Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-10-26

~ AAChb Va OhiNtIS IOW u udTk IedIuGeu,
black bearded, soldierly looking captain
separated himself from the rest and en-
tered the colonels yard. The command
ing officer happened to be seated on his
veranda at the moment, and in close
CONTEMPLATION with DR.. Quin. Both gen.
tiemen ceased their talk as the captain
entered, and then rose from their seats
as he stepped upon the veranda floor.
Good evening, Stryker," said the col
onel, cheerily. Come in and have a
seat. The doctor and 1 were just won
dering if we could not get you to take
hand at whist tonight"
II shall be glad to join you, sir, after
parade. l have come in to ask permits
sion to send sergeant and a couple of
men, mounted, down to the Monee. One
of my best men is missing"
"lndeedl Who is that? Send the men,
of course"
"Sergt. Gwynne, sir. The first time
ever knew him to miss duty"
Your stable sergeant, too? That is
unusual How long has he been gomez
Since battalion drill this morning. He
was on hand when the men were sad
ding, and asked permission to take his
horse out for exercise and ride down the
valley a few miles | said yes, never
surprising he would be gone after noon
roll call; and we were astonished when
he failed to appear at stables Perry says
he met him two miles out"
1.-THE two culprits!" said the colonel.
laughing. Poor Perry is down in the
depths again. He rode up to me with
such woebegone look on his face at
drill this morning that | could hardly
keep from laughing in front Of the whole
line. Even the men were trying hard
not to grin; they knew he had turned
up Just in the nick of time to save him
self an absent What do you suppose
can have happened to Gwyune:"
Il cannot imagine, sir, and am in
willingly overstay pass; and I fear
some accident has happened"
is he good RIDER" asked the doctor.
None better in the regiment He is
model horseman, in fact, and, though
he never alludes to nor admits it, there
is general feeling among the men that
he has been in the English cavalry SER
vice. OF course, there is no doubt of his
nationality; he is English to the back
bone, and. | fancy, has seen better
days"
What made them think he had been
in the cavalry service abroadF'
''Oh, his perfect knowledge of trooper
duties and management of horses 1t
took him no time to learn the drill, and
he was a sergeant before he had been
with me two years. Then, if you ever
noticed, colonel" said Capt STRIKER, APP
pealing To his chief, whenever Gwynne
stands attention he always has the fin
gers of both hands extended and point
ing down along the thigh, close against
it-so. And Stryker illustrated. Now
you never see an American soldier do
that; and never saw it in any but Eng
lish trained soldiers. He has quit it
somewhat of late, because the men told
him it showed where he was drilled
We have other English 'non-coms.' you
and south. Twill soon be too dark to
trail, but three of the Indians are going
back on the horses track as far as they
can The adjutant is writing note to
the proprietor of the ranch-I don't know
his name
His name is Maitland, sir"
as it: Have you been there."
i've been around one end of it, out
side. but nowhere near the buildings.
Its all fenced in, sir and the gates kept
locked"
What an incomprehensibe proceed
ing for Texas. Wait a moment while |
speak TO Mr.. Farnham: he's writing here
at my desk. Gentlemen, come in on the
porch and sit down, will you mott"
But they excused themselves and
fastened away to remove their full dress.
Capt. Lawrence had no need to call his
wife. She babe her companion good
evening, thanked the colonel with
smiling glance for the pleasure the pho
tographs had given her, and added
word of earnest hope that they might
Ind the sergeant uninjured. Then she
joined her husband, and together they
walked quickly away. Mrs. Belknap and
Mr.. Perry were left for the moment alone.
Can you walk home with mey' she
asked, in her low, modulated tones, the
great, heavily lasied. swimming dark
eyes searching his face. Il have not
seen you since they broke in upon our
talk last evening, and there is something
want to ask you"
I'm sorry, Mrs. Belknap. but I'm on
duty, you see, was the young fellows
answer as he gave tug TO the strap of
MS cartridge belt. Cant you ask me
herey''
How can I-and the eyes were full |
OF pathetic ppoiutment-"whent they |
may come out any moment? You did |
not finish telling me about-about the |
tassel last night. believe you were glad |
when they interrupted us Were YOU
not?"
Nonsense, Mrs. Belknap! Twas hav-
ing too good time-lots of fun"
Yes" was the reproachful answer, |
that is what it waste you-mere fun. |
And now you are going away again,
after promising to come in this evening" |
Il have to go, Mrs. Belknap Why,
want to go. Haven't you heard what
has happened-about Sergt. Gwynne?"
"Oh, yes, it is your duty, of course;
but how unluckyl" And the pretty face
was dropping with its weight of disap-
Pointment and sadness. She leaned |
against the railing near his gauntlet COW
cred hand, the dark eyes pensively down.
cast, the dark lashes sweeping her soft,
flushing cheek. "And tomorrow you
are on guard. she presently continued.
Yes, unless some one has to go on for
me-in case we are not back in the morn
ing in time"
Then it's good-by, l suppose" she
said, lifting her eyes once more to his
After tomorrow there will be little
chance OF seeing you Mrs Page will
be here by that time"
Mr.. Perry looked at his fair com.
panion with glance that told of much
perturbation of spirit. Mrs Page was
an old and cherished friend of Mrs.
belknaps-so the latter had always said
and now she was coming to visit her
from station in the Indian territory.
Just why her coming should proven.