he knew that statement to be absurd. It did +not help him much to hear, as he did hear, in the inexplicable +way in which such things are brought to our +ears (who was it that said no man ever yet was so poor +but that he had friends to tell him unpleasant truths +about himself, or words to that effect?) that his men +said that all they needed to make them the best-drilled +<span class="pagenum">[255]</span> +troop in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> was to have a captain who was capable +of teaching them something. Altogether, drill-time +was a sort of purgatory to both officers and men +in Canker’s troop, and this morning was no exception. +Ray quickly marked the sullen look of the faces along +the line as they came trotting past him, the horses +seeming as worried and jaded as the men; and as they +halted and dismounted near him, it was easy enough +for him to divine that Canker had been more than +usually eruptive from the fact that Mr. Glenham kept +at a distance from his captain, and stood moodily kicking +at the turf. Mr. Ray himself, as has been hinted, +had spent the greater part of the night in the card-room +at the store, to the detriment of his pocket, but in no +wise to that of his sunny temperament. He knew well +that he had been vastly in Glenham’s way of late, and +the consciousness of the fact made him all the more +ready to condone the young fellow’s distant and constrained +manner. Just now the dejection of Glenham’s +whole attitude struck him forcibly. “I hate to see him +look so glum,” he muttered. “Great Scott! if I had +half his money, and a six-months’ leave, and the wings +of a dove, I’d be off for the States so quick that——Hold +on; would I, though, so long as she is here? +That’s where he’s anchored; where I’d be, too, if I +had the ghost of a show. ’Pon my soul, I believe I’ll +go and give him a lift after drill.” And with another +lingering look at his unconscious comrade, who had by +this time thrown himself prone upon the ground, Mr. +Ray remounted, and presently his animated voice was +heard glibly expounding on the text of “centre forward.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[256]</span></p> + +<p>Drill over, he sought Glenham’s quarters, and found +the junior officer kicking off boots and spurs in the +rear room. There was no especial cordiality or welcome +in the latter’s voice as he said, “That you, Ray? Sit +down. I’ll be there in a moment.”</p> + +<p>“No hurry, Glenham,” replied the other, with breezy +good nature. “I want to glance over Truscott’s <cite>Nation</cite>. +Got anything to drink?”</p> + +<p>“There’s bottled beer in the sideboard, but I’m afraid +it’s too warm. Jack has some undeniable whiskey, if +you prefer that.”</p> + +<p>“Where’s it at?” said Mr. Ray, briefly, and falling +unconsciously into the vernacular of the Blue-Grass +region.</p> + +<p>“Lower shelf. There’s bitters and sugar somewhere +there, unless Bucketts cleaned us out last night. He +and Jack were owling. Excuse me, please, Ray; I +can’t.”</p> + +<p>“Sensible boy! May you never know what it is to +feel a hankering for a cocktail!” And the tinkle of +glass and stirring of spoon indicated that the gentleman +from Kentucky was preparing some such beverage on +his own account.</p> + +<p>Presently Glenham emerged from his bedroom and +found Ray placidly smoking, stretched at full length +in Truscott’s great canvas chair.</p> + +<p>“Glenham,” said he, “I’ve come in to talk with you +a while. I’m no hand at beating round the bush, and +want to go straight at it. Are you busy?”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Glenham, hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>“Then sit down; I won’t keep you long.” And +Glenham wonderingly obeyed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[257]</span></p> + +<p>For a moment there was silence, Ray puffing nervously +at his pipe. Then he laid it upon the table and +leaned forward.</p> + +<p>“Glenham,” he spoke, and his voice was singularly +soft and gentle, almost as though he were speaking to a +woman. “I think a misunderstanding worse than an +open rupture; and for some time past, you who used to +like me better, I believe, than you did any man in the +regiment but Truscott, have been cold and constrained +in your manner towards me. I am not going to ask +you why. I know well enough, and I don’t blame +you. Whatever may be the result of what I have to +say to you, there shall be no excuse for further misunderstanding. +It may not result in the restoration of +your friendship for me, but it will relieve you from +any indecision or embarrassment. Pardon me, now, if +I speak of a very delicate matter. We all know that +you are very much attached to Miss Pelham. Indeed, +there are not lacking those who say that you are actually +engaged to her. If this be true, I cannot excuse +my conduct in the least. (“It is not true,” said Glenham, +shading his face with his hand.) But up to last +evening I thought it a matter in which—in which we—well, +I thought it was a free-for-all race, owners up, +and it might be a fair field and no favor.” He finished +abruptly and in evident great embarrassment. Then +he rose and commenced pacing the floor.</p> + +<p>“Hang it, Glenham! if I am clumsy in my language +it’s because—because the thing has struck nearer home +than you imagine. I admired her from the very first, +but I did not know what it meant until—until she +nearly slipped from her horse yesterday and fainted. +<span class="pagenum">[258]</span>(Glenham winced as though stung, but still sat in silence.) +I did not know what it meant to me, I did not +know what it meant to you until she lay there so white +and still, and you rode up with a face as white as her +own. Last night my eyes were further opened. I +won’t tell you how; it isn’t necessary. Only this, Glenham: +if you think my conduct has been unfair or unfriendly, +you can afford to forget it and forgive it now, +when I tell you that I have no earthly hope in the +matter, and that even if it were possible for me to win +a thought from her beyond—beyond frank, friendly +liking or gratitude possibly for the simple piece of +luck yesterday, I would be a whelp to try and do it. +Why, Glenham, I haven’t a cent in the world; I’m +swamped in debt. What, in God’s name, <em>have</em> I to +offer her? Last night I left her house perfectly satisfied +of two things,—that she was the dearest thing on +earth to me, and that I wasn’t worth two straws to her +or anybody else, probably. I haven’t had a happy +night of it, man. I saw clear enough what was before +me, and I went down and played poker all night nearly +to keep from thinking of the thing, as though that +would do any good. It has just come to this, Glenham: +I’ve got to get away from here, and I’m going. +I can’t win—I’m not worth the love of that sweet girl, +and I won’t stand in the way of a man who is worthy +and can. When I watched you at drill this morning +it all came over me, how you must have been cut up +by my goings on.” And now Ray’s voice was trembling, +and a suspicious moisture was gathering in his +eyes. “Arthur, because I’m not worth a woman’s +love you need not think me unworthy a man’s friendship. +<span class="pagenum">[259]</span>Forgive me for the trouble I’ve caused you, +old fellow, and let us be friends again.”</p> + +<p>“Ray, I—I beg <em>your</em> pardon!” exclaimed Glenham, +springing from his seat, dashing his hand across his +eyes and seizing the outstretched gauntlet. “I was a +fool, I suppose. Everything seemed going against me. +I thought—hang it! I think now that there was no +chance for me. It turned me against everybody, I +suppose.”</p> + +<p>“Well, this ends the turn against me, does it not?” +said Ray, with a wintry, cheerless smile, but still grasping +cordially the hand of his friend. “I’ll soon be +out of your way, and she’ll forget my—my ebullition +of yesterday, if indeed she heard it at all.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you go at all, Ray? What is that for?”</p> + +<p>“Because then I’ll get away from seeing her every +day or hour. Lord, how I wish there were a scout or +a shindy! There’s going to be a horse-board mighty +soon, and Wickham or Bright will help me on to that. +It’s the only thing I know anything about. So now, +I’m off.” And he turned to the door despite Glenham’s +efforts to detain him. There he turned again, +and, with a resumption of his old light, reckless manner, +<span class="nowrap">exclaimed,—</span></p> + +<p>“’Pon my word, I feel more like a Christian since +we’ve had this short talk than I have in months. Arthur, +you have my blessing. Go in and win. That’s +what I’ll do, too,—down at the store. Lucky at cards, +unlucky in love, you know. The Prescott crowd +rather scooped me last night, and I’ll go down and +give them a riffle now.”</p> + +<p>“Then hold on one moment, Ray. I mean to drink +<span class="pagenum">[260]</span>your health, if it <em>is</em> against my rules. It’s nothing but +sherry, but it’s sherry you’ll like.” And from a locker +he produced a brown, portly bottle and some fragile +glasses. “These only come out on swell occasions, +Ray, but—this is one I’ll never forget.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind that, Glenham. Here’s happiness and +success to you. Your devotion deserves it.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know, Ray, that’s just what gets me,” said +the junior, slangily, but with sad earnestness, as he +set down his half-emptied glass. “Devotion don’t +seem to do any good. I almost—I almost believe I’ve +been an abject slave since she—since Miss Pelham +came out. It hurts me somehow.”</p> + +<p>For a moment Ray hesitated. Then he too set down +his wine-glass and pondered a few seconds, looking the +while at the trouble in Glenham’s face. At last he +broke <span class="nowrap">forth,—</span></p> + +<p>“I don’t know what you’ll think of what I say, but +’pon my word, Glenham, I believe you’ve hit on the +truth. There <em>is</em> such a thing as being too devoted, in +my opinion. Look here! Did you see Truscott catch +that rascal of a Ranger yesterday? You, you remember, +went galloping after him wherever he went; you +were all eagerness and excitement, just bent on catching +the scamp; he saw it, knew it, and it was just fun to +him to lead you a race. Then Truscott hauled you off +and took the chase instead, and see how he managed it. +He just let on to Ranger that he didn’t care a cuss +whether he was loose or not,—might run to Halifax +for all he’d do to stop him; he just rides off to one +side, and sure as a gun the horse turns right round +and goes running up to inquire what such indifference +<span class="pagenum">[261]</span>means. I tell you, Glenham, lots of women are just +like horses; that is, the nice ones are, and I’m paying +some of them a high compliment in saying so. Just so +long as you go tagging round after one she’ll lead you +a dance all over creation; it’s all fun to her: she’s sure +of you, you know; but haul off for a while and leave +her to herself, and let on that you’ve tired of that sort +of thing and mean to swear off, you’ll find that it will +bring her round if she cares anything whatever for +you. If she doesn’t, why, the sooner you know it the +better. Now I’ve been preaching, I suppose, but you +try it. Get every scouting detail you can; don’t mope +around the post. Now forgive my bluntness, Glenham, +and—and good luck, old fellow.”</p> + +<p>With that he was gone.</p> + +<p>Some hours later Glenham’s servant entered and +stood hesitatingly at the doorway. Glenham looked +up from his writing. “What is it?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Big scout going out, sir,—two companies; but it +ain’t our fellows.”</p> + +<p>Down went pen and desk upon the floor, and, seizing +his forage-cap, Glenham rushed forth in search of Ray +and Truscott. Failing to find the adjutant at the office +he hurried to Ray’s camp, where that young gentleman +was rubbing head, chest, and arms into a glow after a +cold hath.</p> + +<p>“Come right in, Glenham. Didn’t I say the luck +was bound to turn? or did I prudently refrain for fear +it wouldn’t? This is going to be the boss scout of the +season, and now’s your chance. I wouldn’t miss it for +six months’ pay, and the Lord only knows what I +wouldn’t do for that in spot cash.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[262]</span></p> + +<p>“Just what I came to see you about, Ray. Do you +think you can get the colonel to let me go with you?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try it, anyhow. He will like you all the better +for wanting to go. I was struck all of a heap for a +minute when Truscott came down to warn me; but even +poker pales before a chance like this.”</p> + +<p>“How’d you come out?” asked Glenham.</p> + +<p>“Nearly even, after all; and I’d have knocked some +of those fellows endwise if there had been a little more +time. I was just hauling in the pots when Jack called +me out.”</p> + +<p>Ten minutes afterwards Ray departed on his mission +to the colonel’s, with what success has already been +seen. Then a visit to Captain Canker had been in +order, and there too the diplomatic Ray, after a long +conversation, had carried his point, for Canker was one +of those peculiar company commanders (and there are +many who in this respect strongly resemble him) by +whom the subalterns attached to his troop are regarded +as a species of personal property, and it was not to be +supposed that such a concession as was asked for Mr. +Glenham could be granted without much demur and +without a long dissertation, in which his shortcomings +as a subaltern, and his captain’s long suffering, patience, +and consideration as a commander, formed the subject +of the monologue. Ray listened with exemplary docility, +and Truscott, who had come in to assist according +to the colonel’s directions, found that matters were +progressing favorably under Ray’s management, and +went off to see Glenham himself. Meantime stable-call +had sounded, and all the officers were flocking +thither, when Mrs. Raymond’s negro servant came +<span class="pagenum">[263]</span>running across the parade. He handed Glenham a +note, which the young officer opened, glanced at the +single line which formed its contents, changed color, +paused irresolutely, and then turned and walked hurriedly +back to Captain Raymond’s quarters. At the +door he was met by Mrs. Pelham, who eagerly beckoned +him in. Ten minutes after he appeared at stables, +and with painfully embarrassed manner accosted Truscott, +who was at the instant conversing with Canker, +while the colonel with several officers were entering +the “corral” of Tanner’s troop.</p> + +<p>“Jack, can I see you a moment?”</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, captain,” said Truscott; then stepping +to one side with Glenham, and noting with surprise the +changing color and downcast eye of his friend, “What +is it, Arthur? Anything wrong?” he asked, kindly.</p> + +<p>“Is the order issued yet for me to go with this +scout?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet. It will be right after stables. Dana goes +too.”</p> + +<p>“Jack, I can’t—go.”</p> + +<p>For a moment there was dead silence. Then Truscott +<span class="nowrap">spoke,—</span></p> + +<p>“You know your own business best, Glenham; but +did you not ask Ray to see the colonel and get you +detailed?”</p> + +<p>“I did; yes. I—I cannot explain it, but I’ve +changed my mind. Something I had not foreseen——” He +broke off abruptly, utterly unable to continue, +and without another word turned and walked +hurriedly into the stable enclosure.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter with Glenham?” asked Canker.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[264]</span></p> + +<p>“He has felt compelled to change his mind, and says +that he cannot go,” replied Truscott, loyally striving to +smooth matters as much as possible for his friend. +“I’ve no doubt he has very weighty reasons.” And +with that he went to join the colonel.</p> + +<p>Soon after retreat that evening, while yet the lingering +hues of crimson and royal purple mantled the +jagged rocks that hemmed in the valley from the east, +a busy throng had gathered in the open space between +the quarters and the stables. Drawn up in single rank +were the horses of the two companies,—Tanner’s and +Ray’s,—while the men in their rough and serviceable +scouting-dress were nimbly darting about their steeds, +tightening “cinches,” or more snugly strapping the +blankets or canteens that swung on the saddles. A +little distance away, huddled together in silence, were +the Apache scouts who were to accompany the command, +and behind them all, scattered here and there +over the sandy level, or clustering about the bell-horse +of the half-breed leader, were the hardy, devil-may-care-looking +little pack-mules.</p> + +<p>Thronging about their undress uniforms and overcoats +(for the December air was chill) were the men of +the four troops who were not so lucky as to be of the +detail, all envious of their departing comrades, and, +soldier-like, nearly all indulging in much good-humored +chaff at the expense of the envied ones.</p> + +<p>“It’s old Skinnin’ Jim ye’re after this time, Micky. +Luk out fur that beautiful crop o’ yours.” An allusion +to the vivid hirsute adornment of Private Michael +Mulligan that called forth a roar of applause. “Will +ye lave me your boots, Hoolihan? It’s the other end +<span class="pagenum">[265]</span>of ye that’ll need a bomb-proof.” “Don’t you get +kilt, Kelly; it’ll ruin the sutler entirely,” etc. All +of which seemed to give infinite delight to the surrounding +crowd, and not at all to discompose the martial +objects of the sallies.</p> + +<p>Presently Lieutenants Kay and Dana rode up and +commenced a leisurely inspection of their commands, +putting an end to the fun and laughter. Darkness +was beginning to settle down upon the garrison, and +lanterns were called into requisition. Presently again +there appeared a large party, at sight of whom the +men respectfully drew back right and left, and, escorted +by a number of officers, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Turner, +the inevitable Mrs. Wilkins, and several others unnamed +in our chronicle made their appearance upon +the scene, all intent upon giving the command a +cheery God-speed upon its mission. Then came the +colonel with Grace leaning upon his arm, and instantly +she was swallowed up in the group of ladies, and for the +time being deprived of all opportunity of seeing what +was going on. She was aware of the fact that Mr. +Ray was standing near her laughingly chatting with +some of the ladies, and that Mr. Dana was waiting for +a chance to put in a word, but Mrs. Turner really +hadn’t seen anything of her for an age, and Mrs. Raymond +had certainly thought she meant to cut her acquaintance, +and Mrs. Wilkins was dying to know why +Mrs. Pelham didn’t come out to give the boys a send-off, +and between the three matrons and the two or three +damsels hovering about, all talking at once as was their +wont, or treading on the heels of one another’s sentences, +Grace was in such dire confusion that she would +<span class="pagenum">[266]</span>have turned gladly to Ray or Dana for relief, when +dead silence fell upon all as Mrs. Wilkins’s voice propounded +the <span class="nowrap">query,—</span></p> + +<p>“But where’s little Glenham? I thought he was to +go along.” And then all feminine eyes were fixed upon +Grace.</p> + +<p>Ray noted it, quick as a flash, and came to the rescue. +“Hadn’t you heard, Mrs. Wilkins?” he said, +with a tone of weary indifference, indicative of a desire +to drop the subject. “The order was not issued at +all.” And then, laughingly, “Miss Pelham, am I not +to be allowed the customary luxury of last words before +going forth to deeds of derring do? I want you +to see my troop, anyhow.” And with quiet determination +he took her hand, placed it within his arm, and +led her out of the inquisitive group.</p> + +<p>“Is Mr. Glenham not going?” she gasped, the instant +they were beyond ear-shot.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Glenham is <em>not</em> going,” he answered, in a low, +measured tone.</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“He merely writes that an utterly unforeseen circumstance +has induced him to change his mind. I +have not seen him; he did not come to dinner.” And +wonderingly he looked into her face. It was evident +that she had heard the news for the first time, and was +more than perplexed.</p> + +<p>“I hope you will keep up your riding, Miss Pelham, +while we are away. Tanner tells me that he +leaves Ranger here,” said Ray, considerately, desirous +of changing the subject.</p> + +<p>“Yes; so Mr. Hunter told me. Where <em>is</em> +<span class="pagenum">[267]</span>Captain Tanner? I want to thank him and to say good-by.”</p> + +<p>“Not here yet, and time’s up, too. But I fancy it was +hard lines saying good-by to Mrs. Tanner and little +Rosalie. Here they come, though, Tanner and Truscott +both.” And as he spoke two tall, manly forms passed, +them in the gathering darkness and approached the +colonel. “We’ll be off in a minute, Miss Gracie,” said +Ray, and his voice lowered. “Wish me good luck.”</p> + +<p>She felt that his hand, now clasping hers, was trembling. +She knew with all her woman’s intuition that +with all his forced gayety of manner this parting was +no easy one to him. She liked him well, and felt +grateful for the tact that he had shown, more than +grateful for the skill and gallantry with which he had +so recently rescued her from a probable fate; but +though her heart beat throbbingly at the moment, it +was not for him; and the deep, dark, glorious eyes +looked beyond, though only in one furtive glance, and +sought the taller of the two forms now standing by her +father’s side. For an instant she forgot the young soldier +standing patiently before her. “Good-by, Miss +Gracie,” he gently said; then with quick, impulsive +movement raised her hand to his lips, turned, and +sprang to his horse. The next moment he was in +saddle in front of his troop, and she had not even answered +him. Irresolute she stood a moment, then she +saw her father shake Tanner warmly by the hand, and +the latter, putting his arm through Truscott’s, drew him +to one aide. She joined the colonel.</p> + +<p>“Papa, I want to speak to Mr. Ray; I haven’t +bade him good-by. Come with me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[268]</span></p> + +<p>“Why, certainly, daughter,” he answered, as he led +her rapidly towards the spot where the lieutenant, +seated on his horse, was addressing some words to one +of his sergeants. “Here, Ray, my boy, Grace wants +to say good-by.” And Ray was off his horse and on +his feet beside her in less than a second.</p> + +<p>“You <em>know</em> I wish you all success and a speedy and +sale return, Mr. Ray,” she said, as she held forth her +hand. “You will not like it, of course, if I say that +I almost hope you won’t see an Indian the whole time +you are away.”</p> + +<p>“That would be the worst kind of luck, Miss Gracie. +Ah, Jack, is that you? What! good-by already? I +thought you would see us off.”</p> + +<p>“So I had intended,” said the deep voice she had +learned to know so well, as Truscott suddenly appeared +at her side. “Good-evening, Miss Grace. I had promised +myself the pleasure of escorting you out to see the +start, but found that you had already gone. Ray, I +have to attend to something for Tanner. Good-by and +good luck, old fellow.” And with a warm clasp of the +hand for him, and uplifted cap and courteous bow for +her, he hurried away. Then came the ringing trumpet-call, +and Tanner’s soldierly voice ordering “mount.” +The colonel drew his daughter swiftly back, the men +swung into saddle, reformed ranks, and the next instant +were marching off in column of fours down the slope +to the south. There was no cheering, no noise, or confusion. +In silent array they disappeared in the darkness, +and the throng of spectators broke up and wandered +homewards. For a few moments Grace was +detained by her father, who was talking with Major +<span class="pagenum">[269]</span>Bucketts, and several of the ladies compelled their +escorts to wait until she should be ready to start. Then, +as they walked across the parade in a group, there were +many invitations to come and sit a while on this and +that piazza, but Grace desired to see what had become +of her mother, and so declined. Mr. Hunter was walking +beside her, and escorted her to the door. “<em>Do</em> +come out again, Miss Pelham, and walk out on the +bluff with me. We can hear them as they ford the +stream,” he urged. She ran up-stairs, knocked at her +mother’s door. A peevish voice bade her enter, and +she found her ladyship stretched upon the bed with her +night-lamp on the table. “You are not well, mother?” +she asked, gently.</p> + +<p>“I am worried half to death, and have a splitting +headache,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>“Can I do nothing for you? Can I not help you at +all?”</p> + +<p>“You <em>could</em> help me vastly by coming to your senses. +Otherwise not,” was the ungracious reply, and her ladyship +tossed impatiently over on her side.</p> + +<p>Grace hesitated one moment; then saying, quietly, +“I will soon return to you, mother,” left the room.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hunter was waiting for her. Together they +strolled out in the starlight towards the edge of the +bluff in rear of the officers’ quarters. As they neared +the slope Grace became aware of two figures dimly +visible standing just before them; one tall, stalwart, +soldierly, the other a slender, graceful, womanly form. +She knew both at a glance, and stopped short. As she +did so, loud, ringing, and clear, the trumpet signal—first +call for tattoo—rose on the air. Her companion +<span class="pagenum">[270]</span>looked down in surprise at her abrupt stop, but she +never heeded him. Her eyes were fastened upon the +pair in front. Even as she gazed, even as the first +notes of the call swelled upon the breeze, she saw the +woman droop and sway; saw him bending towards +her; saw him fold her in his arms, and could bear no +more. “Oh, come away! come away!” she hoarsely +whispered to Hunter, and plucking nervously at his +coat-sleeve, turned and fled.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[271]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Mr. Truscott appeared at breakfast on the +following morning he was surprised at the extremely +cold manner in which Mr. Hunter returned his salutation. +Glenham he had not seen at all; the boy had +risen early and gone off upon a lonely ride. But Truscott +had too many things to think of to worry over a +fact that at another time would have attracted his +attention. Glenham had actually avoided him all the +previous evening as well. Bucketts, Carroll, Crane, +and the doctor greeted him as usual, and went on with +their speculations as to the probable result of the scout +just started, and Truscott, busied in his own reflections, +thought no more of Hunter’s averted eye. “The +youngster possibly thinks he ought to have been sent +out instead of Dana, and that I’m to blame,” was the +explanation that occurred to him. “He will think +better of it after a while.”</p> + +<p>Office-work over, he rose from his desk and went +with his usual straightforwardness to the colonel’s and +rang at the bell. “Can I see Miss Pelham?” he asked +of the servant.</p> + +<p>“Miss Pelham is not able to leave her room, say to +Mr. Truscott,” said the voice of her ladyship, at the +head of the stairs.</p> + +<p>The adjutant stepped quickly into the hall and gazed +<span class="pagenum">[272]</span>aloft. “Miss Pelham is not seriously ill, I trust,” said +he, with evident anxiety in face and voice.</p> + +<p>“She is far from well, and cannot see anybody,” was +the reply, in a very stately and unsympathetic tone.</p> + +<p>“I am extremely sorry to hear it, Mrs. Pelham. +Please express to her my sincere sympathy and regret,” +said he, and, hearing no response, reluctantly withdrew. +Leaving the house, looking anything but comforted, +Mr. Truscott turned in at an adjoining piazza, and +knocked at Captain Tanner’s door. While waiting for +admission, something prompted him to look at the side +window of the colonel’s quarters. As he did so, Mrs. +Pelham suddenly withdrew her peeping head, but he +had distinctly seen her. Inquiry of the answering +Abigail resulted in the information that Mrs. Tanner, +too, was indisposed, and had not left her room. “But +would Mr. Truscott stop in by and by?” Mr. Truscott +said he would, and mean time proceeded to his own +quarters.</p> + +<p>Passing Captain Turner’s, he raised his cap in acknowledgment +of the smiling greeting of the lady of +the house. She was eagerly conversing with young +Mr. Hunter, who looked away. At home he found +the house deserted. Glenham had returned evidently, +and was now probably engaged in some of his company +duties. Truscott unlocked his wardrobe and took therefrom +the pretty whip Grace had tossed him two days +before, seated himself in his easy-chair, and holding it +in his hands, gave himself up to thought. Two or +three of the greyhounds, finding the entrance open, +stole to his doorway and looked wistfully in, begging +for an invitation to come, but he did not see them. An +<span class="pagenum">[273]</span>ambulance rattled past the house, and he heard laughter +and familiar voices, but paid no attention. For nearly +an hour he sat there thinking earnestly, or perhaps at +times only idly dreaming. At last he rose, replaced +the dainty whip in the wardrobe, seated himself at the +desk, and wrote a brief note, closed, sealed, and addressed +it to “Miss Pelham, Camp Sandy,” and as the +noonday call was sounding from the guard-house, sent +the note by the hands of the office orderly. It had +been a dreary morning to him, but it had been worse +for Glenham.</p> + +<p>To begin with, the latter felt utterly certain that the +whole garrison was talking about him. He knew well +that Ray had told several officers that he, Glenham, +had applied to be ordered out on the scout. It was +known all over the post before stable-call, for, had not +Mrs. Pelham heard it while at the Raymonds? and had +not his own servant come in to know what things the +lieutenant would take in his pack, and couldn’t he, too, +go along? And then at the eleventh hour he had most +inexplicably backed out. Full well he knew the flood +of conjecture, gossip, and talk to which his sudden +change of mind would give rise. Full well he realized +that among the officers he would be regarded with grave +disappointment, among the men as a milksop, and +among the ladies of the garrison as legitimate prey for +all their questionings and insinuations. The fact that +Mrs. Raymond was the only one who, up to late in the +previous evening, had any idea of the real cause of his +conduct was not fraught with especial comfort: for the +absolute inability of that fascinating but volatile young +matron to keep anything to herself was only too well +<span class="pagenum">[274]</span> +appreciated throughout the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. Within twenty-four +hours, therefore, he counted on the story being told with +a score of exasperating embellishments all over the post, +and was furthermore certain that the next day’s mail +for Prescott would go up laden with a dozen letters +from as many feminine pens; the story of his “break-down”—so +he regarded it—being the one topic. He +hated himself, hated, or began to hate, the woman +whose influence had brought the thing about. He felt +ashamed to look his colonel in the face, and he alone +of all the officers of the post failed to put in an appearance +when Tanner’s command marched away. Nevertheless, +he was utterly, miserably in love, poor boy; +and, like many another poor boy under similar circumstances, +he rated ambition, professional pride, the +“<i lang="fr">qu’en dira-t-on?</i>” of Mrs. Grundy, everything—<em>anything</em> +as naught in comparison with what had been set +before him as the inevitable consequence of his going +away at this critical juncture,—the loss of the lady of +his love.</p> + +<p>And this was the terrific whip held over him by that +prospective mother-in-law.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Pelham heard the news of Glenham’s application +as she sat with Mrs. Raymond during her afternoon +visit; the captain himself had come in with the +information. Startled as she was, madame had kept +her wits about her, and even while conversing with +her host and hostess had managed to review the situation +and to decide on her plan of action. Well she +knew that, despite all her efforts to connect Mr. Truscott’s +name in a dishonorable affair with Mrs. Tanner, +she had not been able to more than temporarily +<span class="pagenum">[275]</span>shake the confidence in and respect for him which she +saw to be daily growing in Grace’s heart. She had +marked all too plainly the girl’s glad welcome of her +soldierly friend, and the glow of happiness in her face +on her return from her ride. Then there was this miserable +affair of Ralph’s. If the truth concerning that +were to leak out at all, her hopes, her plans, were +dashed to earth, for now she felt assured that Truscott, +not Glenham, had been her son’s benefactor. Oh, what +an idiotic blunder she had made in her wrath! Why +had she ever mentioned that matter, or shown Ralph’s +letter to the colonel? He would only probe it to the +bottom, find out that he was even more indebted to +Truscott than he supposed; then Grace would be told +the story, and that would be the end of everything. +Poor perturbed lady! She could stand the contemplation +of such disaster no longer. Not only her plans +would fail, but she herself must infallibly be exposed +to the contempt of her husband and, perhaps, that of +her own daughter, for whom she had been plotting, +manœuvring, and lying all this time.</p> + +<p>Prompt measures alone would avail her. She must +see Glenham, and see him at once. Not at home, for +there she knew the colonel, Grace, and probably others +to be at that moment. Mrs. Raymond would befriend +her she felt sure. What wouldn’t that politic lady do +to curry favor with so ruthless an old agitator?</p> + +<p>“I want to see Mr. Glenham at once. May I send +for him to come here?” she hurriedly asked.</p> + +<p>“Why, of course. Sam will run and tell him. +There goes stable-call now,” said Mrs. Raymond.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship seized a scrap of paper. “Come to +<span class="pagenum">[276]</span>me instantly at Captain Raymond’s,” she wrote, and +away went Sam with the brief, mandatory missive. +What need of explanation? thought she; had he not +promised to obey her implicitly? Quickly as he came, +he could hardly come quickly enough. She met him +at the door, and ushered him into the vacant parlor. +Mrs. Raymond had withdrawn, of course, but, oh, +how she hoped that madame’s voice would reach the +adjoining room in tones so loud that she could not help +hearing!</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Pelham did not speak loud. In low, hurried, +impressive tones she told Arthur Glenham in +plain words that his one chance of winning Grace lay +in his remaining at the garrison. “It is madness to +think of going now, at the very moment when her +heart is beginning to feel its dependence upon you,” +she said. He glanced up quickly, a wild hope in his +young eyes. “I <em>know</em> it,” she continued. “She has +almost confessed as much to me. But if you go, you +subject her at once to the attentions of a man who is +no true friend of yours, and whom she is too innocent +to fathom.”</p> + +<p>“What—who do you mean?” he gasped.</p> + +<p>“Your <em>friend</em>, Mr. Truscott.”</p> + +<p>He started as though struck. “I can believe no +wrong of Truscott,” he said. “He is my most trusted +friend, but I never mentioned this—this to him until +last night.”</p> + +<p>“Mark my words, though. You go at your own +risk. <i>Even the colonel is reluctant to have you go now.</i> +<em>I</em> shall say not another word to warn you. It is only +because of my promise to you that I have brought +<span class="pagenum">[277]</span>myself to do this. If you love Grace and would win her, +stay! If not, go!”</p> + +<p>And of course he stayed.</p> + +<p>Despite Mrs. Pelham’s “worry and headache,” a +number of officers and ladies gathered in the colonel’s +parlor soon after tattoo the night that Tanner’s command +marched away. Fleeing from the spot where she and +her escort had plainly seen Mr. Truscott and Mrs. Tanner, +Grace had called all her pride and pluck into requisition, +and finding her father with one or two of his +cronies standing on the piazza, she had begged them to +come into the parlor.</p> + +<p>“Yes, <em>do</em> come,” urged the colonel, and “Grace will +give us some music.” And so it had happened that quite +a number of the young people had gathered there, and +for over an hour mirth, music, and laughter had reigned +supreme. Never had Grace seemed so winsome, so full +of life and gayety. She sang for them again and again, +and sang gloriously; her voice rich, clear, and true, +seemed more thrilling than ever, and they would not +let her stop. Twice the colonel bent to kiss her and +praise her singing. And she, looking up in his face, +answered so that only he could hear, “If it please +you, father; I care for no one else.” In the midst of +it all who should enter but Truscott. She was singing +at the moment, but the colonel welcomed him cordially, +and Mrs. Turner motioned him to a seat by her side. +The instant the song was finished he rose and went forward; +but before he could speak Miss Pelham, too, had +risen, and with perfect ease and the most radiant smile, +exclaimed, “This is indeed an honor, Mr. Truscott. +You have been so confirmed a recluse that an evening +<span class="pagenum">[278]</span>visit from you is more than a rarity.” Then she turned +instantly to reply to several requests for another song, +laughingly protesting that they must leave at least one +or two for some other occasion; and Truscott noted +with vague uneasiness and disappointment that the little +hand so carelessly extended had barely touched his, and +was cold as ice.</p> + +<p>During the rest of the brief half-hour he listened +with delight to her singing when she sang, and watched +the grace and cordiality of her manner among the +guests with growing admiration, but not one word more +was vouchsafed him. It was soon time to go, for others +were going, and not even a good-night pressure of the +hand could he gain. Mrs. Turner had absolutely taken +his arm after saying farewell, and Grace, quickly noting +the circumstance, had seized her opportunity.</p> + +<p>“Ah! you going, too, Mr. Truscott? Good-night.” +And with the words she turned her attention to other +departing guests. But when all were gone, and her +father would have detained her a few moments, she +hurriedly kissed his ruddy forehead and wished him +pleasant dreams, darted up the stairs and into her own +room, locked the door, threw herself upon the bed, and +burst into a passion of tears.</p> + +<p>Late the following afternoon, and not until late, she +appeared in the parlor. A violent headache had been +her excuse for remaining in her room all day, but she +was wide awake when Truscott called, and as her +mother stepped to the head of the stairs, she had listened +to that brief conversation with strained attention. +She could not help noting the earnest anxiety in his +voice, and a thrill of gladness for an instant possessed +<span class="pagenum">[279]</span>her. Then she recalled the scene of the previous night, +and then again her mother’s voice was heard in the +adjoining room, “And now he is going into Mrs. Tanner’s.” +And Grace hardened her heart against him in +bitter, jealous pain. Gladly would she have shunned +all eyes that day, but the Raymonds and Mr. Glenham +had been invited by Mrs. Pelham to dinner, so rise and +dress she had to. Once during the morning the colonel +had come in to kiss and cheer her, but she shrank from +all conversation with her mother, and lay perfectly still, +as though striving to sleep, whenever that lady entered; +but at noon she heard the servant coming up the stairs +after answering the door-bell, and with a “sh-sh-sh” +of caution, Mrs. Pelham had swooped out from her +own room and taken possession of the tiny note that +Grace could not see. No wonder that Truscott received +no answer that day,—that the tiny note never was answered. +At stables he learned from the colonel that +she was better, and “had been resting quietly,” but that +was all. It had been his intention to have a talk with +Glenham after dinner, and on returning from stables he +found the latter getting into his full uniform. They +had not met before during the day.</p> + +<p>“What’s that for, Glenham?” he asked. “There +is no parade to-night.”</p> + +<p>“Dinner at the colonel’s,” was the brief reply.</p> + +<p>“Indeed! I hope Miss Pelham is well enough to +be down, then.”</p> + +<p>“She was looking well as ever when I saw her ten +minutes ago,” was the dry response; and Truscott, +pained and stung,—he hardly knew why,—decided +that he would postpone what he had to say to Glenham. +<span class="pagenum">[280]</span>He spent the evening alone, and it was after eleven, +and he had gone to bed, when he heard Glenham return. +It used to be the practice of the latter when he +came in late and found no one in their sitting-room to +go to Jack’s door and see if he had turned in; but this +night he never stopped an instant; and Truscott, lying +sleepless for hours afterwards, and thinking over the +events of the past few days, felt sadly assured that in +many ways the course of his true love was to run no +smoother than was proverbially the case.</p> + +<p>The next was a busy day in the office. Truscott +stopped at the colonel’s on the way thither to inquire +after Miss Pelham, and was told by the servant +that she was much better, and at the moment at breakfast. +The colonel himself remained but a few moments +at headquarters, and yet Truscott’s practised eye saw at +once that something had gone very wrong with him. +He was looking anxious and harassed, and replied to +the few questions addressed him by the adjutant with +evident constraint. All the morning and much of the +afternoon Truscott was chained to the desk, engaged +with the sergeant-major and the clerks on some important +papers; but shortly before stables he called at +the colonel’s, and inquired if he could see Miss Pelham. +He heard the rustle of feminine garments in +the parlor as the servant ushered him through the hall, +but it was vacant when he entered, and the door leading +to the dining-room was closed; the piano was open, +and on the rack was a favorite song of Miss Pelham’s,—Millard’s +“Waiting.” On the piano was a cavalry +forage-cap,—Glenham’s. In a moment the servant returned. +“Miss Pelham is lying down, and begs to be +<span class="pagenum">[281]</span>excused,” was the message; and with a deep, dull pain, +and a sense of injury he could not define rankling in +his heart, Jack Truscott turned and left the parlor. +He never entered it again.</p> + +<p>Late that evening two soldiers of Captain Tanner’s +troop rode into garrison, went at once to the adjutant’s +quarters, and delivered a package addressed in the captain’s +handwriting to Truscott. Opening it he found a +letter for himself, a second addressed to Tanner’s business +agent in San Francisco, a third to Mrs. Tanner. +Sending the men to their quarters he rapidly read the +first note, and for a few moments remained buried in +thought. Then he started, looked at his watch, once +more glanced at his note, and, taking all three in his +hand, left the house.</p> + +<p>Meantime, what has become of Mrs. Tanner? Just +how she bore the tidings that her husband was to be +torn from her at the very day and hour when she most +needed his loving caresses, just what that parting cost +her, just how long, dreary, and tear-laden was the +night that followed the departure of his command, and +how desolate and sad the succeeding day, no words +could tell; and, fortunately enough, the poor powers +of this narrator would fall too far short of adequate +description to render the faintest attempt pardonable. +There are some sorrows too sacred for prying eyes to +look upon; too deep, too holy, for any record save that +of the All-Merciful on high. <i>Is</i> it compensation? is +it, can it be sufficient to the eye of faith upturned in +dumb, yet patient, prayerful agony, that He who giveth +only to take away, notes with loving pity every sob and +tear, and only chasteneth because He loveth? Ah! I +<span class="pagenum">[282]</span>fear me there be mothers who cannot fathom the depths +of a love so infinite, mothers to whom the prattle and +petting of some sweet, sunny-haired baby were worth +far more than a love infinite indeed, yet infinitely beyond +them. Bow and bend and bear it as they may, +is there a mother-heart so utterly sanctified by grief, I +wonder, as to be able to <em>feel</em> the utter resignation of the +words the quivering, kiss-robbed lips so meekly strive +to frame,—“Thy will be done”? Perhaps so. Possibly +it was so with her whose lot it was to be bereft of +the idols of her gentle life; to be left lone, desolate, +wellnigh deserted in her bereavement; to be shunned +by those whose hands were not worthy to unlatch the +very shoes upon her feet, whose lips were too sullied to +breathe the least holy, womanly, wifely thought that +ever found birth in her pure and humble soul. Let us +leave her with her grief and her God. It was practically +what Camp Sandy did.</p> + +<p>The Raymonds and Mr. Glenham had dined at +Colonel Pelham’s, as has been seen, and it will be remembered +that Mr. Hunter was in earnest conversation +with Mrs. Turner that morning. Very soon after +Hunter’s departure Mrs. Turner had run over to Mrs. +Raymond’s. Later in the day Mrs. Wilkins in a high +state of excitement was observed to be imparting some +intelligence to no less than three ladies over on Captain +Canker’s piazza. That night after dinner Mrs. Raymond +had a long whispered conversation with Lady +Pelham on the sofa, while Grace was trying to sing for +the benefit of the adoring Glenham, who hung rapturously +about the piano. Later still Mrs. Pelham had +inflicted a curtain-lecture upon the colonel which robbed +<span class="pagenum">[283]</span>him of sleep, and in course of which she gave him a +piece of information that made him utterly wretched. +The next morning on his return from the office he had +sought Grace, and after a few moments’ conversation, +in which he had shown grievous embarrassment, he had +taken her in his arms, saying, “Grace, my darling, +sometimes I think I can believe nobody but you. For +God’s sake, tell me that this story I have heard of what +you and Mr. Hunter saw is not true!” And she, looking +wildly up in his face one moment, exclaimed, in +horror-stricken tones, “Oh, father, he cannot have told +it!” and burst into a passion of hysterical tears.</p> + +<p>Then poor Pelham knew it was true. He did not +go to stables that afternoon: he did not want to see +Truscott. He shut himself in his “den,” as a sort +of study and smoking-room of his was called, and +strove to think. When the adjutant reported the command +present at tattoo, he merely replied, “Very well, +sir,” and abruptly re-entered the house. And when +ten o’clock came and the trumpet-call for extinguishing +lights wailed through the garrison, its notes sounded +like a knell to his honest heart. Ah, how many there +were to whom the notes were even sadder! All because +a weak-minded boy had not sense enough to hold +his tongue.</p> + +<p>“You don’t seem to like Mr. Truscott,” Mrs. Turner +had remarked to Mr. Hunter that morning. “Why, I +thought he was the Admirable Crichton himself.”</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Hunter was Mrs. Turner’s latest victim. +The young fellow was dancing around the limited +circle of which her apron-string was the radius much +of his time, and he was jealous of her admiration for +<span class="pagenum">[284]</span>Truscott, and was not a youth of profound good taste +or discretion in any event.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like any man who is two-faced,” was his +surly reply.</p> + +<p>“But I always thought Mr. Truscott the personification +of honor and straightforwardness,” she persisted.</p> + +<p>“He may be, only his way doesn’t strike me as eminently +high-toned,” was the answer. And in ten minutes +she had deftly extracted his story from his not +unwilling lips and sent him about his business. This +was the delicious plum she carried to Mrs. Raymond, +and it needs no dilation now to tell how the plum +expanded by the time it reached the colonel.</p> + +<p>No wonder no lady had called to see how poor little +Mrs. Tanner was on either of the two days succeeding +her husband’s departure.</p> + +<p>All that evening the colonel sat alone in his den. It +was late, eleven o’clock, when the wife of his bosom +suggested his going to bed. She herself had been +having a long chat with Mr. Glenham, despite the fact +that she had monopolized him during much of the +afternoon. Grace was indeed up-stairs when Truscott +called, but it was Mrs. Pelham, not she, who sent the +message that she was lying down. But the colonel +would not go to bed.</p> + +<p>“I cannot sleep now, Dolly. I want to think. The +mail goes up to Prescott first thing to-morrow morning, +and I must write two letters.”</p> + +<p>It must have been long after midnight when at last +he rose, and, with a drawn, wearied look upon his face, +extinguished the lights and went to his room. Even +then he stood for some little time at his window, looking +<span class="pagenum">[285]</span>out upon the starry sky to the southward. Suddenly +he heard quick footsteps crossing the parade from +the direction of the office. Somebody bounded up on +the piazza, and instantly the clang of the bell, thrice +repeated, resounded through the house. Pelham quickly +waddled down and opened the door.</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” he sharply asked.</p> + +<p>“Corcoran, sir. It’s an important despatch, and I +brought it right over. It’s lucky I sleep next to the +instrument, or we might not have got it until morning, +sir.”</p> + +<p>“Come in,” said Pelham. And leading the way to +the parlor, he struck a light, tore open the envelope, +and hastily read the contents.</p> + +<p>“Go and wake the adjutant at once, and tell him I +want him,” he said. And Corcoran was off without a +word.</p> + +<p>The next moment Grace’s light footstep was heard +upon the stair, and in a loose, warm wrapper, she stole +hastily in upon him.</p> + +<p>“What is it, papa? I could not call for fear of +waking mother, and I was anxious.”</p> + +<p>“A very important message from the general with +instructions for Tanner’s command. Instructions he +must get at once, too,” said the colonel, “and there +isn’t a scout in the garrison.”</p> + +<p>“What can you do?” she asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know yet; I’ve sent for the adjutant,” he +stammered. He could not explain it, but he could not +then pronounce his name in her presence. Again he +read the despatch.</p> + +<p>“Advices just received from Stryker prove Eskiminzin +<span class="pagenum">[286]</span>to be near Diamond Butte. Send couriers after +Tanner at once and turn him that way. Indians are +strongly reinforced and making for Green Valley. +Hold entire command in readiness to move at moment’s +notice. What force has Tanner? Acknowledge receipt.”</p> + +<p>He handed it to her. “You may read it, Grace. I +had thought all this was at an end, but you never can tell. +There be agents and agents. It looks like another +general outbreak.”</p> + +<p>The sweet face paled a little as the curt, business-like +wording of the despatch met her eyes. Then she +looked up.</p> + +<p>“Do not speak of it to any one,” he said. “Your +mother sometimes forgets that these are not matters for +talk. But what keeps Corcoran?” he asked, impatiently, +and stepped forth upon the piazza. Despite +the chill night air, Grace threw his heavy cloak around +her and followed him, linking her arm through his and +nestling close to his side.</p> + +<p>“It is all so exciting, and yet, I can’t help it, I like +it,” she said.</p> + +<p>“You’re quite a soldier, Gracie,” he answered, fondly. +“I believe you were cut out for the army, despite your +mother’s predilections for civil life. Here comes Corcoran +on the run, as usual. Did you find him?” he +asked.</p> + +<p>“No, sir. He isn’t there at all.”</p> + +<p>“What?” said Pelham, with sudden vehemence. +“Not there? Are you sure?”</p> + +<p>“Sure, sir. Mr. Glenham got up and we went +through the house. He isn’t there, and all is dark +<span class="pagenum">[287]</span>down at the store——” And Corcoran paused irresolutely.</p> + +<p>“Go and call the officer of the day, Captain Canker, +quick,” said the colonel, shortly.</p> + +<p>Then there was silence. He put his arm around his +daughter’s waist, and she, shivering, though not from +cold, nestled closer to him. From the guard-house +arose the prolonged cry of the sentry, “Number one, +one o’clock.” And one after another the sentries took +up the call before Corcoran returned. Behind him, +with clanking sabre, came Captain Canker.</p> + +<p>“Have you any idea where Truscott can be?” was +the immediate question from the colonel’s lips.</p> + +<p>Before the astonished officer could reply, the door of +Captain Tanner’s quarters, close beside them, opened. +A broad light shone forth upon the parade, and, calm +and erect, the adjutant stepped quickly from the hall. +The door closed behind him. With one bound Grace +Pelham tore herself from her father’s arm and fled up-stairs.</p> + +<p>“You are calling me, colonel. What is it?” the +deep, grave voice was heard to ask, and Mr. Truscott +stood before his commanding officer.</p> + +<p>For an instant no one spoke. Pelham fairly staggered. +Canker’s face bore an expression of virtuous +amaze and indignation. Truscott alone looked self-possessed.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott,” at last said the colonel, with evident +effort, and very gravely, “I have been sending everywhere +for you.” (A conventional statement which +many a post commander considers it justifiable to make +when the desired officer doesn’t happen to be in the +<span class="pagenum">[288]</span>first place he is looked for.) “It is necessary to send a +courier to Tanner at once, some one who will be sure +to find him. A most important despatch is received, +and it must get to him quick as possible. Who can +take it?”</p> + +<p>“I can, sir.”</p> + +<p>“But I don’t want to send you. Stop, though,” +said the colonel, and a sudden thought seemed to flash +across his mind. The look of deep trouble, of stern, +startled resolution, was still upon his face. “I wish +you <em>would</em> go. It is best you should. I—I mean it +is of such moment that I like to intrust it to no one +but an officer.”</p> + +<p>“I can start inside an hour, colonel, and can catch +him before the next sunset.”</p> + +<p>“Then take any escort you like, and get ready at +once. Bucketts will act for you in your absence. I +will be at the office.” And Truscott turned and left, +turned suddenly again at Tanner’s quarters, and knocked +lightly at the door. It was opened at once, and he +entered. The colonel and Captain Canker gazed after +him in silence. Then their eyes met. “Come into the +parlor, Canker,” said the colonel, hoarsely, and led the +way. “Corcoran, go and wake the sergeant-major, and +send the orderly trumpeter to report to the adjutant. +Wake Major Bucketts and say—no, never mind waking +anybody else. Come in, captain.” And the colonel +closed his door.</p> + +<p>In five minutes Mr. Truscott reappeared on the +piazza, and Mrs. Tanner followed him. “You will +stop for the letter?” she anxiously asked.</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” he answered, and was gone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[289]</span></p> + +<p>At two o’clock in the morning three horsemen rode +rapidly away from the adjutant’s office down the slope +to the southward. With them were two led horses. +Jack Truscott had started on his dangerous mission.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[290]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XVII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Down</span> in a deep valley close under the frowning +cliffs of the Mogollon range a cavalry detachment has +gone into bivouac. The setting sun flashes upon tree-top +and rocky spur above, and throws into bold prominence +the long expanse of rugged precipice that spans +the view far as eye can reach. To right and left it +stretches, a barrier grim and impassable, shutting off +all view towards the east. Northward and southward +are the foot-hills, lofty in themselves, but dwarfed by +the great height of the palisaded crest in front. All +are densely wooded, covered with short, stunted but +hardy pine, juniper, and scrub-oak, while down in the +deep interlying valleys and narrow cañons tall cottonwoods +rear their heads. It is in a grove of these that +the men have unsaddled, and now, as twilight settles +upon the scene, and the herd-guards are doubled around +the grazing steeds and pack-mules, the glow of the +camp-fire is visible down under the stream-bank, whence +its light cannot be detected beyond the narrow limits of +the bivouac. The ruddy glare falls upon the faces of +three or four busy soldiers, the cooks <i lang="la">pro tempore</i> of the +command, but almost to a man the other troopers are +gathered about two dusty, weary-looking non-commissioned +officers who have just dismounted and are now +unsaddling their jaded horses. The merry, reckless +<span class="pagenum">[291]</span>chaff is stilled; a marked silence has fallen upon all; +the men converse in quiet tones. Even the horses have +an air of mysterious caution about them, and the Indian +allies, crouching or squatting under the trees, are +gazing fixedly, but without a word to one another, upon +the group of soldiery. Even while questioning the +new-comers and listening eagerly to their replies, some +of the troopers keep constantly in view a party of five +men standing aloof engaged in earnest conversation. +One of them, the tallest, is unbuckling belt and spur +as he stands leaning against a broad cottonwood. He +lifts his broad-brimmed scouting-hat and passes his +hand across his white forehead with an air of evident +fatigue, but continues his quiet talk to the others. It +is Jack Truscott, and around him are Tanner, Ray, +Dana, and the doctor. Since two o’clock in the morning +he has been in pursuit, through mountain-pass, +through dark and gloomy cañon, through wilds only +well known to the infesting Apaches, through lairs +where every moment he might expect to hear their +vengeful yell and the crack of rifle or whiz of arrow; +but even as he promised and predicted, before the setting +of another sun he has accomplished his mission, +and the despatches are now in Tanner’s hands. He has +read them, and, pondering over their contents, is still +eagerly listening to Truscott’s talk.</p> + +<p>“Could you tell how many there were?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“No,” said Truscott. “But it was evident that they +had been there to fill their <i lang="es">ollas</i>, and it must be that +their main body is somewhere among the high peaks, +within a mile or two of the water.”</p> + +<p>“What a blessed piece of luck! We passed up the +<span class="pagenum">[292]</span>valley on the other side, and might never have seen it. +Who knows what time the moon will be up?”</p> + +<p>“Eight thirty,” answered Ray.</p> + +<p>“Then we want supper for all hands first thing. +Jack, you must be hungry as a wolf. Ray, Dana, let +your men fill their canteens and take along a couple +of days’ bacon and hard-tack. See that every man +has fifty rounds carbine cartridges and enough for his +revolver. We start afoot at moonrise. There will be +time for some of them to get a nap. Doctor, two of +the men will carry what you want.” And with that +Captain Tanner proceeded to stow his despatches in his +scouting note-book, and briefly to note in pencil the +events of the day. In ten minutes the entire bivouac, +officers and men, were eagerly disposing of a substantial +supper with the zest only mountain appetites and +the vivid uncertainty as to when or where the next +might be obtainable can impart.</p> + +<p>Then as pipes were filled and lighted, Tanner, Truscott, +and Ray, stretched at ease upon their blankets, +fell into further discussion.</p> + +<p>“What time did Mills and Lewis get in?” asked +Tanner, referring to the two soldiers who had been +sent back with despatches the day before.</p> + +<p>“It must have been soon after ten,” said Truscott. +“I found Mrs. Tanner still up and dressed, and she +got the papers at once.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry to have put you to so much trouble, +Jack. It must have been some hours’ work. Why, +man alive, you cannot have had a wink of sleep for +thirty-six hours or more. I never thought of it.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind that,” said Truscott, laughingly. “It +<span class="pagenum">[293]</span>was good luck. If your note had not come I would +have been asleep when this despatch reached Sandy, +and the colonel would have sent somebody else. Then +too if it had not come I would have followed on your +trail, or whoever came would have done so, instead of +taking the short cut by Hardscrabble and Jaycox Pass, +and so would have missed these signs entirely.”</p> + +<p>“All the same you need rest. Of course, now that +you are here, you’ll want to go with us on the night-hunt; +but you can sleep till nine or ten and follow. +Sergeant Kane can go with the Apache-Mohaves and +show the signs. We’ll follow the old tactics, of course,—attack +at daybreak.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” said Truscott, as he knocked the ashes +out of his pipe; and rolling over, burying his face in +his arms, he was soon sound asleep.</p> + +<p>Tanner and Ray smoked in silence a while, busied in +their reflections. Dana, a few yards away, was writing +what appeared to be a letter. The doctor was busy +about his pannier, getting ready lint, bandages, and the +ominous-looking supplies of his department. Some +distance farther the men were chatting in low tones +under the trees, kicking off their cavalry boots and +spurs and pulling on Indian moccasins as more suitable +for the work before them, and overhauling their +arms and ammunition-belts. Out in the glade the +herds were restfully grazing, while here and there on +the outskirts could be heard the subdued voices of the +guards as they rebuked some straggling quadruped, +while the muffled tinkle of the bells on the necks of +the lead-horses of each company’s pack-train, and the +occasional snap of burning twig or stamp of hoof, were +<span class="pagenum">[294]</span>the only sounds that a hundred yards away would have +betrayed the presence of the command.</p> + +<p>“Truscott ought to be fairly used up, Ray,” said +Tanner, finally. “I’ve a great mind to steal off and +leave him sleeping here with the camp-guard to take +charge of him.”</p> + +<p>“You would not get far away before he would be +striding after you,” said Ray, with a grin. “But what +kept him up all last night? I did not understand.”</p> + +<p>“Why, that was my doing, confound it!” answered +Tanner. “I had promised to send copies of certain +important papers to San Francisco, and was ordered off +in a hurry, and—well, it escaped my attention, for it +was particularly hard to leave my wife just at this +time. So when the doctor sent Lewis back sick, I +wrote to Jack and asked him to get them off by first +mail for me. I supposed that he would have them +copied by a clerk; but the mail went this morning, +and in order to get them off he and Mrs. Tanner had +to sit up till after midnight and make the copies. It +isn’t the first time he has had to look after my affairs +for me. I fancy Jack knows more about my business +matters than any agent I ever had; and, glad as I am +to see him, I wish he hadn’t come away from Sandy +just now.”</p> + +<p>Ray looked up inquiringly.</p> + +<p>“You didn’t know it, I suppose, Ray, but the night +we marched away, almost the very hour, was the night +five years ago we lost our little Bertie. It is a wretched +anniversary to my poor wife, and always upsets her. +She never has any intimates or particularly warm +friends among the ladies somehow, and Truscott has +<span class="pagenum">[295]</span>been about the only real comrade we’ve ever had. She +thinks all the world of him, for he nursed Bertie +through one severe attack while I was away, and he +was the only soul to sympathize with her the night we +marched. It hurts me to think how lonely these days +must be to her and poor little Rosalie.” And the +bronzed, bearded face turned away from the firelight.</p> + +<p>Ray rose impulsively. “Why in thunder hadn’t I +thought of this, Tanner? I wish all the more now +that—— Why! why didn’t Jack tell Pelham? Oh, +of course you forbade him, but all the same I would +have let him know. Never mind, old man, we’ll give +these reds a trouncing to-morrow and then hurry back +for Christmas, and give Rosalie an out-and-out merry +one.”</p> + +<p>“God grant it!” said Tanner, gravely. And Ray +wondering at the earnestness, the solemnity of his tone, +fell to thinking of their conversation. It had made a +deep impression upon his light, careless nature, and he +long remembered every word. Well was it that he did +so!</p> + +<p>At last, looking eagerly aloft among the tree-tops, +Tanner notes the faint, shimmering, silvery touch of +moonlight. All at the base of the Mogollon is still +deep shadow. He rises from the blankets in which he +has rolled himself and looks around. At his feet, +sleeping like children, are Truscott and Ray. Under +a neighboring cottonwood lies Dana, but not asleep. It +is too new an experience to him, and the proximity of +the doctor’s kit of murderous-looking implements is +not conducive to placid reflections. All along under +the trees, close to the rushing brook, the men are noiselessly +<span class="pagenum">[296]</span>grouped, most of them soundly sleeping, though +a few move restlessly about. To the left front, securely +hobbled and under vigilant guard, the eight-score +animals—horses and mules—are scattered over +the glade. Here and there is the faint glow of smouldering +cook- or watch-fire, and over all peace and +silence.</p> + +<p>Little by little the silver shield rises higher and peers +down over the rocky wall into the depths of the valley. +Then Tanner signals to his watchful sergeant, and in +low, brief tones the word is <span class="nowrap">given,—</span></p> + +<p>“Tumble up, men.”</p> + +<p>No stirring trumpet, no martial reveille, no formal +roll-call or assembly, nothing, in fine, that speaks of +the pomp and circumstance of war. Rolling out of +their blankets and hastily strapping them into bundles, +the troopers, with the ease of long practice, stow their +small belongings in shape for immediate transportation +on mule-back, turn them over to the packers for safekeeping, +and in ten minutes the little command is ready. +A strong guard under experienced non-commissioned +officers remains most reluctantly in charge of the herds +and packs; but some eighty men, nearly all veteran +Indian-fighters, are grouped about the watch-fire waiting +orders. Looking among them, no wonder Mr. +Ray mutters to Captain Tanner, “Well, we’re banditti +all over again to-night,” for hardly a vestige of regulation +uniform appears in the entire array. Old slouch +white hats, shirts of buckskin, canvas, or woollen, +trousers of similar material, an occasional pair of boots, +but a predominance of serviceable Tonto moccasins, in +which the men glide about noiselessly as spirits; not a +<span class="pagenum">[297]</span>uniform coat or cap in the whole command. Even the +officers, in their blue flannel shirts and broad-brimmed +hats, are as picturesquely unencumbered by any paraphernalia +of rank as their men.</p> + +<p>“Send Sergeant Winser here with the scouts,” is the +low-toned order that falls from the captain’s lips, as he +and Mr. Truscott stand, watch in hand, under the tall +cottonwood at the edge of the glade; and, obedient to +the summons, a tall, splendidly-built soldier with +bronzed face, clear-cut features, and dark, thoughtful +eyes, steps forward, and, quietly saluting, stands in +silence before his commander. Following him come a +dozen Apache scouts, their coarse, matted hair, bead-like, +glittering eyes, and snaky movements giving them, +despite their temporary and enforced allegiance, an indefinable +something that makes the beholder wary and +distrustful. These fellows, though, have been proved +in many a trying scout and skirmish through the +mountains, and their strange Apache names have long +since been dropped for the shorter, less romantic, but +far more pronounceable titles given by their soldier +comrades. Toyáh has become Pop-corn, Kithaymi, +Hopkin (after a discharged soldier to whom he had become +strongly attached); Tomawárecha is “Whiskey,” +though he knows not the taste of the article, and a +villainous-looking young scamp of a savage, with the +appalling name of Ulnyiákahorah, is dubbed Jocko +for short. And here, too, is Araháwa,—Washington +Charley,—and he takes his place by the sergeant’s side +as interpreter, should interpreting be necessary.</p> + +<p>Briefly Tanner gives his instructions.</p> + +<p>“Lieutenant Truscott will lead you and the scouts, +<span class="pagenum">[298]</span>sergeant. He found signs six miles down the valley, +and we will follow the trail wherever it goes. Ready, +Jack?” he asks. Truscott nods, throws his carbine +over his shoulder, and without a word strides off +down the brook-side. Sergeant Winser beckons to his +Apaches, and away they go at his heels. Then Tanner +turns to his troopers. “All ready, sergeant?”</p> + +<p>“All ready, sir.”</p> + +<p>“See to it, men, that your canteens don’t rattle. +Keep in the shade as much as possible. Come on.” +And with Ray, Dana, and the doctor close behind him, +the captain follows on the trail of the scouts, and after +them, in no tactical order whatever, but in perfect +silence and readiness, the men of the two troops trudge +briskly along. For a while the trail is so narrow and +winding that they move in single file, but little by little +the valley opens out, broader glades appear, the trees +grow sparse, except close along in the bed of the stream, +and soon they are able to spread out to the right and +left and to see about them. To the right the foot-hills +roll off northward in wave-like undulations. To the +left, only a short distance from the valley down which +they are rapidly marching, high, jagged precipitous +cliffs and “buttes” rise against the southern sky, all +dark and forbidding.</p> + +<p>For over an hour they plunge along, and the pace +is beginning to tell upon some of the heavy-weights +towards the rear; but Truscott and his Apaches at +the front know well that there is no time to be lost +in getting on the trail of the Tontos. They must be +followed to their lair before daybreak. If it be far +from the valley whither they had come for their supply +<span class="pagenum">[299]</span>of water, then every hour will be needed. If near, +then there will be plenty of time to rest after they get +there. At last, towards eleven o’clock, some time after +leaving the banks of the stream, and while pushing +ahead among the foot-hills of the tall cliffs to the south, +the rearmost men find themselves closing upon the +leaders, and now the command is feeling its way.</p> + +<p>Among a lot of stunted trees, on a “bench” some +few hundred feet above the level of the valley, Tanner +has halted his men to take breath. Out in front, gliding +from rock to rock, or flitting about among the trees, +are the tireless Apaches. The tall forms of Truscott +and Winser can be seen among them, apparently directing +their movements. Every now and then a muffled +clap of hand or a muttered call brings half a dozen of +the wild-looking creatures to the side of some one of +their number, who points in silence to broken twig, +freshly-turned stone, or the print of moccasin on tuft +of grass or ant-heap, then all move on again.</p> + +<p>Before them lies a dark ravine. To the left front +towers a ragged slope that seems to reach to the skies. +Across the ravine to the right there rises another, and +right between these, into the gorge itself, the scouts are +noiselessly, stealthily creeping. Tanner motions his +men to keep back under the trees, and taking Ray with +him, crouches forward to where Truscott is kneeling +among the rocks.</p> + +<p>“In there, do you think?” he whispers.</p> + +<p>Truscott shakes his head and points upward.</p> + +<p>“They are much higher than this, I take it, and +farther in; but the trail seems to lead this way.”</p> + +<p>Under the rocks the darkness is intense, and only +<span class="pagenum">[300]</span>slow progress is made; but every now and then patches +of moonlight are found, and these are eagerly scrutinized. +Two of the Indians, Kithaymi and Wawámecha, +seem to hunt in couples. Side by side they crawl +along, pointing eagerly with their long, bony fingers at +objects that are fraught with deep meaning to them, +but that would never attract the attention of a white +man. At last an opening appears in the rocks to the +left of the deep ravine in which they are working. A +broad sheet of moonlight streams across the front, and +Washington Charley, his eyes gleaming with excitement, +his white teeth flashing through his lips, points +aloft.</p> + +<p>“Got ’em,—plenty Tonto,” he whispers to Tanner.</p> + +<p>“How far up?”</p> + +<p>“No sabe,—mebbe so top,” is the answer.</p> + +<p>“Go ahead anyhow. Ray, bring up the men.”</p> + +<p>And now the climb begins in earnest. Noiselessly +the scouts swarm up over rock and boulder, peering +cautiously ahead all the time, creeping on all-fours to +every ridge or projecting point, and warily studying +the objects beyond before venturing farther. Close +behind the foremost Indians Truscott and the sergeant +slowly follow. Back some distance down the jagged +slope comes Tanner with the command, noiselessly as +white men can. In the darkness some one’s foot slips, +a stone goes rolling downward, and the metallic clink +of a canteen is heard, whereat one or two profane remarks +are growled about among the men, and Tanner +orders halt in a whisper. “Take off your canteens, +men,” is the next word, and they are noiselessly deposited +under the trees, only the doctor and his attendant +<span class="pagenum">[301]</span>being allowed to retain theirs. Then on they go again. +Twice Ray has to turn and caution his men to take it +easy. All are eager to get to the front. All know +that somewhere, probably at the very top of the rugged +mountain they are climbing, a band of Apaches are +hidden, for only on the summits of these isolated +buttes have they of late dared to build their rancherias, +so untiring has been the search for them, so sudden the +attack. Presently they come to ledges of rock so steep +that only by using both hands and helping one another +can they clamber up. Carbines and rifles are passed +from man to man, and slowly, warily the ascent is continued, +and still, far aloft, the summit stands before +them. They have been climbing fully an hour in this +way when the word halt is passed, or those in advance +hold up a warning hand. Tanner and Ray again +creep forward.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Jack?”</p> + +<p>“Can’t tell. There’s a deep hollow round that +point. Charley said wait.”</p> + +<p>Tanner looks at his watch. “Nearly one,” he mutters, +“and we’re not at the top yet. Did you ever see +such a country?”</p> + +<p>Well might he ask! Clinging along the side of +this huge spur from the main range, his men could +look for miles and miles over a sea of tumbled rock +and ravine, of jagged precipices and stony heights, of +barren wastes or pine-crested slopes. Softened as it +was by the silvery touch of the moon, there yet was in +the entire scene the very abomination of desolation. +Below them yawned a black gorge whose depths no +eye could penetrate; before them an almost impracticable +<span class="pagenum">[302]</span>ascent of rock and tangled underbrush; around +them nothing that was not savage and inhospitable. +Already the keen night air began to cut in to the very +marrow, and the men huddled together for warmth. +“What stops us?” is the muttered query.</p> + +<p>Back come Charley and Toyáh. They are wild with +excitement now, and breathlessly the former makes his +report. Broken as is his English, his hearers readily +understand him. They have found the hostiles, and it +is a big rancheria. “Mebbe so two hundred Tonto. +No can tell,” says Charley. “Come, captain; come +see.” And noiselessly as before the three officers creep +forward beyond the scouts, following the lead of the +agile young chief, who, nearly as naked as on the day +he was born, knows neither hunger, thirst, nor cold +in the face of such a glorious prospect as lies before +him. His savage soul thirsts for war, and here is his +opportunity.</p> + +<p>Some two hundred yards they half climb, half creep, +and at last arrive at a ridge or point, over and around +which they are bidden to look, but not to expose head +or hand, and to preserve intense silence. Peering, they +see a shallow depression in the mountain. It lies between +the rocky ridge on which they are crouching and +a corresponding ridge some six hundred yards beyond. +It is well filled with pines and stunted oaks, is walled +in on the east by an almost precipitous cliff, while +to the west the mountain-side slopes abruptly down +into the depths of that unfathomable gorge. Save +the glistening tree-tops and occasional outcropping of +boulder, all is darkness. Yet Charley has said that +there lay the rancheria; that in that hollow were +<span class="pagenum">[303]</span>probably over a hundred hostile Apaches. How does he +know?</p> + +<p>Truscott points beneath them. “Look!” he says.</p> + +<p>The mountain breeze is beginning to sigh through +the pines and to stir the dead leaves among the crevices +of the rocks. As a little gust flutters the branches +below them, from a dozen different points, deep down +in this mountain fastness, little showers of sparks fly +forth, and are as quickly lost to sight. They spring +from the smouldering embers of tiny fires, invisible +except from above, and this it is that now betrays the +position of the hostiles, who, sleeping in fancied security, +have not a sentinel to oppose to the coming foe.</p> + +<p>For five minutes Tanner and his two comrades study +the situation in silence. Some of the fires are away off +to the left under the cliff, others to the right nearer +the ravine, more directly in front, and around them all +they know the Apaches to be huddling. It <i>is</i> a large +rancheria, very probably Eskiminzin’s, the very one +they are after.</p> + +<p>Now come the dispositions for attack. It is too dark +for effective work down in that hollow, even with the +moonlight to aid. Then too a bank of clouds has risen +from the west and rolled up towards the zenith. The +moon that has been of such assistance on the trail will +soon be totally hidden, and in the darkness that must +ensue all the advantage will be on the side of the natives. +Tanner decides to wait until dawn. Meantime, his +men must be cared for. None have overcoats or +blankets: to light fires would be too hazardous. Orders +are sent back to remain where they are in such shelter +as they can find among the rocks, while he, with the +<span class="pagenum">[304]</span>Indian scouts and his officers, explores the ground around +the rancheria. An hour’s patient, noiseless search results +in the discovery that only from their side, the +north, and for a short space on the west can the rancheria +be approached. The main entrance or “trail” to it is +evidently from the south, and they have come to it by +the back way. And now the moon has disappeared +and all is total darkness. It is impossible to send a +detachment farther up the mountain to get around in +rear of the position of the Tontos. The darkness prohibits +that, and even in daylight, three hours at least +would be consumed before they could expect to reach +the desired point. Eagerly, tirelessly therefore, they +watch their prey. The hours drag along, but there is +no relaxation in their vigilance. At last, towards half-past +four o’clock, Tanner directs Sergeant Winser to +take his scouts down to the right, to feel their way +along the edge of the ravine and get as far forward +towards the rancheria as possible. Ray calls up and +stations his men a few feet apart all along among the +rocks from the ravine to the centre, while Tanner’s +own company under Lieutenant Dana are disposed +along the ridge almost as far as the base of the cliff to +the left. Very slowly and cautiously has this been +accomplished. Hardly a sound has been made that +could be heard more than a few yards away, and now, +as a grayish pallor spreads over the heavens above, and +the tree-tops rustle in a wind that grows chiller every +minute, Tanner’s little command, copying the tactics +taught by long experience among the Indians themselves, +lies crouching in readiness for its spring. Near +the centre of the line and in front of all is the captain +<span class="pagenum">[305]</span>himself, kneeling beside a huge boulder; with him, +prone upon the ground, lies Truscott; behind them +crouch one of Tanner’s sergeants and “the Kid.” +Every man has his orders,—silence, not a move, not a +shot until the captain gives the word, then one volley +and a rush in. The nearest fire opposite Tanner’s position +seems about three hundred yards away, perhaps +not quite so far. Little by little a wan light is stealing +over the scene, and the men can begin to distinguish +one another’s features; but in the hollow no forms are +visible. Tanner looks impatiently at his watch again.</p> + +<p>“Quarter-past five,” he mutters, “and dark as Erebus +down there yet.”</p> + +<p>Truscott makes no reply. His eyes are fixed on the +glow of one particular fire near the middle of the +hollow. He puts out his hand and lays it on Tanner’s +arm, pointing with the other.</p> + +<p>Something shadowy and dim is moving down there +about that fire. Twice it has passed between them and +the blaze. Five minutes more and the blaze leaps upward, +as though freshly fed, and the snap and crackle +of burning twigs is heard. Distinctly now two human +forms can be seen, and along all the watching line there +runs a thrill. Some men cautiously bring their carbines +to full-cock and ready; others, shivering ’twixt +cold and excitement, look eagerly towards their silent +captain but stir not.</p> + +<p>And now it is growing so light that objects beyond +the rancheria are distinctly visible, and along the outskirts +of the Indian bivouac before them the men can +detect the outlines of rude shelters. Once again Truscott +touches Tanner’s arm and points to the right front. +<span class="pagenum">[306]</span>Between the trees in the hollow and the edge of the +deep ravine a level shelf or bench, covered with broken +rocks, is now to be seen, and close to the edge of the +trees stands the figure of an Indian. For a moment +he is motionless, then, gun in hand, he comes lightly +stepping along the bench straight to the point of the +ridge, straight to where Ray is crouching with his men.</p> + +<p>“Quick, sergeant! slip down there and caution them +not to fire,” whispers Tanner. “Get him alive, if +possible.”</p> + +<p>Then follows a moment of intense strain and excitement. +Almost every man in the command can see that +Indian coming. Every one knows that a few steps +more will bring him right in among Ray’s people. +Then what will be the result? On he comes, unconscious +of danger, nearer, nearer to his foes. Now he is +clambering up the rocks, now he is among the stunted +trees. Bang!</p> + +<p>“Fire!” rings the command. A crashing volley +answers, a wild cheer echoes along the hill-side, and +from their cover, scouts and troopers, officers and men, +come rushing into the hollow, firing as they run. Of +just what follows no one man can give accurate account. +A few minutes of hot, blasting, raging work, of shrieks, +shots, and uproar, of wild dismay among the startled +Indians, of screaming squaws and children, of rallying-cries +among the warriors, who spring to arms and open +rapid but ill-aimed fire. In rush the soldiers among +the “wickyups”; carbine and rifle, revolver and arrow, +for two desperate minutes are dealing death in every +direction. Even in their surprise the Indians fight +savagely, like rats in a corner; but though their +<span class="pagenum">[307]</span>numbers are superior, they have no leadership, no organisation, +no time to think, poor devils! In two minutes +they are swept from their camp and are scattered in +flight and terror along the mountain-side, abandoning +everything.</p> + +<p>For ten or fifteen minutes the noise of the pursuit +continues, shouts and cries and scattering shots, but +there is no such thing as catching these fleet-footed +Apaches, and the soldiers, fatigued with their long +climb, and stiff with cold, soon give it up and straggle +back to the rancheria they have won. The scouts hang +longer at the heels of the fleeing Indians, but by seven +o’clock the entire command has reassembled amid the +ruins of the Apache camp, and the fight is over.</p> + +<p>Such being the general features, it is not easy to +relate individual experiences. All was so sudden. +The young Indian who had prematurely brought on +the conflict by walking straight in among the men was +the first prisoner, Ray and the men near him having +scientifically pounced upon and wellnigh choked him to +death before he knew where he was; but in the struggle +somebody’s carbine was discharged, and as that +meant an alarm to the whole Apache band, Tanner at +once gave the order to fire, and with the supplementary +shout of “Come on, men!” had rushed down the slope +towards the rancheria, Truscott close beside him. On +the right the scouts and some of Ray’s men had worked +so far to the front as to be able to pour in a rapid crossfire, +so that the resistance to the main attack was neither +vigorous nor sustained; nevertheless, some few Indians +had made good use of their arms, one old scoundrel +never leaving his “wickyup,” but quietly squatting +<span class="pagenum">[308]</span>there, drove arrow after arrow at the leaders of the +charging soldiers until a bullet laid him low, and one of +these arrows has struck Jack Truscott full in the breast.</p> + +<p>Returning from the pursuit somewhat “blown,” Mr. +Ray encountered his first sergeant and one or two men +kneeling by the prostrate form of a comrade.</p> + +<p>“Who is it?” he asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Kerrigan, sir. Stone dead. Shot through the +heart, I think.”</p> + +<p>“I’m very sorry,” said Ray, gravely. “Have we +lost many, do you know?”</p> + +<p>“They say two of Captain Tanner’s fellers are killed, +sir, and there’s three or four wounded. Loot’n’nt Truscott’s +hit, sir,” said one of the men.</p> + +<p>“Truscott!” exclaimed Ray, springing to his feet. +“Where is he?”</p> + +<p>“Over there among the wickyups, sir.” And, picking +his way through smoke and smouldering ember, +occasionally stumbling over the stiffening corpse of some +half-naked savage, Ray presently came upon Truscott +himself, quietly seated at the foot of a tree, looking a +trifle pale, perhaps, but placid as ever, while one of the +men was cautiously unlacing his hunting-shirt.</p> + +<p>“What hit you, Jack?” said Ray, grasping his hand.</p> + +<p class="b1">“Nothing but a blunt arrow, luckily. There lies +the archer,” said Truscott, pointing to the body of a +hideous old Indian lying under the rude shelter of +branches and twigs that had been his temporary home.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowe20"> + <a rel="nofollow" href="images/i308alt.jpg"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i308alt.jpg" alt=""> + </a> + <figcaption> + <p class="noindent small center" style="justify-content: center;">“‘Nothing but a blunt arrow, luckily. There lies the archer.’”</p> + <div class="attr">Page 308. </div> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p style="clear: both;">“You’ve bled a good deal, anyhow. Here, Hogan, +let me do that.” And, kneeling before his friend, Ray +with nimble fingers unfastened the heavy shirt and +threw it open at the throat. “Why, Jack, you’re worse +<span class="pagenum">[309]</span>than a stuck pig, and bleeding yet. Hogan, get me +some water, and tell the doctor to come here.”</p> + +<p>“The doctor’s busy, Ray; you can patch it up easy +enough. The thing only glanced on a rib, and hasn’t +done any harm to speak of.” But even as he uttered +the words Truscott’s head drooped wearily and his eyes +half closed, a deeper pallor spread over face and brow. +Ray threw his arm about his neck and drew the drooping +head upon his shoulder. “You must be mighty +faint, old man; lie still. We’ll have some water in a +minute.”</p> + +<p>With that he threw back Truscott’s shirt with his +right hand and opened the torn undershirt. All was +soaked with blood. Something lying wet and warm +upon the broad chest stopped his hand, and Ray drew +it forth,—a dainty, filmy, embroidered handkerchief, +dripping with the warm current from Truscott’s veins, +and in one corner, half crimsoned, half spotless white, +was embroidered the simple name—“Grace.”</p> + +<p>There was dead silence an instant. Then Tanner +and Mr. Dana came running to them. Ray hurriedly +thrust the handkerchief back into Truscott’s bosom and +held out his bloody hand.</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry. He is only weak from loss of blood.” +And Jack, hearing their anxious voices, opened his eyes +and looked up with a grin. Then the doctor came, and +speedily the flow was stanched, the necessary bandages +applied, and, revived by a nip of brandy from the doctor’s +flask, the adjutant sat up, while, as Ray expressed +it, “Tanner took account of stock.”</p> + +<p>Fifteen Indians lay dead among the ruins of the +rancheria, a few more lay among the rocks in the direction +<span class="pagenum">[310]</span>of their flight. Three squaws and some children +were prisoners, and from them it was learned that the +band was indeed that of Eskiminzin, that about one +hundred and fifty, mostly warriors, were there encamped, +and that Eskiminzin himself had escaped. On the +other hand, though a severe punishment had been inflicted +on the Indians, and they had lost their fastness +and all their supplies and plunder, Tanner was distressed +to find that two of his men were killed outright and +several quite severely wounded. He had hoped by +total surprise to have “jumped upon” the village before +the Indians could really get to their arms, but that +unlucky single shot had roused the rancheria, and in +charging across the open slope into the Indian position +he and the men with him had been much exposed. It +was not altogether satisfactory, and Tanner’s plans were +quickly decided. Truscott with a sufficient guard would +convey the five wounded by easy marches back to Camp +Sandy, while he, with the rest of the command, would +push on in pursuit of Eskiminzin. Meantime, an Indian +runner would go back with his report of the +engagement.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[311]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XVIII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Four</span> days afterward, at even an earlier hour, just +as the first trembling of the willows along the stream +announced the stir of the morning breeze, two troopers +forded the Sandy below the garrison and rode slowly +up the slope to the parade. A light was burning at the +guard-house, and others were gleaming in the company +kitchens where the cooks were already at work getting +coffee and breakfast for the men, for old Catnip was a +firm believer in the theory that a soldier was far more +apt to take an interest in the grooming of his horse +when his own stomach was comfortably filled than when +he was suffering for his breakfast. As a consequence, +stable-duty was not the bugbear in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> that it was +in other regiments, where the men had to spend an hour +or more, shivering and hungry and cross, spattering +away with curry-comb and brush, and swearing <i lang="it">sotto +voce</i> at their steeds in the same listless and perfunctory +manner with which they would have cleaned several +muddy pairs of boots. In Pelham’s regiment the principal +difficulty seemed to be that of restraining the men +from whistling or singing at their work,—a thing which +could not be permitted, because it was unprofessional +from a military point of view.</p> + +<p>Inclining to the right, the leading horseman rode at +rapid walk along under officers’ row, under the colonel’s +<span class="pagenum">[312]</span>quarters, at an upper window of which he gazed lingeringly +as he passed; under in succession all the others +until he came to the northernmost building. Here he +dismounted, slowly and stiffly, and the other horseman, +dismounting also, sprang forward and took the reins.</p> + +<p>Stepping to the door, the former turned the knob and +pushed, but the door was locked. Going around to a +side-window, he knocked upon the pane, and <span class="nowrap">called,—</span></p> + +<p>“Glenham!”</p> + +<p>No answer. Thrice he knocked and called, and still +there came no reply. Jack Truscott had returned to find +himself locked out of his own house.</p> + +<p>“Go and ask the corporal of the guard to come +here,” he said, wearily, seating himself upon the steps +and taking the reins of the patient horses. His comrade +walked rapidly away, and Truscott, leaning his +head upon his hand, fell to thinking of the strange reception. +His heart was sore, and vague distress and +perplexity had possessed him. Immediately after the +fight Tanner had penned a despatch to Colonel Pelham +announcing the result of the affair, detailing his plans, +and requesting him to send the hospital steward with +assistance to meet the wounded whom Truscott was +escorting, two of whom were so badly hit as to be regarded +as in a dangerous condition; yet with the +prospect of another battle before him, he could not +permit his only medical officer to leave the command. +The post-surgeon would undoubtedly come forward to +meet the party,—so argued the doctor on duty with +him,—and meantime, carried on the springy mule-litters, +improvised out of saplings, the wounded would do as +well as they could anywhere. For three days Truscott +<span class="pagenum">[313]</span>had plodded along in great pain and weariness himself, +and in deeper anxiety on account of one of his men, +who seemed sinking rapidly. At last, on the evening +of the third day, he had reached Fossil Creek, where, +at the latest, aid should have reached him, but aid there +was none, and there the soldier died. Taking only an +hour’s rest, weak and weary though he was, the adjutant +decided to push right on to Sandy by a night ride, +and secure the assistance so greatly needed by the other +men.</p> + +<p>Presently the corporal of the guard came hurrying +forward.</p> + +<p>“Who is officer of the day, corporal?”</p> + +<p>“Lieutenant Glenham, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Lieutenant Glenham! Why! there is no light +in his room, and I cannot wake him.”</p> + +<p>“Beg pardon, sir. <i>The lieutenant has moved.</i> He +lives in Lieutenant Dana’s quarters.”</p> + +<p>Truscott sat for an instant in stunned silence. When +he spoke his voice was stern and strange.</p> + +<p>“Go and tell him I am here, and ask for the key of +my quarters.”</p> + +<p>In two minutes the corporal returned with the key.</p> + +<p>“Is Mr. Glenham coming?” asked Truscott.</p> + +<p>“He didn’t say, sir. I told him you was here, and +he didn’t answer.”</p> + +<p>“Then go and wake the post-surgeon. Give him +my compliments, and ask if I can see him at once. +Take the horses to the stable,” he added to the orderly, +then unlocked his door, entered the dark sitting-room, +and, after some fumbling on the mantel, found a match +and struck a light.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[314]</span></p> + +<p>All was cold, cheerless, desolate. The hearth was +piled with dead embers and ashes. Even the dogs had +deserted the house. On the centre-table lay a paste-board +box tied with ribbon, and the box was addressed +to him—in her handwriting.</p> + +<p>Quickly he tore it open. Wrapped in tissue-paper +lay his silver spurs; but with them, not a line, not a +word.</p> + +<p>When the surgeon arrived, some ten or fifteen minutes +later, the trumpets were just sounding the first +call for reveille, and Jack Truscott was sitting motionless +in his great easy-chair, his chin upon his hands, his +elbows on his knees, his eyes staring vacantly into the +empty fireplace. Not until the doctor had called him +twice by name, and shaken him by the shoulder, did +he rouse himself. One glance in his wan face was +sufficient for the keen professional eye. He cut Truscott +short in his attempt to detail the events of the past +week.</p> + +<p>“Never mind that now,—swallow this,” he said, as +he poured out some brandy from the decanter. “I’ll +send the steward with the ambulance and supplies at +once, and gallop down the valley myself after I get +you settled. Of course no messenger has got in, or we +would have met you forty-eight hours ago. Now, off +with these clothes. Hurry up with that fire, Hogan. +I want warm water quick as it can be had.”</p> + +<p>In vain Truscott protested that he must see the colonel +and make his report.</p> + +<p>“I’ll do all your reporting for you, and to begin with +report you sick from wound; and as I want no brain-fever +patient on my hands, you’ll get to bed just as +<span class="pagenum">[315]</span>quick as I can dress that scratch, as you call it.” So +talked the doctor, as he rapidly and skilfully divested +Truscott of his blood-stiffened garments. “Mighty +lucky for you that was a blunted arrow, man; you +would have been spitted otherwise; that’s a jagged tear +as it is. What had you on besides these things? +Nothing? That’s queer! Oh, a handkerchief in +there, was there? Of course that checked it a little, +but not much.”</p> + +<p>At last the process of sponging and rebandaging +was complete, and Mr. Truscott was snugly stowed +away in bed. It had been a desperately hard ordeal, +this interview with the doctor; for if ever man wanted +to be all alone and to calmly think over his troubles, +that man was Jack Truscott. But while he thoroughly +intended that his patient should be left alone, it was +not part of the doctor’s programme that he should be +allowed to brood over his perplexities and distress, and +“Pills” saw clearly enough that the mental condition +of the adjutant was infinitely worse than the bodily. +An attendant from the hospital had brought over some +medicines, and then been sent in search of Major Bucketts. +The latter came with anxiety and promptitude, +and the doctor met him at the outer door.</p> + +<p>“Come in, Bucketts. I’ve got Truscott to bed now, +and first he must be allowed to make his report to you +for the colonel, then I want him to go to sleep and stay +asleep, and to remain utterly undisturbed during the +day. I’m going at once to Fossil Creek to meet the +wounded, and I want you to see to it that Truscott is +kept quiet, and <em>not one word of the business that has +been going on must be allowed to reach him</em>.” Bucketts +<span class="pagenum">[316]</span>nodded grimly, and then, with the doctor, softly entered +Jack’s room, and the two friends gripped hands.</p> + +<p>Truscott told his story uninterrupted, and the quartermaster +listened to every detail until it was finished. +Then he spoke.</p> + +<p>“Now, Jack, I understand it fully, and can give it to +the colonel just as you gave it to me. Everything is +going smoothly in the office. There isn’t a thing to demand +your attention, and all you’ve got to do is to get +thoroughly rested. Now I’m off, but every few hours +I’ll be over to see if you want anything, and there will +be a hospital attendant in the next room all day. I tell +you the colonel and the chief will be tickled to death +to hear what a larruping you gave Eskiminzin.”</p> + +<p>Then the doctor gave him a sleeping potion, darkened +the room, and once more bent over him.</p> + +<p>“Jack, it is necessary that you should rest to-day. +I’ll be back to-night, and will let you up then, but +meantime sleep all you can. Now I’m going to see +Mrs. Tanner, who is very anxious about the captain, +and will rejoice in knowing of his safety. Then I’ll +be ready to start down the valley.”</p> + +<p>Then fatigue and suffering were soon forgotten. +Hour after hour throughout that chill December day +Jack Truscott slept peacefully. Waking towards evening, +he found that the attendant had set a little table by +his bedside, and that besides the conventional tea and +toast from the mess some dainty, tempting dishes were +there in readiness for him.</p> + +<p>“Who sent these?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Tanner, sir, and Mrs. Wilkins. The quartermaster +has been here several times, and the colonel +<span class="pagenum">[317]</span>called, and lots of the officers have been here to ask +how you were, but my orders was not to let you be +disturbed.”</p> + +<p>And so, feeling hungry, Jack took his tea, and when +he next woke it was late in the night, and then he had +nothing to do for it but lie awake and think, and he +could think of nothing but why those spurs had come +back to him in that ungracious way, and why had +Glenham abandoned his roof.</p> + +<p>It was late on the following day when the doctor +reached him, and found him much better. Truscott +insisted upon getting up and dressing, and was surprised +to find that the doctor seemed most unwilling to +allow him to go out. Being determined, however, he +carried his point, for, except a certain degree of weakness +consequent upon loss of blood, and the painful and +fatiguing journey, no reason against it could be assigned; +but, while he was dressing, the doctor went forth and +held a rapid and earnest conversation with two or three +officers whom he met. There were others to whom he +did not stop to speak at all, but proceeded on his way +to the colonel’s. Mrs. Pelham and Lieutenant Glenham +were seated on the piazza.</p> + +<p>“And how is Mr. Truscott now?” inquired her +ladyship.</p> + +<p>“Rested end doing very well, madame, and yet he +must be very prudent. Can I see the colonel?”</p> + +<p>“You will find him in the parlor, doctor.” And as +he entered the house she turned to Mr. Glenham: +“Now, Arthur, be firm and lose no time. You are +to ride in half an hour, so it had better be settled at +once.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[318]</span></p> + +<p>Glenham rose, and merely saying, “I suppose you +are right,” with a countenance in which perturbation +and distress of mind were vividly portrayed, walked +uneasily along the row. Nearing the adjutant’s quarters +he looked back. There on the southernmost piazza +stood Mrs. Pelham watching him. His face turned a +shade paler, his teeth set, and he sprang up the steps +and knocked at the door which for over a year he had +banged open or shut without formality of any kind. +It was opened by the hospital attendant.</p> + +<p>“Can I see Lieutenant Truscott?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Hullo, Glenham! Come right in. Glad to see +you,” rang Truscott’s voice from the sitting-room, and +with extended hand and welcoming face he stepped to +the doorway.</p> + +<p>In a constrained, embarrassed, half-dazed manner +Glenham took the hand and dropped it.</p> + +<p>“I came to see you yesterday, Truscott, but they said +you were not to be disturbed;” and as he spoke he stood +uneasily at the door.</p> + +<p>“Come in, Glenham,” said Truscott. “Close the +door and wait outside,” he continued, turning to the +soldier. “Come in <em>here</em>.” And slowly Truscott turned +again and looked him searchingly in the face. The +younger man could not meet his eye. He went and +leaned his elbow upon the sideboard, his head upon +his hand.</p> + +<p>“You have something to tell me, youngster, and you +don’t know how to begin,” said Truscott, gravely and +kindly. “What is it?”</p> + +<p>For a moment Glenham answered not. His eyes +were fixed on a picture of the Yosemite that hung +<span class="pagenum">[319]</span>upon the wall, but he tapped his top-boot impatiently +with a little stick he carried. At last he broke forth, +straightening himself and speaking rapidly; speaking +as though by rote, as though it were a lesson he had +learned and was now repeating; speaking in desperate +haste, as though afraid either to stop or to be stopped, +as though he feared his resolution might fail him.</p> + +<p>“I <em>have</em> something to say. It is hard to do it, too, +but it must be done. Your coming back suffering and +wounded makes it all the harder. Truscott, I thought +you were the best friend I had in the regiment. I +thought you were the truest gentleman in it, but the +events that have come to light recently have proven to +me that you have not been fair and square with me, +that you have not acted as a friend; and, as for the +<em>other</em> matters, I have nothing to say, except that you +cannot expect me to believe in your friendship or in +you as I did. The less said the better, I suppose, and +so I moved into other quarters. Even now I don’t +like to have you think that I am ungrateful for all the +kindness you certainly showed me up to this fall, but, +in future, our ways lie apart.” And having said his +piece, he raised his eyes, and for the first time looked +Truscott in the face. “And now,” he said, “I have +come to ask for Miss Pelham’s whip.”</p> + +<p>While he was speaking, the face of his listener was a +study. Pain, incredulity, indignation, and deep sorrow, +all were depicted in the set, stern expression that fastened +on his features. Truscott listened without one +word, but very, very pale he grew, until her name was +mentioned. Then the blood leaped to his forehead, +fire flashed in his eyes, his hands clinched, and Glenham, +<span class="pagenum">[320]</span>who for an instant had met his gaze, looked +nervously away.</p> + +<p>For a few seconds there was dead silence. Glenham +could hear the throb of his own heart. Then Truscott +spoke. Measured, calm, and slow, his words, nevertheless, +were sharp and clear. There was not a trace of +irritation in voice or manner, neither was there aught +that was repellent. The self-control was simply perfect.</p> + +<p>“Let me clearly understand you, Glenham. Do +you mean to say that you have fully satisfied yourself +that I am no longer worthy your confidence and +trust?”</p> + +<p>“Well, not that; not——Well, what I mean is +that you have behaved neither as a friend to me, and, +worse than that, to—to others who trusted you even +more,” said Glenham, desperately.</p> + +<p>And still Truscott leaned there on the mantel, looking +calmly at him.</p> + +<p>“And your information, Glenham. Is it the result +of your own observation, or what you have been +told?”</p> + +<p>“It comes to me in such a way that I cannot discredit +it,” said Glenham, with changing color and +manifest hesitation.</p> + +<p>“That is dodging the question. Have you seen or +do you know of any act of mine to warrant your language, +or is it all hearsay evidence?”</p> + +<p>“I have seen nothing, but what I have heard is—is +undeniable.”</p> + +<p>“Then on purely one-sided statements you have decided +upon your course in the matter. By every right +I am entitled to hear, and to hear explicitly, what your +<span class="pagenum">[321]</span>allegations are. There are at least two sides to every +story, as you ought to know; and what I had a right +to expect of you was that you would never have condemned +me unheard. You have done so, however, and +now—let it stand. No,” he continued, holding up his +hand, as Glenham attempted to speak; “I have now no +desire whatever to hear or to answer your accusations. +The time has passed. What is this about Miss Pelham’s +whip?” he broke off, abruptly.</p> + +<p>“I have come for it,” said Glenham, sullenly.</p> + +<p>“Did Miss Pelham send you for it?”</p> + +<p>“N—o; but it is her wish to have it. She has +returned your spurs, and—I consider it my duty to +reclaim it of you.”</p> + +<p>“Your duty! How so?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Pelham and myself are engaged.”</p> + +<p>There was again a moment of intense silence. Then +Truscott stepped to the wardrobe, took therefrom the +dainty whip with its loop of dark-blue ribbon, and +calmly handed it to Glenham without a word.</p> + +<p>Glenham took it and moved uneasily, wretchedly, +towards the door. There he paused and looked back. +Truscott had resumed his position at the mantel-shelf, +very pale, very stern he looked, but there was not the +tremor of a nerve or muscle. And Glenham was +trembling from head to foot, and knew it.</p> + +<p>“Is there anything further?” asked Truscott, calmly.</p> + +<p>Again Glenham hesitated. At last he <span class="nowrap">muttered,—</span></p> + +<p>“No, I believe not. Good-morning.”</p> + +<p>And with that he turned and left. Truscott waited +until the sound of his footsteps died away. Then he +closed and locked his door, stretched himself at full +<span class="pagenum">[322]</span>length in his easy reclining-chair, and, with his head +thrown back, flung his arms over his eyes and lay there +in silence.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Mr. Glenham returned to the colonel’s +quarters with his prize, and Camp Sandy turned out to +see him and his <i lang="fr">fiancée</i> go forth on their ride.</p> + +<p>It was a lovely December day, so bright and warm +down in that deep, sheltered valley that in many of the +quarters the windows were thrown open, and the flies +were buzzing about as though jubilant over a renewed +lease of a life that, after all, was not so much worth +living. The ladies were out in force, three only being +conspicuous by their absence from the front of the row. +Mesdames Canker, Tanner, and Wilkins were not +visible, and when the latter was not to be seen among +the gatherings along the piazzas something extraordinary +must be going on. Something extraordinary <em>was</em> +going on in this particular instance,—Mrs. Wilkins was +devoting herself to Mrs. Tanner, who was ill.</p> + +<p>She had been failing for several days it seems, and +had not been at all well since the night her husband +marched away with his command. The doctor went +frequently to see her, and was plainly anxious on her +account, but the ladies had held aloof. That it was the +proper and conventional thing for them to accost the +perturbed physician—who was blessed with no wife of +his own—with a perfunctory inquiry as to how Mrs. +Tanner was getting along seemed to be conceded, but +that it would be improper and unconventional in the +last degree to go and visit the sick in this particular +instance was apparently a unanimous opinion. He +noted with much perplexity that the fair lips that +<span class="pagenum">[323]</span>framed the name of the gentle sufferer were pursed up, +as though shrinking from the probable besmirching +that would follow its mere mention. What could it +mean?</p> + +<p>Briefly, it meant this,—and the sooner the details of +this dismal episode are related and done with forever, +the sooner will our story be finished and the better will +it be for all parties concerned.</p> + +<p>Colonel Pelham, it will be remembered, had summoned +Captain Canker in-doors after giving his adjutant +instructions to prepare for his ride in search of +Tanner’s column, and a very sad and trying conversation, +to the colonel at least, had taken place.</p> + +<p>“Of course you noticed where Truscott came from; +I saw you did,” said the colonel.</p> + +<p>The captain bowed assent with much solemnity of +mien, but said nothing, and the commanding officer, +motioning him to a seat, paced up and down the floor. +Grace had fled to her room, and Mrs. Pelham, wide +awake by this time, divining that something unusual +was going on, concluded that she wanted a glass of +water, or anything in the dining-room, slipped into her +wrapper and down the back-stairs through the kitchen. +The front-stairs always creaked under her weight, poor +lady, and of course she did not wish to be seen in such +toilet. Once in the dining-room it was no difficult +matter to hear the conversation going on in the parlor. +It was very brief. Captain Canker went away with +the injunction of secrecy on his lips, but, with wild excitement +and unmistakable delight, Mrs. Pelham heard +enough to convince her that Mr. Truscott had been at +Captain Tanner’s quarters long after midnight, and was +<span class="pagenum">[324]</span>virtually detected there by her husband. More than +that, she had heard him say to Captain <span class="nowrap">Canker,—</span></p> + +<p>“Then you will call upon him for an explanation +immediately upon his return, and of course, if it prove +unsatisfactory, his resignation must follow.”</p> + +<p>Poor Pelham! Attached as he was to his adjutant, +the insidious statements of his wife, the letter of Mrs. +Treadwell, the admission of Captain Canker that the +matter had been a source of regimental gossip for a +long time past, and finally, the very suspicious appearance +of Mr. Truscott at Tanner’s quarters during Tanner’s +absence, and long after other people had gone to +bed, had together formed a combination too powerful +for him. “I cannot bear to think it of him,” said he, +“but the evidence is such that makes it at least necessary +that he should leave this post.”</p> + +<p>An hour after, when he came up-stairs to his room, +Mrs. Pelham had waylaid him and added fresh information +of her own against Truscott, who was then +speeding on his mission down the valley.</p> + +<p>“Nothing must be said of this, Dolly,” said the +colonel, very miserably. “Of course, Mr. Truscott +will be called to account on his return, and Captain +Tanner will be properly notified.”</p> + +<p>Nothing said of it, indeed! Before Jack Truscott +was twelve hours on his way mysterious whisperings +were to be heard among the denizens of officers’ row. +Ladies were flitting to and fro; significant glances shot +from eye to eye; such words as “How shocking!” +might have been heard murmured by rosy lips. Even +those dear girls, the Crandalls, down for a few days’ +visit from Prescott, were observed to take a lively +<span class="pagenum">[325]</span>interest in the murmured confab between the matrons on +Mrs. Turner’s piazza. Then the colonel had been +moody and forlorn at the office, had hardly spoken to +Bucketts, had had a long, confidential talk with Captain +Canker, with whom he rarely consorted, and Lieutenant +Hunter had been sent for, and the three were +closeted together for an hour, and at afternoon stables +were again seen in close conversation; and Mrs. Pelham +had spent that hour at Mrs. Turner’s, with her +and with Mrs. Raymond, and later had had a long talk +with Glenham; but Grace,—Grace did not leave her +room all day.</p> + +<p>Nothing said of it, indeed! Inside of forty-eight +hours: even while Truscott lay weak and pale from +loss of blood down under the cold rocks of the Black +Mesa; even while Mrs. Tanner, lonely and heart-sick, +was lying on a bed of pain, gasping for breath, and +longing for the presence of her devoted husband. +Even while he, spurring from one savage conflict, was +about leading his men in a gallant dash upon a concealed +and powerful foe,—this was how it was told to +more than one household at department headquarters. +Even the virgin modesty of one, perhaps both, of +those dear Crandall girls had not been proof against +the delirious rapture of imparting such tidings. “Only +think of it!” one (perhaps both) had written, “at two +o’clock this morning Mr. Truscott was found at Mrs. +Tanner’s (you know the captain is away), and he was +ordered out of the post by Colonel Pelham at once. +She, of course, is prostrate, unable to see any one, even +if any one went,” etc., etc., etc. “Mrs. Turner has +just told us. Everybody is so shocked.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[326]</span></p> + +<p>Pah! Not to be spoken of, indeed! Even among +his brother officers, who was there to stand up for Jack +Truscott and stamp the thing as a lie? Who was there +to act for Tanner and crush the vile slander in the +throat of the first man who dared to breathe it? Who +was there to demand that no steps should be taken, no +more be said, until he who stood accused could return +and face his accusers? Not Canker. He believed him +guilty. Not Glenham. Mrs. Pelham had taken care +that he should be fully informed of everything she +knew and much that she did not; and he now believed +Truscott guilty of treachery to himself and dishonor +towards Tanner. Not Raymond. He was one +of the many who, knowing nothing against a man, believing +him true and worthy, yet dare not stand up for +him against such odds, for fear that it might be true +after all, and then he would have made a fool of himself. +Not Crane, Carroll, or Hunter. We know what +manner of men they were. But where was sturdy old +Bucketts? Where was Turner?</p> + +<p>Bucketts was one of those men who seeing others +conversing in whispers would walk away. He didn’t +want to know what men felt obliged to talk of in that +way. Turner was another, and so was the doctor. +Thus it happened that as no one man in the garrison +wanted to broach the subject to either of the three, as +two of them were destitute of the natural sources of such +information, and the wife of the third had good reasons +of her own for saying nothing to her lord and master on +the subject,—thus it had happened that not until the +third day after Truscott’s departure did the story come to +the ears of Bucketts, and then there was a row. It came +<span class="pagenum">[327]</span>about in this way. Glenham notified him of his intention +of moving at once from Truscott’s quarters into +Dana’s, and in his confused explanation he let drop +some allusions to a total rupture of his relations with +the adjutant, for which Bucketts soundly rated him, so +that Glenham, goaded and stung, had rushed into a detailed +account of the whole scandal as he understood it, +poor boy! and Bucketts, foaming with indignation, +had called upon Turner. Turner had fired up instantaneously +and demanded of his wife what she knew, +and then returning to the quartermaster’s, they had held +a brief consultation, had gone to the colonel, and placed +their views before him.</p> + +<p>“As a matter of simple justice, Colonel Pelham, I +ask that you take no steps in this matter until Mr. +Truscott is given an ample opportunity to explain,” +said Captain Turner. “I am confident of his innocence, +and more than confident of hers. What is more, +I think that every effort should be made to stop all +talk at once. Mrs. Tanner, too, is ill.” And Colonel +Pelham had risen and warmly shaken hands with the +captain, and thanked him for the first words of cheer +and confidence he had heard. Then Turner went home +and asked Mrs. Turner whether she had been to see +Mrs. Tanner in her illness; finding that she had not, +he marched her forthwith to Tanner’s quarters. Mrs. +Tanner was not well enough to see them, and begged +to be excused.</p> + +<p>“Please say to Mrs. Tanner that Captain and Mrs. +Turner called, and that they beg to know if they can +do anything to assist her. May we not take Rosalie +a while?” asked Turner in a loud, hearty voice, that +<span class="pagenum">[328]</span>reached the invalid as she lay upon the lounge in her +room; and then meeting Mr. Hunter, he had scowled +at him so blackly that that young gentleman concluded +it best not to call there that evening, as had been his +intention.</p> + +<p>As for Bucketts, he and the colonel had some further +talk, at the expiration of which the quartermaster had +stumped across parade, and meeting Captain Canker, +had stared him in the face and cut him dead.</p> + +<p>And then Mrs. Wilkins had come to the fore. The +story reached her as quick as it did the majority of the +ladies, and after staring a minute in blank amaze at +her informant, she demanded to know how it had +reached him, for, in this case at least, Mr. Wilkins was +the transmitter. Then, as it came from her husband, +the lady promptly averred that she didn’t believe a +word of it, and next she had gone off to extract all +that could be told by the not unwilling lips of Mrs. +Turner, “who had everything direct from Mrs. Pelham +herself.”</p> + +<p>Now such was the element of antagonism in this unterrified +lady that she needed only this announcement +to convince her that the whole story was an outrage. +Of course Mrs. Turner properly hoped it might prove +so, and trusted that Mrs. Tanner might be vindicated. +“But it all looked very queer.”</p> + +<p>“Trash!” said Mrs. Wilkins. “I suppose I’ve +found fault with Mrs. Tanner like the rest of you (it +sounded almost like the rest o’ ye’s), and as for Jack +Truscott, I suppose he laughs at me; but mind you, +Mrs. Turner, there’s plenty of ways to explain this, +and I don’t believe there’s a thought of wrong in that +<span class="pagenum">[329]</span>little woman, and I’ll go to her the first thing to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>And go she did, and never hinting at anything out +of the way in the garrison, and parrying everything +like a question as to whether any of the other ladies +had come to see her, very useful had she made herself +about the house, and very much had she cheered her +patient and grateful little friend, so that towards afternoon +on the day succeeding Mr. Truscott’s return she +was down on the piazza and eager to see him. The +doctor joined her as she sat there with Mrs. Wilkins, +warmly congratulating her upon her improvement, and +then Truscott came. Oh, how pale, how strange he +looked! No wonder her soft brown eyes filled with +tears as she gazed up into his face and pressed his cold +hand. He who had been her faithful friend through +everything, he who had so recently shared her husband’s +dangers and successes.</p> + +<p>“Why, Jack! How ill you look! You ought to be +stretched out here in this chair,—not I. You must +have suffered terribly.”</p> + +<p>But he smiled gently, seated himself by her side, +and with Rosalie upon his knee and the eyes of Mrs. +Wilkins and the doctor closely watching him, he told +the story of the stirring fight. Catching sight of him, +Turner and Bucketts joined the little party, and when +the story was done all sat there chatting, and Mrs. +Pelham coming suddenly upon her own piazza, stared +as she saw the gathering at Mrs. Tanner’s. Then there +rose the sudden clatter of hoofs, and Grace Pelham +and Mr. Glenham came at rapid lope along the road. +With the color rushing to her cheeks, the former bowed +<span class="pagenum">[330]</span>gravely in acknowledgment of the upraised caps of +the officers, who stood as she passed, and then resumed +their seats.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Wilkins tells me the engagement is announced,” +said Mrs. Tanner, and nobody seemed to feel called +upon to say anything further. An orderly came running +over from the office.</p> + +<p>“A letter from the captain, mum,” he said, with a +grin of delight, as he handed a soiled missive to Mrs. +Tanner. “Sergeant Stein is just in with despatches.”</p> + +<p>Eagerly she seized and tore it open. Then with +sparkling eyes and reddening cheeks, with lips parted +and her breath coming quick and fast, she hurriedly +read the lines.</p> + +<p>“Oh, thank God! thank God!” she cried, as she +threw her arms around Rosalie and drew her to her +bosom. “Thank God, darling, papa will be here for +Christmas, and all is well. Oh, Jack, it’s such glad +news! Yes, read it. Read it aloud if you like,” +though the heightened color in her cheek warned him +not to do that. “They have had another fight, and +now the Indians have scattered in every direction, and +they are coming home,—will be here in two days. +Oh, Rosalie, aren’t you glad?” And mother and child +clung rapturously to one another.</p> + +<p>“Ah, Mrs. Tanner,” said the doctor, “my occupation +is gone. I’ll leave you now. Come, Bucketts; come, +Turner. I want to chat with you a while, and leave +Truscott to plan for Christmas with Rosalie.” Yet, as +he passed, he said in a low tone to Mrs. <span class="nowrap">Wilkins,—</span></p> + +<p>“Don’t let her excite herself too much.”</p> + +<p>And that worthy dame nodded appreciatively.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[331]</span></p> + +<p>But Bucketts, of course, had to go at once to the +office to see Sergeant Stein, and get the despatches +for Colonel Pelham. The colonel had been there for +a few moments only immediately after guard-mounting, +and then, saying he did not feel very well, had +gone to his quarters. In five minutes, Major Bucketts, +as acting adjutant, appeared at the colonel’s door with +the despatches in his hand, and was met by Mrs. +Pelham.</p> + +<p>“The colonel is sleeping now, major, and he has +been far from well for two days. Is it anything +important?”</p> + +<p>“Despatches from Captain Tanner, madame, with +details of another fight. I think the colonel ought to +see them, as he may want to report the result at once +to department headquarters.”</p> + +<p>And so Bucketts was admitted to the colonel’s bedside, +and found him indeed feverish and forlorn. He +roused himself at the mention of despatches, and listened +eagerly as the quartermaster read them aloud. +Grace stole in on tiptoe, and took her father’s hot +hand; but there was breathless attention to every word, +the colonel interjecting an occasional “good!” “tip-top!” +and an enthusiastic “bully for Ray!” when, in +brief, soldierly words, Captain Tanner gave high praise +to that young officer for heading the dash in the second +fight, and then came the “<i lang="it">finale</i>.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot close this report without expressing my +great obligations to Lieutenant Truscott, to whose tireless +energy the whole success of the expedition is due. +Without him we would have missed the trail entirely, +and it was he who guided us to the rancheria and led +<span class="pagenum">[332]</span>the attack in person, receiving a painful wound as his +share of the casualties.”</p> + +<p>Here Bucketts stopped and waited a moment. Nobody +said anything.</p> + +<p>“Bully for Truscott say I,” remarked Major Bucketts, +very calmly, on satisfying himself that no one +else proposed to express commendation where his friend +was concerned. Then he finished the despatches, and +waited for instructions.</p> + +<p>“Have copies made of these to be sent by to-morrow’s +mail with my report, major, and I want a brief +synopsis to be sent at once by telegraph. I suppose I’ll +have to do it myself,” he added, drearily. Already he +missed beyond expression the arm on which he was accustomed +to lean. He hated to write. Everything of +that kind fell on Truscott’s shoulders. The colonel had +only to indicate what he needed and it was ready for his +signature on his desk; but now he could not ask Truscott.</p> + +<p>“How is Mr. Truscott?” he asked, moodily.</p> + +<p>“Much better, sir. I left him talking with Mrs. +Tanner, who has just been receiving our congratulations,” +said Bucketts, with a tone largely suggestive of +“Whether <em>you</em> like it or not,” as he looked squarely at +Lady Pelham. It is to be feared that his zeal for +his friend the quartermaster was not strengthening his +own position, a thing that is of so rare occurrence as to +warrant its being made a note of. Then Major Bucketts +bowed himself out, and went back to the adjutant’s +office, where for some time he was busied over +the recent despatches. After making out the “synopsis,” +he carried his work to Truscott, who was still +seated on Mrs. Tanner’s piazza; and as he approved, the +<span class="pagenum">[333]</span>necessary copy was made and carried to the colonel for his +signature. Stable-call had sounded when Major Bucketts +turned to leave the colonel. The latter called him back.</p> + +<p>“Bucketts, just close that door and come here, will +you?”</p> + +<p>The quartermaster obeyed.</p> + +<p>“Has anything been said? Has Canker spoken to +Mr. Truscott yet?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know, sir. I had no idea that it was +your intention to delegate this matter to Captain Canker,” +said Bucketts, a tremor of surprise and indignation +betraying itself in his voice.</p> + +<p>The colonel colored hotly under the unmistakable +reproach in the staff-officer’s tone. Oh, Bucketts, had +you not learned in your years of army service that discretion +was the better part of valor, when defending a +friend against a commander’s ire?</p> + +<p>“There were reasons why Captain Canker was selected +to speak for me,” said the colonel, with much +dignity and reserve; “but now it may be well to postpone +action until Captain Tanner’s return, since he is +so soon to be here. You will see Canker at stables, and +may say so for me.” And then Bucketts withdrew.</p> + +<p>That evening as the officers came strolling back from +the mess-room they noted with surprise an unusual +gathering in front of the colonel’s quarters. A broad +light streamed from the open doorway, and in it, only +partially dressed, with ashen face and holding an open +despatch in his hand, stood Colonel Pelham apparently +questioning two soldiers in rough scouting-rig, who had +dismounted and were holding their panting horses by +the rein. One of them was weeping like a woman. +<span class="pagenum">[334]</span>Grace, covering her face in her hands, ran back into the +house. Glenham, white as a sheet, stood beside the +colonel, dazed and stupefied.</p> + +<p>“What’s happened?” asked some of the party; and +Truscott and the doctor, walking together behind the rest, +hurried eagerly forward just in time to see Mrs. Pelham +throw a shawl over her shoulders and scurry up the row.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen,” said Colonel Pelham, in a voice choking +with emotion, “we have lost our best. Captain Tanner +was killed last night at sunset.”</p> + +<p>For an instant there was an awful stillness, broken +only by the sobs of one of the soldiers, who had buried +his face in his horse’s mane and thrown his arms around +the sturdy neck. Then the doctor spoke.</p> + +<p>“God of heaven! Who can break it to her?”</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Pelham has gone,” said Glenham, briefly.</p> + +<p>“<em>What!</em> Mrs. Pelham! For God’s sake stop her!”</p> + +<p>Two men sprang from the group and rushed in pursuit,—Truscott +and the doctor. Her hand was on the +bell as the latter seized it.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Pelham, stop!” said he. “I adjure you not +to speak to her.”</p> + +<p>“Why not, pray? Who but the commanding officer’s +wife should be the first to tender sym——” The +door opened and she attempted to enter. Instantly she +was seized. The doctor’s arms were round her waist, +Truscott had her hand.</p> + +<p>“Madame, you must not——” said the former; but +she furiously interrupted him.</p> + +<p>“Unhand me, I say! Who dares restrain me! This +outrage——”</p> + +<p>And here with alarm upon her face Mrs. Tanner +<span class="pagenum">[335]</span>came running into the hall. Truscott sprang within +the door.</p> + +<p>“Get her away quick, doctor,” he muttered, and +then, taking Mrs. Tanner’s hand, strove to lead her back +into the parlor, but in his death-like pallor she saw the +awful premonition.</p> + +<p>“My husband?” she gasped. “What is it? Quick!” +and then the doctor saw it was too late. He too sprang +to her side, releasing Mrs. Pelham, who between rage, +agitation, and possibly genuine emotion burst into tears +and threw herself forward with outstretched arms.</p> + +<p>“Oh, my poor, stricken friend! Oh, poor little——” +And then Rosalie’s agonised cry rang out upon the +parade.</p> + +<p>“Oh, mamma, mamma! Have they killed my +papa?”</p> + +<p>Now with wild, dilated eyes she looks from one to +another. What need to ask? In one frightful second +the whole truth flashes over her. The soft little white +hands are thrown tightly clinched in air; she totters: +one gasping cry issues from her ashen lips and down +she would have gone to earth but for the strong arms +that seize and raise her.</p> + +<p>White as her own is Truscott’s face as he bears her +up the stairs. He looks back for one instant as others +come rushing in, and sterner, lower than ever before, +they hear the <span class="nowrap">words,—</span></p> + +<p>“Get that woman away! Doctor, come quick!”</p> + +<p>“It is heart-disease, madame, and you would have +killed her,” says the doctor, as he hands her ladyship +over to the colonel, who all too late has come tearing +after her.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[336]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XIX. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> was a wretched night at Sandy. Accustomed +as the regiment had been to battle, and murder, and +sudden death, there was something indescribably mournful +in the circumstances attending Tanner’s tragic fate. +He had been sent away on the very anniversary of the +death of his first-born, refusing in his soldierly way to +allow the commanding officer to be informed of a fact +that might lead to a change in the detail, since there +were so many ready and eager to go in his stead. He +had had two sharp and successful encounters with the +very band which he had been sent out to punish, and, +having scattered them to the four winds, was joyfully +on his way homeward to join his dearly-loved wife and +little ones in time for Christmas; had written the glad +news of his coming (Ah, was she not re-reading that +blessed letter to Rosalie when the blow came?), and, +when only two days’ march away from the post, as +they bivouacked at evening beside a rapid-running +stream, he and some two or three men had stolen forth +to “stalk” a deer they saw on a hill-side not five hundred +yards away. Half an hour afterwards four shots +were heard in quick succession, then shouts and scattering +shots, and Ray, springing to his feet, seized his +carbine, and, with a yell of “Come on,—<em>lively</em>, men!” +had darted off through the thickets. In three minutes +<span class="pagenum">[337]</span>they were standing over Tanner’s lifeless body. Too +late to succor, but not too late to avenge. It seems +that three or four Indians, relatives probably of the +prisoners whom they were bringing in, had followed +the command on its homeward march, and from their +ambush among the rocks it had been an easy thing to +pick off the captain as he crept up the hill-side, intent +only on getting a shot at the deer. Two rifle-bullets +had pierced him through and through, and death must +have been instantaneous. The skulking foe of course +had fled, but Ray had his scouts in pursuit in less than +no time, and long before dark two were overtaken and +died fighting. Two of Tanner’s own men were sent +forward with a brief report of the sad affair, hurriedly +written by Lieutenant Ray, and on the following morning +the detachment, bringing the lifeless remains of +their late commander, resumed their march in bitter +sorrow.</p> + +<p>And now, what was the effect in the garrison? The +tidings flew from mouth to mouth, and in shocked, solemn +silence the news was heard by officers and men. +In the entire regiment no man had been more universally +respected than Tanner, few, if any, were as popular; +but, deeply as they mourned him, the one question +that seemed to rise first to all lips was, “How will +she bear it?” All hearts seemed to turn at once to her, +and women who but yesterday would resent the faintest +word of praise lavished upon Mrs. Tanner were now +flocking to her quarters, where she lay hovering ’twixt +life and death.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wilkins had been the first to hurry in, summoned +by the doctor, and very soon Truscott had come +<span class="pagenum">[338]</span>down-stairs and taken sobbing, terrified, lonely little +Rosalie in his arms. Presently Mrs. Raymond and +Mrs. Turner appeared, and with awe and sympathy in +their faces begged the doctor to let them be of some +assistance. He was flitting nervously to and fro: now +up in the sick-room, where she lay moaning and senseless; +now coming to the parlor to exchange a few words +with Truscott. Then he had telegraphed to Prescott, +begging that his comrade, the post-surgeon at Whipple, +might be sent at once. Lady after lady had strived to +induce Rosalie to leave Truscott’s arms and come to +her for the night, but she seemed to shrink from all +and to turn shudderingly, clingingly, with fresh outbursts +of tears, to him; and, despite the pain it caused +him, Jack held her to his breast and strove to soothe +her to sleep. At last, just as the first call for tattoo +was sounding, worn out with her wild grief, the sunny, +curly head drooped upon his shoulder and the heavy +eyelids closed in slumber. Still he carried her to and +fro, as he had when she was a mite of a baby, and as +he looked down into the innocent, helpless, trusting +little face, never more to know a father’s kiss and blessing, +great tears stole from his own hot eyes, and burying +his worn, haggard face among her bonny curls, Jack +Truscott sobbed silently in his grief. And on this picture +Grace Pelham entered, looked one moment with +a world of wistfulness, of entreaty, of love, tenderness, +sympathy and utter misery in her swimming eyes, then +turned and fled—unseen.</p> + +<p>All that weary night Truscott haunted the parlor, +while the doctor and Mrs. Wilkins kept watch and +ward o’erhead. Sometimes he snatched a few minutes +<span class="pagenum">[339]</span>of broken sleep upon the sofa, but morning found him +pale and haggard and looking worse than when he returned +from the scout.</p> + +<p>“This will never do, Jack,” said the doctor. “You +must go home and get to bed.” But Truscott avowed +his intention of going with the ambulance to meet the +remains. There seemed to be nothing he could do +there. She had recovered consciousness once towards +morning, but only to fall away again. “Still,” said +the doctor, “if we can only keep her quiet we may pull +her through. It is the waking I dread as much as +anything else.”</p> + +<p>At stables in the morning Colonel Pelham did not +appear. A group of officers—Canker, Crane, Carroll, +and Glenham—were in conversation, when Truscott +walked rapidly past them, merely nodding, and entered +the quartermaster’s corral. Coming out again, he was +heard to say, as though speaking to the driver of the +<span class="nowrap">ambulance,—</span></p> + +<p>“Come round to my quarters, then. I’ll be ready in +fifteen minutes.”</p> + +<p>With that he was again passing them, when the senior +officer, near whom was standing an orderly, called +to <span class="nowrap">him,—</span></p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott!”</p> + +<p>“What is it?” said the adjutant, surprised at the +formality of the salutation, but not checking his rapid +walk.</p> + +<p>“I wish to see you, sir,” called Captain Canker after +him, reddening with chagrin as he did so.</p> + +<p>“I’m in a hurry now, captain,” replied Truscott, +absently. “Come to my quarters.” And on he went, +<span class="pagenum">[340]</span>plunged in his gloomy thoughts, and in an instant had +entered the band-stables, out of sight.</p> + +<p>Canker fairly snapped with rage. Treated with disrespect +and indignity by the very officer of all others +whom he most desired to get upon the hip—the very +officer whom it was now in his power doubly to humiliate. +Ignored in his high position as commander of +the post, now that Colonel Pelham was sick in quarters, +what better opportunity needed he?</p> + +<p>“You heard that language, gentlemen!” he exclaimed. +“Mr. Carroll, Mr. Glenham, come with me.” +And hurrying after the adjutant, Captain Canker entered +the band-stables in high dudgeon.</p> + +<p>“Captain,” suggested Carroll, “I’m certain that +Truscott had no idea you were in command of the +post.”</p> + +<p>“That’s d—d nonsense, sir! It’s his business to +know.”</p> + +<p>And though Mr. Carroll was confident that, being +on sick report, and furthermore, utterly taken up with +his cares at Tanner’s quarters, Mr. Truscott did not +know that the colonel had again taken to his bed and +turned over the command at reveille to the senior captain, +he was diplomatic enough to hold his peace. It +is always safer to let a comrade get rapped over the +knuckles undeservingly than to attempt to restrain the +impetuosity of such commanders as Canker, and of +many another not exactly like him; and, besides, Carroll +possibly wanted to see how “His Infallibility,” as +Truscott had once been nicknamed, would stand a +reprimand.</p> + +<p>They found him in earnest conversation with the +<span class="pagenum">[341]</span>sergeant-major and with the corporal of Tanner’s troop +who had brought in the news. He did not notice their +approach.</p> + +<p>Canker rapidly stepped to his side, his eyes flashing, +his face flushed with passion.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott, did you hear me say that I wished +to see you?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, captain,” said Jack, very calmly, but +looking vastly surprised at the sudden appearance of +this irate captain and his satellites.</p> + +<p>“Then how dare you pass me by, sir?” and at the +furious, undignified tone the men looked up in amaze. +Every brush and curry-comb seemed to need cleaning +at that minute, and the non-commissioned staff and +band, almost to a man, ceased grooming.</p> + +<p>Worn, wearied, harassed both mentally and physically, +Truscott was in no condition to calmly submit to +an unjust overhauling from a man of Canker’s calibre. +The blood rushed to his face at the arrogance, the utter +lack of consideration, of decency in the captain’s manner. +But with perfect self-poise, despite it all, he courteously +spoke.</p> + +<p>“I had no idea that you were in command of the +post, as I presume you must be.”</p> + +<p>“You ought to have known it, sir, if you had sense +enough to know anything.”</p> + +<p>And now Mr. Carroll was turning away in disgust, +and Glenham stood a picture of indignant helplessness. +Truscott turned from red to white, and looked squarely +into Canker’s eyes as the latter stormed furiously on.</p> + +<p>“I’ve had abundant opportunity to remark your discourtesy +and slights on previous occasions, sir, and now +<span class="pagenum">[342]</span>you have the insolence to ignore my authority as commanding +officer in the presence of the command. +I——”</p> + +<p>“One moment, captain,” said Truscott, raising his +hand deprecatingly, and speaking with the utmost +self-control and respect. “Let me repeat, that I had +no idea you were in command. I was deeply engrossed +in thought of far different matters. I thought +you merely wished to speak to me about some personal +affairs, as I’m not on duty as adjutant this——”</p> + +<p>“No, by God!” burst in Canker, to whom Truscott’s +power over himself was only an additional goad. With +all the malignity of a low, tyrannical nature, what he +wanted was an excuse to rasp and humiliate the adjutant, +not to listen to explanations that were establishing +the latter’s entire innocence of wrong so far as intent +was concerned. “No, by God! you are not on duty as +adjutant; and a most fortunate thing it is for the regiment +that in that capacity your days are numbered.”</p> + +<p>Truscott simply stared at him in surprise and absolute +pity, and Canker saw it.</p> + +<p>“I’m not blowing, sir, as you seem to think. Four +days ago the colonel directed me to see you and request +your resignation.” And still Truscott stood calm and +stately. It was simply exasperating to poor Canker. +Determined to break through that impenetrable armor +of reserve and dignity, he flew on another tack. “You +were giving some instructions to the driver of the ambulance +just now. By what right, sir?”</p> + +<p>“I merely asked him to stop for me at my quarters. +I desired to go down the valley to meet Captain Tanner’s +remains.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[343]</span></p> + +<p>“I have detailed Captain Turner for that purpose, +sir. You cannot go.”</p> + +<p>“I did not expect to go in an official capacity, but it +never occurred to me for an instant that any one would +prohibit my going to meet the body of my oldest and +most intimate friend.”</p> + +<p>“It <em>is</em> prohibited, sir, emphatically, and for excellent +reason. From the colonel down, sir, it is prohibited, +and it is a brazen-faced outrage on your part to expect +to be allowed to go.”</p> + +<p>Even Carroll and Glenham here stepped forward as +though to check him, and Carroll seized his arm.</p> + +<p>“Captain, captain, for God’s sake, not here! Think +where you are.”</p> + +<p>And suddenly, as though realizing that every man +was listening, Canker turned.</p> + +<p>“I will see you again about this, Mr. Truscott, but +understand,—you cannot go.”</p> + +<p>For an instant Truscott stood dazed, then hurried +after them, overtaking the party at the gate. From +the adjoining stables Captain Raymond and Mr. Wilkins +were approaching.</p> + +<p>“Captain Canker,” said Truscott, and now fire was +flashing from his eyes, “you have used words which +require immediate explanation.”</p> + +<p>“I say, sir,” almost shouted Canker, “that you are +the last man in the regiment to be allowed to go to +meet the remains of a man <em>we</em> honored, sir! <em>Your</em> conduct +has been too monstrous. You have been long +suspected, but now the thing is known throughout the +whole garrison.”</p> + +<p>“What thing, sir?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[344]</span></p> + +<p>“Your grossly improper, <em>criminal</em>, probably, relations +with Mrs. Tanner——”</p> + +<p>Crash!</p> + +<p>Something like a flash of lightning had seemed to +shoot from Truscott’s shoulder, and with a thud, plunge, +and sputter Captain Canker lay sprawling on his back, +after ploughing up several square feet of gravel, and +Raymond and Carroll had thrown themselves on Truscott, +who, a living embodiment of fury, stood glaring +at the stunned foeman at his feet.</p> + +<p>“No more of this, Truscott! I don’t blame you. +I heard it,” said Raymond. “Go at once to your +quarters. I’ll see that he is looked after.” And escorted +by Carroll, the adjutant slowly, silently, walked +away.</p> + +<p>“Send Bucketts here at once,” he said to Carroll, as +he entered his hall and closed the door after him.</p> + +<p>Meantime the other officers had raised Canker to his +feet. He had been knocked half senseless by the force +of the blow, and blood was streaming from his nostrils, +and his eye was rapidly closing, but his first impulse on +rising was to get at Truscott. He was blind with rage, +and it required great effort to control him. Little by +little the gravity of the situation overcame his fury, and +he suffered himself to be led to his quarters; but half +the command, probably, had seen the affair, and with +huge delight the men were commenting on the scientific +manner in which “the adjutant knocked ould +Canker out of time in one crack.”</p> + +<p>Raymond was urging Canker to take no steps in the +matter until he had cooled down.</p> + +<p>“Of course the whole thing will get to the colonel’s +<span class="pagenum">[345]</span>ears at once, and you had better let him deal with the +matter,” said Raymond.</p> + +<p>But Canker thought he knew his own business best, +and sent at once for Major Bucketts, who stumped in +with his customary expression of profound gravity, +while the commanding officer was being plastered with +brown paper and vinegar by the hands of his flurried +and tearful wife.</p> + +<p>“Major Bucketts, you will place Mr. Truscott in +close arrest at once.”</p> + +<p>“By whose order, captain?” said Bucketts, imperturbably.</p> + +<p>“By mine, of course, sir. I command the post.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, sir,” said Bucketts, and vanished.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes afterwards he banged the hilt of his +sabre against Truscott’s door and entered, finding Jack +stripped to the waist, bathing, and attempting to rebandage +the gash on his breast, which recent muscular +action seemed to have reopened.</p> + +<p>“Just hold on a moment, Jack, till I commit you in +due form, and then I’ll help you at that. You are +hereby placed in close arrest, by order of Captain Canker; +and may God have mercy on your soul, and you +on his’n! What did you hit him with? he’s knocked +all one-sided.” Thus irreverently and flippantly discoursed +the quartermaster, as he threw off his sabre, +belt, and gauntlets and went to the assistance of his +friend.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t my spurs on, Jack, but you’ll observe +the arrest all the same, and won’t go back on me. +Never mind what it’s about now. Let’s get you comfortable +first.” And by dint of some minutes’ work Major +<span class="pagenum">[346]</span>Bucketts succeeded in getting the bandage back where +it belonged and Jack into his clothes and easy-chair.</p> + +<p>Truscott lay there very pale and quiet, saying nothing, +but there was a look in his face Bucketts did not like +to see; something terrible in its intensity. Stepping +in next door to the doctor’s quarters, he found him +plunging his head in cold water and listening to Carroll’s +excited description of the affray. The quartermaster +boiled with rage when he heard the language +which had called forth Truscott’s blow, and then +requested the doctor to come with him a moment.</p> + +<p>“I want you to be with me when I have my talk +with Jack. Of course, <em>now</em> he has got to be told the +whole thing; and the question is, can he stand it now? +Go and see him.”</p> + +<p>So the doctor had gone, and in the course of half an +hour returned to Bucketts, saying that Truscott was +calm and composed, but insisted upon knowing the +uttermost detail of the story in which his good name +was involved. “He will have to rest until we do tell +him, and I think it best we should go at once,” was +the doctor’s decision; so they went.</p> + +<p>“Jack,” said Bucketts, “I’ll make it short as I can, +yet tell you all I know, and I believe all anybody +knows, and if I go wrong, doctor, you correct me. +Not until the day before you got back did I know anything +about it, but the doctor and myself have gone to +the bottom of the whole story. For some reason Mrs. +Pelham has been determined to get you away from this +post. The ladies all say that, and it is mainly through +them that we reached the facts. She has been steadily +at work ever since you met them at Prescott in striving +<span class="pagenum">[347]</span>to prejudice people against you, and finally she got hold +of some infernal story circulated by that girl the Tanners +discharged at Phœnix, to the effect that you had +been unduly intimate with Mrs. Tanner when in Kansas, +and she has been putting the colonel up to it ever since. +Now of the facts I can only tell you this. She has a +letter from Mrs. Treadwell saying that when Tanner +was in the field you came to Phœnix, and she saw Mrs. +Tanner crying in your arms in her parlor. The night +Tanner left here Miss Pelham and Hunter saw Mrs. +Tanner leaning in your arms out there on the bluff, +and the night you were wanted when those despatches +came after midnight, and you could not be found, the +colonel and Canker saw you coming out of her house. +I know, and the doctor knows, that it is all susceptible +of explanation. But those facts were industriously +circulated everywhere about the post, and we would +have told you yesterday but for the doctor, who said +you were not well enough.”</p> + +<p>To all this, told rapidly and quietly, Truscott listened +without a word. He knit his brow at times, a look of +surprise came into his face at mention of Mrs. Treadwell’s +name, but even after Bucketts had ceased he sat +for a few moments in silence.</p> + +<p>Then looking coolly, wearily around him, Jack rose, +went to his wardrobe, took a letter from the pocket of +his blouse, and returned to the fireplace.</p> + +<p>“Bucketts,” said he, “it is a fact that Mrs. Tanner +did on one occasion cry in my arms at Phœnix. She +probably would have done so the night Tanner marched +if she had not fainted dead away, and it is also a fact +that long after midnight I came from her house when +<span class="pagenum">[348]</span>those despatches arrived. In fact, had I not heard the +noise outside I would have been there an hour longer. +For myself, I absolutely refuse to make any explanation +<em>now</em>, but for her sake that which may seem necessary +shall be done. This letter will account for my +presence at Tanner’s at the hour which has scandalized +Camp Sandy, and, doctor, you can doubtless account +for the other enumerated indiscretions. Now, Bucketts, +I have a question to ask. Was it on this account that +the colonel requested my resignation, as that—as Captain +Canker stated this morning?”</p> + +<p>“So Canker says, and so it has been told all over the +post. Turner and I went to the colonel two days ago, +and he promised us that nothing farther should be said +or done until you returned, and last evening he did tell +me to see Canker and say to him that he desired him to +say nothing to you now until Tanner’s return, as he +would be here in two days. I did so, but Canker seems +to have gone crazy this morning.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is doubtless true that Canker’s statement is +correct as to the resignation,” said Jack, while his teeth +set almost savagely. “That, at least, I never could +have believed of Pelham; he should never have delegated +that message to any one. Now, gentlemen,” he +continued, “I have a great deal to think of this morning, +and I will thank you both to come to me occasionally. +You, doctor, will have to devote all possible +time to Mrs. Tanner, I know, but let me hear how she +is getting on. As for Captain Canker, it is not probable +any message will come from him before evening +if it should then, and by that time Ray will be here.”</p> + +<p>And now we have to turn from Truscott and his +<span class="pagenum">[349]</span>bitter reflections and look for Grace, who, of late, has +appeared but seldom on the scene.</p> + +<p>At any other time so important an announcement as +that of the engagement of the beauty and belle of the +regiment, the daughter of its colonel, to one of its officers, +and that one its wealthiest, would have created +wide commotion; but just now everything was forgotten +in the fate that had overtaken Tanner, shrouded the +garrison in mourning, and involved his stricken widow +and his most trusted friend in so strange, so uncanny a +complication. The circumstances of Grace’s engagement +have not been explained,—indeed, she never could +satisfactorily explain them herself,—but to make a long +and most unpleasant story short, her mother had +speedily added the story of Truscott’s midnight appearance +at Tanner’s to his other enormities, and this, +coupled with what she had seen, so preyed upon the +poor girl’s jealousy and wretchedness that, yielding to +her mother’s representations of all Glenham’s excellences, +the debt they owed him for Ralph’s sake, the +deep wrong she was doing him in keeping him in suspense, +“dangling at her apron-strings,” as madame +expressed it, though knowing well that she, not Grace, +was there at fault, Grace Pelham had at last surrendered. +“I do <em>not</em> love you,” she told him, frankly. +“I respect and honor and like you, no doubt, but it is +not what you deserve,” and he had rapturously declared +that he could wait to win her love if she would but +promise to let him try. And then mamma had clinched +the nail by announcing the engagement, confidentially, +to three or four ladies, and writing it confidentially to +two or three more at department headquarters. And +<span class="pagenum">[350]</span>Grace, receiving congratulations she would eagerly have +shunned, and devotions and raptures that she absolutely +shrank from, was profoundly miserable.</p> + +<p>Coming suddenly into the Tanners’ parlor at tattoo +the night of the news of his death, she stopped short +on seeing Truscott, and then had turned and fled. Distrusting +him as she had, yet unwilling to believe in his +baseness, she now saw him fondling and soothing the +child of the man he was accused of having bitterly +wronged, and mingling his tears with those of the innocent +little one because of that man’s death. No +wonder hers had been an almost sleepless night, but +early in the morning she was at her father’s bedside. +He was still far from well, though the ailment seemed +to be mental rather than bodily. Lady Pelham was +sleeping the sleep of the just in her own room. She +had been up very late the night before, making love to +her prospective son-in-law, as Mrs. Wilkins put it. +Grace had plead distress and illness and gone to her +room.</p> + +<p>Soon after guard-mounting a letter was brought to +the door. The servant handed it to Grace, and she, +noting with faintly heightened color and trembling +hand that it was addressed in Truscott’s writing to the +colonel, took it up-stairs, and silently placed it before +him on the coverlet.</p> + +<p>“Where are my glasses, dear?” he asked. But the +glasses were not under his pillow nor on the bureau. +“Read it to me, Grace.”</p> + +<p>For a moment she hung back, unwilling, then +opened the note, and in a low, tremulous voice, read +as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[351]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p style="margin-left: 18.0em;"> + “<span class="smcap">Camp Sandy, A. T.</span>, December 20, 187—. +</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Colonel R. R. Pelham</span>, Commanding <span class="nowrap">—th</span> Regiment +of Cavalry U.S.A.</p> + +<p> “<span class="smcap">Colonel</span>,—I have the honor to tender my resignation +of the adjutancy of the regiment.</p> + +<p> + <span style="margin-left: 10.0em;">“Very respectfully,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 12.0em;">“Your obedient servant,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 14.0em;">“<span class="smcap">John G. Truscott</span>,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 16.0em;">“<i>1st Lieut. <span class="nowrap">—th</span> Cavalry</i>.”</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>“He gives no reason?” asked the colonel, after a +long and painful pause.</p> + +<p>“Nothing, father.”</p> + +<p>Then there was another pause.</p> + +<p>“Grace, I want to see Major Bucketts,” said he, at +last.</p> + +<p>And presently Major Bucketts came, and, after ushering +him in, she left the room.</p> + +<p>“Bucketts,” said the colonel, peevishly, “I thought +I told you to tell Canker not to mention this matter to +Mr. Truscott until—until Tanner got back.”</p> + +<p>“You did, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you do it?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, I did, sir. At stables yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“But here’s Truscott’s resignation, and, d—n it! I +wanted the thing stopped until—well, for the present +anyhow. Where is Captain Canker? Has he had +anything to do with this, do you know?”</p> + +<p>“He is in his quarters, sir, and, to the best of my +knowledge and belief, he had all to do with it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s horribly awkward,” said the colonel, sitting +up in bed. “Has Truscott gone to meet the body?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[352]</span></p> + +<p>“No, sir.”</p> + +<p>“He hasn’t? Why, I supposed, of course, he would +go.”</p> + +<p>“He wanted to go, sir, but Captain Canker refused +permission.” And it was evident that the quartermaster +was grimly enjoying the conversation.</p> + +<p>“Canker refused him! Why, what’s the man thinking +of? Truscott <em>ought</em> to have gone. Where is he?”</p> + +<p>“In close arrest, sir, in his quarters.”</p> + +<p>“<em>What!</em> What’s happened?” exclaimed Pelham, +already half out of bed.</p> + +<p>“Captain Canker took it upon himself to use very +dangerous language to Mr. Truscott at stables. I did +not hear it, and prefer not to repeat what I was told, +but there is no doubt of the fact that Truscott knocked +him flat, and that Canker is spending the morning +drawing up charges and specifications by the quire.”</p> + +<p>“Go and say to the captain that I resume command +at once,” said the colonel, slipping out of bed with +astonishing activity. “Then come to the office, both +of you.”</p> + +<p>Doleful indeed was Captain Canker’s appearance +when telling his tale to the colonel half an hour afterwards. +His left eye was covered with a broad bandage, +and his nose and cheek were discolored and contused. +Trembling still with indignation and excitement was +the captain, and, after listening patiently to his recital, +which, of course, made no allusion to his insulting, +overbearing manner, and somewhat inaccurately represented +his language, and very inaccurately represented +Truscott’s conduct, Pelham spoke very moderately and +kindly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[353]</span></p> + +<p>“It is, of course, a most flagrant breach of discipline, +and Mr. Truscott must be held accountable. I +shall confirm the arrest; and yet, Captain Canker, did +you not receive a message from me directing you to +postpone further action; not to say anything, in fact, +until—well, for the present?”</p> + +<p>“I did, sir,” said Canker, coloring painfully; “but +I was justly indignant at his ignoring my position as +commanding officer, and Captain Tanner could never +return to us now, and I was outraged, I suppose, at the +idea of Mr. Truscott’s being allowed to appear as his +friend. Well, there were a dozen reasons why I +thought he ought to be informed at once that his +crime was known.”</p> + +<p>Pelham winced at the word. Already he was beginning +to believe an awful mistake had been made. +He fidgeted uneasily in his chair.</p> + +<p>“But how came you to speak of his resignation? +That wasn’t necessary that I can see.”</p> + +<p>And Canker had no satisfactory explanation to offer, +and left the colonel’s office in a very unpleasant frame +of mind. Then Pelham sent for Raymond, Carroll, +and Glenham, and questioned them as eye-witnesses. +Crane and Wilkins also were summoned, and despite +every effort on their part to say as little as possible any +way, the fact became pretty clearly established that +Canker had behaved in an outrageously unbecoming +if not insulting manner. And awfully ill at ease and +unhappy the colonel found himself at the end of his +two hours’ confabulation with those gentlemen.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Bucketts sat fuming in the adjutant’s +chair. In his pocket he had Tanner’s last letter to +<span class="pagenum">[354]</span>Truscott, one that would have forcibly shaken the +colonel and his <i lang="fr">confrères</i>, but Truscott had forbidden +Bucketts and the doctor to make its contents known +until after the colonel had acted upon his resignation.</p> + +<p>For a long time after the officers had gone, Colonel +Pelham sat there at his desk in deep perplexity. All +over the garrison people were talking of the exciting +events of the day. Everybody knew that Truscott +was in close arrest. Everybody had heard that Canker +had virtually demanded the resignation of the adjutancy +in the colonel’s name. Everybody heard in some +mysterious way that the resignation had been tendered, +and all were eagerly speculating on the upshot. This, +too, when only a few miles away now the lifeless body +of their gallant comrade was being borne back to the +post, and, all unconscious of that or any other fact, +poor little Mrs. Tanner lay in her darkened room more +dead than alive.</p> + +<p>At last the colonel rose and came to Bucketts’ desk.</p> + +<p>“Have you had any conversation with Mr. Truscott +about this a affair?” said he.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” said Bucketts, promptly.</p> + +<p>“Did he—does he explain this—I mean—his very +suspicious relations with Mrs. Tanner?” asked Pelham. +And very hesitatingly he asked, and painfully embarrassed +he looked.</p> + +<p>Bucketts paused.</p> + +<p>“I do not know that I have any right to answer +that question, colonel. In the absence of Turner and +Ray, the doctor and myself seemed to be the only +friends left to him. He feels most keenly the manner +in which the matter was brought to his notice, and as +<span class="pagenum">[355]</span>no defence was necessary where the doctor or myself +were concerned he made none.” And blushing very +much but still looking steadfastly at his commander, +Bucketts went on: He liked his colonel,—was greatly +attached to him in fact,—but was stung to the quick by +the deep trouble brought upon his friend by the weakness +and mismanagement of that officer.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to say that he has a satisfactory +explanation?”</p> + +<p>“Most assuredly, colonel.”</p> + +<p>“Then why does he not come forward with it, or +express a desire to do so? It is my right to know it.”</p> + +<p>“He certainly would have done so, sir, and you +must pardon me if I seem wanting in respect, had you +yourself sent for him and represented the allegations +against him and given him an opportunity. Instead +of that, at this most trying time, when he has just returned +from very distinguished service, is wounded and +sick, his best friend killed, he finds you holding aloof +from him, and a man whom he—whom we all dislike,—whom +you yourself never selected as an intimate before,—<em>now</em> +chosen to represent you in a most delicate +office, and you see how—how he did it.” And here +Bucketts’ voice rose and trembled and grew husky. +“Again, colonel, I beg your pardon if I speak too +strongly, but—I feel very strongly.”</p> + +<p>Redder and redder Pelham had grown.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that he will refuse to explain the +matter now?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“For Mrs. Tanner’s sake he may explain,” answered +Bucketts; “for his own I am not prepared to say.”</p> + +<p>“Well, send for him, anyhow. I want to see him at +<span class="pagenum">[356]</span>once,” said the colonel, with a nervous twitching about +his face. It was plain that he was nettled, miserable, +and dissatisfied with himself and everybody else.</p> + +<p>And so it happened that Jack Truscott, to his great +surprise, as he sat talking with Raymond and Carroll, +received a summons to come at once to the commanding +officer’s presence. A dozen pairs of eyes watched him +as he walked slowly down the line, for he was still far +from well, and many were the speculations as to the +meaning of this move.</p> + +<p>Presently, cap in hand, he appeared at the office-door +and knocked. Pelham had watched him as he +came, and with a shock of distress noted how very pale +and haggard he looked; but as he entered and stood +erect before his colonel, his head seem carried even +higher, his bearing was calm as ever, but haughty. He +said not a word.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott,” said Pelham, “I have sent for you +because it is most necessary that a very unpleasant matter +should be cleared up at once. I am given to understand +by your friends that you are perfectly able to +explain away all suspicion that may have attached to +your conduct of late, and, if so, and you are entirely +innocent in the matter, your violence to Captain Canker +this morning may in a measure be condoned,—and +other—other disagreeable features be suppressed. Are +you prepared to offer such explanation?”</p> + +<p>“No, sir.” And the answer was prompt, but so stern +and low that Pelham fairly started.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean that you have no explanation?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that after the language of the officer selected +as your spokesman this morning I will not +<span class="pagenum">[357]</span>condescend to defend myself, sir. The time for that has +passed.”</p> + +<p>“Are you aware—do you realize that your refusal +makes it my duty to proceed to take action in your +case?” And the colonel’s voice trembled so that he could +hardly speak, and he could not look at Truscott.</p> + +<p>“Perfectly, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Then that is all, Mr. Truscott,” said the colonel. +And that night at retreat everybody knew that the adjutant +was “broken,” and was wondering who would +be the next victim.</p> + +<p>It was late in the evening when the detachment, now +commanded by Lieutenant Ray, escorting Tanner’s +honored remains, reached Sandy and scattered to quarters. +Ray did not wait for any change of raiment. +After having placed the body in charge of the doctors +at the hospital, he went at once to Truscott’s quarters, +and that evening Turner, Raymond, Ray, and Bucketts +spent in earnest consultation with the ex-adjutant. +Down at the store various congenial spirits were solemnly +discussing the situation over their toddies.</p> + +<p>“What do you think will happen now?” asked Mr. +Wilkins of the group gathered about the store.</p> + +<p>“Well, Ray has been with Truscott for the last +hour,” said Mr. Hunter, “and I’ll bet that there will +be a circus if he is called in.”</p> + +<p>“What do you want to bet Ray isn’t made adjutant?”</p> + +<p>“Anything you like, Wilkins, for the simple reason +that madame wants that place for son-in-law Arty,” +replied an irreverent youth, but it would be unkind to +mention his name.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[358]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XX. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the following morning the preparations for Captain +Tanner’s funeral were complete. There had been +a decided halt for a few moments when it came to the +selection of the pall-bearers, as they had to be chosen +by Colonel Pelham, poor Mrs. Tanner being still too +desperately ill to more than faintly realize where she +was or to recognize those who stood at her bedside. +The colonel’s heart was sore against Truscott, for, while +he could not say that his manner had been in the least +disrespectful on the previous afternoon, he could complain +and did complain that there was a spice of insubordination +in the subaltern’s total refusal to offer +any explanation. He resented the fact that Truscott +evidently resented his conduct. He was stung to think +that Truscott had friends to whom he readily furnished +the proofs of his innocence, yet forbade their using them +“officially”; and although he felt and knew that had +he himself asked Truscott for these proofs in the first +place, they would have been promptly set before him, +he refused to see that, in having made Captain Canker +his minister plenipotentiary for the time being, he had +given Truscott good cause for his action in declining to +defend himself at the eleventh hour. The more he +heard of Canker’s language and manner in the now +famous interview the less he liked it, the more he +<span class="pagenum">[359]</span>realized that he had made an awful blunder in intrusting +such a matter to him, and the more peevish and irritable +the poor old gentleman grew. Just at retreat the +evening of his brief conversation with Truscott, Dr. +Clayton, the post-surgeon, had met him and announced +the arrival of the physician from Fort Whipple, and +that the latter said it was more than probable that +the general and some of his staff would come down +to be present at Tanner’s funeral. Telegrams very +congratulatory in their tone had been flying over the +wires from Prescott ever since Truscott’s return with +the news of the first fight. Then there came frequent +inquiries by wire after Truscott’s health; then a deeply +sympathetic message announcing the receipt of the tidings +of Tanner’s death; then inquiries after Mrs. Tanner, +and then they stopped coming to him entirely, +though the doctor received frequent despatches. This +added to Colonel Pelham’s fretfulness. It was mere +accident and no slight whatever was intended, but he +believed that in some way news of the Truscott-Canker +affray had reached headquarters and that his conduct +as post-commander was disapproved,—or something,—and, +being a loyal adherent of the commanding general +and a faithful friend, it worried him inexpressibly.</p> + +<p>The telegraph operator denied having sent any despatch +relating to the affair, but it had been suspected +on more than one occasion that Corcoran had sent “confidential” +messages on his own account to the operator +there, and this was so spicy a piece of news that it was +more than believed that he had communicated the +whole story, with probable theories and comments of +his own. Certain it is that before sunset that day a +<span class="pagenum">[360]</span>rumor was in circulation at Fort Whipple that Captain +Canker had received a terrific thrashing at the hands of +the adjutant, that a duel was imminent, and then that +Truscott was in arrest and to be tried by court-martial.</p> + +<p>“Has Dr. Harper seen Mrs. Tanner yet?” asked +Pelham, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, sir. We are going in together as soon as +he has changed his dress; he is at my quarters now,—at +least he will be in a minute;” and the doctor looked +uneasily up the row, and that led Pelham also to look +the same way. And as they did so, Dr. Harper came +forth from the adjutant’s, the ex-adjutant’s quarters +by this time, and the colonel reddened as he saw it. +Everybody whom he most liked and respected was evidently +in sympathy with Truscott. No one went to +inquire after Canker and his black eye, yet here, the +moment the post-surgeon from Fort Whipple arrived, +he must needs run in to see Truscott before going anywhere +else. Pelham fairly winced.</p> + +<p>“Look here, doctor,” he said, impatiently. “You +know—I suppose everybody knows by this time—how +your patient has been compromised by Mr. Truscott’s +conduct, and I suppose you know that he positively declined +to offer any explanation when I called upon him +for it.”</p> + +<p>“I do, sir,” said the doctor, gravely.</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m told that he <em>has</em> explained matters to +one or two officers, yourself included, though he refused +to explain to me, who had the best right to know. +Also I’m told that you are convinced of his entire innocence.”</p> + +<p>“I never doubted it, sir, much less hers.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[361]</span></p> + +<p>“Then, doctor, I think it your business to give me +your reasons. If I’ve done him—or—or anybody else +injustice, I want to know it; but I’m confounded if I +can see how he can explain what—what has been seen +by everybody,” said poor Pelham, irritably.</p> + +<p>Dr. Clayton merely bowed.</p> + +<p>“You will not give your reasons?”</p> + +<p>“Not now, sir,” and the doctor was scrupulously +respectful in tone and manner.</p> + +<p>The colonel turned short on his heel and entered the +house. Glenham was seated with Grace in the parlor, +and Grace, looking far from well, glanced up eagerly +and wistfully in her father’s face. He went up-stairs +without a word.</p> + +<p>Late that evening a despatch arrived saying that the +general with Colonel Wickham and Mr. Bright of +his staff were on their way to Sandy, and would arrive +by noon on the following day. In the morning, therefore, +he had to select the pall-bearers, and before +breakfast Lady Pelham began her questioning. She +had heard with eager satisfaction the announcement of +Truscott’s relief from duty as adjutant of the regiment; +she had already paved the way, she thought, for the +appointment of a successor suitable to herself, and yet, +so long as Truscott remained at the post she could not +rest content: he was dangerous, she argued, and must +be gotten rid of. An order assigning him to duty with +one of the troops serving in the southern part of the +Territory was what she wanted, if indeed he did not +have to quit the service entirely; but the death of Captain +Tanner had put as unexpected bar on that plan, +as his troop was now left without an officer “present +<span class="pagenum">[362]</span>for duty,” the senior lieutenant of the regiment who +would succeed to the captaincy being, as is not unusual +in such cases, on detached duty in an Eastern city, with +no intention whatsoever of throwing up his detail as +an aide-de-camp so long as his regiment was roughing +it in Arizona. This she saw would be likely to result +in Truscott’s being ordered to assume command of Tanner’s +troop. Then came his affray with Canker, his +arrest and prospective court-martial, and now, to her +dismay, she realized that not only was that going to +detain him at the post, but that already everybody was +beginning to veer around, and public sympathy was +largely excited in favor of the very people whom she had +been instrumental in bringing into trouble. Madame +felt the ground giving way beneath her feet. Already +she had learned that, while Truscott had indignantly +refused to utter a word in his defence, his utter innocence +of wrong in thought or deed had been so clearly +established that his friends were triumphant, his enemies +disconcerted, and the ladies who but two days before +were whispering all manner of scandal at the expense +of poor little Mrs. Tanner, now found it expedient to +hold their tongues and wait. It was getting unpopular +to say anything that might be construed as an insinuation +against her, and at all hours of the day the gentle +and forgiving creatures had been swarming to her +quarters to see if there really wasn’t something they +could do. And that evening as a party of them stood +talking in low tones upon the Turners’ gallery, Mrs. +Raymond found opportunity to <span class="nowrap">say,—</span></p> + +<p>“Well, I’m thankful <em>I</em> never said a word against +her.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[363]</span></p> + +<p>“And so am I,—devoutly,” echoed Mrs. Turner.</p> + +<p>Of course Lady Pelham could see no possible way +of escape for Truscott. His conduct and Mrs. Tanner’s +indiscretion were past all explanation in her +severely virtuous mind, but it was disconcerting to observe +that “the best people in the garrison” were exhibiting +decided change of heart and correspondingly +avoiding her, “As if <em>I</em> were the one to blame,” said +her ladyship.</p> + +<p>In selecting the pall-bearers Colonel Pelham asked +nobody’s advice. Madame had attempted some questioning, +but was warned by the knitting of his brow +and an impatient gesture that he desired none of her +interference. Handing the list to Major Bucketts, the +colonel briefly told him to notify the gentlemen there +named and to detail Captain Canker and his troop for +the escort. There was fitness in that selection, as Mr. +Ray observed, for the captain was already in half-mourning, +but Truscott’s name was not on the list of +pall-bearers, and thereat Mr. Ray saw fit to wax indignant. +He had no idea of policy, and, finding that +he had been named as one of them, proceeded straight +to the colonel’s office, and for the first time since his +return from scout exhibited himself to his commander.</p> + +<p>“Colonel, I was the last officer of the regiment to +see Captain Tanner alive, and during this late scout I +had more than one confidential talk with him. Will +you permit me to say that the omission of Mr. Truscott’s +name from the list of pall-bearers would be the last +thing Captain Tanner would wish could he express a +wish?”</p> + +<p>The colonel liked Ray,—liked him better than ever +<span class="pagenum">[364]</span>since his adventure with Grace, and, as some of the +captains growlingly remarked, “‘Old Catnip’ would +put up with anything in Ray’s troop and wouldn’t stand +a rusty buckle in anybody else’s.” It was not strictly +accurate, but as an expression of the prevailing opinion +was not greatly overdrawn. Very probably he would +have severely snubbed any other officer, and even to +Ray he spoke sternly.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott is in arrest, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I know it, colonel; but you surely do not mean to +prohibit his attending the funeral of his old captain +and oldest friend.”</p> + +<p>It was just what Pelham had intended doing. That +is to say, he meant to grant no extension of limits or +suspension from arrest unless Truscott asked it; but +the hour was drawing nigh, Truscott had not asked, +and the old gentleman was getting vastly afraid that he +would not.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott has refused to vindicate his reputation, +sir, and I do not think that in this matter he can +expect much consideration,” said the colonel, trying to +feel that what he said was just.</p> + +<p>“It is more for the consideration due to Captain Tanner +and to the regiment, colonel, that I am appealing,” +said Ray, boldly. “Mr. Truscott would prohibit my +appealing for him.”</p> + +<p>“The regiment, sir, is inclined to the belief that if +Mr. Truscott had been as careful of the honor of Captain +Tanner during his life as he desires to be of the +honors due him after death, he would stand higher than +he does this day.”</p> + +<p>Instantly he realized that he had said too much, and +<span class="pagenum">[365]</span>would have been glad to recall it. Ray flushed crimson +with indignation.</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon, Colonel Pelham. You will +find that the <em>men</em> of the regiment do not agree with +you,” he said, hotly.</p> + +<p>“You are forgetting yourself, Mr. Ray,” said the +colonel. “Leave the office, sir!” And, gritting his teeth +and looking very red in the face, Mr. Ray did as he +was bid.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, in half an hour the colonel sent Major +Bucketts to say to Mr. Truscott that his arrest would +be suspended until retreat, in order that he might have +an opportunity of attending the obsequies of his late +captain.</p> + +<p>And so it happened later that bright wintry day +that the guards at the large empty ward of the post-hospital +respectfully stood aside and opened the door +to the tall young officer who silently entered. The +two hospital attendants sitting near a low table in the +middle of the room rose and drew back, one of them +reverently raising the fold of the flag draped over the +head of the cloth-covered coffin, and Jack Truscott +stood gazing down into the calm, pallid features of his +friend.</p> + +<p>Oh, what memories came surging up before him as he +hung over the casket! More than eight years before, +when fresh from West Point, he had reported for duty +with Tanner’s company, and, joining him in Kansas, +had served with him through more than one eventful +campaign against the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes; +had found his captain always thoughtful, +courteous, and considerate; had learned to trust him +<span class="pagenum">[366]</span>implicitly, and little by little to look up to and love +him. Together they had “roughed it” over the +prairies and “messed” in garrison; together they had +gone East the second year of Jack’s service with the +company, and he had appeared as best man at the quiet +little ceremony which made his captain the happiest +fellow on earth. And there he had met in the person +of his bridesmaid the sister of the sweet woman of +whom Tanner had so often talked to him on their long +rides, and, in a beauty more radiant, a wit more sparkling, +a vivacity more attractive, Jack Truscott had +been able to believe he saw all the nobler attributes +which existed in the gentle bride his comrade had won. +In another year a courtship, conducted mainly by correspondence, +had resulted in his engagement to be married +to the younger sister of his captain’s wife, and yet +he marvelled that she should desire that it be not yet +announced, and had marvelled more that as day after +day his relations with Tanner and his wife grew more +cordial and intimate, Mrs. Tanner could never seem +perfectly unembarrassed or confidently happy about +that engagement.</p> + +<p>Then her baby had been born, and he had been devoted +to little Bertie. Could he ever forget Tanner’s +choking voice and tear-dimmed eyes when he got back +and tried to thank him for nursing the little one through +that terrible illness? And then when, after all, they lost +the child, how well he recalled her agony and his +deep, manfully-subdued grief! How he recalled the +long winter evenings in that bleak frontier fort when +she with her sewing, he and Tanner with their books +or papers, sat by the hour together, sometimes hardly +<span class="pagenum">[367]</span>speaking at all! And how they had gone, Mrs. Tanner +and he, to plant the flowers around the little grave +down by the stream; and then how, despite her grief, +she seemed to watch him all that winter and the spring +that followed, until he went away to assume the duties +of the adjutancy. And how oddly, unusually earnest +and affectionate and solicitous Tanner’s behavior to him +had become, and his letters after he went away. He +used to wonder at it then; but his letters from the East, +from his <i lang="fr">fiancée</i>, had been growing less frequent, more +hurried, more unsatisfactory for a year, and when he +took his leave of absence and went on to satisfy himself +as to whether all was really as it should be, the +truth came out. The wealth and position of a prominent +merchant, a widower with three or four children, +had been too much for her brief infatuation for a distant +subaltern in the cavalry, and, like a sensible girl, +she embraced her opportunity—and the widower; and +Jack came back to the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> by no means the heartbroken +man he ought to have been. It was Mrs. Tanner +who felt it most. She never forgave her sister, +and, in her gentle, womanly way, she redoubled her +thoughtfulness for Jack, and more than ever had they +welcomed him to their cosy quarters. But then came the +move to Arizona,—a temporary separation. And when +he again met his old comrades, he marked with dismay +her pallid cheek, and learned in a few broken words +from Tanner that what they feared in Kansas was now +an undisputed fact. Heart disease in a dangerous +form fastened upon her, and great care, said the +physicians who were consulted, had to be exercised. +She knew it all as well as they, but was ever bright, +<span class="pagenum">[368]</span>brave, and cheery, and no one but Tanner, Truscott, +and the doctors ever suspected or at least knew the +truth. Stronger and firmer had grown the ties which +bound Tanner and himself together, but neither was +demonstrative. No one but Mrs. Tanner ever dreamed +how much they were to each other.</p> + +<p>And now—and now the loving, devoted husband, the +indulgent father, the dutiful soldier, the faithful friend +lay here cold,—dead to his grief and desolation; and she, +the sweet, pure, gentle wife, mother, and friend, lay at +death’s door, robbed of her husband who was all in all +to her; robbed of her friend who would have given +his right hand to aid her; robbed of her good name +by the infamous twaddle of garrison gossips; and he—he +who had so reverenced and honored and loved them +both, stood accused, even by the commander whom he +had served so faithfully and well, of having dishonored +the holiest friendship he had ever known. More than +that. His colonel’s daughter, to whom he had given +the strength and fervor of a man’s deep love, was cited +as a witness against him. Oh, bitter, bitter were his +thoughts, but presently he had to thrust them away. +It was almost time for the formation of the escort, and +he must take leave of the first and firmest friend he had +found in all his army life. Jack bent and tenderly +brushed aside the dark hair from the cold white forehead, +and then kneeling, pressed his lips upon the +placid face, and hot tears rolled down his cheeks. +Even as he knelt there, with one arm thrown over the +coffin, alone in his bereavement, the door again softly +opened and two persons entered. He heard them not, +<span class="pagenum">[369]</span>and never moved. But they saw him, and stopped: a +fragile, graceful girl clinging to the arm of a stout, +rugged old soldier. She bore in her hand a little +wreath of wild-flowers, simple and homely enough, but +the best that hours of search could discover in that remote +region. She had come to place them upon the +bier of the gallant troop-commander her father so honored; +but at sight of Truscott she held back, and +father and daughter stood motionless an instant regarding +him. The attendant stepped forward to offer +a chair, and at the sound of his footfall Truscott raised +his head and saw them. One second of indecision followed. +Then, with one lingering look in the face of +the dead, without another glance at Grace or the colonel, +he slowly walked away.</p> + +<p>An hour after, to the wailing notes of the band, the +solemn <i lang="fr">cortege</i> formed around the new-made grave +among the foot-hills west of the post. There stood +Canker’s company, dismounted, and in full-dress uniform, +the escort of the soldier-dead; there stood the +gray-haired chaplain, whose tremulous voice rose and +fell in mournful cadence on the still evening air; there, +leaning on their sabres, were grouped the officers of the +garrison, the general commanding and his aides, all +with reverently uncovered head, many with tear-dimmed +eyes; there stood a mourning, weeping group +of ladies, the wives of brother officers, and among +them many a heart faltered in the dread that any day +it might be their lot to stand there and see that same +flag lifted from the form of him who was all in all, as +this had been all in all to her who lay sore-stricken in +the desolation of her home. All around were grouped +<span class="pagenum">[370]</span>the soldiers of the post, for loved and honored he had +been among them. And there, near the foot of the +grave, stood Truscott, holding weeping little Rosalie in +his arms. She would go to no one, walk with no one +but Uncle Jack, and until he came and took her to his +strong, heaving breast and buried her bright curls on +his broad shoulder, the lonely little girl had cried piteously +for him. And now they stood there clasped in +each other’s embrace, while all that was mortal of the +gallant officer and gentleman was lowered to the grave, +and the solemn tones of the old chaplain gave thanks +“for the good example of all those Thy servants who, +having finished their course in faith, do now rest from +their labors.” The heavy clods had fallen, the last +prayer and blessing had been spoken, the grace of Him +who suffered and died once more invoked, and then +the sombre throng fell back from the grave, the bright-plumed +helmets of the escort ranged up in line, the +muffled word of command was given, the carbines +flashed their parting volleys over the clay their ringing +clamor could no longer thrill, the notes of the trumpets +floated away with the smoke of the discharge, “Taps,” +the soldiers’ signal for “extinguish lights” the world +over, died away in distant echoes across the valley, +and all was over. Ay, put out your light, old fellow, +gallant comrade, trusted friend. Rest in peace, and +may God grant you a joyous waking at the great reveille! +But now, <i lang="fr">allons</i>! <i lang="fr">Le roi est mort, vive</i> the next +man! Lieutenant Stafford becomes captain <i lang="la">vice</i> the deceased. +It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. Our +turn may come next. Who knows? It’s all in the +business. Soldiers cannot stop to mourn. Life is too +<span class="pagenum">[371]</span>short, anyway. So strike up your liveliest music, +trumpeters. “Fours right,” gentlemen of the escort. +“Left front into line, double-time,” go the platoons +as they clear the enclosure, and the band bursts +into the ringing, lively, rollicking quickstep from +<i lang="fr">La Fille de Madame Angot</i>, and with elastic steps +we march away from the grave where our hero lies +buried.</p> + +<p>And now, gentlemen, to business! First and foremost +this matter of Truscott’s has to be settled. The +general has heard all about it, of course, and has not +a word to say. It is a regimental matter entirely, and +if the colonel should consider it necessary to forward +charges against Mr. Truscott for his assault on the <i lang="la">pro +tempore</i> commanding officer, why, Mr. Truscott must be +tried by court-martial. All the same, the chief has received +Tanner’s last official report, in which the conduct +of Truscott and Ray has been highly praised, and he +sends for both those gentlemen and shakes them warmly +by the hand and congratulates them heartily. He says +very little, talking is not his forte, but white and Indian +well know that what he says he means, and the +wariest redskin will take his faintest promise in preference +to any agreement stamped with the great seal of +the Indian bureau. To Truscott and Ray he says not +a word concerning the former’s arrest; he is totally +oblivious to Canker’s black eye, and is scrupulously +courteous to that officer when he meets him; he listens +patiently to Colonel Pelham’s recital of the affair, because +Pelham thinks he must allude to it, but he expresses +no opinion whatever and has no suggestions to +make. He calls laboriously on every lady in the +<span class="pagenum">[372]</span>garrison accompanied by Mr. Bright, and condoles with +each in appropriate terms upon the great loss the regiment +has sustained, but he generally manages to let +them do all the talking, a matter that requires but little +ingenuity to be sure, and to limit his call to four or +five minutes; but at Mrs. Tanner’s he leaves his card +and many a warm inquiry, and directs Dr. Harper to +remain there “until he has pulled her through,” and +he holds little Rosalie in his arms and presses his +bearded, kindly face against hers, and something suspiciously +like moisture stands thick in his eyes as he +comes away. Then, refusing all escort, he starts back +for Prescott; but meantime Colonel Wickham has had +a plain talk with Pelham, likewise with Canker, and +the latter, who has used up some quires of legal cap +in his concoction of charges against Truscott, thinks +it advisable at least to revise and condense; and immediately +after dinner that evening Mr. Ray accompanies +Truscott and Bucketts to the ex-adjutant’s +quarters.</p> + +<p>The mess has not been a particularly convivial place +of late, and since Mr. Ray’s return the conversation +has been more highly spiced with pepper than the +viands. Truscott, the two doctors, and Bucketts have +been very grave and silent, but Ray has kept the ball +of conversation rolling in a way that at another time +would have afforded immense entertainment to the +elders. It is observed that unless spoken to by them +he never addresses or notices Hunter or Glenham. +Crane he cut long ago, and his demeanor to every officer +whom he fancies in the most remote manner to have +had anything to do with the stories at Truscott’s +<span class="pagenum">[373]</span>expense is in the last degree suggestive of “Won’t you +have the goodness to knock this chip off my shoulder, +or even ever so lightly tread on the tail of my coat?” +Captain Canker he encountered in front of his quarters +the very evening of his return, and something in his +expression caused the captain to reflect and to restrain +his impulse to hold forth his hand. It was a fortunate +inspiration, for, looking him straight in the face, Mr. +Ray passed him by without any recognition whatever, +and Canker, who really liked the young fellow greatly, +was stung to the quick.</p> + +<p>And now the day before Christmas had come, and +after the routine business of the office had been transacted, +Major Bucketts, who still occupied the adjutant’s +chair, inquired of the colonel at what time it would be +convenient to him to see the doctor and himself on +matters connected with the allegations against Mr. Truscott, +and the colonel eagerly answered the sooner the +better. In a short time, therefore, Dr. Clayton arrived, +accompanied by Captain Turner, who had a small +packet of papers in his hand. All being seated and +the doors closed, the colonel <span class="nowrap">inquired,—</span></p> + +<p>“Well, gentlemen, what have you to say?” And +the doctor became the spokesman.</p> + +<p>“Colonel Pelham, as Mrs. Tanner is recovering and +will soon be in a condition to enable her to attend to +her husband’s affairs, it becomes necessary that Mr. +Truscott should be able to assist her. Captain Turner +has here written directions of Captain Tanner’s that, in +the event of his sudden death, Mr. Truscott should +take charge of his papers, etc., as he was acquainted +with all the details of his business affairs. His will is +<span class="pagenum">[374]</span>very brief, he indicates, and leaves everything unreservedly +to his widow and children, but there is much +business to be attended to that both he and she have +been in the habit of intrusting to Mr. Truscott when +the captain had to be absent. Were Mr. Truscott not +able to attend to these matters for her she would certainly +expect to know why, and on her account at least, +and to put an end to a scandalous story, we are here +to-day.</p> + +<p>“You and Captain Canker saw Mr. Truscott issuing +from Mrs. Tanner’s house towards one o’clock in the +morning the night of the 14th–15th, and believed it to +have been—or rather attached an improper motive to his +being there. Whether you are aware of the fact or not, +Mr. Truscott has for eight years past been the most +trusted and intimate friend the Tanners had, and these +relations existed long before you joined the regiment as +its colonel. Captain Tanner was ordered off on this +last scout at a most inopportune time. He left the post +just at the day and hour when five years before he had +lost his first-born child in Kansas. It was very hard +for him, it was desperately hard for her, and in the +thought of her suffering it seems he forgot some important +items of business. Two days out he wrote an +urgent message to Truscott to have copies made of certain +papers and get them off to his attorney’s in San +Francisco as quick as possible. The letter reached +Truscott after taps on the night of the 14th, the mail +was to leave for Prescott the morning of the 15th. No +time was to be lost. He went right to Tanner’s quarters, +as he had done dozens of times before, got the +papers, and by dint of two hours’ hard work had more +<span class="pagenum">[375]</span>than half finished the copies when your voice and Canker’s +and the mention of his name attracted him. He +went out at once, was sent on this message after the +command, and Mrs. Tanner finished the copying and +got the papers off. If Truscott was guilty for being +there at one o’clock, I’m guiltier, for I was there at +two. I saw her light in there as I was coming back +from the hospital, where I had been called to see a sick +man, and, fearing she was ill again, I went in at once, +and she was just putting into envelopes the result of +her work and his. There are the receipts for the registered +package in which they went. Here is Captain +Tanner’s letter requesting Truscott to attend to this +work for him,” and he held forth the sheet.</p> + +<p>Pelham took it. Drops of sweat were standing on +his brow. He drew his hand across his eyes, but the +hand that held the paper trembled so that he could not +read. He flattened the paper out upon his desk and +tried again, and the words danced before his eyes. Yet +he saw enough to convince—he had heard more than +enough to convince him, and the lump that rose in his +throat wellnigh choked him.</p> + +<p>“Should you need further proof I will send for Mr. +Ray, for Tanner told him infinitely more than I have +told you, sir. If not, we will go to the next point, of +the actual allegations against Mr. Truscott. An officer +reports having seen him take Mrs. Tanner in his arms +out on the bluff just at first call for tattoo the night +the command marched away. The officer says he only +had a hasty glance, as his companion at once led him +away. The story is true. Mr. Truscott did take her +in his arms. If he hadn’t, she’d have fallen down the +<span class="pagenum">[376]</span>hill-side. He carried her home in his arms, and but +for him she wouldn’t have got there. She was in a +dead faint when I reached her just as tattoo was sounding. +She had begged him to come for her and take +her out there to see the last of them as they forded the +stream below the post, and just as they were heard entering +the ford the first call for tattoo sounded, and +just five years before at the same call her baby had +been taken from her as now her husband is taken +and——”</p> + +<p>“Doctor, if you knew all this before, why, in God’s +name, did you let me wrong this little woman by implication +even? You could have stopped it all. <em>Half</em> +what you have told me here would have held my hand.” +And poor Pelham had sprung to his feet, and absolutely +wringing his hands, was tramping up and down +the floor.</p> + +<p>“I did not even know that any one entertained such +unjust suspicions until you had placed the matter in +Captain Canker’s hands; but there is another matter,—Mrs. +Treadwell’s letter.”</p> + +<p>“Not a word more. I want no explanation. I want +nothing further. Why has Truscott suppressed this? +Why has he allowed me to suspect her, if he cared +nothing for himself? Turner, <em>you</em> know Truscott, +how do you account for it?” And absolute misery was +stamped on the flushed and honest face of the old +soldier as he asked.</p> + +<p>“Colonel, I hate to answer that, but you ask me and +shall have an answer. Truscott had every right to +expect you to use no middle-man in such a matter, but +to bring the whole thing yourself to his notice. In +<span class="pagenum">[377]</span>refusing to say a word after you had permitted Canker +to demand his resignation, he did just what I would +have done, or any man of spirit. Indeed, it is only on +her account that he permits the explanation to be made +now.”</p> + +<p>Then followed a long and earnest consultation, and +at lunch-time, the officers gathering in the mess-room +looked significantly at one another as Turner, Bucketts, +and the doctor walked away, and Captain Canker was +seen approaching the colonel’s office. That evening before +retreat it had leaked out among the ladies, and was +told around the garrison, that Mr. Truscott had been +informed that if he would apologize to Captain Canker +in the presence of his commanding officer and certain +others the charges now pending against him would be +withdrawn, and that Mr. Truscott had flatly refused to +do anything of the kind.</p> + +<p>Certain it is that there was some unexplained cheering +and commotion among the men as they broke ranks +after stables, and that the men in Mr. Ray’s troop were +seen vehemently shaking hands with those in Tanner’s +old command.</p> + +<p>Truscott did not come to dinner, and in his absence +there was no restraint on the tongues. Mr. Ray had +the floor, and Mr. Ray had evidently been drinking +more than was prudent, but he was lively as a cricket +and all ablaze with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>“Apology be d—d! Of course he wouldn’t apologize. +What’s Jack got to apologize for, I’d like to +know? Because he put a head on a sneaking cur who +insulted him outrageously and the sweetest woman in +the regiment at the same time, God bless her! as He +<span class="pagenum">[378]</span>hasn’t particularly, but ought to all the same. Of course +he wouldn’t apologize, and that man Canker’s a bigger +ignoramus than I supposed to expect such a thing. +Why, d—n it, there’s no such thing as an apology for +a blow. Any babe in arms knows that in Kentucky, +or any place where people live like Christians. You +can’t apologize unless you <em>retract</em>. You can retract an +affront, you can take back abuse, you can swallow your +own words, if you’re in the wrong, but all the saints in +heaven can’t take back a blow. There’s nothing for +that but fight, if the other man has any fight left in +him, and may the Lord forgive me if I ever thought +to hear any other doctrine preached in a cavalry regiment!”</p> + +<p>And thus expounded this verbose and excitable young +disciple of the code to his hearers, and carried conviction +with him.</p> + +<p>“No, gentlemen,” he continued, “if Captain Canker +wants satisfaction he can get it, and lots of it, and it’s +his business or his friends to attend to that speedily if +they propose attending to it at all; but if they don’t want +any more fight, if they’re perfectly satisfied with getting +squarely knocked out of time, why, we are: but don’t +talk apology to Truscott unless somebody else wants to +get floored. Mark my words, if Captain Canker has +any decency left in him he’ll apologize on his own account, +and I know two or three other gentlemen that +would vastly improve their own status by apologizing +themselves.”</p> + +<p>Whereat Messrs. Hunter and Glenham looked very +red and uneasy, but spoke not.</p> + +<p>A wretched Christmas it was to everybody when it +<span class="pagenum">[379]</span>came around, bright, clear, and sparkling. The men +had their elaborate dinner, except in Tanner’s troop, +where, by vote of their own, the soldiers decided to +have no festivity whatever, but they went in a body to +the grave and decorated it with fresh pine-boughs and +such rude ornaments as they could prepare. Colonel +and Mrs. Pelham had intended giving a dinner to the +bachelor officers of the garrison, some of them at least, +but her ladyship gave out some days beforehand, and, +if she had not, the battle royal which took place ’twixt +her and her liege lord Christmas-eve would have incapacitated +one or both for any enjoyment of the festival. +There is no use in picturing that affair. It occurred +after his interview with his officers and the +complete establishment in his mind of Truscott’s innocence, +and, of course, of Mrs. Tanner’s. Grace, fortunately, +heard nothing of it. She had gone in to inquire +after Mrs. Tanner, whom she found was sleeping quite +naturally, and Mrs. Wilkins stole down-stairs and +begged her to stay a while. And they, a strangely-assorted +pair, had a long talk which was the stepping-stone +to a better understanding between them, for Mrs. +Wilkins was “coming out” in a light totally unexpected. +But when Grace returned home she found +that her mother had retired to her own room and was +suffering from one of her wretched headaches, and +during the entire day which followed madame saw fit +not to emerge.</p> + +<p>Glenham of course came in to spend Christmas-eve, +and was manifestly ill at ease. So also came one or two +of the younger ladies, and as a consequence it was not +very long before the subject of Mr. Truscott’s arrest +<span class="pagenum">[380]</span>was alluded to. The colonel had shut himself up in +his den, and the coast was clear, thought these searchers +after information. It was the current belief that Grace +was so completely in her father’s confidence that he had +no hesitation in telling her all about the affairs of the +garrison. “It must be delicious,” said Miss Blanche, +“to know just exactly all about these fellows.” And +finding in the few conversations she had enjoyed +with Grace that that young lady was by no means confidential, +she hit on the bold stroke of broaching the +subject publicly, for Miss Pelham would hardly +“snub” her under such circumstances.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it dreadful to think of Mr. Truscott’s being +arrested just at this time?” she said, looking pointedly +at Grace, yet addressing the remark to nobody in particular.</p> + +<p>Finding that she was expected to reply, Miss Pelham +calmly answered that it certainly was, and instantly +changed the subject; but the other damsel was not to +be rebuffed: she returned to the charge.</p> + +<p>“Do you know, I think it’s just splendid in him not +to apologize. Of course I don’t know what Captain +Canker <em>could</em> have said to make him so angry.” (Which +was remarkable, considering the amount of information +imparted in her letter to her friend at Prescott.) “Now +they’ll <em>have</em> to court-martial him, won’t they? You +know (appealingly) I haven’t the faintest idea how +such things are governed in the army.”</p> + +<p>Grace colored vividly.</p> + +<p>“It is a matter that I really know nothing about,” +she replied, with grave courtesy. And Glenham, who +had been nervously tossing over some music on the +<span class="pagenum">[381]</span>piano, came forward and begged her to sing. Whereat +everybody else said, “Oh, <em>do</em>!” And as a means of +putting an end to all such questioning she acceded, +singing soft, low, sad music, and pleading inability to +attempt the livelier and more difficult selections they +would have been glad to extort from her. But when +all were gone, she stole to her father’s lonely den, finding +him drearily pretending to read. Worn and harassed +he certainly looked; and she twined her arm +around his neck and kissed him tenderly.</p> + +<p>“What is it, papa?” she asked, relapsing into the +pet name of her girlhood. “You look so worried. Is +it anything you can tell me?”</p> + +<p>He looked lovingly into her sweet, serious face. Then +bowed his head.</p> + +<p>“My darling, I fear that I have made a fearful mistake, +and I know that I’ve done a grave injustice to +one of my best officers.”</p> + +<p>She knew well who was meant, but—wanted to be +told.</p> + +<p>“Who, father?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott.”</p> + +<p>There was a moment’s silence, and her heart was +beating wildly.</p> + +<p>“This affair with—with Captain Canker, do you +mean?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“Something far more serious. I cannot tell you, +dear. But he is utterly and entirely innocent; more +than that, he is even a truer and nobler friend and +gentleman than even I supposed, and I had been led to +deeply wrong him.”</p> + +<p>Poor Grace! In bitter distress she crept to her +<span class="pagenum">[382]</span>room that night. Only on two occasions had she seen +Truscott since his return from the scout. Once mingling +his tears with little Rosalie, once kneeling by the lifeless +form of his old friend and comrade. On the first +occasion he did not see, on the second he would not see +her. And she, despite the jealous doubts that had +possessed her, despite her now detested engagement to +Arthur Glenham, would have given worlds to recall +her action and implore his forgiveness. But what +could she do?</p> + +<p>And now her father had virtually told her that all +the accusations brought by Mrs. Pelham against Truscott +were utterly unfounded. Even what she saw must +have had some explanation, and she had not a friend to +whom she could turn and seek the truth. She knew +only too well now that it was useless to look to her +mother for that. There was no merry Christmas this +year for poor Grace. It is not worth while to picture +her perplexity and distress, but that night she looked +with far from friendly eyes at the class-ring Mr. Glenham +had begged her to wear in acknowledgment of +their engagement until the beautiful pledge he had +ordered from San Francisco should arrive. Glenham +was inordinately proud of that ring. With all its martial +devices and heavy setting, he had selected an unusually +beautiful and expensive stone on which to have +engraved the motto of his class, and West Point had +seen nothing handsomer in that line for years, and +young women who were fond of appearing in public +with the class-rings of their graduating admirers disported +upon their fingers had made no little effort +towards inducing Mr. Glenham to proffer his, but all +<span class="pagenum">[383]</span>to no purpose. Feminine fingers had never been encircled +by it one instant until he proudly, humbly, joyously +placed it upon hers, where it needed a guard-ring +to keep it from slipping off; and this night she gazed +upon its splendor with absolute aversion, then tore it +from her finger and hid it from her sight.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[384]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XXI. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three</span> days more, and an odd change had come +over the spirit of Camp Sandy’s dreams. In the first +place, all the ladies in the garrison had been to call at +Mrs. Tanner’s, if only to leave their cards with “kind +inquiries.” Even Mrs. Pelham had to go: the colonel +made her. In the second place, despite the fact +that “he would <em>not</em> apologize,” Mr. Truscott was released +from arrest, for Captain Canker had preferred +no charges. One after another the officers whom he +consulted told him that he really deserved to be knocked +down for his language and manner to Truscott, and as +he realized what a passion he had been in, and began +to realize what he had said, and found out that after +all he had been hideously unjust in his suspicions, and +that he had lost the friendship of every man in the +regiment whose friendship was worth having (even the +colonel having intimated that no one but he could have +been so preternaturally awkward and outrageous in his +language), poor Canker found himself deserted and +forlorn. At first he raged at his colonel. It was all +Pelham’s fault, he said. Pelham had made him pull +his chestnuts out of the fire, and now his hands were +not only scarred for life, but the colonel had “gone +back on him.” Unfortunately for Canker’s peace of +mind, nobody would agree with him. Everybody knew +<span class="pagenum">[385]</span>that he had been directed through the acting adjutant +to say not a word further to Truscott “until Tanner’s +return,” and everybody knew that it did not mean +“dead or alive” in Tanner’s case. A great revulsion +of feeling had set in as the news of the doctor’s revelation +to the colonel, which was not so much of a revelation +anyhow, was circulated. Even the men who +would have, possibly <em>had</em>, urged Canker to his most +unfortunate step, now found it expedient to forget that +they ever thought Truscott anything but the most perfect +gentleman in the regiment, and Canker, being left +without friends, true to human nature they who had +started him down-hill lent occasional kicks to keep him +going. With public sentiment dead against him, with +the certainty that he would be awfully scorched should +the case ever come to trial, Captain Canker notified the +colonel that under all the circumstances he had decided +to prefer no charges, and immediately applied for leave +of absence, went up to Prescott, whence he speedily +telegraphed to Mrs. Canker to have everything packed +up at once and turned over to the quartermaster, the +general having assured him that he should have six-months’ +leave. To the infinite disgust of Mr. Ray, +Captain Canker left the Territory without either an +apology or a fight.</p> + +<p>Three days after Christmas, Major Bucketts notified +Mr. Truscott that he was released from arrest, and that +the colonel desired to see him. In the interview that +ensued, Pelham, in deep embarrassment and with many +a painful stumble, strove to explain to his silent junior +how he had been torn and twisted and warped in his +judgment, and had allowed himself to be utterly misled. +<span class="pagenum">[386]</span>He strove to do this without in any way mentioning +his wife’s connection with the matter, but it +was useless. Truscott sat a patient but utterly impassive +listener. He could forgive where the wrong +had involved only him, but he was thinking of her. +He could not aid the colonel by the suggestion of a +single word, and at last the old gentleman in desperation +rose and clasped his head in his hands.</p> + +<p>“Truscott, try and forget this for old times’ sake, for +what you know I was before this—these women drove +me out of my wits.” And the two had shaken hands, +but the colonel saw plainly that there was no such thing +as bridging the gulf that stood between them. Truscott +was perfectly gentle and courteous, full of respect, and +evidently strove after that outburst to be cordial to his +old friend and commander, but the colonel plainly saw +the effort, plainly saw that Truscott had aged greatly in +the brief month that had passed, and that the old faith +and confidence was gone.</p> + +<p>But he had still what he conceived another duty +to perform. “Your resignation was tendered under a +grievous misapprehension, and was accepted under another. +I want you to return to your position at once, +and would like to issue the order before to-morrow +morning.”</p> + +<p>And Truscott slowly and gravely <span class="nowrap">replied,—</span></p> + +<p>“Colonel, it is impossible. I cannot do it.”</p> + +<p>“You will force me to believe that you cannot or +will not accept the only amend in my power to offer,” +said the colonel.</p> + +<p>And Truscott strove to satisfy him.</p> + +<p>“Do not think that, colonel. Believe me that I fully +<span class="pagenum">[387]</span>appreciate the confidence you show in me and the thorough +amends you have made, but before this interview +I had committed myself to another arrangement and +accepted another detail.”</p> + +<p>“Is it one that cannot be recalled, Truscott?” the +colonel asked, gravely.</p> + +<p>“It might be, sir,” said Jack, coloring painfully; +“but I beg you not to press for further reasons. It is +best in every way that I should not serve upon your +staff.” And Pelham saw that the matter was settled +once and for all, and at reveille on the following morning +Lieutenant Truscott took command of Company +“C,” vacated by the death of Captain Tanner.</p> + +<p>Of that interview with his colonel Truscott never +spoke until long afterwards. How, then, did it happen +that it was soon known throughout the Department of +Arizona that in releasing him from arrest the colonel +had again tendered the adjutancy to him? Their conversation +took place in the office. Major Bucketts had +withdrawn, the sergeant-major and the clerks were at +supper, not a soul was present other than the two officers, +and the colonel would hardly be apt, as colonels go, to +announce that a position on his staff had been declined.</p> + +<p>But the adjutancy had to be filled. Major Bucketts +could not do it; he was too stiff, old, and clumsy, as he +very frankly said, to fill such a position. Six of the +thirteen first lieutenants of the regiment were on staff +or detached duty in the East, and Pelham swore that +only men who served with the regiment in the field +should hold its positions of honor under him. Crane +and Wilkins were utterly unsuitable. There were very +valid objections to two other first lieutenants serving in +<span class="pagenum">[388]</span>the southern part of the Territory. Mr. Ray, therefore, +was the only one left, unless the colonel went +down among the second lieutenants, which, said he on +one occasion, is equivalent to saying that none of the +first lieutenants are fit for the position. Why would +not Ray do? And for two days the captains and officers +generally derided that Ray was to be the coming +man. He was a splendid little soldier in the field all +admitted, and had a great deal of snap and energy in +handling his troop on drill, but he despised “paperwork,” +hated “red tape,” could not bear office duty of +any kind, and withal was so hot-headed and impetuous +that he would be sure to get into snarls with the company +commanders in less than no time. Then he was +utterly devil-may-care and reckless as to what people +might think of his doings and sayings. He <em>would</em> +drink when he felt like it, and did gamble, not infrequently +to the neglect of his garrison duties. He could +not write a letter without the aid of a dictionary, and +shunned correspondence of any kind as scrupulously as +he did the catechism, but for all this, in spite of all +this, the colonel liked him well. He was as true as +steel, faithful in friendship, loyal in his likes and dislikes, +and an out-and-out cavalryman. “A man,” as +the colonel had very truly said, “of whom the regiment +is proud.” And just so soon as he had satisfied himself +that Truscott would not return to his old position +he turned to Ray, and Ray very respectfully but positively +declined it.</p> + +<p>This was a facer. “Has it come to this, by thunder!” +said the colonel to himself, “that my officers absolutely +refuse to serve on my staff?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[389]</span></p> + +<p>“You doubtless have your reasons, Mr. Ray,” said +the colonel, “and you must be aware that an offer of +the adjutancy of a regiment like this is not a thing to +be treated lightly. I think that I am entitled to hear +your reasons, sir.”</p> + +<p>Ray hesitated and looked perturbed. He had a way +of throwing his head back and wagging it more or less +when he had anything to say that was disagreeable to +him, or was difficult to frame in diplomatic speech. +After a moment’s demur the head went back and the +answer came, and he looked straight in the colonel’s +eye.</p> + +<p>“It’s just this, Colonel Pelham, I’m too careless to +fill the position; I’ve no head for that sort of work. I +can’t tend to letters and such—and—well, sir, I drink +too much anyhow.”</p> + +<p>“Admitting all that, Ray,” said the colonel, very +kindly, “and mind you I do not admit all of it, if I +choose to take the responsibility and, despite your frank +statement of what you consider your disqualifications, +see fit to renew the offer, I think it your place to accept—unless +you have grave additional reasons.”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, colonel, I <em>have</em>.”</p> + +<p>“And they are what?”</p> + +<p>Again Ray hesitated.</p> + +<p>“It is my right to know, I think,” said Pelham.</p> + +<p>“Very well, sir.” And now the head was wagging +in earnest. “In my opinion an adjutant should be an +officer whom his colonel could trust before all others in +his regiment. He has got to be thrown into constant +intercourse with the colonel’s family and should be on +cordial terms with them; and—and if such a gentleman +<span class="pagenum">[390]</span>as Mr. Truscott could not be satisfactory to Mrs. +Pelham, why, the Lord knows I couldn’t.”</p> + +<p>And Colonel Pelham, reddening painfully, pressed +for no further reason. He was indignant at Mr. Ray +for assigning such a cause, yet he knew well down in +the depths of his heart that but for that very cause +Jack Truscott would not be as he was—estranged. Ray +was permitted to withdraw, and the colonel, with +gloomy brow, went home to lunch. Grace was absent; +had gone over to Mrs. Tanner’s again, said her ladyship; +and she wished that Grace would keep away from +there, she was getting altogether too intimate with that +horrid Mrs. Wilkins; then again, said madame, she +always manages to be there now, “playing with Rosalie,” +she says, when Mr. Glenham comes here to see +her, and plainly he does not like it.</p> + +<p>“If he doesn’t like it, Mrs. Pelham, let him leave +it,” said the colonel, very bluntly. “She cannot do +too much now to undo the mischief you have played +where Mrs. Tanner and—others are concerned. And +as for this engagement to Mr. Glenham, I’m not half +satisfied that it isn’t a source of distress instead of joy +to her. She’s been looking worse and worse every day.”</p> + +<p>This was altogether too delicious a conversation for +Maggie the housemaid to leave unheard. Well she +knew that presently her ladyship would lose her temper +entirely, and then there would be revelations; so on one +pretext or another she kept bustling in and out of the +lunch-room, and sure enough the explosion came.</p> + +<p>“Know it!” the colonel was wrathfully saying. +“Know it! by the eternal, madame, how can I help +know it when the two best officers in my regiment +<span class="pagenum">[391]</span>decline the adjutancy, and one of them plainly tells me +that your infernal behavior is the reason?”</p> + +<p>“Leave the room, Maggie!” her ladyship had +shrieked before bursting into the flood of weeping and +lamentation to be expected after such an accusation; +and Maggie left, and took with her the story, “infernal” +and all, to Bridget next door, who duly transmitted it +along the row, so that by dinner-time it was coming +back along the piazzas and parlors. Oh, those were +joyous days at Sandy!</p> + +<p>Since their return, neither Truscott nor Ray had +called at the colonel’s. One, because of his arrest, +itself an all-sufficient reason, though he had others quite +as cogent. The other, out of sheer disgust at the thought +of his dinner there. He had not even paid the conventional +dinner-call, and on the few occasions when he +met Miss Pelham she was with Mr. Glenham or some +lady friends, and he had confined his remarks to a few +awkward platitudes. He had never once congratulated +her on her engagement, and to Truscott he made no +allusion to it whatever, yet time and again it was in his +thoughts, and so was that blood-stained handkerchief +he had taken from Truscott’s breast. How came it +there? thought Ray, and what did that portend? It +was a new perplexity, and not a particularly pleasant +one.</p> + +<p>And now Glenham and Hunter had been to see +Truscott, and presumably had “explained.” Certainly +they had apologized for anything they might have said +or done to wound him in the least, for they openly announced +the fact at the mess, as though for Ray’s information. +Truscott was very civil to both, and there +<span class="pagenum">[392]</span>was a faint resumption of his old kindly manner to +Glenham, but <em>very</em> faint, and he did not invite him to +return to his roof. The holidays were gloomy in the +last degree. Mirth and music and theatricals and fun +went on at Prescott, and thither went the young lady +visitors when Captain Canker’s ambulance drove up +with him, but the general’s wife, who had invited +Grace to spend the holidays with her, or at least expressed +a wish that she should do so when they parted, +was dumb thereafter. She had absolutely made no +reply to the rather gushing note in which Lady Pelham +had announced her precious daughter’s engagement +to Mr. Glenham, but she had written to Jack +Truscott, for Glenham saw the letter when the mail +was opened, and very dutifully told her ladyship +thereof.</p> + +<p>And now Mrs. Tanner was beginning to sit up a few +hours each day, and Dr. Harper had gone back to +his duties at Fort Whipple. Both he and his able +coadjutor at Sandy had been unremitting in their attention, +and Mrs. Wilkins had been simply a wonder. +Leaving her own sturdy brood to the care of her +weaker half and the maid-of-all-work (who was likewise +the cook), this energetic lady spent her days and +nights in close attendance on the gentle sufferer, and +whether it was from such incessant association with +that pure, patient soul, or from remorse at having, if +only to a very slight extent, lent herself to the circulation +of the story at Mrs. Tanner’s expense, certain it +is that her rugged and intractable nature was vastly +softened and subdued. She would flare up and wax +furious or else stony when Mrs. Pelham made her +<span class="pagenum">[393]</span>occasional calls to inquire after Mrs. Tanner, and to make +sanctimonious or patronizingly sympathetic remarks. +Mrs. Wilkins could see no good whatever in Mrs. +Pelham, and it is to be feared that those who shared +her opinions were in the majority, and very stiff and +formal and “it’s-all-your-fault-anyhow” was her manner +towards that self-satisfied lady when she came. As +for Mrs. Pelham, it may be briefly said that, having +accomplished her object in seeing Grace plighted to +Glenham, she was quite ready to be magnanimous to +those whom she had trodden under foot in her struggles +to effect that end. She was quite willing to admit, she +said, that Mrs. Treadwell was totally mistaken, and +that “we had all been too censorious” where Mrs. Tanner +was concerned. Indeed, to the vast indignation of +Mesdames Raymond and Turner, these ladies were +virtually given to understand that she, Lady Pelham, +could never, never have believed such a thing of so +sweet and gentle a lady had it not been for their positive +statements, and now there wasn’t a woman in all +the garrison except the two whom she had most injured +(Mrs. Tanner and her own daughter are meant, +not you, Mrs. Raymond,) who did not hate her and +talk accordingly.</p> + +<p>Madame, however, had long since convinced herself +that, having heard all she had heard, it was her duty +as a mother and a Christian woman to come down upon +the offenders forthwith, and that because others had +made a frightful blunder in their suspicions was no +reason why she had in her acts. In making frequent +visits at Mrs. Tanner’s and sending up consoling message +to that lady she conceived that every amend that +<span class="pagenum">[394]</span>could be expected was being made. Why her husband +should therefore continue to treat her with cold civility, +why Grace should avoid her, why the whole garrison +should hold aloof as though she were afflicted with +some moral leprosy, was more than she could fathom. +Glenham was her only consolation, and he, poor devil, +was constantly at her beck and call. She “Arthured” +him from morning till night, but never could Grace be +induced to call him aught but Mr. Glenham, and it +soon became patent to all beholders that while he but +seldom appeared in public with, or was believed to be +blessed by the society of Miss Pelham, he was at all +hours dancing attendance upon his prospective mother-in-law. +Lots of fun they had over it at the mess, +where those stiff old prigs, as they were laughingly +dubbed by Mr. Ray—Truscott and the doctor—were +the only ones who did not take part in the sly witticisms +at Glenham’s expense,—in his absence, of course, +for his position was too seriously unenviable to permit +of their chaffing him to his face.</p> + +<p>“That old catamaran will disgust him yet, if she +hasn’t already,” burst out Mr. Ray, one evening. “You +hear <em>me</em>!” he added, in the slang of the day, and Truscott +shot his friend a warning glance. He hated to +hear any woman’s name mentioned in that or any mess-room.</p> + +<p>It wanted but two days to New Year’s. Truscott +had been busily occupied in arranging Tanner’s papers, +working most of the time at his own quarters, but on +two occasions he was in Tanner’s library when madame +called to make her inquiries; and once, one bright sunshiny +afternoon, he had stepped quietly in there, for, as +<span class="pagenum">[395]</span>he entered the house, he heard Grace Pelham’s sweet, +low laugh, and a ringing peal from Rosalie. They +were playing together in the hall above, while Mrs. +Wilkins sat by Mrs. Tanner in the pretty room over +the piazza. He could not help wondering how the little +one could so soon forget her misery of the week +before, and yet he was thankful to hear her joyous +laugh; thankful that Grace Pelham was so constantly +with her, striving to entertain the lonely little body. +As yet he had not seen Mrs. Tanner, but every few +hours he could learn how she was progressing, and had +managed to get some few humble wild-flowers to send +to her bedside, and Mrs. Wilkins brought her love and +thanks and inquiries as to his wound. Just how deep, +intense, and uncomplaining was the suffering of that +silent little woman heaven only knew. As consciousness +and the flutter of life came back to her there came +with it the blight of a desolation that no human pen +could ever picture. She lay for hours speechless, striving +patiently to obey the directions of her physicians +or the attendants beside her. There was no wailing, +no wild raving, no upbraiding, but her pillow was wet +with her ceaseless tears. O God! how she would have +thanked Him could she only be laid there by the side +of the gallant, gentle husband who had made her life +one dream of joy and unutterable content! But there +was Rosalie. There, too, was the baby, now a boisterous +little two-year-old, full of vim, and exacting in the +last degree. She strained them to her bosom, and +prayed for strength to bear her cross. With such sorrow +as hers this crabbed and ill-natured chronicle has +naught to do.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[396]</span></p> + +<p>Twice had Grace been admitted to see her by this +time, and infinitely sweet and tender had her manner +been. “Come often,” Mrs. Tanner had murmured to +her, as she returned the warm pressure of the slender +hand that lay lingeringly in hers. “Rosalie is growing +so fond of you, and you are such a comfort.”</p> + +<p>And then, as Grace’s eyes began to fill, and an odd +tremor to creep about the corner of her mouth, the +widow twined her fragile arm about her neck, and +drew the pale, wistful face down to hers. Some cynic +speaks of the Judas kisses women interchange, but in +that caress there was a wealth of earnestness that would +have disarmed the criticism of a Sterne. Mrs. Tanner +wondered at the warmth of that embrace and kiss; +wondered more at the agitation with which Grace suddenly +withdrew herself from the clasping arm and +hurriedly left the room.</p> + +<p>And so it happened that, while Truscott was silently +at work on Tanner’s old desk that afternoon, he heard +Mrs. Wilkins’s voice aloft.</p> + +<p>“I have to run over home a few minutes, Miss +Gracie. Would you mind sitting by Mrs. Tanner till +I come back? She’ll be glad to have you and Rosalie.”</p> + +<p>Ten minutes after light footsteps came dancing down +the stairs, and patting along the hall towards the library-door. +Jack Truscott’s heart stood still. There was no +time to escape, hardly time to think. The next instant +the door flew open, and the woman he loved stood before +him. It was their first meeting alone since the +day of his avowal nearly three weeks agone, and from +that day not one word had passed between them. She +was in the room before she caught sight of him, still +<span class="pagenum">[397]</span>seated at the desk. Crimson flashed to the roots of +her hair. Then she grew as pale as he.</p> + +<p>“I—I beg your pardon,” she faltered. “I did not +know any one was here. I’ve only come for a book of +Rosalie’s.”</p> + +<p>He bowed calmly, gravely.</p> + +<p>“You will not disturb my work in the least,” he +answered; and the profound would-be dissembler ruined +the copy he was making by drawing thereon a series +of pot-hooks that bore no resemblance whatever to his +ordinary handwriting. “Disturb his work,” indeed! +His heart was bounding like a trip-hammer with all +the enforced calm on his features.</p> + +<p>She stood looking hurriedly along the shelves. Then +her hand was extended aloft to reach the book she +needed, but fell short full six inches.</p> + +<p>“Let me help you,” he said, quickly rising and stepping +to her side. “Which book is it?”</p> + +<p>“The red one,—there;” and her left hand touched +with its finger-tips the shelf on which it lay, and in +slender, snowy grace stood outlined before his eyes. +Where was Glenham’s ring?</p> + +<p>Silently he handed her the book and resumed his +seat, and with murmured thanks she left the room.</p> + +<p>“Who was there?” asked Mrs. Tanner. “I thought +I heard you speak.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Truscott,” she replied, and despite every effort +the color sprang again to her face, and Mrs. Tanner saw +it. Grace instantly bent over Rosalie, and plunged +into a highly moral and instructive article descriptive +of the time-honored illustration of a luridly-colored +lion in the meshes of an exaggerated fish-net, the +<span class="pagenum">[398]</span>mouse swallowed up in the general gorge of color being +somewhat indistinguishable.</p> + +<p>Presently stable-call sounded, and Mr. Truscott was +heard to stow away his papers, close the library-door, +and leave the house, and when Dr. Clayton came in +soon afterwards, and Mrs. Tanner expressed a wish to +see her old friend, if it could be permitted, he readily +assented, but went off to caution Truscott that no business +was to be talked that evening.</p> + +<p>Shortly before sunset, therefore, while Grace and +Rosalie were still playing or chatting together in the +adjoining room, Mrs. Wilkins ushered Truscott up the +stairs, and, bidding him enter, discreetly withdrew to +where Grace was seated on the floor, a picture of amaze +and embarrassment. She had heard nothing of the +arrangement or she would have scurried home long ago, +and through the open doorway every word they said +was distinctly audible, and she could not but see the +sweet, tearful face gazing so gratefully, trustingly up +in his, but his back was towards her. She strove to +resume her chatter with her eager little friend, but her +thoughts wandered uncontrollably.</p> + +<p>“It’s a blessing you are to that little one, Grace Pelham,” +said Mrs. Wilkins, “and it’s a blessing he is to +that poor little woman, hard though it must be for her +to see him at first.”</p> + +<p>For a few moments only broken, sobbing words came +from Mrs. Tanner’s lips, when any sound came at all, +but gradually the tearful accents ceased, and her voice, +gentle and patient, was mingled with the calm, deep +tones of his. Painful, sorrowing, tender as that first +interview must have been to both, there was a sweetness +<span class="pagenum">[399]</span>in the very sorrow. At last she called Rosalie to come +and see Uncle Jack, and the child, clinging to Grace’s +hand, strove to draw her with her.</p> + +<p>“Yes, come with her, Grace dear, <em>do</em>,” said Mrs. +Tanner, and Grace had to come and take the hand the +invalid held forth. “Jack, I don’t know how we would +have got along without Miss Gracie. She has been +everything to Rosalie, and an infinite comfort to me,” +she continued, as she drew her down into a chair, and +Jack, who had risen and courteously bowed on her entrance, +resumed his own seat near the foot of the sofa. +It was a strange meeting.</p> + +<p>Lying there upon the lounge, the newly-widowed invalid +held in hers Grace Pelham’s slender hand, and +looking bravely up in the pale features of her husband’s +chosen friend, listened eagerly to his recital of the incidents +of the last scout and battles. She insisted on +hearing them, and he had no reason to give,—he could +not but obey. At last she asked <span class="nowrap">him,—</span></p> + +<p>“But are you not imprudent in resuming duty so +soon? Are you sure you are strong enough? I never +saw you look so pale and ill, Jack.”</p> + +<p>“I am doing very well,” he answered, smiling +gravely.</p> + +<p>“And yet I know that this is such a busy time in +the office, and with all your adjutant’s work I ought +not to let you touch these affairs of mine. Surely they +can wait——”</p> + +<p>She stopped short. Grace Pelham’s hand, lying in +hers, had given an unmistakable quiver, and, looking +at her in surprise, Mrs. Tanner saw a flush of deep embarrassment +on her face. Not divining its cause, she +<span class="pagenum">[400]</span>saw, too, that Truscott had reddened, and then the first +call sounded for retreat. He rose, and promising to +see her on the following day, hurriedly took his leave.</p> + +<p>“It’s undress parade and publication of orders,” said +Mrs. Wilkins, gazing out of the window. And, sure +enough, the voices of the troop commanders could be +heard as they marched out to the general parade and +formed the line; the trumpets rang out the sunset call; +the window shook to the thunder of the evening gun.</p> + +<p>“I’ve so often lain here and listened to Mr. Truscott +reading the orders, every word was so distinct,” said +Mrs. Tanner. “Let us hear what they are to-night.” +Whereat Mrs. Wilkins suddenly left the room, and all +within was silence. In strained, wondering attention, +Mrs. Tanner listened; the hand within hers was trembling +violently.</p> + +<p>“Why, Grace, that isn’t Mr. Truscott’s voice. You +can’t understand a word of it, and yet he said he was +on duty. What does it mean?”</p> + +<p>And for all answer Grace Pelham burst into a passion +of tears, buried her face in the pillow beside that +of her friend, and sobbed as though her heart would +break. Another moment and both Mrs. Tanner’s +arms were round her; had drawn her head upon +her own gentle bosom; her lips pressed kiss after +kiss in silent sympathy upon the sunshiny glory of +the beautiful hair,—the womanly heart had read her +secret.</p> + +<p>No wonder that when Miss Pelham was wanted for +dinner that evening Miss Pelham sent back word that +she had decided to stay and take tea at Mrs. Tanner’s, +and Mrs. Pelham had again to explain matters as best +<span class="pagenum">[401]</span>she could to Mr. Arthur Glenham, who went home +despondent.</p> + +<p>Before Jack Truscott came to see her on the following +morning Mrs. Tanner had heard from Mrs. Wilkins’s +lips every item of the stories and events that had +so upset the social serenity of Camp Sandy during the +past month. It was no difficult matter to learn the +whole story. It had been bottled up in Mrs. Wilkins’s +brain for days, fermenting, seething, “coming to a head,” +as it were; and when at last Mrs. Tanner gravely demanded +of her a full statement of Truscott’s loss of the +adjutancy, his arrest, and everything,—for poor Grace +could only vaguely hint that there were troubles she +could not explain, yet longed to that she might ask her +forgiveness,—Mrs. Wilkins’s relief was something tragic +in its intensity. Once uncorked, the story flew forth +with a rush; and the reader probably has seen enough +of Mrs. Wilkins to feel assured that Lady Pelham had +small mercy shown her. Naturally, however, one’s +principal alarm may be as to how Mrs. Tanner bore +the recital. For her husband and for Truscott she +was indignant in no mild degree, but she said very +little. For herself, she hardly thought.</p> + +<p>“It’s my belief,” said Mrs. Wilkins, among other +things, “that if it hadn’t been for the venomous stories +of that mother of hers Grace Pelham would no more +be engaged to that little milksop of a Glenham than I +would. It was Jack Truscott she fancied from the first.”</p> + +<p>And despite her own bitter desolation, many a waking +hour did the quiet little woman give to earnest thought +over the whole matter. It was more than a revelation, +it gave her something to plan and act upon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[402]</span></p> + +<p>It was after drill when Mr. Truscott came in on the +following morning. Almost the first thing she did was +to give him the key of a tin despatch-box belonging to +the captain. “My letters to him are in that,” she briefly +explained, “and I want the package marked ‘From +Fort Phœnix.’” To him she made no allusion to his +changed fortunes or to the story she had heard. She +was frank, gentle, unembarrassed; but he noted a pink +flush in the centre of each cheek, which alarmed him, +and the doctor once more forbade business talks. “What +wouldn’t he have said did he know of all I’d told her?” +thought Mrs. Wilkins, though she excused herself by +the reflection that had she <em>not</em> related the whole affair +Mrs. Tanner would have worried her life out trying to +fathom it. And perhaps she would. Who knows? +Truscott soon returned to the desk, and announced at +luncheon-time that all the work was finished, her +signature to certain papers being all that was needed. +Then he left the house.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Mrs. Raymond and Mrs. Turner +came together and begged to be allowed to come up-stairs +and sit with Mrs. Tanner a while. Mrs. Tanner +begged to be excused. “Do you suppose that +woman can have told her anything?” asked one of +the other.</p> + +<p>“She would tell anything she knew,” was the reply +of Mrs. Turner, who never was known to keep a secret +in her life, and yet in her own mind was set upon a +very pinnacle of discretion.</p> + +<p>Later came Grace Pelham, whom Rosalie eagerly ran +to welcome, calling her “Aunt Gracie,” as she had in +some mysterious way learned to speak of her sweet +<span class="pagenum">[403]</span>friend, and when her voice was heard in the hall below, +Mrs. Tanner asked that she be invited up at once.</p> + +<p>She had been riding with Mr. Glenham, and it +would seem as though, of late, her favorite exercise had +been bereft of all benefit or pleasure, and this day the +conversation she had undergone with her adorer had +been far from soothing. He had begun reproaching +her for coldness and indifference, and she could not and +did not specifically deny the charge. Very pale and +tired she looked as she seated herself by the side of her +friend, whom she was with every hour learning to love +more dearly. Mrs. Tanner quickly marked her pallor +and fatigue.</p> + +<p>“Your ride has been far from enjoyable, I fear, +Gracie,” she said, and the long interview of the previous +evening must have been of a most intimate nature +to warrant such a piece of impertinence on Mrs. Tanner’s +part. “Mrs. Wilkins has told me the whole +story.” (Here the bright, beautiful head hid itself in +the most convenient and natural resting-place it could +find.) “Now I have one to tell you. Are you too +tired to hear it?” (What woman would be? The head +was promptly shaken, though the face was still hidden. +“Are you sure you are strong enough to tell it?” was +indistinctly murmured.) “I do not propose to make +an explanation,” continued Mrs. Tanner, while a very +sad, sweet smile played for a moment over her pallid +face, “but the story is one I <em>want you</em> to hear.”</p> + +<p>And so in the solemn stillness and peace of the +sick-room the truth came out. Slowly, gently, the +patient sufferer, forgetting for a time the bitterness +of her bereavement, her illness, her wrongs, told the +<span class="pagenum">[404]</span>tale of her life since she had come into the regiment +and Jack Truscott had come into her life; of the letters +in which Captain Tanner had described him before +they came East together; of his appearance and bearing +at their wedding; of her sister’s admiration for +him and the correspondence that followed; of the engagement +and her own misgiving because of that sister’s +acceptance of the attentions of the well-to-do +widower at home. Of Jack’s home-life with them on +the frontier, his love for little Bertie, his devotion to +the baby during her illness, his deep tenderness and +sympathy when baby died. Ah, no wonder the tears +rained down her worn face as she spoke of that. Of +her sister’s deceit and the rupture of their engagement, +and of Jack’s delicate and manly bearing towards her +and her husband after that affair. Of the order to +Arizona and her own misery at having to leave that +little grave in far-away Kansas. Of his letters to her +and to the captain during his separation from the troop, +all preserved and cherished yet. Of his care of the +little grave when they had gone, and his arrival at Fort +Phœnix six months after.</p> + +<p>“He came suddenly,” she said, “and the captain +was out on a scout. I heard his voice at the door and +rushed down to greet him, and there on the table in the +parlor was a box of earth in which were transplanted +some of the flowers from Bertie’s grave, that he, the +loving, loyal fellow, had brought, cared for, watered, +and watched through all that long journey. No wonder +I could not speak. I could only sob my thanks, and +I did throw my arms round his neck and would have +kissed him, only he was too tall or astonished, or something. +<span class="pagenum">[405]</span>Here’s my letter telling my husband all about +it, Gracie, and if he thought no wrong of me, why +should others? Of course <em>they</em> could not know, could +not understand.” And here Grace raised her own +tearful face from the bosom whereon it had lain and +twined her arms around the slender neck and kissed +her, the pure lips meeting again and again.</p> + +<p>And then the story went on. Of their pleasure at +being ordered to join headquarters and to again be +with Jack in garrison; of the trip to Prescott and +their alarm when he did not appear; of his grief at +the loss of “Apache.” “It was to go with him and see +his grave that I left you all at Olson’s ranch that day.” +Of his distress at having to communicate to Captain +Tanner the order sending him off on a dangerous mission +the very anniversary of Bertie’s death. “You +know now what that was to me, Gracie. I had asked +him to come and take me out on the bluff to see the +last of them as they marched away, and when the call +sounded, just as it did as my baby drew her last breath +and lay dead in my arms, was it strange that one so ill +as I am should swoon?” And then she told of the +captain’s letters to her and to Truscott, asking that +those papers should be made out at once and sent by +first mail to San Francisco; and how they had worked +together in the library at the copies, and of his hearing +the colonel’s voice so late at night out on the road, and +his going at once to see what was the matter. Of his +departure to overtake her husband, and how strange +she thought it that the adjutant should be sent on such +a mission. Of his return; then of the receipt of the +dreadful news, and she could speak no more. For +<span class="pagenum">[406]</span>hours they clung to one another is silent sympathy, +that infinite and merciful sweetness of communion +which God has given to women who mourn, and then, +comforted unspeakably, yet infinitely humbled, Grace +Pelham went home.</p> + +<p>The colonel was sitting moodily in his den, and even +at her kiss and caress did not rouse himself from his +abstraction.</p> + +<p>“There’s a letter for you from Ralph, dear,” he said, +dejectedly. “I’d like to know what’s in it.”</p> + +<p>She tore it open. A few fond, hurried words of congratulation +on her engagement. Mother’s letter was +just received. So proud and glad to think of her +being so happily settled. Glenham <em>must</em> be a splendid +fellow to win and deserve such a prize, etc., etc. Love +to all. Ralph.</p> + +<p>“P.S.—Need I tell you that it is with infinite relief +that I found it was not Glenham at all who furnished +the money that got me out of my scrape? I +would have been horribly embarrassed had the benefactor +turned out to be my future brother-in-law. It +was Jack Truscott again and all the time, as I found +when I went to make the first payment, and he made +me believe it was Glenham. What a trump that +fellow is!”</p> + +<p>Without a word Grace stood there staring blankly at +the last page.</p> + +<p>“What is it, daughter?” asked the colonel, anxiously. +She threw the letter on the desk before him, rushed from +the room, and locked herself in her own.</p> + +<p>Poor girl! Her thoughts as she lay there sobbing +convulsively in her trouble were far from hopeful. +<span class="pagenum">[407]</span>What had she done that in all the buoyancy of youth, +health, and her radiant beauty this wretched blight +should have fallen upon her? All that Mrs. Tanner +had told her, all that she herself had begun to realize +must be true of him, all that Ralph’s letter revealed, +only showed him, the lover whom she had spurned, in +nobler, brighter colors; and this knightly soldier, this +honest and courteous gentleman, this brilliant, gallant +officer, this loyal, trusted friend, this gentle-hearted +man whom she had seen sorrowing over the coffin of +his comrade, or mingling his tears with those of that +comrade’s lonely little one, this Bayard without fear, +without reproach, had laid his heart and honor at her +feet, and she had turned from the priceless offering in +contempt. She had not even deigned him one word +of acknowledgment, and now, all too late! all too late! +she knew that love her loyally, faithfully, tenderly as +he might, no love could stand such a test as that. All +too late she knew that love her loyally, faithfully, +tenderly as he might, he could not love her better than +she loved him. What reparation could she make? +What could she say? What would she not do to win +back one such look as she had seen in his dark, glowing +eyes the day he told her of his love? And yet +how could she utter one word that would not be a +betrayal of her love that now might well be spurned +in turn? How dare she do aught to recall him when—when—oh, +merciful heaven! how at the thought she +clutched her streaming hair in her quivering hands!—when +she stood before him the betrothed wife of +another,—another who too had wronged him?</p> + +<p>With Ralph’s letter the last stone in the fabric of +<span class="pagenum">[408]</span>her regard for Glenham had been toppled to earth. In +desperation at what she believed the utter dishonor of +her lover she had yielded to the prayers of this other +suitor and the vehement arguments of her mother. +“You are even distressing your poor father” had been +one of madame’s points, and her father had shown +plainly that he only tolerated Glenham on her account. +Even respect for him was gone, for she had heard of +his vacillation and final abandonment of the chance to +go on this last scout. She knew, of course, of his +abandonment of Truscott’s roof. She had absolutely +had to beg him to desist when, trying to defend his +action to her, he ventured to disparage the best and +most loyal friend he had ever found in the regiment, +and now he was wearying her with his querulous complaints, +his ceaseless moping. She had begged him to +accept his freedom and give her hers, but he held her +to her promise, and went and told her mother. Poor +devil! Love had made an ass of him as it has of +stronger men than he, and as for her mother——Ah, +no! Let that be unsaid. “Honor thy father and thy +mother” she had lisped in her babyhood, and only +within this last month had ambition for her robbed +that wretched mother of the ready tribute of love and +faith and honor that hitherto had been unfailing. Poor +lady! Sorrowful indeed had been her life of late, but +what would not be her terror could she see her husband’s +face as he sat staring at that letter of Ralph’s, +while Grace lay weeping in her room?</p> + +<p>A hand turned the knob of the door and rattled +impatiently.</p> + +<p>“Grace, if you propose going to Mrs. Turner’s this +<span class="pagenum">[409]</span>evening it is time you were dressed,” a dismal, monotonous +voice was heard to say, and Grace started to her +feet.</p> + +<p>“Come what may, he shall know that I implore his +forgiveness,” said Grace to herself, as she stood before +the mirror; “and come what may, Arthur Glenham +shall know the truth.”</p> + +<p>Despite the general gloom in the garrison, Mrs. +Turner had invited a few friends (which meant the +entire commissioned force at the post, with the families +of the married officers) to spend the evening at her +house and mildly celebrate the birthday of her husband, +whose birthday-cake, an elaborate affair, much +studded with waxen tapers, had been sent all the way +from San Francisco.</p> + +<p>“It was a pity to lose it,” she argued, “so, though we +are all so blue, you know, over dear Captain Tanner’s +death, we might just as well have a quiet gathering.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wilkins had refused outright, she had other +things to attend to, and Mrs. Tanner, of course, was +not to be expected; but everybody else had accepted, +as is customary, unless there be some valid reason to +urge. Yet, when Turner himself invited Mr. Truscott, +he felt it necessary to say a few apologetic words. “I +know you will not care to come anyway, Jack, and I +fear that you have heard that which cannot be wholly +denied, that my wife had some share in the circulation +of those stories that caused such horrible trouble. Of +course, you must know how cut up I feel to think that +each has been the case, but the tongue is an unruly +member we are taught; and—well, when you get married, +old man, may the Lord spare you from finding +<span class="pagenum">[410]</span> +out what ninety-nine out of a hundred husbands discover!—that +a woman’s tongue is simply uncontrollable. +Of course, she’s found out. I’ve told her that you +have heard of her part in the affair, and she’s awfully +nervous about the way you’ll meet her. I wouldn’t +tell any one else this about my wife, Jack, but I rated +her roundly for her share of the mischief, and—and—I’ll +take it as a kindness if you will come and see us. +You know well what you are to me.”</p> + +<p>And so it happened that late that evening Mr. Truscott’s +tall form appeared among the guests at Captain +Turner’s. Mrs. Turner welcomed him with vividly +coloring cheeks and somewhat over-eager cordiality. +As for him, his manner was simply as composed and +placid as ever, and he accepted a seat by the side of his +hostess quite as a matter of course. Grace was surrounded +by the youngsters of the regiment, as was to +be expected, and Mr. Glenham was pulling discontentedly +at the scanty hairs which ornamented his upper +lip. To this group speedily appeared Mr. Ray, lively +as ever, and apparently imbued with a spirit of mischief. +It had occurred to him that here was a good +chance to worry Mrs. Pelham, whom he had learned to +detest most cordially. The colonel had been most solemn +and gloomy in his manner towards him ever since +his refusal of the adjutancy, and he had enjoyed no opportunity +of speaking to Grace herself, and, as bad luck +would have it, she did not at all care to be monopolized +by him, this night of all others. Her whole heart was +bound up in Truscott. She noted his every movement, +though her eyes bravely did their duty, and strove to +look interested in the chatter of Messrs. Dana and +<span class="pagenum">[411]</span>Hunter, and she managed to keep up her share in the +conversation in a lively manner. How is it they can +do it? If her heart were breaking, such a girl as +Grace Pelham would manage to appear all life and +vivacity under similar circumstances. Then Mr. Ray +shouldered his way through the circle of admirers, and +held forth his hand.</p> + +<p>“I don’t propose to be kept on the outskirts of this +crowd all night, Miss Pelham, if I am the oldest and +worst-singed moth around the candle. I’ve come in to +bask a few minutes anyhow, scorch or no scorch.”</p> + +<p>She welcomed him cordially, of course. She liked +him far better than any of the others. She had heard +from Mrs. Wilkins all about his championship of Truscott’s +cause, and of his refusal of her father’s offer. She +could have blessed him for that. There was not a man +fit to take her hero’s place, and evidently her father +had come to the same opinion. She knew that Glenham +now disliked Ray, and there was just enough of +feminine coquetry about her to make that reflection a +cause of additional cordiality to Ray. But, above all, +he was nearer to Truscott, more intimate with him now +than any of the others, and though it was Truscott, and +Truscott alone, she longed to speak to, Ray would +answer when there was nothing better. He rattled on +in his reckless, superficial style, totally ignoring Glenham +or her new relations with him; and when suppertime +came it was he who hovered about her, bringing +every dainty he could lay hands on, and playing the +devoted in a way he could plainly see was making +Glenham rabid and Mrs. Pelham hideously uncomfortable. +“I don’t care,” he said to himself, as Arthur +<span class="pagenum">[412]</span>went scowlingly off to his would-be mother-in-law. “So +long as they behaved decently I would, but now I don’t +care a chip what they think.” But before very long he +noticed a something in her manner he had never seen +before. Bright as she was, and as she strove to be, he +noted the wandering glance, the occasionally absent-minded +replies, and it set him to thinking. Next he +saw that Truscott and Colonel Pelham, punch-glasses +in hand, were holding an earnest conversation, and +that her eyes fled to that particular corner every other +minute. “I mean to see what this means,” said Mr. +Ray to himself. Then,—“Was it possible, so early? +Surely not going yet?” Mrs. Turner was saying all +this in response to Truscott’s quiet adieu, and Ray +saw that Grace Pelham had lost all interest in anything +he could say or do, and was gazing with wistful +eyes after Truscott, who seemed bent on leaving +the room at the time of all others when people would +be too busy to note his departure, for supper was not +over.</p> + +<p>And Colonel Pelham went with him, quietly saying +that he would return in time to escort madame home. +Ray flew to the door.</p> + +<p>“What’s your hurry, Jack?”</p> + +<p>“Come to my quarters when you get through,” was +his answer. “I must see Mrs. Tanner for a while, as I +leave for Prescott at reveille. Say nothing about it,” +and he was off.</p> + +<p>Ray returned to Miss Pelham, whose eyes looked in +earnest questioning up into his.</p> + +<p>“Isn’t Mr. Truscott coming back? I had hoped to +see him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[413]</span></p> + +<p>“No. Something’s up. I don’t know what.”</p> + +<p>“He can’t be—he is not ordered off, is he?” she +exclaimed in startled tones, and with features rapidly +paling despite her efforts at control.</p> + +<p>Ray looked in amaze. Then he thought of the handkerchief, +of Truscott’s changed, worn look, of a hundred +little things that flashed upon him all at once, and of the +intensity of emotion in the sweet, pallid face before him. +Quick as a flash, he bent over her as he had bent to raise +her the day of the runaway; hurried and low he spoke.</p> + +<p>“If you have anything to say, to send to him, trust +me. He goes to Prescott at reveille, but told me not +to speak of it.”</p> + +<p>Gone, and without a glance at her; without one word. +Was she so utterly beneath him as that? Had she, +then, sinned past all forgiveness? Was his love so light +that it would vanish under the misunderstandings of the +past week and never again seek for its answer? Was +she——Pride and resolution came to the rescue. +Grace Pelham looked proudly up into the sympathetic +features of the misguided young man.</p> + +<p>“Thanks, Mr. Ray. Nothing that I can think of +now. A little more coffee, if you please.”</p> + +<p>But she thanked heaven when it came time to go, +and her father appeared. The colonel was sore disturbed +about something, and while Mr. Glenham hung +about the parlor on their return home, that gentleman +had accompanied Lady Pelham aloft. There his voice +was heard in vehement accents, hers in protestations, +and presently in tears.</p> + +<p>“I’ll go,” said Glenham, seeing her distress. “But +I must see you to-morrow.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[414]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, go,” she pleaded. “You surely want to say +good-by to Mr. Truscott.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, he’s only going up as witness on a court. He’ll +be back in three days.”</p> + +<p>She closed the door on him relentlessly, and that of +the parlor as she returned. But her father came down +at once.</p> + +<p>“Grace dear,” he asked, in a tone of deep agitation, +“have you ever received a note written you by Mr. +Truscott just before he went out after Captain Tanner’s +command?”</p> + +<p>“Never, father.”</p> + +<p>Instantly he returned to the room above. And just +what transpired in that interview heaven forbid that +we should care to hear. The colonel had discovered +that his wife had intercepted Truscott’s letter to Grace, +and that she had lied to him and to her. She well +knew that Truscott, not Glenham, had been Ralph’s +benefactor.</p> + +<p>Two evenings after a number of our friends at Sandy +were gathered at the colonel’s quarters. “Gloomy +Glenham,” as he was now called, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. +Raymond, Grace, and Mrs. Pelham, the colonel, and +several junior officers were seated around the parlor. +Grace had just been singing, and now there came a +demand for more.</p> + +<p>“Oh, <em>do</em> sing ‘Douglas, Tender and True,’” begged +Mrs. Turner.</p> + +<p>“Yes, <em>please</em> do,” chimed in Mrs. Raymond.</p> + +<p>“It’s your very best song, I think,” said Captain +Turner. “Please sing it.”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” said Grace, reluctantly. She had not +<span class="pagenum">[415]</span>sung for days, and there were words to this that even +in the mere temporary absence of Jack Truscott struck +home to her heart as she thought of them. “I’m not +in voice to-night, I fear,” she added; “but I’ll try.”</p> + +<p>Had not Mrs. Tanner told her he would be back on +the morrow? Had not there been something in her +sweet, caressing manner that revived hope, courage, +love in her heart? She turned to the piano again, and +Mr. Glenham placed the music on the rack. It was +no favorite of his. The servant entered with a telegraphic +despatch, which the colonel opened and read.</p> + +<p>“I thought so,” said he. “We’ve lost Truscott. +He is ordered to West Point, and left this morning for +San Francisco. Go on, Gracie.”</p> + +<p>Go on? go <em>on</em>? The room was whirling round her; +a deadly choking sensation had seized her throat; there +was a confused buzzing of voices in her ears, exclamations +of surprise, regret, dismay; but she heard +nothing distinctly. White as a sheet, she grasped at +the key-board, and Glenham stood stupidly staring at +her. But in an instant, through filmy eyes, she saw a +glass of water before her, and she eagerly seized and +drank it, and a cheery voice was murmuring something +quick and stirring in her ear. It was Ray.</p> + +<p>“Rally all your pluck. Sing as you rode, Miss +Gracie; I’ll back you to win.” And with all the <i lang="fr">nonchalance</i> +in the world he replaced the goblet on a distant +table, saying so that all could <span class="nowrap">hear,—</span></p> + +<p>“I really beg your pardon, Miss Pelham. When +you asked for water I thought it was Glenham you addressed; +and then that beggarly telegram came, and I +forgot your request entirely.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[416]</span></p> + +<p>Bravely, gallantly, she raised her head and strove to +crush out the whirl of wretchedness in which her +father’s announcement had engulfed her. Hardly +realizing what it was she was called upon to sing, she +rapidly played the soft, sweet prelude, and, with voice +that trembled as though in harmony with the spirit of +the song, <span class="nowrap">began,—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza small"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Could ye come back to me, Douglas, Douglas</div> + <div class="verse indent2">In the old likeness that I know,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">I’d be so faithful, so loving, Douglas</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Douglas, Douglas, tender and true.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>All conversation had ceased; all ears were drinking +in the exquisite, plaintive melody; all eyes were upon +her, and she knew it. Oh, what would she not give to +be singing anything—anything else? But it was too +late now.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza small"> + <div class="verse indent0">“I was not half worthy of you, Douglas,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Not half worthy the like of you;</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Now all men beside you to me are shadows,</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Douglas, Douglas, tender and true.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>“My God! can she do it?” muttered Ray, between +his set teeth. “It’s the next hurdle that will try her +nerve.” And he leaned against the light table, looking +quickly around upon its load of books and albums. +Then his eyes returned to their eager watch. She was +trembling; she threw back her head and forced herself +to commence <span class="nowrap">again,—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza small"> + <div class="verse indent0">“O to bring back the days that are not!</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Mine eyes were blinded, your words were few;</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Do——”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[417]</span></p> + +<p>Crash! came table, books, Ray, and all in clattering +uproar and confusion over the parlor floor. He sprang +to his feet, all dust, embarrassment, and profuse apologies. +Shouts of laughter, long, ringing peals of merriment +filled the room. Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Raymond +went almost into hysterics; Raymond, Hunter, and +Glenham guffawed outright; the colonel almost choked +into an apoplectic seizure, and Grace,—Grace covered +her face in her handkerchief and wept hysterically +until she could regain control of herself, and thanked +and blessed him from the bottom of her heart.</p> + +<p>“Well, Mr. Ray,” gasped Mrs. Raymond, at length, +“that’s the first clumsy thing I ever knew you to do in +my life.”</p> + +<p>Only one pair of eyes besides his had seen that she +could not sing another word; that an utter break-down +most come, and a flood of tears with it, and Mr. Ray +anticipated the break-down, and provided a cover for +the flood of tears. It might have been clumsy, but +she knew better.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[418]</span></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak"> + CHAPTER XXII. + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> now the winter is gone, the glad spring-time +has come, the voice of the turtle would doubtless be +heard in the land if that sort of melody were in vogue +in these days of scepticism, and the promotion, which +we are biblically assured cometh neither from the east +nor from the west, nor from any source whatever, as is +beginning to be the creed in our veteran army, has +nevertheless come to Jack Truscott.</p> + +<p>A vacancy has occurred in a popular staff department. +Applicants for that majority are numbered by +the dozen. Senators and Representatives in Congress +assembled swarm about the White House to advocate +the claims of captains by the score, of lieutenants by +divisions, and there are majors in the line who wouldn’t +mind losing a year or two of rank to get out of frontier +duty and into an easy office chair, with clerks and check-books +and cigars <i lang="la">ad libitum</i>. There are old captains +who have commanded divisions or brigades during the +great war, fellows with unimpeachable records and undoubted +ability and not a few battle-scars and gray +hairs and grandchildren; old soldiers, who would +gladly turn over their small squad of a company to +some young and vigorous and unencumbered enthusiast, +in whose breast hope springs eternal; old soldiers, who +would lend dignity and honor to the department in +<span class="pagenum">[419]</span>which the vacancy has occurred, and would thrice welcome +the opportunity to see a prospect of a home before +them and school for the youngsters. Congress is in +session, important measures are up for discussion, yet +the newspapers give daily a quarter of a column to telegraphic +speculations as to whom the President will appoint +to the vacancy in that department. Captain A. +is warmly backed by Senator B. Other captains, with +undeniable war records, are backed by the delegations +of their States; but Captain C., who is a first cousin of +a prominent inmate of the White House, has a capital +chance, unless the President, in despair at having to +choose from so many admirable war histories, should +decide on Lieutenant D., only a few years out of the +Point, and whose numerous friends at Washington are +confident of his success.</p> + +<p>At last the announcement is made. “The President +has determined that the appointee shall represent the +fighting branch of the service, and it is now known +that his excellency will nominate a gallant officer of a +distinguished cavalry regiment that has for years past +been doing arduous and bloody work among the savages +of Arizona.” And eminently proper this seems to the +army at large and to the general public, who have no +personal interest in the candidates. And so it results +that our gallant friends of the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> are recognized, and +the promotion falls upon a distinguished officer of that +distinguished regiment; and Captain Wormley, of the +District of Colombia for years past, and known to the <span class="nowrap">—th</span> +only upon its monthly returns, but having a wide +circle of admiring friends in the Capital City, where he +has been for years on some mysterious staff duty, becomes +<span class="pagenum">[420]</span>Major Wormley of the —’s department. He is son of +a statesman, nephew of a cabinet officer’s lady, brother +of a Congressman’s wife, cousin of a War Department +official, and cousin-german, so to speak, to half the +pretty girls in Washington. Welcome, major, to your +leaves and laurels, and long may you live to lord it +over subsequent appointments by telling them that you +“came in from the cavalry”!</p> + +<p>“But it gives Jack Truscott the double-hurdles on +his straps,” shouted Mr. Ray, in huge delight. “Let’s +send him a royal old telegram of congratulation.” And +that evening, as he sits at dinner and receives the hearty +greetings of the officers’ mess on the far-away banks of +the Hudson, Jack’s heart turns to the old crowd in the +<span class="nowrap">—th</span>, now marching in from Arizona. Their message +had reached him.</p> + +<p>So has another,—a letter from his loyal friend, the +general’s wife, who long since assured him that she +knew “it would all come out right.” So, too, has another +still; for only this very day has he heard from +Mrs. Tanner, and it must be admitted that Jack’s +thoughts wandered more upon what they had written +than upon the elevation he had so unexpectedly attained. +Extracts may be of interest to those who have +found anything of interest in our story.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t I tell you so?” wrote the first. “Grace +Pelham’s engagement is broken at last. She never +cared—she never <em>could</em> care for such a humdrum creature +as Mr. Glenham. Why, Jack, when she came up +here after you went East, he followed too, and it just +used to make me sick the way he moped and whined +around after her. She has tried a dozen times to get him +<span class="pagenum">[421]</span>to release her, so everybody says, but he wouldn’t. That +mother of hers made her stick to her word (although +I hear she had mighty small regard for her own), and +the colonel of course would not interfere. Once they +thought Mr. Ray was going to cut in and win her +away; but <em>I know</em> that was just a real frank liking she +had for him. Anyhow, the engagement’s broken, and +I have heard he’s going to resign when they get East. +She left here for San Francisco, with her mother, Mrs. +Turner, and Mrs. Raymond, all under Ralph’s charge, +three days ago. Mrs. Wilkins swears she’s going to +march across the continent with the boys.</p> + +<p>“Well, we’re mighty sorry to lose the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>, though +it did seem to run down-hill after you left. I’m not +the only one that says so, Jack; so you needn’t laugh. +They will have better stations and all that sort of thing +in the East, but all the ladies will join now, I suppose, +and then won’t there be fun?</p> + +<p>“And now, Jack, you may say it’s none of my business, +but if you don’t very soon write to me that you +have succeeded in consoling a certain young lady for +the loss of much valuable time and one lover, I shall +be a disappointed woman.”</p> + +<p>Upon the same subject Mrs. Tanner wrote from her +home in Massachusetts:</p> + +<p>“Letters from the old regiment bring me most interesting +news. There is no doubt that Mr. Glenham has +at last released Grace Pelham from her engagement. +Both Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Turner write to the same +effect. She has been very unhappy in this tie to a man +who was greatly her inferior, and the rupture of the +engagement must be a relief inexpressible.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[422]</span></p> + +<p>“Of course, both letters are filled with gossipy details +as to how it was brought about; but, knowing your +horror of all that sort of talk, I refrain. One thing, +however, seems certain. It was <em>his</em> doing and is final.</p> + +<p>“Jack, dear friend, I grew to know her so well and +to love her dearly in those sad days at Sandy, but there +were some matters of which we never spoke. You +know how I grieved over the wrong done you by my +own kith and kin years ago, and how I <em>must</em> want to +see you happy. There was something more than suspicion +in my mind that you and sweet Grace Pelham +had been ruthlessly separated by misunderstanding—perhaps +by design—at Sandy. There was some garrison +talk of a letter of yours that never reached her, and +yet was delivered <em>for</em> her to Mrs. Pelham, and in some +way I found it was generally known that she had sent +back your spurs without a word of explanation. Have +you those spurs yet, Jack? I fancy that if they were +to find their way into her hands again, you might find +it difficult to reclaim them.”</p> + +<p>That April evening a warm south wind was sweeping +up the Hudson, and moist and sweet, bearing the faint +perfume of the early lilacs upon its bosom, it played +through the curtains of Truscott’s open window. He +had early left the mess, and separated from the officers +who had strolled homeward with him. “Had letters +to write,” he explained, and yet, half an hour afterwards, +when three or four lively comrades stopped under +the window in the “Angle,” and looked up, they abandoned +the project of rushing in “to give Truscott a +rattle over his promotion,” for, said they, “he must be +out.” There was no light in his room.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[423]</span></p> + +<p>No light burning from jet or lamp, perhaps, but +Jack was there, and a light of hope, love, and deep +thankfulness was burning in his heart of hearts, and +he was thinking—thinking. Well he recalled that last +night at Sandy. How old Pelham had walked home +with him from the Turners’, and in deep embarrassment +had told him of Ralph’s letter. Tears of gratitude +and of deep emotion stood in the colonel’s eyes +and his voice was broken, his hand tremulous. That +night all the old trust and affection was restored between +them, but not a word was said of Mrs. Pelham +or Grace until Jack reminded him that he had to go +and see Mrs. Tanner a little while, and then it came +out.</p> + +<p>“I’ve got one thing I <em>must</em> ask you, Truscott. I’ve +overheard some talk about a letter you sent to our +house for Grace before you went out on that scout. +She never got it, I understand. Did you ever send +such a letter?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, colonel, once, and no reply ever reached me.”</p> + +<p>“Then depend upon it, Jack, it never got to Grace; +she was ill you know, and it—it must have been mislaid.”</p> + +<p>But now it was too late: the mischief was done. The +colonel did not dream how much depended upon that +little note, and not until long afterwards did he know +the truth, that Mrs. Pelham had shown it to Arthur +Glenham, and he had been weak—mean enough to +read it. Then it was that under the influence of that +indomitable woman he had removed from Truscott’s +quarters and afterwards accused him of treachery.</p> + +<p>Well Jack recalled her sweet face and animated +<span class="pagenum">[424]</span>manners as Grace sat conversing with Ray that night, +and his sense of utter desolation as he left the garrison +at sunrise. No one but he really knew that he expected +to be met at Prescott by telegraphic orders to proceed at +once to the Military Academy for duty in the department +of tactics, and he dreaded the formal “good-byes” +that would have to be undergone were the order to +reach him while still at Sandy. And now he understood +why she had never replied to that urgent little note of +his, and bitterly he blamed himself for ever permitting +the thought that she had received and had trifled with +it as she had with his love. Over an hour he sat there +plunged in deep thought, for even in his new-found +hope and happiness he dared make no false step. Then +he rapidly wrote a short letter, and on the following +evening Mrs. Tanner received this query: “Where +will a letter reach Miss Pelham?” On the third day +the answer came: “Care of Adjutant-General, Division +of the Missouri, Chicago. They are visiting friends +there while waiting for the regiment to come in. Then +they go to Fort Hays. They may visit Mrs. Treadwell +there for a while.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>One rainy, dripping, depressing morning a week +later, while a damp, smoke-laden, coal-blackened fog +had settled down on the wicked city of Chicago, and +the minds of its denizens were more than ever disposed +towards the inevitable ills that life in such an atmosphere +must generate, three ladies of or beyond medium +age sat yawning and disconsolate under the lighted +chandelier in a comfortable parlor; a fourth—young, +sweet, and vastly attractive—sat somewhat listlessly at +<span class="pagenum">[425]</span>the piano, her slender hands wandered over the keys, +and Schubert’s beautiful, dreamy “Praise of Tears” +softly rose and fell in plaintive melody through the +silence of the room.</p> + +<p>“For goodness’ sake, Grace,” exclaimed one of the +elder ladies, pettishly, “<em>do</em> stop that dismal thing and +play something lively! You will drive us all into our +shrouds with such funeral stuff as that.”</p> + +<p>In vain the others protested it was lovely, and begged +Grace Pelham to continue. Mamma had resumed her +sway, and Grace, away from the supporting voice of her +father, and no longer the prospective Mrs. Arthur Glenham, +with a fortune at her disposal and a fool at her +feet, had meekly, resignedly fallen back into her old +habit of uncomplaining obedience.</p> + +<p>A servant entered with the mail, handing to Mrs. +Pelham two or three bulky letters, in which she immediately +became engrossed, and to Grace a small parcel, +at which the young lady glanced curiously, then +eagerly, and then fled from the parlor.</p> + +<p>Once safely in her own room, and with the door +locked between her and would-be pursuers, she carried +her prize to the window. It was small, compact, firmly +wrapped in strong white paper, strongly tied, sealed, +and registered. It was post-marked West Point, and +needed only a glance at the superscription to tell her +the sender’s name. For an instant she held it, trembling +from head to foot, then cut the strings, opened +the little box, unrolled with quivering fingers and beating +heart the dainty wrapping of tissue-paper, and came +upon something white and soft, tied with ribbon. On +it was a card.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[426]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“These are yours. The spurs you won at Sandy; +the handkerchief you dropped at my door at Prescott, +and in faith and constancy I have worn it till now.</p> + +<p>“If you value that which you have won, hold it, +and return to me the only semblance of the tie that has +bound me to you, and it shall bind forever. If your +prize be worthless to you, send it back, and in so doing +break the tie. <i lang="fr">Comme—fidèle.</i></p> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 3.0em;">“J. G. T.”</p> +</div> + +<p>And Grace Pelham read till the tears blinded her +eyes, dashed them away, then read again, tore open the +little packet in which lay two silver spurs rolled in a +snowy kerchief, which was rent and torn inexplicably, +and which bore in white embroidery in the corner the +simple name, “Grace.”</p> + +<p>And then she sank upon her knees, burying her +bright, beautiful head in the pillow, and wept unrestrainedly, +but oh! so humbly, so gratefully, so joyously, +holding her treasures to her heart.</p> + +<p>And three days more the torn handkerchief was +back in Truscott’s breast.</p> + +<p>“Colonel,” said he to the commandant of cadets the +following morning, “I want a week’s leave. It is an +unusual time for one of the department to be away, +but, as you know, I cannot leave in the summer. My +regiment is just back in Kansas, and I want to run out +to Fort Hays and see them. Mr. X., with your consent, +will take charge of my duties. I will be back for +muster on the 30th.”</p> + +<p>And the leave was granted. It would give him just +time, provided there was no detention, to speed westward +<span class="pagenum">[427]</span>to St. Louis, thence to Kansas City, and so on to Fort +Hays, to spend twenty-four hours there, and then rush +back the way he came. Not much satisfaction, possibly, +for so long a journey, but he went.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Headquarters and four troops, with the band, had +arrived at the little frontier post of Fort Hays, officers +and men being still encamped upon the open prairie +alongside, while those ladies who had hurried thither +to meet their returning lords were hospitably entertained +by the families in the garrison who had not yet +moved away, and here it was that Mrs. Treadwell had +thrown open the large and commodious quarters of the +commanding officer to Mrs. and Miss Pelham. Here, +too, were our old acquaintances, Mrs. Raymond and +Mrs. Turner. Here were other ladies of the regiment +whom it has not been the felicity of the reader to meet. +Here, too, were three or four young ladies, gathered +from neighboring posts, and ready and eager to put up +with scant accommodation, for would there not be two +bands at Hays for a while, and was there not to be +given a grand ball by the outgoers to the incomers, and +was not that big, empty barrack, with its polished wax +floor, “the loveliest place in the world for a German”? +Oh, bright and bonny and sunshiny and jubilant was +everything and everybody at Hays in that glorious, +radiant spring weather, and who more bright, who so +bonny, who half so radiant and lovely as Grace? The +colonel wondered at her brilliant color and sparkling +eyes, marvelled at the lightness of her step, at the +ringing music of her sweet voice. Sing! Why, she +sang from morn till night.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[428]</span></p> + +<p>“And yet,” said one of the visitors, “you tell me +she has been jilted by that young man with ten thousand +a year who has just resigned. I would be down +in sackcloth and ashes.”</p> + +<p>Would he write? Would he come? One or other +she knew it would be, and that right soon. And so +when Major Bucketts came stumping into the Treadwells’ +parlor one evening waving a despatch and beaming +with delight, she felt sure what was coming before +her father burst out <span class="nowrap">with,—</span></p> + +<p>“By Jove! that <em>is</em> good. Jack Truscott will be +here to-night.”</p> + +<p>There was an impromptu dance going on, and thither +Grace could not but wend her way, and her escort, a +deeply-smitten youth of the infantry persuasion, was +impatiently awaiting her. Dozens of young people +were blithely dancing to the strains of sweet music from +the tireless orchestra, and, though she danced unceasingly, +joyously, the hours seemed to drag. It would +be near midnight before the train from the East reached +the station. Would it be late? Would the dance +break up before he could come? Would Major Bucketts +be stupid and take him off to his own quarters instead +of bringing him there? Would he speak to her +then? Could she see him? Could she look in his +face and not betray to every soul in the room the glowing +secret that seemed bursting from heart and brain? +Eleven o’clock came at last, and then the minutes +stretched into hours, and midnight lay a century away. +Yet she was striving to be calm, striving to be bright +and “entertaining” with her round of partners. Oh, +how she tired of their chatter! their utterly vapid +<span class="pagenum">[429]</span>efforts to amuse her! How she wished Ray were +there! He would let her dance, or sit in silence and +wait and think and dream, keeping vigilant guard lest +others interfere, as he had learned to do for her in +Arizona, yet interfering not himself; but Ray was far +to the westward. Fate had assigned him elsewhere,—and +midnight came at last. To her misery, the hop +was breaking up, the dancers going home. Some had +already left.</p> + +<p>“Oh, can’t we have just one more waltz?” she implored, +and obediently the leader signalled to his sleepy +bandsmen. Then there was a rush and commotion at +the doorway. Young officers were dropping their +partners and precipitating themselves on a new arrival; +a dozen glittering uniforms were crowding about a tall, +soldierly-looking fellow in civilian’s dress who was being +half dragged, half pushed, then carried, nearly +smothered, into the hall. Mesdames Raymond and +Turner rushed rapturously upon him, other dames followed +suit. The younger damsels gazed with decorous +curiosity, and Miss Pelham’s infantry escort, with misguided +jocularity, inquired, “Who may be this lengthy +party in cits? I suppose we may venture to dance, +may we not?” And had he been a youth of brain he +might have learned a lesson from the manner of her +reply.</p> + +<p>“Not just now. It’s Captain Truscott, our old adjutant.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! That’s Jack Truscott, is it?” was all the +crestfallen youth could say, and then they stood still +and watched, and the band stopped playing.</p> + +<p>Is the world made up of idiots? Could no one see +<span class="pagenum">[430]</span>how his eyes were wandering over their heads about +the room? Had not those little whip-snappers of boys +more sense than to know that it was not on their account +he had come all that distance? Would they never let +him go? Would those absurd women never release +him? Must he stand there patiently striving to answer +a dozen questions asked at once while she stood +waiting? And when he did break through, and came +towards her with quick, eager step and a glorious light +in his dark eyes, could they not even then see through +it all? must they still hang to his skirts with idiotic +inquiries of no earthly importance? Only for an instant +could Grace glance up in those glowing hazel eyes, +while her cheeks burned with their shy delight.</p> + +<p>“I’m so glad to see you again,” was all she had time +to falter in response to his tremulous voice breathing +only her name. Then he was dragged off, and she +homewards. He to Bucketts’s quarters, where his old +comrades crowded around him till late towards morning; +she to wait, with trembling joy, for the coming day.</p> + +<p>Yet what did that bring? She was out at guard-mounting, +so was he, and, breaking loose from the +group surrounding him, came at once to meet her, and +the wooden-headed imbeciles flocked instantly about +them, and not a word alone had he in the hour they +were together. Then came madame, with Mrs. Treadwell, +and the carriage to take a drive. She had not +known when to expect him, had promised to go, and +could not now avert it. It was nearly one when they +returned, and then they had to dress for luncheon at +the doctor’s. And he had been dragged off to stables +by the colonel to see the new horses by the time they +<span class="pagenum">[431]</span>came back, and the colonel did not release him until +near retreat. Nor was he one instant alone with him. +Even <em>his</em> placidity was sorely tried. “But never mind,” +he thought, “I dine at the Treadwells’, and there, at +least, there will be opportunity.” Nevertheless, at +parade, finding it impossible to separate her from the +swarm of feminines who flocked about her, and the +officers who gathered in clusters the instant they were +dismissed from their duties, he turned to Bucketts.</p> + +<p>“Old man, have the ambulance at Treadwell’s at ten +o’clock to take me to the station. Put my valise in, +<i>and do all you can to keep the crowd away from there to-night</i>.” +And Bucketts understood.</p> + +<p>Even at dinner all went wrong. Oh, Mrs. Treadwell, +either your tact had deserted you, or Lady Pelham’s +malign influence had been again at work. Grace +was seated beyond his reach. He could not even see +her, for she was on his side of the table, and there +were other guests between them. Dinner was long, +frightfully long.</p> + +<p>“Jack, must you go to-night?” called the colonel to +him. “Can’t you wait until to-morrow’s train? You +will reach the Point by the 30th even then.” And +Truscott could only shake his head.</p> + +<p>Would that ghastly dinner never end? It was nearly +nine o’clock when they rose and strolled into the parlor. +Then he went at once to her side. Two young officers +were speaking to her then, but time was precious. She +half moved forward to meet him.</p> + +<p>“Must you go to-night?” she murmured, looking +almost tearfully up in his eyes.</p> + +<p>“Yes, at ten. Yet I cannot——”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[432]</span></p> + +<p>“Captain Truscott, <em>Captain</em> Truscott, didn’t you +hear? Colonel Treadwell says won’t you smoke?” +And Mrs. Turner was pulling at his coat-sleeve. +(Smoke at such a time!) “How ungallant you’ve +grown! You used to be the soul of—why, <em>I</em> don’t +know—<em>devotion</em>, and here I had to call you twice—three +times.”</p> + +<p>“<em>Did</em> you see Mrs. Tanner? Isn’t it lovely she’s +so well off? Do you think she’ll marry again?” Mrs +Raymond was firing at him from the other side.</p> + +<p>“<em>Do</em> tell us about West Point. Is Mrs. Ruggles +there now? <em>Why</em> do you have to go to-night? How +stupid of you to come for so short a time!” Mrs. the +doctor was having her say.</p> + +<p>The other men, except two or three youngsters, were +still in the dining-room smoking. What <em>could</em> be +done? He was surrounded by these chattering magpies, +and Grace was fairly driven from his side. Mrs. +Pelham had called her. Mrs. Treadwell was asking +her to sing. Then the women turned on her and <em>implored</em> +her to sing. Everybody knows that right after +dinner is the very time of all others one feels like singing. +Grace had to sing, and it was half-past nine before +the oldsters came out, and then tattoo drew several +of the younger people away.</p> + +<p>“<em>Surely</em>, you are going to the hop-room, Grace?” +Mrs. Pelham was heard to say. “I heard Mr. Roberts +asking you.”</p> + +<p>And Grace looked imploringly at her father.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, she’s not. Truscott’s got to go in twenty +minutes, and I want to see him, so does Grace,” that +veteran answered, stoutly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[433]</span></p> + +<p>Still there were a dozen people in the parlor, and time +was spinning away. Grace was implored to sing again, +and sing she had to. Mrs. Treadwell and Mrs. Pelham +were chatting with the doctor at a distant end of the +room. The colonel and Treadwell, lolling back in their +easy-chairs, were beating time and enjoying the music. +The doctor’s wife and Mesdames Raymond and Turner +were pestering Truscott with questions even as she sang. +Grace was at the piano, and he had eagerly stepped to +her side to turn over the leaves for her, but they called +him away as the song ceased, and nervously looking at +his watch, pulling savagely at his moustache, Jack Truscott +commenced pacing rapidly up and down the parlor. +How odd of him! How excitable for one ordinarily +so calm!</p> + +<p>Listening eagerly to his every word, listening in torture +to their senseless chatter and questioning, Grace +Pelham sat running dreamily over the exquisite music, +the accompaniment of Kucken’s “Good-night,—Farewell,” +an accompaniment that is a lovely song in itself.</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed, Mr. Truscott—Captain Truscott, I +mean,” Mrs. Turner was saying, “we’ve been hearing +all manner of accounts of you at West Point. I quite +expected long ere this to hear of your being in love +somewhere, and (coquettishly) forgetting all your old +friends in the <span class="nowrap">—th</span>. <em>Of course</em> now, with your captaincy, +you will be seeking a wife?”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” he answered, with a sudden resumption +of preternatural calmness, but still striding up and down.</p> + +<p>“You mean to be married, <em>really</em>?” Vividly interested +were the ladies now, and the sweet accompaniment +went tremulously on.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[434]</span></p> + +<p>“Certainly, I do.”</p> + +<p>“You <em>have</em> fallen in love, then?”</p> + +<p>“Long ago.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Mr. Truscott!” “Why, Captain Truscott!” +“Oh, when?” “What a surprise!” “Who is she?” +“<em>Do</em> tell us!” came in general chorus, even Pelham and +Treadwell pricking up their ears.</p> + +<p>“Are you really, <em>really</em> in love? <em>very</em> much?”</p> + +<p>“I am—deeply.”</p> + +<p>“Then when are you to be married?”</p> + +<p>[Breathless silence.]</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t know! Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Because I’ve never asked her yet.”</p> + +<p>“How absurd! Why haven’t you? Doesn’t she +love you?”</p> + +<p>“I’ve never asked her.”</p> + +<p>“Preposterous! What do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“She knows you love her, does she not?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then why don’t you ask her? Why haven’t +you——”</p> + +<p>“I have never had a chance, and at this rate never +expect to get one.”</p> + +<p>(The accompaniment had wellnigh died away. Grace +was bending blindly over her piano.)</p> + +<p>“What can you mean? <em>Who</em> is it?” persisted that +eminently brilliant cross-examiner, Mrs. Turner, though +others with gradually expanding ideas were beginning +to take in the situation.</p> + +<p>He had stepped close by the piano, his watch again +in his hand. The wheels of an ambulance rattled up +<span class="pagenum">[435]</span>to the door. Proudly, almost defiantly, he turned and +faced them all, then bent over the beautiful, bowed +head, the trembling form that drooped over the keys. +A wonderful depth of love, reverence, tenderness, passion +thrilled through every word, as he <span class="nowrap">murmured—</span></p> + +<p>“Gracie. It is my only opportunity; but, before +the world, if need be, I would say it proudly, I love +you.”</p> + +<p>The accompaniment had ceased. The sweet, blushing +face was hidden by his arm. Before them all he +had wooed and won her.</p> + +<p>“All the world loves a lover” (unless it be the lady’s +younger brother, when she has one). If not, how did it +happen that on this particular evening that express train +on the Kansas Pacific should be telegraphed as two hours +late, and that Bucketts should find it out just in the “nick +of time,” and bring word to Truscott as he was coming +forth to drive to the station, taking leave of his sweet +betrothed, even as he had had to plead his cause—before +them all? Will it be believed that when the quartermaster +appeared with his glad tidings and called out, +“Jack, old boy, that train won’t be along till after +midnight, so I’ll send the trap back to the corral,” +Mrs. Turner absolutely proposed staying and making +up a party to see him off, and was indignant because her +husband spirited her off homewards? Then the others +followed, and, thanks to Pelham’s resolution, Jack Truscott +and his <i lang="fr">fiancée</i> were left in peace. Mrs. Pelham, +a martyred wife and mother, was sent to bed, and the +colonel and Treadwell retired to the dining-room to +smoke another cigar. It was the happiest night the +colonel had known in ever so long.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[436]</span></p> + +<p>And now the minutes flew like seconds; the blessed +two hours whirled away. Once more ’twas almost time +for the ambulance to rattle up to the house, and this +time there could be no postponement. They were +standing under the hanging-lamp in the centre of the +room, the bright light shimmering through her rippling +hair, and shining back from the beautiful eyes ever and +anon raised so happily, so trustingly to his.</p> + +<p>“There is something I want to ask you,” she said, +shyly, as another reference to his watch showed that +they had but a few moments more to call their own. +He was looking smilingly down into her bonny, blushing +face.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Gracie?”</p> + +<p>“About the packet you sent me with the spurs. +Was my handkerchief really so torn when I dropped +it?”</p> + +<p>“It was not torn at all.”</p> + +<p>“Then how did you come to abuse it so frightfully, +sir? Is that the way you treat my property?”</p> + +<p>He was smiling mischievously now.</p> + +<p>“I kept it in as safe a spot as I could find,” he +answered.</p> + +<p>“Where?” and her head drooped as she asked +it.</p> + +<p>“Very near to my heart, Miss Pelham.”</p> + +<p>“Then how came those jagged rents, I’d like to +know?”</p> + +<p>“An arrow did that, mademoiselle, the morning of +Tanner’s fight down in Tonto basin,—a day or two +after you jilted me, to be explicit.”</p> + +<p>And for all response she could only bury her face +<span class="pagenum">[437]</span>upon the breast where, at that moment, her torn treasured +handkerchief was lying.</p> + +<p>“What else have you to ask?” he questioned, as she +presently glanced up into his eyes again.</p> + +<p>“What does <i lang="fr">comme</i>—<i lang="fr">fidèle</i> mean?”</p> + +<p>“Where is your French, Miss Pelham?”</p> + +<p>“I never did know so very much, and this is utterly +beyond me,” she answered, laughingly. “You wrote +it so queerly: <i lang="fr">comme</i>, then a dash, then <i lang="fr">fidèle</i>. There +is no sense to it that I can see.”</p> + +<p>He drew her closer to his heart, and bent until his +lips almost brushed the soft, perfumed ripples of her +hair. “It has its meaning, though, and a deep one. +It is my pledge to you, my darling,—<i lang="fr">Fidèle—à la fin, +comme—au commencement</i>.”</p> + +<p>Presently the ambulance once more was heard, and +old Pelham came blithely in.</p> + +<p>“Grace dear, I’m going to drive over to the station +with Truscott, and I want somebody with me coming +back,—to keep the wolves away, you know,” he added, +with a Weller-like wink, very unbecoming such rank +and dignity. “Run and wrap up warm, daughter.”</p> + +<p>Then, as she obediently went, the two men clasped +hands and looked into each other’s eyes.</p> + +<p>“Does it occur to you that it was about time I asked +your consent, sir?”</p> + +<p>“You have had it—all along. God bless you, Jack!”</p> + +<p>Will she ever forget that ride to the station, I wonder? +How those scamps of bachelor officers poured +forth from Bucketts’s tent over in camp and surrounded +the ambulance ostensibly to bid “him” good-by; the +stage-whispers which passed between them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[438]</span></p> + +<p>“Good-by, Jack. We all meant to come over to +the station to see you off, but the colonel gives us fits +if we’re up after midnight now.”</p> + +<p>“Take care of yourself, old man. <em>Say</em>, don’t let the +colonel see you go into Tommy Dunn’s. <em>What!</em> Miss +Pelham, you here too!”</p> + +<p>She sat in the dark corner of the carriage, where she +could dimly see his form as he leaned forward talking +earnestly with her father as they drove rapidly over +the smooth prairie roads. Not a word did she speak, +but an inexpressible content and joy possessed her. +He was going. It might be many a long weary month +before she could see him again, but her heart went with +him, and his?—ah, had it not been in her keeping for +months past?</p> + +<p>They reached the station; dark and still it looked: +one faint light burning in the station-master’s office; +but thither the colonel found it necessary to go. The +ambulance and its driver went off, oddly enough, and +“hitched” directly in front of the very establishment +Jack had been warned to shun. And then on the dark +platform, lighted only by the glowing stars above, the +red and green signal-lamps up and down the track, +Grace Pelham and her lover were alone.</p> + +<p>All too soon, far up the line the brilliant head-light +of the train came sweeping into view. They were +pacing slowly along the platform, her hands clasped +upon his arm. She stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p>“You have never asked me why—why Mr. Glenham +broke our engagement, and I thought it was something +you ought to know,” she said, falteringly.</p> + +<p>“I never intended to ask, Gracie, nor do I care to +<span class="pagenum">[439]</span>question you about any of that wretched experience at +Sandy,” he said, tenderly.</p> + +<p>“But it was something I want you to know, and I +cannot tell you unless you ask.”</p> + +<p>“Then, I do ask,” he answered, smiling.</p> + +<p>“He told me two months ago that he knew I cared +nothing for him, and asked me whom I did love?”</p> + +<p>“And you told him——”</p> + +<p>“That I loved you, Jack.”</p> + +<p>Both his arms were round her in an instant, his +head bent down over the sweet face now buried on his +breast. She <em>had</em> to raise it shyly and glance up into +his eyes in answer to his appeal, then his lips sought +hers, and their fervent pressure was answered. One +moment more and he was eastward bound.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Many a letter came flying back to Hays. The daily +mail was never without its missive for Grace, and even +in separation some delight is found.</p> + +<p>“Two weeks now I have been back at the Point,” +he wrote one May afternoon, “and never has the dear +old spot looked so beautiful. It is hard to realize that +these scenes, so familiar to you, so very familiar to me, +have never been viewed together; that there ever has +been a time in my life when I looked out upon that +glorious reach up the river, and around upon the rocky +heights, and knew not this now incessant longing to +have you at my side. Time was when all my hope, +ambition, pride, and pleasure were centred in the coming +summer, with camp or furlough, when May with its +verdure and sweet balmy breath was a foretaste of +Paradise. <em>Now</em>, I wait with eager impatience for the +<span class="pagenum">[440]</span>coming again of autumn, for the keen frosts that will +shiver leaf and flower and rob the landscape of all this +vernal beauty. Welcome, November, with frost and +fog and gale, for none can chill the light and glory of +my life, for with them comes its crowning blessing, for +with them, and despite them, I shall welcome you, my +wife, my darling, my queen.”</p> + +<p>And Truscott had many letters, congratulatory, exclamatory, +and otherwise satisfactory. This was from +Ray:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Jack</span>,—News just reached me. Bad news +travels fast, you know. I’m cut up—cut out—and +never was cut out for anything better. With all my +heart I congratulate you, and wish it was <em>me</em>. As I +can’t walk to singing-school with her myself, please +may I sit on the fence and watch out for you to go by? +Anyhow, may the Fates deal you no end of blessings, +and me, two or three full hands for the wedding +present! There goes stable-call. <i lang="fr">Toot à toi.</i></p> + +<p class="right" style="margin-right: 3.0em;"> + “<span class="smcap">Ray.</span> +</p> + +<p class="p1">“See here, Jack, I may not have had a clear idea on +the subject before, but isn’t this last capture of Miss +Pelham’s a new thing in ‘<i>Winning his Spurs</i>’?”</p> +</div> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="end-of-book x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="transnote-end chapter p4"> + +<p class="noindent center bold TN-style-1"><a id="TN"></a>Transcriber’s Note (continued)</p> + +<p class="TN-style-1">Errors in punctuation and simple typos have been +corrected without note. Archaic or variant spelling, inconsistent +hyphenation, etc., has been left as it appears in the original +publication unless as noted in the following:</p> + +<p class="TN-style-2">Page 114 – “decalogue” changed to “Decalogue” (half the sins in the Decalogue)</p> +<p class="TN-style-2">Page 187 – “’7” changed to “’71” (the old road to Prescott as it lay in ’71)</p> +<p class="TN-style-2">Page 286 – “Eskiminziu” changed to “Eskiminzin” (Advices just received from Stryker prove Eskiminzin)</p> +<p class="TN-style-2">Page 365 – “Arrapahoes” changed to “Arapahoes” (the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes)</p> + +<p class="TN-style-1 p2"><a class="underline" href="#top">Back to top</a></p> +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76813 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + |