Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-09

Eyes. damn themr" said Perry, ex-
citedly and wrathfully. I've had an
experience with them myself tonight,
while we were searching for you"
80 much the more reason, sir, why
my mishap should not be told among the
men. The two affairs combined would
be more than they would stand There
are enough Irishmen here in our troop
alone to go down and wipe that ranch
out of existence: and fear trouble as 1t
stands"
Whether there will be trouble or not
will depend very much on the future
conduct of the proprietor and manager
down there. OF course we cannot toll
crate for an instant the idea of their
maintaining gang of rnffians there who
are allowed 20 assault officers or men
who happen to ride around that neigh
borhood You were not inside their
limits, were you?"
"Yes, sir" said the sergeant, pain
fully, II was; had tied my horse out
side and ventured in to get nearer
look at the buildings"
What time did it happen?"
This morning, sir; not more than an
hour and half after you spoke to me in
the valley"
Indeed! Then you must have lain
there all day Why, Gwynne, this will
never do. I'll go and get the surgeon
and have him look you all over. You
must have been brutally mauled, and
must be utterly exhausted"
Don't go, sir" said the sergeant,
eagerly stretching forth hand. 1T
it isn't as you think, sir / have been
kindly cared for. They're not all ruff
fans down there, and the men who as
saulted me will be fully punished. I've
been quite as well nursed and fed and
branded and bandaged as though I'd
been carried right TO hospital. Indeed,
/ don't need anything but rest. I'll be
all right in a day"
But | think DR.. Quin ought to see
you and satisfy us you are not injured"
BE satisfied, sir. The doctor has seen
me-"
''Why, but how?-where? He was here
all day, and only went away at sunset.
o'clock, and hadn't returned when
came in. Did he find you and bring
you back?"
Gwynne hesitated painfully again:
THE doctor saw me this evening
down near where l was hurt; but l got
back here without his help, sir. Lieu
tenant" said the soldier, suddenly,
there are one or two things connected
with this days work that cannot tell.
Come what may, / must not speak of
them, even to the captain.
Perry was silent a moment. Then he
kindly answered.:
81 do not think any one here will
press you to tell what you consider it
might be ungrateful or dishonorable in
you to reveal. | will do what / can to
see that your wishes are respected. And
now, If you are sure | can do nothing
for you. good night, sergeant" And the
young officer held out his hand.
Good night, sir" answered Gwynne
He hesitated one moment. 1t was the
first time since he entered the service,
nearly five years before, that an officer
offered him his hand. 1t was a new and
strange sensation. 1t might not be ''good
discipline" to take advantage of it. but
there were other reasons. Gwynne
looked up in the frank blue eyes of his
lieutenant and read something there that
told a new story. Out came hand as
slender and shapely as that of the young
officer, and the two were silently and
firml, clasped.
"How can question him." said Perry
to himself as he walked slowly home
ward. rs there not something l am
holding back:-something cannot speak
of? BY Jupiter! can his be the same rea.
son!'