Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-19

! human motive and character, were such
that he had readily made up his mind as
to the facts in the case. He felt sure that
Leary and some of the Celtic members of
his company had determined to go down
to Dunraven and ''have it OUT with the
hated Britons who had so affronted and
abused them the night Of Perry's visit.
They knew they could not get their horses
by fair means, for Gwynne was above
suspicion. He was English, too. and
striving to shield his countrymen from
the threatened vengeance. They there
fore determined, in collision with Kelly.
to lure him outside the stables, bind and
gag him, get their horses, having once
rified Gwynne of the keys, ride down to
the ranch, and, after having a Donny-
brook fair on the premises, get back to
Rossiter in plenty Of time for reveille and
stables. No sentries were posted in suc,
way as to interfere with them, and the
plan was feasible enough but for one
thing Gwynne had made most gallant
and spirited resistance, had fought the
whole gang like tiger. and they had
been unable to overpower him before the
noise had attracted the attention of the
sergeant of the guard and some of the
men in quarters. An effort, of course.
was made to show that the assaulting
party were from without, but it was
futile, and STRIKERS cross-questioning
among the men had convinced them that
he knew all about the matter. There
was only one conclusion, therefore, that
Gwynne must have given them away, -
as the troopers expressed it.
Despite the fact that he had been as
saulted and badly beaten, this was some
thing that few could overlook, and the
latent jealousy against the "cockney
sergeant blased into a feeling of deep
resentment. Garrison sympathy was
with Leary and his fellows
Thursday came, and Sergt. Gwynne
returned to light duty. though his face
was still bruised and discolored and he
wore patch over one eye. He resumed
charge of the stables in the afternoon,
after brief conversation with his cap
tain, and was experimenting the issue
of forage, when Perry entered to inspect
the stalls of his platoon. Nolan was
being led out by his groom at the mo-
ment, and pricked up his tapering ears
at sight of his master and thrust his lean
muzzle to receive the caress of the hand
he knew so well. Perry stopped him
and carefully and critically examined
his knees, feeling down to the fctlocks
with searching fingers for the faintest
symptom of knot or swelling in the ten
dons that had played their part so
thoroughly in the drama of Monday.
Satisfied, apparently, he rose and be-
slowed few hearty pats on the glossy
neck and shoulder, and then was sur
prised to find the stable sergeant stand
ing close beside him and regarding both
him and horse with an expression that
arrested Perry's attention at once.
Feeling all right again, sergeant" he
asked, thinking to recall the non com
missioned officer to his senses.
Almost, sir. I'm trihe stiff yet.
Anything wrong with Nolan, sir!"
Nothing. l gave him rather tough
run the other day-had to risk the prai-
RE dog holes-and, though l felt no Jar
then, I've watched carefully ever since
to see that he was not wrenched. Iwish
you would keep an eye on him too, will
your