Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-10-19

sentiment Whatever attached 10 L.
haven't the faintest idea whose it was,
and only tied IL there for the fun Of the
thing and TO make Graham. here, ask
questions"
"Mr. Perryr gasped Mrs. Lawrence.
And do you mean that Mrs. Belknap
knows-that you told her what you have
just told meY'
"well, no." laughed Perry. IL fancy
Mrs. Belknap thinks as you thought
that Il was gage d'smour. Hallol look
at that light away out there across the
prairie. What can that beY'
Mrs. Lawrence rose suddenly to her
feet and gszed southeastward in tts d.
rection in which the young officer point
ed. 1t was lovely, starlit night. A
soft wind was blowing gently from the
south and bearing with It the fragrance
Of spring blossoms and far away flower
ets. Others, too. had arisen. attracted
by Perry's sudden exclamation. Mrs.
Belknap turned languidly In her ham,
mock and glanced over her pretty white
shoulder. The colonel followed her eyes
with his and gave start Of surprise.
The Doctor turned slowly and composed
ly and looked silently towards the glis-
tening object, and then upon the officers
Of the cavalry there fell sudden astonish-
ment.
"what ON earth could that have been?"
asked the colonel. ut CLEANED like tine
head light Of locomotive, away down
there in the valley Of the Monee, then
suddenly went out"
"Be silent moment and watch"
whispered Mrs. Lawrence to Perry.
"You will see it again; snd-watch the
DOCTOR"
Surely enough, even as they were oil
looking about aud commenting on the
strange apparition, 1t suddenly glared
forth a second time, shining full and lus-
trous as an unclouded planet, yet miles
away beyond and above the fringe OF
cottonwoods that wound southeastward
with the little stream. Full half a min
ute it shone, and then, abruptly as be-
fore. was hidden from sight.
Perry was about starting forward to
Join the colonel when little hand was
laid upon his arm.
"Wait; once more you'll see it," she
whispered. "Then take me In to Capt.
Lawrence. Do you see that the doctor
is leavingr"
Without saying word to any one, the
post surgeon had very quietly withdrawn
from the group on the veranda. He
could not well leave by the front gate
without attracting attention; but he
strolled leisurely into the hall, took up
book that lay on the table, and passed
through the group Of officers seated
smoking and chatting there, entered the
sitting room on the south side of the
hall-the side opposite the parlor where
the whist game was in progress-and
there he was lost to sight.
A third time the bright light burst
upon the view Of the gazers. A third
time, sharply and suddenly, it disap-
peared. Then for a moment all was
silence and watchfr'uess; but IL came no
more.
Perry looked questioningly in his com.
panion's face. She had turned q little
white, and he felt sure that she was
shivering.
"Are you cold?' he asked her, gently.
"No-not that; but ! hate mysteries,
after what I've heard, and we haven't
seen that light in ever so long. Come
here to the corner one moment" And
she led him around to the other flank of
the big wooden, barrack like residence Of
the commanding officer.
"LoOk up there" she said, pointing to
a dark window under the peaked dormer
roof of the large cottage to the south.
"That Is the doctors house."
In few seconds u faint CLEAN seemed
to creep through the Stats. Then the
Stats themselves were thrown wide open,
a white shade was lowered, and, with
the rays behind it growing brighter ev-
cry instant, broad white light shone
forth over thu, roof of the veranda. An.
other momert and footsteps were heard
along the doctors porch footsteps that
presently approached them along the
grass.
Come" she said, plucking at his
sleeve, "come away; it is the doctor"
"For what reason?" he answered.
"That would seem like hiding. No, Mrs.
Lawrence, let us stay until he comes"
But the doctor passed them with brief
and courteous salutation; spoke of the
beauty of the night and the balm Of the
sunlmery air, and went in again by the
main door to the coloncl's quarters.
Then Perry turned to his partner:
"Well, Mrs. Lawrence, what does it all
mean? Is this part of what you had to
tell me?"
"Don't ask me now. IL did not want
to see what we have seen, but l had
heard queer stories and could not believe
them. Take me in to Capt. Lawrence,
please. And, Mr.. Perry, you won't speak
Of this to any one, will you? Indeed, If
had known, would not have come out
here for the world; but didn't believe
it, even when she went away and tool
the children"
"Who went awayT
"Mrs. Quin-the doctors wife. Ant
she was such sweet woman, and SO de
voted to him."
"Well, pardon me, Mrs. Lawrence,
don't see through this thing at all. DC
you mean that the doctor has anything
to do with the mystery"
She bowed her head as they turned
back to the house: II must not tell yo,
any more tonight. You will be sure to
hear something of it all, here. Every
body on the piazza saw the lights, ant
all who were here before you came knew
what they meant"
"What were theyT
"Signals, of Some kind, from Dunravei
panch."
CHAPTER II.
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