Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-26

sensations for a whole fortnight, and
one excitement had trodden on the heels
OF another with such rapidity that people
were growing weary.
Perhaps the happiest man in garrison
was Capt. Stryker; he had refused to be-
iieve in the guilt of Sergt. Gwynne when
Capt. Wayne came to him to say that
there were men in his troop who openly
accused the sergeant of having that cher
ished seal ring secreted in his chest. So
confident was he that he had gone with
the captain and Mr. Farnham to the
stables and there told Gwynne of the
charge against him. Gwynne flushed
hotly, denied the truth of the story, but
hesitated when asked if he would allow
his chest to be searched. This was quick
ly noted by Wayne and Farnham, and
the search was insisted upon. Gwynne
then said there were few items in that
chest which he allowed no one to see; he
pledged his soldier word that they were
nothing but paper or two, some little
photographs and book. These he asked
permission to remove first; then they
might search. But Wayne sternly re-
fused. The sergeant turned very white,
set his lips, and hesitated still, until his
own captain spoke; then he surrendered
his key.
Wayne and Farnham bent over the
chest while the troop first sergeant rapid.
ly turned over the clothing, books, etc.,
with trembling hands. There was little
compartment at one side, in which were
lying some small items-a pocket COM
pass, a pencil case, some keys, locket
and a neck chain, and, among these,
something wrapped in tissue paper. This
was handed to Capt. Wayne, who UNI
rolled the paper, and-there wasa massive
seal ring. A crest was cut in the stone,
and, taking it to the light, Wayne was
able to make out the motto, "Quod sur
sum volo videre." 1t was the ring Matt
land had lost.
Stryker looked wonderingly at his SER
geant. who stood there as though petri-
fed with amaze and CONSERVATION, pale
as death, and unable to say a word.
Asked TO explain the matter, he could
only shake his head, and, after awhile,
hoarsely muttered, II know nothing
about it. never placed it there"
do you mean to tell me you never saw
it before?" asked Wayne. sternly. And
Gwynne was silent.
''Is this the first time you ever saw it,
say?" repeated the captain angrily.
mo, sir; have seen it before was
the answer
"Then you must have known twas
stolen, and you have connived at its con-
cealment," was Wayne's triumphant
conclusions: and on the report of his Off
GERS Col Brainard had no alternative but
to order Gwynne's close arrest. Only
Stryker'sappeal and guarantee saved the
sergeant from confinement in the guard
house.
The next sensation was the sight of
DR.. Quin galloping back 10 the post like
mad and boiling unceremoniously into
the colonel's gate. Then Stryker was
sent for, and the three officers held an
excited conversation. Then the orderly |
went at a run over TO the quarters, and |
in five minutes Sergt. Gwynne, erect as
ever and dressed with scrupulous care, |
looking anything but like guilty man, |
was seen crossing the parade towards his |
house. The men swarned out /
on the porches as the tidings went from
lip to lip, and some of tho Irish troopers |
in Wayne's company were remarked as /
being oddly excited. just what took |
place during that interview none could |
tell, but in ten minutes the news was fly |
ing around the garrison that Sergt. |
Gwynne was released from arrest, and /
in less than half an hour, to the wonder
ment of everybody, he was seen riding |
away towards Dunraven with DIR. Quin,
and for two days more did not reappear
at Rossiter
But when the story flashed from house
to house about the garrison that Sergt.
Gwynne was not Sergt. Gwynne at all,
but Mr.. Archibald Wyndham Quin Matt
land, late of her majesty's -th Lancers,
the only surviving son of the invalid
owner of Dunravan Ranch and other
valuable properties. the amaze amount
ed to stupefaction. 1t was known that
old Mr.. Maitland lay desperately weak
and i'll the day that Quin the doctor
came riding back. All manner of stories
were told regarding the affecting ma
ture of the interview in which the
long lost son was restored to his over
ioyed father, but, like most stories. they
were purely the offspring of imagination,
for at that interview only three were
present: Gladys led her brother to the
room and closed the door, while good
Mrs. Cowan stood weeping for joy down
the long corridor. and DIR. Quin blinked
his eyes and fused and fidgeted and
strobe around Perry's room with his
hands in his pockets. exploding every
now and then into sudden comment on
the romantic nature of the situation and
the idiocy of some people there at Ros-
sitter. Joy does not kill" he said;
Maitland would have been dead man
BY the end of the week but for this; it
will give him a new lease of life"
And it did Though the flame was
feeble and pickering, it was famed by
ioy unutterable. The boy whom the
stricken father believed his stubborn
pride and condemnation had driven to
despair and suicide was restored to him
IN the prime of manly strength. all ten
ierness, all forgiveness. and Maitland's
whole heart went TN in THANKSGIVING