rawvwawTOnwwRrws'ran "I-n'W'n-'Vl ' 1.11 iV? t-'IT'i -ft.TTTiC-' .3-.-v v . j " " V ""if" - - " - - ,' - ' --- "", -r -w- -7-- ' ' - -'" 1- - fli' vi wJT ' " ' ' -"--,' i' '-"' --5, j ?-- 7JL ' t" ' tifit vKiw"r Tr-wt " " ' .-'" . :..-&.rf?S- ' " -. . . . - 7t,j'i firm? tavtiahtkh lArr.Y t wtht t ,t. kwiitc w OArrTTTnAV VAttwirtiwn no' loon :3. 55, - !r V- , J-n ,i JXm.A.I .t.. -- J--- "" -- .mmm.i ViXI; l.JLUJ.liXJLi, XI VT T ..X1UU. JJ Xi,JlV jSO XOOVl sar ? Mjnraven Ranch. A Story, of American Frontier Life. A. I By. CAPT. CHARLES KING, U. S. A., ryW .--.. " AVX0. OP THH COLONEL'S & "THE DESERTER," ETC. - Crrrlclite!, IW8, by J. B. Lipplncet Special Arrangement threuci CHAPTER XIV. sr i HE croup that gathers Micro a moment inter la as Interested a party as the central figures nre interesting. Unable te Mi set tier left feet te the & ground and still encircled by Perry' barm. Miss Maitland stands leaning hcav- fsfly en hU breast She Is very pale for a Moment, partly rretn cxuausuuii. ii uj from pain, for there was no tlme te free Jmt feet from the stirrup, nnd the ankle severely wrenched. Nelan, riderless aw and cast loose, stmds with lowered ' head and heaving flanks, a sympathetic s Ikit proudly heroic looker en; he knewa has played Ills pan in inni rescue. the huge English hunter Is plunging In Misery among the meuniis n rcw yarns back, his fere leg broken. One of the troenera has seized his bridle, nnd an- l atlier Is uiutranninc the heavy English i aaddlc, "Splendidly donel" says the colo celo cole !, as he treU carefully up, casting a glance at the fallen cause- or all me mis chief; "but If that saddle had been ene fe M tliose three pronged noenunniions no 'Couldn't have swept her off as he did." feGrahatn has galloped te tne stream for water, and the colonel lifts Mrs. flerasuB from her saddle, and together ' mej advance te offer sympathy and aid. Mrs. Lawrence fellows as quickly ivs she van pick her way among the prairle deg Is fceles. Dana has deserted Mrs. Belknap, "arid she alene romahie mounted whlle Ml these ethers throng about the two 1 wu stand thcre for the moment, cling- jag te each ether. And new Gladys Mnitland has raised her head: blushes lflf .shanie and confusion triumph ever pallor and pain; she strives te stand t alone, but Perry bids her desist. The t Moment she sees Mrs. Sprague's sweet, g'remanly, sympaHietlc face her eyes nre f JHted with comfort ana ner neart gees iafttteher. Most reluctantly Perry re- E' I?84 i .',: .HHIini v?Mwc Egffjlyns Us prize te HA nrms that open te R 3efmtUvB her, nnd then ceme the wonder- ,? BXCIttluauuiia ut buiuu, u.iu i..u uwu., t-nathless explanations. S,"ll try te uuii yci, picaus nira. 'i.:l' ncrnn- We tire enlv tee clad it was W tVZS.1 ' &$? VIndeed, I'm net hurtnnswers GUv t. &m livnvBtir'nnlv n lltfln crnnpli J:1. - ' WVW. bravely "only a little wrench, W i " and she lauglis nervously, trying ik-Smrrv It off with all the nltick nnd K SwWt of her race, "it would have been j'Jjyhftt we call a 'nasty cropper' at home jTt 2?1.tlIl lint Anna liim nlwltr wr tt'ftli n SKIS' teT " cJa""" " J" "" Nipte et gratltude te his "it had net lj!ckin for Mr. Perry." ii"Ob., then you knew Mr. l'crryl" ex- .Hums urs. sprague, witti Iran it ueiigut, find Mrs. Lawrence turns in rejoicing te leek first in hi3 glowing face, then nt the 'dark beauty of Mrs. Belknap silently lis tening. "Why, we had no idea" And ft & concludes irresolutely. ;' "Oh, yes; we met nt the ranch at home. I am Miss Maltland, you knew; ' and that Is my father's place. But we've ?tily just come," she addj, witli the we- BMurs natural desire te explain te new .found friends why and hew it was that tbey liad net met befere. And then the -, jjrpup is joined by a bulky young Briten l the garb or a groom, though inedilled te suit the requirements of frontier life; tki cornea cantering te the scene all el- stcrnatien: he trlvwatrreun I dismay at Bight of the prestrate hun ter, but rides directly te his mUtress. tibe is paling again new, nnd in evident Bftln, and Perry's face is n study ai he tends, his eyes riveted iilxm her; but she jtriea te smile nnd reassure him. ' ? 'You'll have te rida te Dunr te the , Macli, Griggs," she said; "and there's ; jm ncip ter ii papa win uave te ue teiu. Let them send for me." ''"Parden me, Miw Maltland," Inter- rupted Cel. Bralnard. "Yeu are almost jIBder the walls of Fert Uessiter, unci Dunraven is miles away. I have bent a wilt horse rer ur. yuin and a spring ambulnnce. We cannot let you go home, ew that you nre be near us, until you 'fkare had rest nnd nre;er care." " 'Indeed we cannot, Mtes Maltland," fOilmejl In linfli ln.1t.ui nt u liptli 'Va,i Fme te come right te my heusa until you ?tl?'-,-"-rt- " " --.-.VW ... .. . VM.. VM 're fit te travel." v. I'm tint rppr fit lllct nnw ,-ei-tnlnlt. t?iln answers, with a faint smile; "but I : i.oie surely wait here until they bend; 'Sftwlll net be mere than an heurat me3t." kfflt "It will be two hours peiiiaps three i mas Maltland," pleaded 1'erry, bending "ageriy forward. "De listen te our la- .dlMl" f'$f,Aed "our ladU'8" prevailed. While L'iCIrisgS went sputtering off te Dunraen tiBtth the sorrowful news, the stieng ' ftjmii tt Pir,P nn.1 r7nl,n.. lift.. I ...! bore their EngrUh captive te the bhade tt a clump of cottenwooda. Mrs. Bprague and Mrs. Lawrence managed tomakea little couch for her as a tem perary resort. Mrs. Belknap rode up asd was formally introduced, then gal- flbped away te Redsiter te send blankets the picnic couch and see te the pli n of the ambulance. The colonel nnil " 9mrj remained with the ladles and en arOBted their atteiuieu while Graham rant back and sent two pistol bullets t late the straggling hunter's brain, btill MS his pain forever, Tlien came Ur , ..Qttin galloping like the wind down the (atniiiar trail, cnuting "uiauys as bough his right te de se were n long bl tailed thing, and thereby setting I Flurry's teeth en edge, and, long befere the call for afternoon stables was sound MK, the fair daughter of Dunraven ' aWtirh w'lh hetiK1 witliin tlie wnlls of kS.i.. -j .. - ... .-.. umn,T unu uie "ice was uruueii. IrWry liad had the Jey of helping carry r Inte Mrs. bprague coolest and co- ; room. Mie had held forth her nana h a, long, white, beautiful hand .let It rest In bU while she said foil knew hew lwpebbible it Is for me I you hew t tiiauk you. Mr. Perry." I be had simply bowed ever It. lens- e say what he thought, but power- itoimnuei anyiuing cire; ud t hen ' bad gene te his own quarters and himself In. Mrs. Sprague bless -had invited him te call after re- ,'and he bad totally forgotten the rivecf dinner when he said be te ly Pe gU4 (3 6Cq DAUGHTER," "PROM THE RANKS," Company, Philadelphia, nnd Published by me American rress Association, At tne seunaing or stabie can ms aarey itcrvant banged nt the 'deer and reused liim from his revcrle. He rese mechan ically and went out Inte the bread sun sun shlne, glancing first along the row te soe hew tldngs wcre looking at the Spragues' nnd wjuJiIng-wlth all his heart that they were somewhero within reach of a conservatory, that he might send a heaping box of fresh and dewy roses te t'liat sacred room where she lay. Hew many a time, he thought, had he strolled into seme odorous shop In the cities whom his "leaves" were spent, and caro care lessiy ordered cut flowers bythocubie feet sent with his card te seme ene with whom he had danced the gcrman the night befere and never expected te see ngaini What wouldn't he give new for just a few of tliose wasted, faded, for gotten flewcrsl Stables that nflorneon proved n sero trial te him. When nt last the men went swinging homeward In their wlilte canvas frocks nnd 1'erry could return te his quarters te dress for his eagerly anticipated call, the first thing that met his eyes ns lie enme In sight of officers' row was n hugi bulky, covered traveling carringe in front of Spragues', Twe or three Indies were thcre nt the gate. Mr. Ewcn, the English man ager, was just mounting his horse; Dr. Quln, tee, was them nnd already In sad dle; nnd lefore oer Perry could get half way ncreKS t)ie parade, nnd just as the trumpets wcre Bounding mess call for BiipiKir, the bulky vehicle started; the ladles waved their handkerchiefs ami kissed their hands, nnd, escorted by Ewcn and the doctor, saluted by Uel. ilrninard nnd the ndjutant with raiseil forngecapi, Gladys Mnitland was driven slowly away, and Mrs. liulknnpHtoed lliereln thollitle group of Indies smiling sweetly UKn him as he hahtcued towards them. I'er many a long day afterwards mess call nlwnya made him think of Mrs. Itclknup'smnile, nnd Mrs. Helk nap's smile of mem, call. He shuddered at the sound of imuer Higlit of the ether. It was Mrs. Sprague who stepjicd for ward te greet him, her womanly heart filled with sympathy for the sentiment she suspected. She had te push by Mrs. Belknap te reach him; but, this time, no consideration of etiquette htoed In the way. ' "It couldn't be helped," she said, in low hurried tone, her kind eyes search ing his, se clouded in the bitterness of hli dlsapiKilntment. "It couldn't be heljx'd. The news of her accident or something brought en a hclzure of seme kind. Mr. Maltland was taken very III, nnd they sunt for her. The malinger came, nnd with lilui her old nurse, Mrs. Cowan, nnd Dr. Quln wild she could be moved without treuble: bohIieIkuI te go. I hated te have her, tee, for I've hardly had a word witli Iter; Mrs. Ilvlkuap lias been thrre most of the nfteruoen, even when nhe had a guest of her own just arrived, tee." And Mrs. Hprngue could net but show her vexation nt this retro spect. , Perry steed In silence, looking yearn ingly after the retreating vehicle. It would take him but n few minutes te hasten te stables nnd uaddle Nelan; he could easily catch thorn before they had geno two miles; but there wns parade, nnd he could net ask te be excused. Net until hesuddeuly looked around and saw that Mrs. Belknap's dark eyes weie fixed in close scrutiny upon hit face did he realize hew he was betraying himself. Then he rallied, but with evident effort. The colonel was standing but a few paces away, chatting with Sirs. law law reuce and his faithful adjutant, Mm, Sprnguu stepped ipiickly towards him and Hpoke u few words in n low lene, whlle Mrs, ilelknap remained looking straight into Perry's eyes liefore the young fellow could gather himself, Cel. Braiuard, as then;;Ii in reply te n sug gestion of .Mrs. Sprague's, suddenly started, exclaiming, "Why, by all mentis!" and then called aleud: "Oh! Perry, why net gallop down nnd overtake the Dunraven carriage nnd hay . geed-by? Here's my horse all xaddlcd new right in the yard. Take him and go; 1 would." Tliere was semethtng se hearty and genial and sympathetic In the colonel's manner that Perry's face Hushed despite hU effort at nonchalance;. The thought of seeing Iter again nnd hearing her sweet velcu was u powerful incentive. IIe longed te go The colonel's invita tion was equivalent te no excuse from parade Tliere was no reason why he should net go. I Ie was en the very point of thankfully accepting the tempt ing offer, when Mrs Belknap's words arrested him Clear and cutting, but still i.e low tint uenu but he cwuld hear. thu hieU: "Take my word for it, you nre net wanted, nor any ether man, when Ur. Qiin is witli her." Perry's hesitation vanished. "Thank you, colonel, 1 believe 1 don't care te go." lie answered, and, raising Ids cap te the ladies, turned en his heel and hurried te Ids quarters. Mrs. Belknap steed watching him ene moment, then calmly rejoined the partv nt the gate. "Well," said she. with the languid drawl that iit-r regimental associates had icnncu ie Knew be well, "tills lias been a day of surprises, has It net? Only fancy our having a beautiful English heiress here within reach and never knowing it until tedayl" "But you had n surprise of your own, had you net?" Interposed Mrs. Sprague, who was still chafing ever the fact that her lovely and dangerous neighbor should have se monopolized the guest she con sidered hers by prier right, nnd who meant te remind her thus publicly of the neglect of which she had been guilty. "Mrs. Page, you mean?" responded Mrs. Belknap, with the same languid, imperturbable manner. "Yes; peer Jen nie! She Is always utterly used up after ene of these long nmbulunce journeys, and can only take a cup of tea and go te bed Inn darkened room. All she wants is te be let alene, 6he says, until she gets ever it. I suppese she will sleep till tattoo and then be up half the night. You'll ceme In and bee her, won't you? Au roveir," And se, calmly and gracefully nnd victoriously, the dark eyed dame with drew, leaving her henebt hearted antag onist only the beuse of exasperation and defeat. It was full quarter of an hour after parade, and darkness was setting down en the garrison, when Capt. I-nwrence's orderly taped nt the deer of Mr. Perry's quarters, and, being bidden "Come in," pusncHi en te tne sitting room, wiieru he found that young etlieer plunged deep in an easy cuuir in ireni ei mu urcpiace, his nttltude one of profound dejection. "Beg pardon, lieutenant," bald the man. "Mrs. Lawrence and the captain's waitln' dinner for you." CHAPTER XV. TWO days passed without event of any kind. Socially speaking, (be gurrlben wus eiiliventsl by the advent of Mrs, nnd everybody (locked te th r.ft.K?. knaps' quarters In order te de her proper homage When , Perry called he asked Parke te go with him, and when the lat ter seemed ready te leave the former, disregarding a very palpab!e hint from the lady of the house, picked up his for ego cap nnd went likewise. Fer two days the ene subject under constant dis cussion at the pest was the event of Miss Maltland's sudden appearance, her peril ous run and her daring and skillful res cue. Everybody maintained that Perry ought te be a very proud nnd happy fel low te have been the here of such nn occasion; but It was very plain that Perry was neither proud nor anything like happy. Ne ene had ever known him se silent nnd cast down. The talk with Lawrence had helped matters very Httle. In brief, this was about .all the cap tain could tell him, and it was all hear say evidence at best, The officers of the Eleventh nnd their ladies had, with a few exception-), taken a disllke te Dr. Quln befere Belknap and Lawrence with their companies of infantry had been or dered te Fert Ressltcr. The feeling was in full blast when they arrived, and dur ing the six or eight mouths they served tliere together the Infantry pcople heard only ene 6ide of the story that of the Eloventh for the doctor never conde scended te discuss the matter. After he was forbidden te leave the pest by his commanding officer, and after the announcement of the "blockedo" of Dunraven, it was observed that signals wcre sometimes made from the ranch at night! n strong light thrown from n re flector wns flashed three times and then withdrawn. Next it wns noted, by nn enterprising member of the guard, that these elgnals wcre nnswered by n light in the doctor's windows, then that he mounted his herse and rede nwny down the valley of the Menee. IIe was al ways back nt sick call; and, if any ene told the commanding officer of his dlso dlse dlso bedlcnce of orders, it was net dene until se near the departure of the Eleventh that the doctor wns net nftcrwards act ually caught in the net. Tilings would undoubtedly have been brought te n crisis had the Eleventh been nllewed te remain. New as te the story about Mrs. Quln and her ceing. It was obscrved during the winter that she was looking very badly, and the story went the rounds In the Eleventh that she wnsbtung and suf fering bocnuse of her husband's conduct. Unquestionably thcre was seme fair n chautrcss at Dunraven who lured him from his own fireside. She had no inti mates among the ladles. She was proud and silent. It did net seem te occur te them that she was resentful of their dis like of her husband. They wcre sure she was "pining" becnuse of his neglect or werse. When, tlierefore, without word of warning, kIie suddenly took her de parture in the spring, thcre was n gaRp of gossip loving cronies in the garrison; nil doubts wcre at an end; she had left lilui and taken her children with her. "Thomerol think of it,"enld Law rence, "the mero I bclicve the whele thing cnpahle of explanation. The only tiling that puzzles me new is that Qulii hides anything from your colonel, who is ene of the most courteous and consid erate men I ever served witli. Perhaps he has told him by this time; we don't knew. Perhaps he thought he might be of the saute btamp as his predecessor, and was waiting te find out befere he made lib con lldencw. As te M rs. Quiu's going away when she did, it may have been simply that her health was suffer ing, he needed change, and went with his full ndvice and by his wish, nnd ha simply feels tee much contempt for gar rison gossip te explain. Very probably he knows nothing of the Bterlcs and the ories in cli dilation; I'm sure 1 did net until n rry few weeks age. Yeu knew, Perry, there nw bome men In gnrr!neii who hour and knew everything, nnd ethers who never hear n word of scan dal." But IYi ry wns low In his mind lie could net forget Quln's sudden appear uucej ids calling her Gladys; and then he hated the thought that it was Quia who saw him having that confounded tender Interview with Mrs. Belknap. Was there ever such a stie.il; of ill luck ns that? Ne doubt the fellow had told her about Itl Perry left Lawrence's that night very little comforted, nnd only ene gleam of hepe did lie recelve in the two days that followed. Mrs. Sprague joy fully beckoned him en Wednesday nfter nfter nfter ueon te rend him a little note that had just ceme from Miss Mnitland. Her father had been very ill, she wrote; his " condition was stttTcritical; but bhe scut a world of thanks te her kind entertain ers at Rossiter, and these werds: "I was sorry net te be nbh) te see Mr, Perry ngaln. De net let him think I hnve for fer gt.tten, or will be likely te forget, the service lie and Nelan did me." Of Dr. Quin he saw very little. With the full consent nnd knowledge of Cel. Bralnard, the doctor was spending a geed deal of time nt Dunraven new, at tending te Mr. Maitland. Indeed, there Eeetucd te be an excellent understanding between the commandant nnd his medi cal officer, nnd it was known that they had liad a long talk together. Upper circles In the garrison were still agitated with chat and conjecture (deut Gladys Maitlaud and her btrange father; Perry was still tortured witli questions about ids ene visit te Dunraven whenever he was be Incautious as te appear in public; but all through "the quarters," uvcry uvcry wheie among the rank and file, there was n subject that engrossed nil thoughts and tongues, and that was discussed with feeling that seemed te deepen with every day the approaching court martial of Sergt. Leary and of Trooper Kelly. As a. result of his investigation, Capt. Strykcr liad preferred charges against these two men the ene for leading and the ether for heinsc nccessery te the as sault en his stable sergeant. Gwynne was still at the hospital, though rapidly recovering from his injuries. Net a word had he said that would implicate or ac cuse any man; but Strykcr's knowledge of his soldiers, nnd his clear insight into human motiveand character, wcre such that he had readily made up hU mind ns te the facts in the case. He felt Eure that Leary and boiiie of the Celtic members of his company had determined te go down te Dunraven and "have it out" witli the hated Britons who had se affronted nnd nbused them the night of Perry's visit. They knew they could net get their horses by fair means, for Gwynne wns above suspicion. He was English, tee, nnd striving te shield ids countrymen from the threatened vengeance. They tliere tliere tliere foeo determined, in collusion with Kelly, te lure him eutside the stables, bind and gag him, get their horses, having ence ritled Uwyune of the keys, rlde down te the ranch, and, after having a Donny Denny brook fair en the premises, get back te Rossiter in jilcnty of time for reveille and stables. Ne sentries wcre posted In such n way as te interfere with them, nnd the plan wns feasible enough but for ene thing. Gwynne had made most gallant and spirited resistance, had fought the whele gang like n tiger, and they had ixcn unaoie te overpower him berore the nolse liad attracted the ntteutien of the sergeant of the guard and seme of the invnjn quarters. An effort, of ceun.0, was made te bhew that the nssaultlng party, uere fiem without, but it we futile, and Stryker's cress-questioning amens the men had convinced them Hint he knew all about the matter. Tliere wm only one conclusion, therefore, that Qwynne must have "given thatn nwny," as the troopers expressed It. Despite the fact that he had been as saulted nnd badly beaten, this was some thing that few could overlook, nnd the latent Jealousy against the "cockney sergeant" blared Inte n feeling of deep resentment. Garrison sympathy was with Leary and his fellows. Thursday came, and Sergt. Owynne returned te light duty, though his face was still bruised and discolored nnd he were n patch ever ene eye. He resumed chargoef the stables In the afternoon, after a brief conversation with his cap tain, nnd was superintending the issue of forage, when Perry entered te inspect the stalls of his platoon. Nelan was being led out by Ids groom nt the mo ment, and pricked up his tapering ears at sight of his master and thrust his lean muzzle te recelve the caress of the hand he knew se well. Perry stepped him and carefully and critically examined his knees, feeling down te the fetlocks with searching fingers for the faintest symptom of knot or swelling In the ten dons that had played their part se thoroughly In the drama of Monday. Satisfied, apparently, he rese and be stowed a few hearty pats en the glossy neck and shoulder, and then wns sur prised te find the stable sergeant stand ing cle30 beside him and regarding both him and herse with an expression that arrested Perry's attention at once. "Feeling all right again, sergeant?" he asked, Blinking te recall the non -commissioned officer te his senses. "Almest, sir. I'm a trifla stiff yet Anything wrong with Nelan, sir?" "Nothing, I gave lilra rather a tough run the ether day had te risk tlie prnl prnl reo deg holes and, though I felt no jar then, 1've watched carefully ever slnce te sce that he was net wrenched. 1 wish you would keep nn eye en him tee, will you?" Thcre was no answer. Perry had been looking ever Nelan's haunches as he spoke, and ohce mero turned te the ser geant. Te his astonishment, Owynne's lips wcre twitching and quivering, his hands, ordinarily held in tlie rigid pese of the English service extended nleng the thigh were clinching and working nervously, nnd something suspiciously like a tear was creeping out from under the patch. Befere Perry could recover from bin surprise the sergeant suddenly regained his bclf control, hastily raised his hand In salute, saying something half nrt.iculate in reply, and turned shnrply away, leaving Ills lieutenant gating after him in much perplexity. That night, just after tattoo roll call, when a little group of officers was gath ered at the colonel's gate, they wcre sud denly joined by Dr. Quin, who caine from the direction of the stable where he kept Ids herse In rear of his own quar ters. Cel. Bralnard greeted him warmly and Inquired after Ids patient at Dun raven. Every ene noted hew grnve nnd subdued wns the tene iu which the doc tor answered; "He is n very sick mnn, colonel, nnd it Is hard te say what will be the result of this seizure." "Yeu may want te go down again, doctor, If Hint be the case befere blck call te-morrow, I mean; nnd you had better take ene of my horses. I'll tell my man te have ene in readiness." "Yeu nre very kind, sir. I think old Brian will de nil the work needed. But I would like te go down nt reveille, as we have no men in hospital at all new. And, by the way, is Mr. Perry here?" "I am here," answered Perry coldly, ne was leaning against the railing, rather away from the group, listening intently, yet unwilling te meet or held conversation with the man he conceived te be se Inimical te his every hepe and Interest. "Mr. Parry," said the doctor, pleas antly, and utterly Ignoring the coldness of the young fellow's manner, "Mr. Maltland has asked te see you; nnd it would gratify him if you would ride down in the morning." Even In the darkness Perry fenred that nil would soe the Mush that leaped te his face. Summoned te Dunraven Ranch, by her father, with n possibility of see ing her! It was almost tee sweet! tee thrilling! He could give no reply for a moment, and an awkward sileuce fell en tlie group until he chokingly nnewered, "I shall be glad te go. What time?" "Better ride down early. Never mind breakfast. Miss Maltland will be glad te give you a cup of coffee, I fancy." AndlVrry felt as though the fence had taken te waltzing. .IIe made no answer, striving te regain his composure, and then the talk went en. It was Strykcr who was talking new; "Has the ring been found, doctor?" "Ne! That Is a most singular thing, and ene that worries the old gentleman a great deal. It had a history; it be longed te Mrs. Maitlnnd's father, who was from Ireland indeed, Ireland was lrer country, as it was my father's and that ring she had reset for her son Archie and gave it te him when he entered serv serv ice witli the Lancers. It was sent home with Ids watch r.nd ether property from Seuth Africa for bodied there and old Maitland always wero It afterwauls. Archie was the last of three sons; and it breke his heart." "And the ring was lest the night of Perry's adveuture there?" asked the col onel. "Yes. Mr. Perry remembers having seen it en his hand when the old gcntlo gcntle man first cainu down te receive him. It was missed afterwards, und could easily have slipped off nt any time, for his fin gers were withered with age and HI health. They hnve searched everywhere, nnd could find nothing of it. It could easily have rolled off the veranda en te the grass during Ids excitement nt the timoef the row, and somebody may have picked it up cither among the ranch men or among tlie troopers." "I hate te think that any of our men would take it," said the colonel ufter n pause. "I de net think any of them would, with the idea of belling It," said Strykcr; "but here Is a casj where it was picked up, possibly, as ene of tlie spoils of war. I have had inquiry made throughout tlie troop, but witli no result se far. De you go down again te-night, doctor?" "Net if 1 can nveid it. I am going new te try nnd sleep, nnd will net ride down till daybreak unless signaled for. Geed night, colonel; geed night, nil." Unless signaled feri Instinctively Perry edged closer te Lawrence, who liad steed ii silent listener te tlie conversation, and Lawrence turned nnd saw him and knew the thought that must be upper most hi hia miud. Tliere was n moment of perfect silence, and then Lawrence speke; "Dees anybody knew what the signal is?" "Certainly," eald Cel. Bralnard, promptly. "IIe has explained the whole Hung te me. These were bignals for him that we b-w the night jeu were nil en my gallery. It was an arrangement de vised by their old nurse she who came up with the carriage for Miss Maltland the ether day. She had u regular old fashioned headlight and reflector, and. when Mr. Maltland was se ill as te need a doctor, used te notify Quln in that way. He sometimes failed te bee It, and I have given orders today that the guard should waie Idtn when It Is seen here-afUr." "Then that was what tbose mysterious night lights meant that we have heard se muchubetit during the last three weeks?" asked Mr. Dana. "Certainly," nnswered Bralnard. "What en earth did anybody suppose they inennt?" Te this there was no response for a moment. Then Lawrence burst out laughing. CTIAITER XVL MM fig ATE that night Mr. Per ry left his quarters nnd strolled out en the walk that bounded the parade. He could net sleep; he was feverishly Impatient for the coming of another day, that he might start forth en his ride te Dunra ven. A "spin" around the parade or out en the starlit prairie might soetho his nerves nnd enable him te sleep. All lights wcre out in the quadrangle, save tliose at the guard house. Even at Belknap's quaiters, where the veranda had been thronged with officers and la dies only an hour befere, all wns new si lence nnd darkness. Unwilling te attract attention by tramping up nnd down en the beard walk, he crossed the read and went out en the bread level of tlie pa rade, but took care be te direct his steps as net te ceme within hailing distance of the guard heuse. It would be awkward work explaining the situation te the ser geant of the guard in case the sentry were te bee or hear nnd challenge him. He edged well ever te his left ns he walked, and se it happened Hint lie found himself, after a while, opposite the northeast entrance te the pest, and clese te the read en which steed the commis sary nnd quartermaster Btutwheuscs. There was a 6eutry posted here, tee, and It would net de te be challenged by him any mero than by "Number One." Stepping n moment te listen for tlie sentry's footfall. Perry's ear was at tiacted by the sound of n deer slowly and cautiously opened. It was Reme little time befere he could tell from which ene of the neighboring buildings, looming there In the darkness, tlie bound proceeded. Then he heard muffled foot steps and n whispered consultation net far away, and hurrying en tintee In the direction of the sound he presently Icaught sight of two or three shadowy forms moving noiselessly nleng the perch of the company quarters nearest him. Stryker's troop, that te which he belonged, was quartered down beyend the guard heuse en the lower side of the parade; these forms were issuing from the barracks of Capt. Wayne's troop. nnd before Perry could realize the fact that they were out either in moccasins or their stocking feet, and presumably tlierefore en seme unlawful enterprise, they had disappeared around the corner of the building. He walked rapidly thither, turned the corner nnd they wcre newhere in sight or hearing. Stepping te listen did net help matters at nil. He could net hear u sound, and as for the (shadows of which he was in pursuit, it was simply imosslble te tell which di rection they liad taken. They had van ished from tlie fuce of the earth nnd wcre lest in tlie deeper gloom that hung about tlie scattered nrray of wooden buildings stere houses, fuel sheds nnd cook Biieds at the rear of tlie pest. Had it been his own troop he could have reused the first sci grant and order ed a "check" roll call na n mcansxef de termining at ence who the night prowl ers might be; but Capt. Wayne had his peculiarities, nnd ene of them wa3 nn unaltorable nnd deeply rooted objection te nny interference en tlie part of ether officers in the management of his men. Perry's first thought, tee, was of the sta bles nnd Sergt. Gwynne. Were they meditating another foray, and had tlie feeling spread eutside their own com pany? Ne time was te ba lest. IIe turn ed his face eastward te where the dark outlines of the stables could be dimly traced ngainst the-sky, and hastened, stumbling nt times ever stray in cans and ether discarded rubbish, until he crossed the intervening swnle nnd reach ed tlie low bluff nleng which the crude. unpainted structures wero ranged. All was darkness here towards the northern end, nnd the one sentry who had exter nal charge of the cntire line was slowly pacing bis pest; Perry could seohisferm, dimly outlined, ns iie breasted the slepe, nnd it determined him te keep en in the hollow until he get te a point opposite tlie stables of his own troop. If tliere was te be any devilment it might be well te see whether this Beldier, tee, would turn out te be In league with tlie con cen con ppiraters. Listening intently as he hur ried along, but hearing nothing. Perry eoen found himself at tlie pathway lead ing te his own domain, nnd the next niinute wns gazing iu surprise nt n, light burning dimly in the window of the lit teo room occupied by Sergt. Gwynne; there was net a glimmer dsowlicre along the line. Sti iding up te the window, he tapped lightly, nnd Gwynne's voice sternly challenged from within, "Who's there?" "Lieut. Perry, sergeant. Come around nnd open the stable deer for me." "One moment, sir," was the nnswer, and he heard the sergeant bounding, np parently, off his bed. Then n hand diew aside the shade, nnd Gwynne's face ap peared nt the window, while a small lan tern was held se as te tluew its rays en the face without, "All right, sir," he continued. "I thought i could net be deceived in the voice." Perry walked around te the front again, taking another survey of the sleeping garrison us lie did se, and listening ence mero for footsteps; but nil was still. Presently the little panel in the big deer was unlocked from within, nnd the lieu tenant bent low nnd entered, finding Gwynne, lantern lu hand, standing in Ids uncompromising attitude of "attention" nt tlie entrance. "everything been quiet here te-night?" he asked, as he straightened up. "Perfectly se, sir." "Come into your room n moment; 1 want te speak te you," Raid Perry, after a moment's reflection. They passed nleng the bread gangway between the rows of sleepy horses, borne lying down in their stalls, ethers still nfoet nnd munching nt their hay. The stable guard steed at his pest and faced them ni they turned Inte the dark and narrow passage leading Inte Gwynne's little sanctuary. The lamps nleng the line of stalls burned low and dim, and, the ports being lowered, gave no gleam without the walls. Once mere, however, a bright light slione from tlie window of the stnblesergeant'd room brighter than before, could they only knew it, for tills time thcre was no intervening shade. After his brief inspection of the lieuten ant' face, Gwytne had left it drawn. The scrpeant set ids lauUrn en n '-' wooden desk, nd respectfully , waited for his superior ie speak. Perry looked him well ever a moment, and then be gan: "Did you tell Capt. Btrykcr the partic ulars of your rough treatment down there at the ranch?" "The rough treatment yes, sir." "Would you mind telling me whera you were taken? where you saw Dr. Qulnr The sergeant hesitated one moment, a troubled leek en his face. HU one available eye studied til lieutenant' features attentively. Something in the frank, kind blue eyes possibly some sudden recollection, tee seemed te reas reas sure him. "It was te Mr. Cowan's little house, sir, He Interpased te save me from a worse beating at the hands of three brutes who were employed there and had some grudge against this garrison of which I was Ignorant They attacked me without a word of warning. It was he, tee, who called in Dr. Quln." "Have you did you sce any of the people at Dunraven besides this young man?" "I saw his mother, sir. She Is a nurse tliere, and has been In the family for years, I am told." Perry was silent a moment. Then he spoke ngv'n: "Have you heard any furthrcr threats amqng the men here since the arrest of Sergt. Leary?" Gwynne hesitated, coloring painfully: "It is something I hate te speak of, sir. Tlie talk has net alarmed me in the least." "I knew that, sergeant. All the same we want te prevent a recurfence of that performance, and it was that, mainly, that brought me ever here. I saw some men stealing out of M troop's quarters awhile age, and lest them in the dark ness. I thought they might be coming ever here, and get here first." Gwynne's face lighted up. It touched him te knew his officers wcre en the lookout for his safety. "I have heard nothing, sir. The men would hardly be npt te speak te rae en the subject, since tlie affair of the ether night What I fear is simply this that tliere Is an clement here in the regiment that is determined te get down there te the ranch and have satisfaction for the assault that was made en you and your party. Ihey need horses in order te get thcre and back between midnight and reveille, and nre doubtless hatching sotne plan. They failed here; new they may try the stables of eouie ether troop or the quartermaster's. Shall I warn the sen try that tliere are prowlers out to night?" "Net yet. They will hardly make the attempt while your light is burning here. What I'm concerned about just new is this: We all knew that there is deep sympathy for Leary in the command, and It is net improbable that among the Irishmen there is corresponding feeling against you. I don't like your being here alene just new, for they knew you nre almost the only witness against him." "I have thought of that, sir," answered Gwynne, gravely, "but I want nothing that leeks like protection. The captain has spoken of the matter te me, and he agreed, sir, that It would de mero hnrm than geed. Tliere Is ene thing I would ask if I may trouble the lieutenant." "What Is it, sergeant?" "I have a little packet, containing seme papers and a trinket or two, that I would like very much te have kept safely, and. if anything Blieuld happen te me, te have you, sir, and Capt. Strykcr open it, and the letters there will explain every thing that Is te be done." "Certainly. I will take care of it for you If net tee valuable" "I would rather knew it was with you, sir, than stew it In the quartermaster's safe," w.i3 Gwynne's answer, as he opened a little wooden chest nt the feet of his bunk, nnd, after rummaging n moment, drew forth a parcel tied nnd scaled. This he handed te the lieutenant. "New I will go back nud notify the officer of the guard of what I have Been," said Perry; "and I want Nelan, caddlcd, ever at my quarters right nftcr morning stable). Will you eee te it?" "I will, sir. and thank you for your kindness." AH was darkness, ail silence and peace as Perry retraced his Bteps and went back te the garrison, carrying tlie little packet in Ids hand. He went direct te the guard Iioube, and found Mr. Graham sulky ever being disturbed in Ids snoezo by tlie sentry's challenge. "What the devil are you ewllng around this tlme of night for?" was the net unnatural question. "I thought it was tlie officer of tCie day, and nearly breke my neck In hurrying out here." But Perry's brief recital of the fact that he had seen seme men stealing out of the quarters of M troop in their stock ing feet or 'moccasins put nn end te Gra ham's complaints. Hastily summoning the sergeant of the guanl, he started out te make tiie rounds of his sentries, while Perry carried Ids packet home, locked it in Ids desk, and then returned te the veranda te await developments. Sergt. Gwynne, meantime, having lighted ids young officer te the btable deer, steed thcre n few moments, look ing ever the silent garrison and listening te the retreating footsteps. Tlie sentry came pacing along the front of Hie sta bles, nnd brought his carbine down from the shoulder as he dimly sighted the tall figure; but, recognizing the stable ser geant as he came nearer, tlie ready chal lenge died en Ids lips. "1 thought I heard somebody moving around down here, 6crgeant. It wns you, then, wasjt?" "I have been moving around Inside but made no noise. Have you heard footsteps or voices?" "Beth, I thought; but it's as black ns your hat en this beat te-night I can't see my hand nfore my face." "Keep your ears open, then; there are men out from ene of the quarters, at least, and ue telling what they are up te. Who's in charge at tlie quartermaster's stables?" "Sergt. Rcilly.ef the Infantry; seme of the fellows were ever having a little game witli him befere tattoo, and 1 heard him tell 'em te ceme ugaln when they had mero money te lese. He and his helper tliere were laughing at the way they cleaned out the cavalry when they were locking up at taps. The boys fetched ever a bettle of whisky with em." "Who were they?" "Oh, thcre was Flanagan and Murphy, of M troop, and Corporal Donevan and en or two ethers. They hadn't been drlnklu'." "But Riley had de you mean?" "ne was a little full; net much." "Well, leek nllve new, Wicks. It's my advice te you that you watch that end of your pest witli all your eyes." And with this Sergt. Gwynne turned back into the stable, picked up his lan tern nud returned te tlie little room in which he slept A current of cool night nlr, blowing in through the open caso case ment, attracted ids attention, Oddl IIe knew he had pulled aside the shade te scan the features of the lieutenant when lie tapped nt the, pane, but lie could net recall having opened the b.vdi. It swung en a binge, and was fastened by a loe-i-ly fitting belt. Perhaps the rLlng wind had blown it in. lie set his l.smp down 04 before, closed the sash and then closed ana leckM tee ud of an enest -mat, tee, was pea. Wicks, the sentry, well $, up te the north end of hi pest and close te the entrance of the quartermaster's corral, was bawling: "Half past 13 o'clock, and a-all'e well," when the light went out In Gwynne's little room, and all the line of stables was wrapped la darkness. Perry fretted around the veranda until 1 o'clock, then sought his room. Ue was till tee excited te sleep, and It seemed an interminable tlme before he dozed off. Then it seemed as though he could net have been In dreamland five minutes be fore a hand was laid upon his shoulder, shaking him vigorously, and a veice he well knew was exclaiming, in low but fercible tenes: "Wnke, lieutenant, wakel Every herse Is geno from the quartermaster's corral. Tliere must be twenty men gene down the valley. I've Nelan here for you at the gate." In ten minutes Lieut Perry and Sergt Owynne were riding neck and neck out ever the eastern prairie out towards the paling orient stars nnd the faintly gleaming sky befere them, several miles away, tiie dark nnd threatened walls of Dunraven, behind them the stir and excitement nnd bustle eon se quent upon a night nlarui. The colonel, reused by Perry with the news, had or dered the Instant sounding of the assem bly, and the garrison was tumbling out for roll call. CHAPTER XVII. W T THE liead of n pcore of his own men, Capt. Strykcr rede forth some fifteen minutes later. His erdeis from Cel. Braiuard were te go te Dunraven, nnd, if he found the marauder.) there, tn arrest the cntire party and bring them back te the est. Frem nil that could be learned from hur ried questioning of tlie hentrles and tlie dazed, half drunken sergeant of the cor ral, the troopers engaged in tlie raid must have selected a time when the sen try was walking towards the south end of his pest te lift ene of their number ever the wall of the inelosure in which were kept the wagons and ambulances. Tills man ha 1 unbarred from within tlie gate leading eastward te I be trail down which the "stock" was driven daily te water in tlie Menee. Riley admitted that "the boys" had left a bettle with him which he nnd his assistant had emptied befere turning in, nnd be it hap pened that, unheard and unseen, the raiders had managed te clip out witli a dozen horses that were kept tliere nnd had also taknn rix mulp3 ns "mounts" for tliose who could net find anything better. Eighteen men, apparently, were hi the party, and the gentry en Number Three heard licef beats down towards the v;U ley about half past 3 o'clock, but thought it was only hoiue of the ponies belonging te the Cheyenne scouts. Tliere was one comfort the men had taken no firearms witli them; for n hurried inspection of the company quarters showed that the carbines were nil in their racks und the revolvers in their cases. Some of tlie men might have small caliber pistols of their own, but tlie government ninis liad net been disturbed -"Half the party, at least, intiHt have ridden bareback nnd with only watering bridles for their steeds. They wrre indeed 'spoiling for a fight," nnd the result of the roll call showed that the iiiisf;n troopers were all Irishmen and M:no of l.ie best nnd most popular men iu the command Whatever their plan, thought Stiyker, ns he trotted down te the Monre, it was probably carried out by this time. it was new within a niinute of 4 o'clock. Only a mile out he was overtaken by Dr. Quin, who leined up nn iustnnt te ask if any ene had been sent ahead. "Thank Ged for thatt" he exclaimed, when told that Perry nnd Sergt Gwynne had geno at the first ularm. then, strik ing spurs te his horse, pushed en at rapid gallop, while tlie troopers maintained their steady trot. A mile from Dun raven, in the dim light of early morning the captain's keen eyes caught sight of shadowy forma of mounted men en the opjiesito bhere, and, despite their "fferts toe.-capeon their wearied steed three of them were speedily run down nnd captured. One of them was Cerp. Dono Deno Done van, and Donevan's face was wliite and Ids manner agitated. Bidding him lido nlougside as they pushed ahead towards the ranch, Strykcr questioned him ns te what had taken place, and the corporal never sought te equivecate: "We've been trying for several nights, sir, te get horses and go down and have it out with tliose blackguards at the ranch. We took no arms, sir, even tliose of us who had pistols of our own. AH we asked was a fair fight, man against man. They wouldn't ceme out of their hole they dnsn't de it, sir and then they fired en us. We'd have burned the reef ever their heads, but that Lieut. Perry galloped in and stepped us. I came away then, sir, nnd se did most of us. We knew 'twas nil up when we saw the lieutenant; but tliere was mero fir ing after 1 left. This way, captain. Out across tlie prairie here. We cut down the fence en this side." And se saying, Donevan led the little troop te a bread gnp in the wide barrier, and thence straight across the fields te where lights were seen Hitting about in tlie dark shadows of tlie buildings of tlie rancli. Anether moment, and Stryker had dis mounted and was kneeling beeide the prestrate and unconscious form of his lieutenant Sertio misguided ranchman, mistaking for a new assailant the tall young soldier who galloped Inte the midst of the swarm of taunting Irish men, had fired the cruel shot. Thcre lay Nelan dead upon the sward, nnd here, clese at hand, his grief stricken master had finally swooned from less of bleed, the bullet having pierced Ids leg below the knee, Beside him knelt the docter: he had cut away the natty riding beet, and was rapidly binding up the wound. Cleso nt hand steed Gwynne, a world of anxiety and trouble in his bruised and still discolored face. Grouped around were seme of the as sailing party, crestfallen nud dLjuiayed nt the unioekod for result of their foray, but ashamed te attempt te ride away, new that their faverite young officer was sere stricken as a result of their mad felly. Mr. Ewcn, tee, had ceme out, and was bustling about, giving direc tions te the ene or two of ids hands who liad ventured forth from the office build ing. The big frame heuse under whose walls the group was gathered was evi dently used as a dormitory for a number of men, and thU had been tlie objective point of the attack, but n-it n soul liad issued from its portals; tfce occupants were the men who msJe thg assault ea ""mI ijr- pm f ..HSa3 x& r -M Ur', ?,fi&'.rY s-" s Vfr-a ?y;.
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