Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-27
[)UNRAVEN RANCH.
A Story of American Frontier Life.
By CAPT. CHARLES KING, u. S. A.,
coLoNELs DAUGHTER" aFRond RANKS"
DEsERTEa,"
Copyrighted 1885, by J. Philadelphia and Published
Special Arrangement Press Association
A Story Of American


TcIlcClif 81, oI'
"Come into your room a moment;
want to speak to you," said Perry, after
a moments reflection.
They passed along the broad gangway
between the rows of sleepy horses, some
lying down In their stalls, others still
afoot and munching at their hay. The
stable guard stood at his post and faced
them as they turned into the dark and
narrow passage leading into Gwynne's
little sanctuary. The lamps along the
line Of stalls burned low and dim, and.
the ports being lowered, gave no CLEAN
without the walls. Once more, however
a bright light shone from the window Of
the stable sergeant's room-brightert than
before, could they only know it. for this
time there was no intervening shade.
After his brief inspection of the lieuten-
ants face, Gwynne had left it drawn.
The sergeant set his lantern on 9
wooden desk, and respectfully waited
for his superior to speak. Perry looked
him we'll over a moment, and then be-
gan:
did you tell Capt. Stryker the. partic'
ulars of your rough treatment down
there at the ranch9"
"The rough treatment-yes sir"
"Would you mind telling me where
you were taken?-where you saw d..
Quinn"
The sergeant hesitated one moment, a
troubled look on bis face. His one
available eye studied his ieutenant's
features attentively. Something in the
frank, kind blue eyes-possibly some
sudden recollection, too-seemed to reas-
sure him.
''It was to Mr.. Cowan's little house,
Sir. He interposed to save me from a
worse beating at the hands of three
brutes who were employed there and had
some grudge against this garrison of
which l was ignorant. They attacked
me without word of warning. 1t was
he, too, who called in DR.. Quin."
"Have you-did you see any Of the
people at Dunraven besides this young
man?"
II saw his mother, sir. She is nurse
there, and has been in the family for
years, am told"
Perry was silent a moment. Then he
spoke again:
"Have you heard any furthrer threats
among the men here since the arrest of
Sergt. Leary?"
Gwynne hesitated, coloring painfully:
''It is something hate to speak of, sir.
I'll oil ,<l1 l,o
least"
Il know that, sergeant. All the same
we want to prevent recurrence of that
performance, ana it was that, mainly,
that brought me over here. l saw some
men stealing out of NJ troops quarters
awhile ago, and lost them in the dark
ness. thought they might be coming
over here, and-got here first"
Gwynne's face lighted up. 1t touched
him to know his officers were on the
lookout for his safety.
Il have heard nothing, sir. The men
would hardly be apt to speak to me on
the subject, since the affair of the other
night. What fear is simply this-that
there is an element here in the regiment
that is determined to get down there to
the ranch and have satisfaction for the
assault that was made on you and your
party. They need horses in order to get
there and back between midnight and
reveille, and are doubtless Matching some
plan. They failed here; now they may
Try the stables of some other troop or the
Quartermaster's. Shall | warn the SEN
try that there are providers out to-
night"
Not yet. They will hardly make the
attempt while your light is burning here.
What I'm concerned about just now is
this: We all know that there is deep
sympathy for Leary in the command,
and it is not improbable that among the
Irishmen there is corresponding feeling
against you. / don't Like your being
here alone just now, for they know you
are almost the only witness against
him."
II have thought of that, sir" answered
Gwynne, gravely, but want nothing
that looks like protection. The captain
has spoken of the matter to me, and he
agreed, sir, that it would do more harm
than good. There is one thing | would
ask-if I may trouble the lieutenant"
"What is it, sergeant
"Ihavea little packet, containing some
papers and trinket Or two, that l would
like very much to have kept safely, and.
if anything should happen to me, to
have you, sir, and Capt STRIKER open it,
and-the letters there will explain every
thing that is to be done"
Certainly. / will take care Of it FOX
you-if not too valuable"
"Iwould rather know it was with you
sir, than stow it in, the quartermaster's
safe" was Gwynne's answer, as he
opened little wooden chest at the foot
of his bunk. and, after runlmaging a
moment, drew forth parcel tied and
sealed. This he handed to the lieutenant.
Now will so back and notify the
officer Of the guard Of what I have
SEEM" said Perry; land want Nolan.
saddled, over at my quarters right after
morning stables. Win you see to it:'
Il will, sir, and thank YOU for your
kindness"
AL was darkness, all silence and peace
as Perry retraced his steps and went
back to the garrison. carrying the little
packet in his hand. He went direct to
the guard house, and found Mr.. Graham
sulky over being disturbed in his snooEe
by the sentry's challenge.
What the devil are you owing
around this time of night for< was the
not unnatural question. 81 thought il