Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-16

known Mira Belknap fifteen years che
instantly thought I meant 10 make ber
out very much older than che b; and
hence these recriminationA She always
objected TO me because I used to tease
her when she was In her hrst long
dresses-the prettiest girl ct Fort Leev.
enworth-and she's never gotten over Il
But her father and / were good friends,
and should like to be an honest one to
his daughter. Cod night to you both"
Zone moment, DIR. Quin," said Perry,
springing forward. "You have seen &c
to make comments and insinuations that
have annoyed Mrs. Belknap at time
when she was under my escort-
"Oh, Mr.. Perry. mol mol" exclaimed
Mrs. Belknap, laying her hand on his
arm. "Not word Of that kind, inn
plorsi Hushi here comes my husband"
'Ah, Belknap." said the doctor
blandly. as the big captain came hur.
ricdly forth with searching glance along
the dark gallery. "here you find me, as
usual, trying to be devoted to Nfrs B.
whenever can get you out of the way.
Why the jeuce cant you stay?"
"Oh, it's you, Is it, DOCTOR" answered
the captain in tones Of evident relief
"It is far too chilly for this young
woman to be sitting here without a
wrap, Is it not? Come inside, Dolly
Come, doctor. Hallooi what's thatg''
A cavalry trumpeter came springing
through the gate and up on the veranda
sis Capt. Stryker herer' he painted.
"No. What's the matterI' demanded
Perry.
Trouble at the stables, sir Sergt
Gwynne's assaulted again."
Perry sprang from the veranda and
went tearing across the dark level Of the
parade as fast as active legs could carry
him. leaving the doctor far behind. As
he passed the company quarters he noted
that several men were leaping from their
broad galleries, some just pulling on a
blouse, others in their shirt sleeves, but
all fastening towards the stables, where
dim lights could be seen fitting about
like will-o -the-wisps One Of these
troopers came bounding to his side and
would have passed him in the race He
recognized the athletic form even In the
darkness and hailed him:
THAT you, Sergt. Learyf What's gone
wrong"
"It's thin blackguards from below
sir. Who else could it be9'
"Those people at the ranchy"
"The very ones. sir No one else would
harm Sergt. Gwynne. Sure we ought
to have wound 'em up the one night We
had chance, SIR"
Breathless, almost, they reached the
stables. The horses were all snorting and
plunging about in their stalls, showing
every indication of excitement and
alarm. From the stables of the adjoin-
ing companies other men had come with
lanterns, and a group of perhaps half a
dozen troopers was gathered about the
form of a cavalry sergeant who was seat
ed. limp and exhausted. at the western
doorway. One soldier was bathing his
face with sponge: the frs. sergeant of
the troop was bending over and trying
to feel the pulse.
"Stand back. you men, he said. au-
thoritativeiy. as he caught sight of the
lieutenant's shoulder straps. Leave a
lantern here. Now, Gwynne. here's
Lieut.. Perry Can, you tell him who it
wasy'
Gwynne feebly strove to rise. but Perry
checked him.
'St down! The docter is coming;
don't attempt to move" painted the young
officer Tell me what you know about
it, Sergt. Hosmer."
Nothing but this. sir was in the
Office when Trumpeter Petersen ran in
and said they were killing Sergt Gwynne.
! sent him for the captain and grabbed
my revolver and ran here as hard as
door when got here, and not another
soul In sight Sergt. Ross. of F troop.
and Sergt Pagan. Of b, came with their
lanterns from the stables next door; but
they had not even heard the trouble"
Where was the stable guard?'
Inside, sir. and he's there now. He
heard the scufile, he says, and ran to
give the alarm and to protect the SER
geant, but the men scattered when he
came, and he saw none of them"
Tell him to come here. Let some of
these men go in and quiet the horses.
The captain will be here in a minute,
and he will want to see that stableman.
Who is it,"
kelly, Sir.
BY this time DR.. Quin came lumber
ing heavily up the slope to tho stable
door. His manner was very quiet and
very grave as he bent over the injured
man and carefully studied his face by
the light of the sergeant's lamp The
doctor spoke gently:
"You know me, sergeant?-Dr. Quin.
Can you tell me what struck you? Are
you hurt elsewhere than in the head?"
Gwynne made no reply for a moment,
then family answered:
stunned, mainly, and one or two
kicks after was knocked down."
Then came deeper voice, quiet but
authoritative, and the group that had
begun to close in again about the doctor
and his patient fell back as Capt. Stryk ker
strobe into their midst.
"Sergt. Hosmer, send all these men Of
the troop back to their quarters at once,
and permit no more to come out. Is he
much hurt, DOCTOR"
Somewhat stunned, he says. I've
made no examination yet"
The captain looked about him. Ex-
cept one sergeant holding lantern, the
other troopers, obedient to his order,
were slowly fading back into the dark.
ness on their way to the barracks. Only
the doctor, Mr.. Perry. and the sergeant
remained by the side Of the injured
man. Then came the question:
who did this, GwynneY'
No answer. A deeper shade of pain
and trouble seemed to pass over the
sergeant's face. He made an effort to
speak, hesitated, and at last replied:
81 cannot say, SIR"
"You know, do you not?"
Again panied silence and embarrass-