i'-ssn tffiE LAHCASTEK DAILY INTELLIGENCE!, SATURDAY, MAKCH 29. 1890. KS.I, .r pit' ,! ' ' '' i .1 '.MgTK ? Iraki By Capt Charles King, U. S. A. Auther of "Dcsraveh Rakch," "Tiik Ceumcel's DMJanTKH," "Marien's Faith," Etc. Copyright, by J. D. Llpplncett Company, Philadelphia, end published by pccUl arrangement with Uicm.) CHAPTER Jfirfir Clancy struggling n the grasp of tue or three soldiers. ft wfld -niw trntinvfltlf? L'nAWII flllWIirdl- out eri vvarrcner ny lueuutnun wu following morning that Mr. Hayne liad returned te duty nnd was ene of the first officers te nppcar at the matinee. Onca mero tlie colonel had risen from 1)1 chair, taken hini by the hand nnd wel comed liiui. Tliis time he expressed the hope that nothing would new occur te prevent their seeing him dally. "Won't you ceme into the club room?" asked Capt. Gregg, afterwards. "We will be pleased te have you." "Excuse me, captain, I shall be en gaged all morning," answered Mr. IJayne, and walked en down the row. Nearly all the officers wera strolling away in groups of three or four, Hayne ntbw1 nnet Itinm nil Uftllt nntflr futl. XI. s, dierly step and almost nggrcssive man Eft, twr. Tinil tvna nnnn far nliead. Ml bv him- j&4 self. Finding It an unprofitable sub- g jeet, there had been liltle talk between W. the two recitnents as te what Mr. Hayne's status should be en hia reap pearance. Evcryledy heard that he had s somewhat rudely spurned the advances of Ress and his companions. Indeed, Ress had told llie story with strong col oring te mero than half the denizens of officers' row. Evidently he desired no further friend ship or intercourse w ith his brother blue etrarw. and enlv a few of the cavalry BS-ti Afllnnfa Mi.t1 1,1a c.tnti ntt nnfln IT.. a? "r."'.,". .. ',",:7.7 ."".. :.. iiiayuu ucugiiuuiij ; nu wiw wuu it-uu jUbut in general talk he was net entertain ling. "Altogether tee Fcpulchral or at i Bj: least funereal," explained thecavalry. i lie never laughs, ami rarciy sinties, ? and he's us glum as a Quaker niectiiig," Ifp was another complaint. Se n social sue &cesswaB hardly te be predicted for Mr. IgHayne. PsT While he could net be invited where gi just a few infantry peeple were the ether K guests, from a big general gathering or mfperty he, of course, could net be emit- 1 4 tea j but there lie would li.ie liiscav &alrv and medical friends te talk te. and k then there was Mai. Waldren. It was a pj grievous pity that there should be such O, VUU1UU I. LKJ IIL'JJICIJ. J13 11IU ICUIIUIIIUI mh: mlmftinf lintl t'ltd Tlnxnn lilmcrtir una wse rrj ." "r . - --,"- ---- '$S tue mam eubtncie 10 ins resioraiieu te KiJ. OTi.t.t.n.il.il f. Inml.litn Kn limn t lm l.'y ICJjIlllUHDI Al ,llluaiMJ'. 1W ...Mi. .. .l. S PiQues uimseii en me iicnei mai no is about te de a irtueus and praisewerthy act will be apt te persevere w hen the object of his bcnavolcnce treats him -with cold contempt. If Mr. llayne saw tit te rcpudlate the civilities a few offi cers essayed te extend te him, no ethers would subject themselves te similar re buffs; and if he could stand the status aue, whv. the reciment could; and that, said the Hitlers, was the end of the matter. But it was net the end, by a geed deal. Seme few of the ladies of the infantry, actuated by Mrs. Ray ncr'8 elicinent ex--positieuof thocasej-had aligned them--selves en horeideaB against the pest com mander, and by their general conduct sought te convey te the colonel and te the ladles wiie were present at thefliut dinner given Mr. llajne thorough ilib-ip-preval of their course. This put the ij, cavalry people en their mettle nnd led te s;. n.. ..! i .. K. a uivisien in me garrison; aim an jtiuj. wuiuruu wu3, in jiiitt. jutiicra ujv, equally culjiable w ith the colonel, it se resulted thattwoerthreo infantry house hold., together with seme unmarried subalterns, were arraj ed socially against their own battalion commander as well as against the grand panjandrum at pest headquarters. If it had net been for the determined attitude of Mr, Ha no him self, the garrison might bpeedily have been resehed into two parties llayne and anti-IIayne sympathizers; but the whole bearing of that young ui.ui wns fiercely repellent of sy nip ithy; he w euld have none of it. "Hayne's Kiitien," said Maj. Waldren, "is practically this; beholds that no man who has Ixune him self as he has during the-e llve years denied himself ever) thing that he might make upeterycent tint was lest, though he was in nowise icspeiihible for the lea could by nny possibility hae been guilty of the charges en w hich he was tried. Frem this he will net abate one jet or tittle; nnd he icfuses new tore store te his friendship the men who re pudiated him in his y ears of trouble, ex cept en their profession of faith in his entire innocence." New, this was something thecaalrf could net de without semu impeachment of the evidence w hich was heaped up against the peer fellow at the tiuie of the trialf and it wns something the infantry wewid net de, because thereby they wewd virtually pronounce one, at least, of weir own officers te hau repeatedly andFpersistently gu en false testimony. the case et wulureu mm the cavalry, ?r however, it was possible for llayne te ' return their calls of courtesy, lecause they, having never "bent him te Ceven- fa try," received him precisely us they '' would recclve any ether officer. With the Killers it was different. Ilawng once "cut" him ns though by unanimous accord, and ha ing taught the young of ficers joining year trier y ear te regard him as a criminal, they could Ijo restored te Mr. Hayne's friendship, as has been said before, only "en confession of error." If Buxton and two or three of his stamp- W called or left their cai us en Mr. llayne yr liecause their colonel had se done; but fl precUely as theceremeuy w as performed, . just se was it returned. Vj i Ituxten was ml wan wrath eier what be termed Hay ne's conceited and super cilious maimer when leturning his cull: "I called upon him like a gentleman, by thunder, just te let him understand I wanted te help him out of the mire, and told him if there was anything I could de for him that a gentleman could de, net te katltate ..about letting me knew; and t. Id i Mb came te, my house today, )M 0te't FatrtwUa !- talted te me aiieut tne I'levnn siege, nnd wanted te discuss Oourke nnd the Hal Hal Hal knnsorsemo ether feel thing: what in thunder have I te de with campaigns In Turkey? nnd I thought he meant these nigger soldiers the British have In India Ooerkhas, I knew new and I did tell him it wad nn nwful blunder, that only a Russian would make, te take these Sepey fellow s and put 'cm Inte a winter cam paign. Of ceurse I hadn't been booking up the subject, nnd he had, nnd sprung it en me; and then, by gad, na he was go ing, he said he had book mid limps he would lend me, nnd if there um any thing he could de for me that a gentleman could de, net te hesitate nlxut asking. Damn his impudence!" l'oer Buxtetil One of his Idiosyncrasies was te talk wisely te thn juniors en the subject of European camp ilgns mid te criticise the inevcn of generals whose very names nnd centuries were entang ling snares. His own subalterns were, unfortunately for him, nt the heuse when If ay no called, and when he, eh was his went, began te expound en current mili tary topics. "A little learning" even he had net, and the dangcieun thing that that would have been wan supplanted by something quite as bad, if net woise. lie was trapicd and thrown by the quiet mannered infantry sub.ilUru, nnd It was all Messrs. Freeman and Reyco could de te restrain llicii impulse te rush after Hayne and cmbrare him. Buxton was cordially detested by his "biibi," and well knew they would tell the filmy of his defeat, he Iio made n v irtue of neces sity and cauie out w ith his own version. TiieirH was far inen. ludicrous, and, whlle it inaile Mr. llayne funieiw, lie gained another enemy. The tli could net fall te notion hew coon nfter that all social recognition ceased letwccii their bulky captain and the pale, slender sub altern; and Mrs. lliixten and Mrs. Ray ner became suddenly infatuated with each ether, w bile their lords were seldom seen except together. All this time, hevcer, Miss Travers was making friends throughout the gar rison. Ne ene ever presumed te discuss the llayne affair In her presence, beeause of her relationship te the Rayners, nnd yet Mm. Wnldien had told leviralpco leviralpce leviralpco ple hew delightfully she and Mr. JIayiic had siciit nn afternoon tegelTier. Did net Mis. Rayner declare that Mrs. Wnl Wnl dren was n woman who told every thing she knew, or words te that effect? It is safe te say that the garrison wxs greatly intercbtul in the story, Hew Ktrnnze it was that he should have had n tete-a tele with the'sislui of Ids bitterest fee! When did they meet? Had they met since? Would they meet ngain? All these were questions eagerly discussed, y et nev er asked of the parties thcmsel ves, Mr. Ilnynu'it reputation for Biiubbing peeple htaiiding him in excellent stead, and Miss Trm era' quiet dignity and re re serve of manner befng tee much for these who would hani given a geed deal te gain her confidence. Hut there was Mrs. Rayner. She, nt least, w ith nil her high nnd mighty ways, was no unappieachablu ci'.iture when it catiin te finding out wlinl she thought of ether peeple's con din l. B.t half n deen, at le.ist, had mere or less confidentially asked if hhe kiiuw of Mr. Hayne nnd Miss Travers' meeting. Indeed she did; and shu had given Nellle her opinion of her conduct very decidedly. It was Capt. Rayner himself w he interpetrd, shen.iiil, and for bade hei iipbialdlug Nellie any further. Nellie lxing either in an adjoining room or up in her own en seveial occasions when tliese quel ics weie (impounded te her sister, it gees without saying that that estimable woman, after the manner of her sex, had elevated her teicu in re sponding, se that theiu was no possibil ity of the wicked girl's failing te get the full benefit of tliti scourging she de served. Rayner had indeed positively feibiddeu her further lebul.ing Nellie; but the man does net live who can pro pre vent ene woman's punishing another se long ns bin) can get within earshot, and MiusTrav us was piyiug dearly for her independence. It cannot Ui estimated just hew great a disappointment her -il te the faul tier was prev ing te that young lady, sim ply because she kept her own counsel. There vv ere w omen in thogairiseii who longed te take her te their hearts and homes, bhe wu.s se fresh and puru and sweet and w inning, they said; but hew could they when hcmmler would iccog icceg iccog uize them only by the coldest Kssllie nod? Nellie was net happy, that was cei tain, though bhe. undo no complaint, and though the young officers who were daily her devotees declaied she was blight and attractive us she could he. There w ere still frequent dances and lur- ties in t be gairisen; but Match was neatly lent, anil the weather had U'cnsovile and blustering that they could net meve beyond the limits of the pest. April might bring n cbauge for the better in the weather, but Miss Travers wondered hew it could better her position. It is haul for n weunii of spirit te be materially dependent en any one, and Miss Ti avers was virtually dependent en tier bi ether-iii-law. The little share of her father's haul savings was spent en her education. Once free from school, she was bound te nnethcr apprenticeship, and sister Kate, though indulgent, fend and proud, lest no opertunlty of telling her hew much she owed te Capt. Ray ner. It get te be n fearful w eight befere the first summer was well ever. It was the main secret of her ncceptance of Mr. Van Antwerp. And new, until bhe would consent te inine the day that bheuld bind her for life te him, bhe had no home hut such us Kate Rayner could offer hei; nnd Kate was bitteily offended at hei, 'lhere was just one (.bunce te end it new mid forever, and teielleve her bister mid the captain of the burden of, her suppeit. Could she make up her mind te de it? Aud Mr. Van Antwerp offeed the opportunity. Be far from breaking with her, as bhe half expected se far from leliig even angry aud reproachful en receiving the letter bhe had written telling him nil about her meetings with Mr. llayne he hid written again uud ng'dii, reproach ing himself for his doubts and fears, begging her forgiveness for having writ ten und telegraphed te Kate, humbling himself befere iter in the most abject way, and imploring her te recensidei her diteiminatien uud te let him write te Capt. and Mrs Ray ner te return te their eastern home at once, that the marriage might take place forthwith und he could bear her aw ay te Europe in May, Letter after letter came, eager, impleilng, full of tendercst love and devotion, full of the saddest apprehension, never ro re ro preichlng, never doubting, never com manding or restraining. Theuian had found the w ay te touch a woman of her gMsreua nature: he bad laft all te bar; no was at ner mercy, nnd she knew well that he laved her fervently and that te leso her would well nigh break bis heart Could she say the word and be free? Surely, ns this man's wife there would be no serfdom; and, yet, could she wed n man for whom she felt no spark et lever They went down te the creek ene flne morning early in April. There had been a sudden thaw of the snows up the gorges of the Reckies, and the stream bad overleaped its banks, spread evei the low lands and flooded seme bread depressions in the prairie. Then, capri cieus as a woman's moods, the wind! wmsiicu nreuim irem me norm ene night and bound the lakelets in a bend of ice. The skating was gorgeous, and all the pretty ankles en the pest were re joicing in thb opportunity befere the set ting of another sun. Coming homeward nt luncheon time Mrs. Rayner, Mrs. Bux ton, Miss Travers and one or two ethers, escorted by n squad of bachelors, strolled somewhat slowly along Prairie avenue towards the gate. It se happened that the married ladies were foremost in the little parly, when who should meet them but Mr. Hayne, coming from the cast gale! Mrs. Rayner and Mrs. Bux ton, though passing him almost elbow te elbow, looked straight ahead or other ether w ise avoided his eye. He raised bis for age cap in general acknowledgment of the presence of ladies with the officers, but glanced coldly from ene te the ether until his blue eyes lighted en Miss Trav ers. Ne woman In that group could fail te nete the leap of sunsliine nnd gladness te his face, the instant Hush that rese te his check. Miss Travers herself saw it quickly, as did the maiden walking just Itehiiid her, nnd her heart bounded at the sight. Bhe bowed as their eyes met, spoke his name in low tene, nnd streve te hide her face from Mr. lllake, who turned ceiuph tely around and stble n sudden glance nt her. She could no mere ncceunt for than uhe could control It, but her face was burning. Mrs. Ray ner, tee, looked around and stared at her, but this she met firmly, her dark eyes never quailing before the angry glare in her sister's, lllake was begin ning te like Hayne and te dislike Mrs. Ray ner, nnd he always did llke mischief. " Yeu ew e me a grudge, Miss Travers, if you did but knew it," he said, se that all could hear. "Yeu, Mr. Ulakel Hew can that Iks possible." "I spoiled n berenade for you n few nights age. I was officer of the day, nuil caught sight et a man gazing up ut your window after midnight. I felt sure he w as going te sing; se, like a geed fellow, I ran ever te play an ac companiment, and then would you be lieve it? he wouldn't slug, after nil." Slie was white new. Her eyes wete gniug almost imploringly nt him. Something warned him te held his IK'aee, nnd he broke off short. "Who was it? Oh, de tell us, Mr. Ulakel" were the exclamations, Mrs. Rayner being most impctueiis,iu herdo herde mands. Again lllake caught the appeal ill Miss Travers' eyes. "That's w hat 1 wjant te knew," he re sponded, mendaciously. "When I woke up next morning, the whole thing was a dieaiii, and I couldn't fix the fellow at all." There wns n chorus of disappointment ami indignation. The idea of spoiling such n gem of a sensation! Rut lllake took It all complacently until he get home. Then it lcgan te worry him, Wus it possible that she knew he was there? That night there was n distuihaiicc in the gau Isen. dust after 10 o'clock, and whlle the wiiti ies were calling off the hemr, n woman's shrieks and cries were heard ever behind the quarters of Com Cem pmy II nnd clene te the cottage occupied by Lieut. Hay no. The officers of the gu,u d inu te the spot with beveial men, mid found l'rivate Clancy struggling mid ku earing in the giasp of two or three beldieis, while Mrs. Cliucy was impleilng them net te let him go be was wild lll.e again; it was drink; he had the hoirers, and was h-itiu' her while bhe was tryin'teget him home. And Clancy's npearaiice lieirc out her words. Hu was wild ami drunken, but he hwoie he meant no harm; he stiugghd haul for fieedem; he vowed he only wanted te see the lieutenant nt his quartern; and Mr, Hiiyiiu, lamp in hand, hud ceme upon the scene and wns btilving te quiet the woman, who only bcic.imed uud pro tested the louder. At his quiet eidct the soldiers released Clancy, and the man stixid pitlent and subordinate. "Did you want te bee me, Clancyf asked Mr. Hayne. "Askln' yer pardon hir, I did," began the man, unsteadily, and evidently strug gling with the fume's of tholiqiierhchad been diluklng; but liefore he could speak again, Mrs. Clancy's shrieks rang out en the still air: "Oil, for the loveof (led, hew Id him, some e' ye'st He'll kill him! He's mad, 1 say ! bliure 'tis 1 that knew him best Oh, blessed Vargin, bave usl Don't let him loose, Misther lbsteil" shebcieamed te the officer of the guard, w he at that moment appeared en the full inu. "What's the tieublcV" he asked, breath lessly. "Clancy seems te have lie-eu thinking, and wants te talk with me about some thing, Mi. roster," bald Hayne, quietly. "He belong te my company, and 1 will be responsible that he gees home. It is leally Mis. Clancy that is making all the trouble." "Oh, for the levu of Gxl, heai him, new, whin the man was temin' the hair e' me this minute! Oh, hew Id him, men! Slitue 'tis Capt. Riyuei wild niver let him go." Jk "What's the nijttcrjf MrsClancy?" spoke n quick, htern v elee, and Ray ner, vv ith face white as a bheet, cuddeuly steed In their midst. "Oli, Oed lie praised, It's here ye are, captin! Shuro it's Clancy, bir, dhruuk, bir, nnd luuuin' leund the garrison, and balin' ine, bir." "Take him te the guard house, Mr. roster," was the stein, budden Older. "Net n vv erd, Clancy," as the man btiove te speak. "Off with him, and if he gives you nny trouble, bend for me." And us the oer fellow was led nvvay, silence fell iiKit the group. Sirs. Clancy lieana wail of mingled lellef and mis ety, which the captain ordered her te cease nnd go home. Jlore men came hutryingte the spot, and pre-ently the efflcei of the day. "It is all right new," said Rayner te the litter. "One of my men Clancy w as out here drunk and raising u low. 1 have bent htm te the guard house. Oe back te your quarters, men, Come, captain, will you walk ever home with me?'' "Was Mr. Hayne here when the row eccutied'f" asked the cavalryman, look ing as though he wanted te hear some thing from the young officer who steed a silent w itness. "I den t knew," replied Uayner. "It makes no difference, captain. It is net a case of witne-haes. 1 shan't prefer charges against the nan. Come!" And he diew him hastily away. llayne btoed watching them as they disapiieared beyond the glimmer of Ids lamp. Then a band was placed en bis arm: "Did you notice Cant. Ravtier's face- Ids lijw? He w as ashen as death." "Come in here with me," was there ply; and, turning, Huyue led the pest urge i&te the beuse. t CHAPTER XIL The Utile forage cap ca raded tctth eour eeur teems gi ace. There was an unit ual scene at the matinee the follewim morning. When Capt. Ray relieved C t. Gregg as officer bf the day. und the two were isltlng the glial (1 Iioiihe uud turning ever pris oners, they came iihi the last name en tlie list Clancy and Orcgg turned te his regimental comrade and wild: "Ne charges ure preferred against Clancy, nt least none as j et, Capt. Ray; but his company commander requests that he be held here until he can talk ever his exse w ith the rolencl." "What's he in for?" demanded Capt. Ray. "Oettlng drunk nnd raising a row and beating Ids wife," answered Oregg, whereat there wns a titter among the soldiers. "I never sthruck a woman in me life, sir," said peer Clancy. "Silence, Clancy I" ordered the ser geant of the guard. "Ne, I'm blessed If I believe that part of It, Clancy, drunk or no drunk," said the new officer of the day. "Take charge of him for the present, sergeant." And away they went te the olllce. Capt. Rayner was in conversation w ith the commanding officer ns they en tered, and the colonel was saying: "It is net the proper way te handle the case, captain. If he has been guilty of drunkenness and disorderly conduct he should be brought te trial at once." "I admit that, sir; but the case is pe culiar. It was Sirs. Clancy that made ull the noise. I feel sure that after he is perfectly sober I can gire him such a talking te aa will put a step te this treu ble." "Very well, sir. I am w illing te let company commanders experiment nt least ence or tw ice en their thcei les, no you can try the scheme; but we of the th have had seme years of experience with the Clancy s, nnd were net a little amused when they turned up again In 'our midst ns accredited members of y our company." "Then, as I understand you, colonel, Clancy is net te 1k In ought te trial for this nffair," suddenly speke the pest sur geon. Every liedy looked up in surpiise. "Pills" was the last man, eidinarily, te take a hand in the "shop talk" at the morning meetings. "Ne, doctor. His captain thinks it un necessary te prefer charges." "Se de I, sir; and, ns I saw the man both befere nnd after his confinement last night, I de net think it was necessary te cenfine him." "The officer of the dav says there was gieat diseidcr," said the colonel, in sur prise. "Ay, sir, se there was; and the thing reminds me of the sterie'S they used te tell en the New Yiirk police. It looked te me as though all the low was laised by Sirs. Clancy, as Capt. Rayner says; but the man was m rested. That being the case I would ask the captain for what specific effense he erdeied Clancy te the guard house." IJav ner again vv aa pale us death. He gUicd nt tlie doctor in umazetind in credulity, while alt the officers noted his agitation nnd werehileut in surprise It was the colonel that came te the icscue. "Capt. Rayner had abundant reason, doctor. It was after taps, though only just after, and, whether causing the trouble or net, the man is the responsible party, net the woman. The captain w as right in causing his arrest." Rayner looked up gratefully. "I submit te your decision, sir," said the surgeon, "and I npolegizo for any thing 1 may have asked that was lieyend my prev ince. New I wish te ask a ques tion for my ew n guidance." "Ge en, doctor." "In case an enlisted man of this com mand deslre te see an officer of his com cem com paneor any ether officer, for that mat teris it a violation of any military regulation for him te go te his quarters for that purpose?" Again was Rayner fearfully white and nged looking. His lips moved as though lie would interrupt; but disciplino-pre-v ailed. "Ne, doctor, and jet we have certain customs of scrvice te prevent the men going nt all manner of hours and en friv olous errands. A beldier asks his first ser geant's permission first, nnd if elenied by him, and he have what he considers geed reason, he can report the whele case." "Uut Biippose n man is net en com pany duty, must he hunt up his first ser geant and nsk permission te go mid see bome officer with whom he has busi ness?" "Well, hardly, In that case." "That's all, sir." And the doctor sub sided. Among all the officers, ns the meeting adjourned, the question was, "Wli-H de you suppose 'Pills' was driving at?" There were two or llirce who k;cw. Capt. Rayner went first te his quarters, where he had n few moments' hurried consultation with his wife; then they left the heuse together; he te have n low toned nnd ery stern talk te rather than with the nbailied Clancy, who lis tened, cap in hand aud with hanging head; she te visit the sick child of Sirs. Flanlgan, of Company K, w hee quar ters adjoined these te w hich the Clancy a had leceutly Ksjii assigned. When that Hibernian culprit returned te his reef tree, released from durnuce vile, he was surprised te receive a kindly and sym pathetic welcome from his captain's wife, who with her own baud had mixed him seme comforting drink aud was plan ning with Mrs, Clancy for their greater comfeit. "If Clancy will only premise te quit entirely!" interjected the partner of his joys and sorrows. letter that day, w hen the doctor had n little talk with Clancy, the ex-dragoon declared he w as going te reform for ull he was worth. He was only a distiesste every body when he drank. "AH right, Clancy. And when you are perfectly yourself, you ean ceme and bee Lieut. Hay lie us seen us you like," "Loet'naut Hay no is it, sir? Shuro I'd be beggin' his pardon for the vexation I gave him last night." "But you have something you wanted te speak vv ith him about. Yeu said se last night, Clancy," said the doctor, look ing him squarely in the eye. "Shuro I was dhrunk, sir. I didn't mane it," he answered; but he bhrank and cowered. TUa Ooetor ttUMd aad W t him. x "If It'n only when he'rfiliurik that con science pricks him Jind the truth will out, then we must have him drunk cgnlit," queth thb unprincipled practi tioner. That same afternoon Sliss Travers found that u headache was the result of confinement te an atmosphere somewhat heavily charged with electricity. Mrs. Ray ner Feemed te bristle every time she approached her sister. Possibly it was the heart, mero than the head, that sched, but in either case she needed re lief from the exposed position she had Decupled ever aince Kate's return from the Clancys') n the morning. Bhe bad been tee long under fire, and was wearied. Even the cheeiy visits of the garrison gallants had proved of little avail, for Sirs. Rayner was in very ill temper, and made snappish remarks te thorn which two of them resented and speedily took themselves off. Later Miss Travers went te her room and wrote n letter, nnd then the sunset gun shook the window, and twilight settled down upon the still frown earth. She bithcd her heated forehead and Hushed checks, threw a warm cloak ever her shoulders, and came slew ly dew n the stairs. Sirs. Ray ner met her at the parlor deer. "Kate, I am going for a w alk and shall step und see Mra. Waldren." "Quite an unnecessiry plece of infl ation. I saw him as well as you. He bus just gene there-." Sliss Tr.ivers ihishcd het with indigna tion. "IJiavu seen no one; nnd if you mean that Sir. Hayne has gene te Maj. Wal Wal dren's, I shall net." "Ne; I'd meet htm en the walk; it would only ben trillumore public." "Yeu h iv u no light te accuse me of the faintest eHctalien of meeting him any w hei e. I repeat, I hid net thought of such u thing," "Yeu might just as well deit. Yeu cannot nial.e your antngeiiism te my husband much mere ieluted than you h ive already. And as for meeting Sir. Hay ne, the only advice I presume te give new is that for you i own sal.e you keep your hlushiH under better control than you did the list time you met that I knew of." Aud, with this triumphant Insult ns a pirting shot, Sirs. Rayner wheeled and marched off through the parlor. What was a gill tode? Nellie Travers was net tt the cry Ing kind, nnd was do de niid a vast amount of comfort in conse quence. She steed a few moments quiv ering under the lash of injustice and in sult te w hich she had lieen subjected. She longed for a breath of pure fresh air; but there would be no enjoyment even in that new. She needed sympathy and help If ever a girl did, but where wns she te find it? The women who most attracted her and who would have waimly welcomed her at any time the women whom she would eagerly have gene te hi her trouble were practically denied te her. Sirs. lUyner in her quar rel had declared war against thocaval thecaval ry, and Sirs. Statinaul and Sirs. Riy.whe had shown a lisKsitien te welcome Nellie warmly, were no longer callers at the house'. Sirs. Waldieu, who was kind and metheily te the girl and loved te have her w ith her, was se embarrassed by SIis. Ikiy ner's determined snubs that bhe baldly knew hew te treat the mat ter. She would no longer visit Sirs. Rayner informally, ns had been her cus tom, et she wanted the gill te tome te her. If she went, Sliss Travers well knew that en her letum te the heuse she would be received by a volley of sar casms about her proference for tlie society of peeple who were the avowed enemies of her lienrftictets. If she re mained in the house, it was te becomein person the target for her sister's uude mtv ed sneers and censure. The situa tion was becoming simply unbearable. Tw ice she began uud twice bhe tore te fragments the letter for which Sir. Van Antwerp was daily imploring, mid this evening she ence moie turned nnd slowly bought her loom, threw off her w raps, and took up her vv riting desk. It was net yet dark. There wns still light enough for her purpose, if bhe went close te the window. Eveiy nerve was tingling with the beuse of wrong nnd ignominy; every throb of her heart but intensified the longing for relief from the thralldom of her jiositien. She saw only one path te lead her from such crushing dependence. There was his last letter, received only that day, urg ing, imploring her te leave Warrener fertl i w ith. Sli s. Ilayncr had declared te him her readiness te bring her east pro vided she would fix an early date fertha wedding. Was it netn future many a girl might envy Was he net tender, faithful, patient.doveted as man could be? Had be net social position and compe tence? Was he net high bred, courteous, refined, a gentleman in nil his acts and w erds? Why could she net love him and Iw content? There en the desk lay n little scrap of nete papci; theie lay her pen; n dozen words only were necessaiy. One mo ment she gazed longingly, vv istfully, nt the far away, datkeniiig heights of the Reckies, watching the last roje tinted fleams en the biievvy peaks; then w ith sudden iiiipuKe bhe seized her pen and dtew the portfolio te the window seat. As bhe did se, a soldierly figuiocame briskly down the walk; a pile, clear cut face glanced up lit her casement; a quick light of recognition and pleasure llxshed in his eyes; the little ferage cap was laised with courteous grace, though the step never blaekeiuil, and SIis.s Trav ers felt that her cheek, tee, was Hushing again, as Mr. Hayne btrode rapidly by. She steed there another moment, and then It bad giewn tee daik te write. When Sirs. Rayner, after calling twice from the bottom of the stairs, finally went up into her loom nnd impatiently pushed open the deer, all was daikness except the glimmer from the health: "Ne-llie, where are you?" "Here," nnsupic'd Slisa Tiavers, start ing up fieui the bjfa. "I think I must have 1ksh asleep." "Your head is het as fire," bald her sister, laying her firm white hand upon the burning fetebead. "I suppese you nre going te lw dew might ill, by way of diversion. Just understand ene thing, INelli, th it tlociei does net ceme into my house." "Whitdoctei? net tint I want one," asked SI isa Tiavers, we.uily. "Dr. lV.iM, the pest surgeon, I mean. Of ceuim! you have heard hew heis mix ing himself in my busbiiid's affairs and making trouble with various people." "I have beard nothing, Kate." "I don't wonder your ft lends are ash inied te tell y ou. Things hive ceme te a pretty pvs, w hen officers ure going mound holding private meetings with enlisted men!" "I hardly knew the doctor ntall, Kate, uud can't Imagiue wlnt affairs of your Jiusband's he can interfere with." "It was he that put up Clancy te mak ing the disturbance at Ha no's, last night and getting into the guard house, and tried te piove that he hid a right te go theieaud that the captain had no right te arrest him." "Was Clancy try ing te see Sir. Hayne?" asked Sliss Travers, quickly. "Hew should I knew?" said her sis ter, pettishly, "He was drunk, and prob ably didn't knew what he was doing." I "And Capt, Rayner nrrested him for for trying te see Mr. Hayne?" "Capt. Raytw arretted Ua ler teiac was ins uuty te arrest any soldier under such circumstances' replied her sister, with luajestie wrath, "and I will net tol erate it that you should critlcise bis con duct." "I have rnade no criticism, Kale. I have simply tnade inquiry; but I bave learned what no ene else could have made me believe." "Nellie Travers, be careful what you say, or what you Insinuate What de you mean?" "I mean, Kate, that it is my belief that there is something at the bottom of these stories of Clancy's strange talk when in the hospital. I believe he thinks be knows something which would turn all suspicion from Mr. Hayne te a totally different man. I believe that, for reasons which I cannot fathom, you are deter mined Mr. Hayne shall net see him or hear of it It was you that sent Capt Rayner ever there last night, airs. Clancy came bere at tattoo, and, from the time she left, you were at the front deer or window, Yeu were the first te hear her erics and came running in te tell the captain te go at once. Kate, why did you stand there listening from the time she left the kitchen unless you expected te hear just what happened ever there be hind the company barracks?" Mrs. Rayner would give no nnswer. Anger, rage, retaliation, all in turn were pictured en her furious face, but died away befere the calm and unconquera ble gaze in her sister's syes. Fer the first time in her Ufa Kate Rayner real ized that her "baby Nell" had the stronger will of the two. Fer ene in stant she contemplated vengeance. A torrent of invoctive leaped readily te her lips. "Outrage," "ingrate," "Insult," were the first three distinguishable epi thets applied te her sister or her sister's words; then, "See if Sir. Van Antwerp will tolerate such conduct. I'll wrlte tliis very day," was the impotent threat that followed; and finally, utterly de feated, thoroughly convinced that she wus powerless against her sister's reck less leve of "fair pkiy at any price," she felt that her wrath was giving way te dismay, and turned and fled, lest Nellie should see the flag of surrender en her paling chicks. CHAPTER XIII. ' in "Well, sir, J should saji it uas a young ueman." Twe nights after this, as Capt. Buxton was sulkily going the rounds of the sen tries, he made a discovery w hich greatly enlivened an othcrvvise uneventful tour as officer of the day. It had been his general custom en such occasions te take the shortest way across the parade te the guard house, make brief and perfunctory inspection there, then go en down the hill te the crock valley und successively visit the bcntrlcs around the stables. If the night vv ere wet or cold, he went back the same way, ignoring the sentries at the coal and store sheds along Prairie avenue. This was a blnrply cold night and very dark, but equally still. It was between 12 nnd 1 o'clock nearer 1 than 12 as he climbed the hill en his home ward way, and, instead of taking the short cut, turned northward and struck for the gloomy mass of sheds dimly dis dis eTrnible bome forty yards from the crest. He had heard ether officers speak of the ."act that Sir. Hayne's lights vv ere burn ing until long after midnight, and that dropping in there, they had found him seated at his desk with a green shade ever his eyes, studying by the aid of two student lumps; "boning te boa gcneral, probably," was the comment of captains of Buxton's caliber, vv he, having grew n old in the serv ice and.in their own igno rance, w ere fiercely intolerant of lieu tenants who streve te impreve in pro fessional reading instead of spending their time making out the company mus ter rolls and clothing accounts, as they should de. Buxton wanted te see for himself what the night lights meant, aud v. as plunging heavily nhead threush the darkness, when suddenly brought te a stand by the sharp challenge of the sentry at the coal shed. He whispered the mystic countersign ever the leveled bayonet of the infantry man, swearing te himself nt the regulation which puts an officer in such u "btand-and-deliver" attitude for the time being, and then, by way of get ting, square with the soldier for the sharply military way in which his duty ns bcntry had been performed, the cap tain proceeded te catechise him as te his orders. Tlie soldier had been well taught, mid knew nil his "responses" by rote far better than Buxton, for that matter, aa the latter was anything but au exemplar of perfection in tactics or sen try duty; but this did net prevent Bux ton's snappishly telling him he was w reng in several points and contemptu ously inquiring where he had learned such trash. The soldier promptly but respectfully responded that theso were the exact instructions he had received at the adjutant's school, mid Buxton knew from experience that he was getting en dangerous ground. He would bave stuck te bis point, however, In default of some thing else te find fault w ith, but that the crack of a whip, the crunching of hoofs and a rattloef wheels out iti the darkness quickly diverted his attention. "What's that, sentry?" he sharply In quired. "A carriage, sir. Leastvv Ue, I think it must be." "Why don't you knew, sir? It must have been en your pest." "Ne, sir; it was 'way off my pest. It drove up te Lieut! Hay no's about half an hour age." "Where'd it ceme fieui from?" asked captain, eageily. "Frem town, bir, I biippose." And, leaving the sentry te his own retlectieus, w hich, en the w hole, vv ere net compli mentary te his biipener officer, Capt. Buxton strode tapidly through the dark ness te Lieut. Hayne's quarters. Bi ight lights vvete still burning within, both en the ground fleer and in a room above. The sentries wete just beginning the call of 1 o'clock when be teached the gate nnd halted, giuing inquisitively nt tlw heuse front. Then he tui tied and listened te the rattloef wheels growing faint in the distance as the team drove nvvay towards the prairie tow u. If Hay no had gene te town at thut hour of the night it was a most unusuil piecivding. and he had net the colonel's pumissiun te ab sent himself from the (tust; of tint the otnew of the day wus certain, I hen an fits ngbts burning. e; mm Teblete, whatever it was, had brought wmnliuilj out te see him somebody who prtnjewil te remain several hours; otherwise the carriage would net bave drives away. In confirmation of this theory he heard voices, cheery voices, in laughing talk, and one of them made htm prick up bis cars. lie heard the piano crisply trilling a response te light, skillful fingers. Be longed for a peep within, and regretted that he bad dropped Mr. Uayne from the list of bis acquaintance. lie recegnised Hayne's sliadew presently thrown by the lamp upon the curtained window, and wished that his visitor would come similarly into view. He heard the clink of glasses and saw the shadow raise a wlne glass te the lips, and Sam's Mon golian shape flitted across the screen, bearing n tray witli similar suggestive objects. What meant this unheard of conviviality en the part of the ascetic, the hermit, the midnight oil burner, the scholarly recluse of the garrison? Bux ton stared witli all his eyes and listened with all his cars, starting guiltily when he heard a martial footstep coming quickly up the path, and faced the in truder rather unsteadily. It was only the corporal of the guard, and he glanced at his superior, brought his fur gauntlet cd hand in sal u te te the rifle en his shoul der and passed en. Tlie hext moment Buxton fairly gasped with amaze; he stared an instant at the window as though transfixed, then ran after the corporal, called te him in low, stealthy tene te ceme back noiselessly, drew him by the slceve te the front of Hayne's quarters, and pointed te the parlor window. Twe shadows were there new ene easily recognizable ns that of the young officer in his snugly fitting undress uniform, the ether slen der, graceful, feminine. "What de you make that ether nhadew te be, corporal?" he whispered, hoarsely and hurriedly. "Loek!" And witli that exclamation a shadowed arm seemed te encircle the slender form, the inustached image te bend low and mingle witli the outlined luxuriance of tress that decked the ether's head, and then, together, w ith clasping arms, the shadows moved from view. "What was the ether, corporal?" be lepeated. "Well, sir, I should say it w as a young woman." Buxton could hardly wait until morn ing te see Ray ner. When he passed the hitter's quarters half an hour later all was darkness, though, had he but known it, Rayner was net asleep. He was at the house before guard mounting and had a confidential and evidently exciting talk with the captain; and when he went, just as the trumpets were sounding, these words were heard at the frontdeor: "She never left until after daylight, when the same rig dreve her back te town. There was a stranger with her then." That morning both Rayner and Buxton looked hard at Mr. Hayne when lid came in te the matinee; hutjui was just as calm and quiet as '''n 1U IVi'iV' sa luted the command mcrr te J seat by Capt. Oregg and was Boen eccumied in conversation vv ith him. Net a word was said by the officer of the day aUeut the mysterious visitor te the garrison the previous night. With Capt. Rayner, however, he was again in conversation much of the day, and te him, net te Ids successor as officer of Clie day, did ire communicate all the details of the pro pre v ieus night's adventure and Ids theories thereanent. Late that night, having occasion te step te his front deer, convinced that he heard stealthy footsteps en his piazza, Sir. Hayne could see nobody iu the dark ness, but found his front gate open. He walked around his little house, but net a man was visible. HU heart was full of a new and strange excitement that night, and, as befere, he threw en his overcoat and furs and took a rapid walk around the garrison, gvzingup into the starry heavens and drinking in great draughts of the pure, bracing air. Re turning, he came' down along the front of officers' row, and as he appreiched Raynei's quarters his eyes rested long ingly upon the window he knew te be hers new; but all was darkness. ' As he rapidly uearcd the house, however, he became nvvare of two bulky figures at the gate, and, as he walked briskly past, recognized the overcoats as these of offi cers. One man was doubtless Rayner, the ether he could net tell; for both, the instant they recognized his step, seemed te avert their heads. Once home again, he seen sought his room and pillow; but, long before he could sleep, again and again a sweet vision seemed te ceme te him: he could net shut out the thought of Nellie Travers of hew she looked and vv hat she said that v ery after noon. He had geno te call at Sirs. Waldren s seen after dark. He was ut the piano, playing for her, when be became con scious that another lady had entered the room, and, turning, saw Nellie Travers. He leso and Unveil te her, extending his hand as he did se, uud knowing tint his heart was thumping and his color rising as he felt the soft, warm touch of her slender llngeis in his grasp, She, tee, had flushed any ene could see it, though the lamps were net turned high, nor was the firelight strong. "Sliss Travers has ceme te take tea very quietly with me, Sir. llayne she is se seen te return te the east and new I want you te stay and join us. Ne ene will be bere but the major; and we will have n lovely time w ith our music. Yeu will, won't you?" "Se seen te return te the east!" Hew harsh, hew strange and unwelcome the wordsseundedl Hew they seemed toop teop toep press him and prevent bis reply! He steed a moment dazed and v aguely wor ried; he could net explain it. He looked from Sirs. Waldren's kind face te the sweet, flushed, lovely features there se near him, and something told him that he could never let them go and find even hopeor content in lifeagain. Bew, why had she se strangely ceme into his lonely life, radiant, beautiful, bewildering as semcsuddenly bhzingstar in tlie darkest corner of the heavens? Whence had ceme this strange power that enthralled him? He gazed into her sweet face, with its downcast, troubled eyes, and then, in bow ildermeut, turned te Sirs. Waldren: "I I had no idea Sliss Travers was go ing east again just new. It 6ecms only n few day s since Bhe came." "It is ever a month; but nil the same this is a sudden decision. I knew noth ing of it until yesterday. Yeu said Mrs. Rayner was lietter today, Nellie?" 'Yes, n little; but she is far from welL I think the captain will go, tee, just as seen as he can arrange for leave of ab ab ab bonce," was the low toned answer. He bad released, or rather she had with drawn, her hand, and he still atoed there, fascinated. His eyes could net quit their gaze. She going nwny? She? Oh, it could net be I What what would life become without the sight of that radiant face, that slender, graceful, girlish form? "Is net this very unexpected?" he struggled te say. "I thought I heard you were te spend several months here." "It was se intended, Sir. Hayne; but my sister's health requires speedy change. She has been growing werse ever since vv e came, and she will net get well here." "And when de you go?" be asked, blaukly. "Just as seen as we can pack: though wa awy wait fwe or three days fat . i.j.A . w . . ... ,
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