Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-13

'DCrglas IN Eis nail, and lets See wha
| it all means. I've seen the girl, ANYHOW
and he can't take that back, even if b
| turns me out"
| He heard a heavy step. accented b,
the sharp, energetic prodding of cane
it came slowly along the hall. slowl
and majestically down the stairs, slowl
into the lower front room. and PRESENT.,
there doomed forth from the darkness
into the broad glare of the astrals at tn
hanging portieres the figure of a tall
gray haired, specialized, slimly built an,
fragile looking Englishman, erect a
pride and high spirit could hol,
a man against the ravaces O
age and rheumatism; sharp, ster,
and imperious of mood, as every glanc
and every feature plainly told; vehemen
and passionate, unless twitching lips an,
frowning brows and angry, snappin.
eyes belied him; man who had suffered
much, unless the deep lines and shadow,
under eyes and mouth meant nothins
but advancing years: a man who entered
full of wrath and resentment at this in
vasion Of his privacy-this forcing of hi
guarded lines; and yet-a gentleman
unless Ned Perry's instincts were ali o.
little worth.
The young soldier had been standing
by center table, coolly scanning the
pictures on the walls, and determining
to present a rather exaggerated picture
of nonchalance as reward for the hostile
language of the proprietor of Dunraven
He expected TO hear an outburst of in
vective when that gentleman reached the
room; but no sooner had he passed the
portiere than be halted short, and Mr.
Perry. turning suddenly, was amazed a,
the pale. startled, yet yearning look in
his quivering face.
The moment the young man confront.
ed him there came as sudden a change.
1t was With evident effort thar he con.
trolled himself, and then, after brief
searching study of Perry's face. accosted
him, coidly and with sarcastic emphasis:
ITO what circumstance do l owe the
honor of this intrusion?'
Il regret you so consider it, Mr.. Matt
land, as | believe you to be- The old
gentleman bowed with stately dignity.
"One of our men, a sergeant. rode down
this way quite early this morning and
failed to return. His horse came back
bleeding at sunset, and we feared some
accident or trouble. Searching parties
are out all over the prairies and the
colonel ordered me to inquire here
Does your colonel take US for ban
ditti here. and ascribe your desertions
and ac&dents 70 our Vaccinations"
Far from it. sir. but rather as a hos
pitable refuge to which the injured man
had been conveyed" answered Perry,
with a quiet smile. determined to thaw
the hauteur of Dunraven's lord if cour-
tesy of manner could effect it.
He is utterly mistaken, then" an
swered the Engiishman. land l resent
resent, sir, this forcing of my gates
after the explicit understanding we had
last year. AS soldier / presume you
had 10 obey your orders: but | beg you
to tell your colonel that his order was an
affront to me personally, in view of what
has passed between u.s.
Nothing has passed between YOU,
Mr.. Maitland" answered Perry, little
tartly now. I'VE have reached Fort
Ressiter only within the last fortnight,
and know nothing whatever of your
with previous command
ers. Permit Inc 70 ask you one question
thing of our sergeant
Nothing. sir. | would hardly be apt to
hear. for my people here are enjoined TO
keep strictly to our limits, and all we
ask of our neighbors is that they keep to
theirs. | presume You have destroyed
my fences, sir, in order to effect an en-
trance"
Upon my word. Mr.. Maitland, you
make me rather regret that | did not:
but had the decency to respect what l
had happened to hear of your wishes,
and so left my horse and my men out
side and footed it good half mile in the
dark
"Ah! that sounds very like it, replied
Mr.. Maitland, with writhing lips. for at
this moment there came the dull thun-
der of rapidly advancing heof beats, and
before either man could speak again
three troopers with a led horse-all four
steeds painting from their half mile race
up in front of the eastern por-
tico in the full glare of the lights. and
the sergeant's voice was heard eagerly
hailing his lieutenant.
MY luck again. groaned Perry. Il
told them to come in half an hour if they
cau,a