Wichita eagle., 1889-10-20

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hands, ordinarily held in the rigid pose
of the English service extended along
the thigh-were clinching and working
nervousay, and something suspiciously
like tear was creeping out from under
the patch Before Perry could recover
from his surprise the sergeant suddenly
regained his self control, hastily raised
his hand in salute, saying something
half articulate in reply, and turned
sharply away, leaving his lieutenant
gazing after him in much perplexity.
That night, just after tattoo ron call
when little group of officers was gath
cred at the coloneps gate, they were sud.
denly joined by Dr.. Quin, who came
from the direction of the stable where he
kept his horse in rear Of his own quar-
tiers. Col. Brainard greeted him warmly
and inquired after his patient at Dun
raven. Every one noted how grave and
subdued was the tone in which the doc
tor answered.:
HE is very sick man, colonel, and
it is hard 10 say what will be the result
of this seizure"
"You may want to 60 down again,
doctor, if that be the case-before sick
call tomorrow, I mean; and you had
better take one Of my horses. I'll tell
my man to have one in READINESS"
"You are very kind, sir. I think old
Brian will do all the work needed. But
l would like to go down at reveille, as
we have no men in hospital at all now.
And, by the way, is Nlr. Perry here?'
Il am here" answered Perry coldly.
he was leaning against the railing,
rather away from the group, listening
intently, yet unwilling to meet or hold
conversation with the man he conceived
to be so inimical to his every hope and
interest.
'Mr. Perry" said the doctor, pleas
antly, and utterly ignoring the GOODNESS
of the young fellows manner, "Mr.
Maitland has asked to see you; and it
would crafty him if you would ride
down in the morning."
Even in the darkness Perry feared that
all would see the flush that lea ped to his
face. Summoned to Dunraven Ranch,
by her father, with possibility of see
ing her! 1t was almost too sweet! toe
thrilling! He could give no reply for a
moment, and an awkward silence fell on
the group until he chokingly answered.
81 shall be glad to go. What timer"
"Better ride down early. Never mind
breakfast. Miss Maitland will be glad
to give you cup of coffee, fancy"
And Perry felt as though the fence had
taken to Waiting. He made no answer,
striving to regain his composure, and
then the talk went on. 1t was Stryke1
who was talking now:
''Has the ring been found. DOCTOR"
mo! That is a most singular thing,
and one that worries the old gentleman
great deal. 1t had a history; it be.
longed to Mrs. Maitland's father, who
was from Ireland-indeed, Ireland was
her country, as it was my father's-and
that ring she had reset for her son Archie
and gave it to him when he entered serv-
ice with the Lancers. 1t was sent home
with his watch and other property from
South Africa-for he died there-and old
Maitland always wore it afterwards.
Archie was the last Of three sons; and it
broke his heart"
''And the ring was lost the night OF
Perrys adventure there?" asked the col
onel.
Eyes. Mr.. Perry remembers having
seen it on his hand when the old gentle
man first came down TO receive him It
was missed afterwards, and could easily
have slipped off at any time, for his fin
gers were withered with age and i'll
health. They have searched everywhere,
and could find nothing of it. 1t could
easily have rolled off the veranda on to
the grass during his excitement at the
time of the row, and somebody may have
picked it up-either among the ranch
men or among the troopers.
81 hate to think that any of our men
would take it," said the colonel after
pause.
81 do not think any of them would,
with the idea of selling it," said Stryker;
''but here is a case where it was picked
up, possibly, as one of the spoils of war
l have had inquiry made throughout the
troop, but with no result so far. Do you
go down again tonight, doctor?'
"Not if can avoid it. lam going now
to try and sleep, and will not ride down
till daybreak unless signaled for. Good
night, colonel; good night, ALL"
Unless signaled for! Instinctively
Perry edged closer to Lawrence, who had |
stood silent listener to the conversation, |
and Lawrence turned and saw him and
knew the thought that must be upper
most in his mind. There was moment
of perfect silence, and then Lawrence
spoke:
docs anybody know what the signal |
Isl"
Certainly" said Col. Brainard,
promptly. "He has explained the whole /
thing to me. Those were signals for him
that we saw the night you were all on .
my gallery. It was an arrangement de-
vised by their old nurse-she who came
up with the carriage for Miss Maitland /
the other day. She had regular old .
when Mr.. Maitland was so ill as to need
a doctor, used to notify Quin in that
way. He sometiAes failed to see it, and
have given orders today that the guard /
should wake him when it is seen here
after"
Then that was what those mysterious
night lights meant that we have heard 50
much about during the last three weeks?n
asked Mr.. Dana.
Certainly answered Brainard.
"What on earth did ANYBODY suppose