Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-10-12

strange apparition. it suddenly glared
forth second time. shining full and ius-
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.
swat; once more you'll see it," she
whispered. "Then take me in to Capt.
Lawrence. Do you see that the doctor
is leaving?"
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post surgeon had very quietly Withdrawn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 ne WIS lost 10 Slknt.
A third time the bright light burst
upon the view of the gazers. A third
time, sharply aud suddenly, it disap-
peared. Then for a moment all was
silence and watchfulness: but it came no
more.
Perry looked questioningly in his com.
panion's face. She had turned a little
white, and he felt sure that she was
shivermg.
"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 tc
dark window under the peaked dormei
roof of the large cottage 10 the south
THAT is the doctors house"
In Ia few seconds faint CLEAN seemed
TO creep through the stats. Then the
stats themselves were thrown wide open,
white shade was lowered, and, with
the rays behind it growing brighter ev.
cry instant broad white light shone
forth over the roof Of the veranda An
other moment and footsteps were heard
along the doctors porch. footsteps thai
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
summary air, and went in again by the
main door to the coloners quarters.
Then Perry turned to his partner:
well, Mrs. Lawrence, what does it all
mean? Is this part of what you mad to
tell me-
Don't ask me now IL did not want
TO see what we have seen. but | 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 took
the children"
who went away"
Mrs Quin-the doctors wife. And
she was such a sweet woman, and so de-
voted to him
well, pardon me, Mrs. Lawrence, !
don't see through this thing at all Do
you mean that the doctor has anything
to do with the mystery"
She bowed her head as they turned
back to the house: Il must not tell you
any more tonight. You will be sure to
hear something Of it all, here. Every.
body on the piazza saw the lights, and
all who were here before you came knew
what they meant"
what were theyI"
signals, of some kind, from Dunra ven
Ranch"
fro mr. ToN.Tr<r-Fn1