Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-06

I s~e ~(>~~~
days"
what made them think he had been
in the cavalry service abroad:?'
'Oh, his perfect knowledge of trooper
duties and management Of horses. 1t
took him no time to learn the drill, and
he was sergeant before he had been
with me two years. Then, if you ever
noticed, colonel" said Capt. Stryker, ap.
pealing to his chief, whenever Gwynne
stands attention he always has the fin
gers of both hands extended and point
ing down along the thigh, close against
it-so." And Stryker illustrated. Now,
you never see an American soldier do
that; and I never saw it in any but Eng
lish trained soldiers. He has Quit it
somewhat of late, because the men told
him it showed where he was drilled
we have other English 'non-coms.' you
know-but for'a long time noticed that
in him. Then he was enlisted in New
York city. some four years ago, and all
his things were OF English make-what
he had"
What manner Of looking fellow is
he?" asked the doctor. II think I would
have noted him had seen him."
Yes, you EngIishmen are apt to look
to one another" said the colonel in re-
ply. land Gwynne is a particularly fine
specimen. He has your eyes and hair,
doctor, but hasn't had time to grow
grizzled and bulky yet, as you and
have. One might say that you and the
sergeant were from the same shire"
THAT would help me very little, since
I was only three years old when the gov
ernor emigrated," answered the doctor,
with a quiet smile. 1--WE keep some
traces Of the old sod, suppose, but
I've been a Yankee for forty years, and
have never once set eyes on Merrie Eng
land in all that time. Did the sergeant
say where he wanted to go?' And the
questioner looked up sharply.
Nowhere in particular-down the
valley was all. 1 remember, though,
that Mr.. Parke said he seemed much ex-
ercised over the name of that ranch down
the Monee-I've forgotten what they call
it. Have you heard it, colonel"
Seems to me have, but I've forgot
ten. You have, doctor, have you not!"
Heard what, colonel:'
"The name Of that ranch down the
Monee-an English ranch, they tell me,
about seven miles away"
"Oh, yes!-that one! They call it Dun
raven Ranch.-Did the sergeant take any
of the hounds with him, captain? 1t &C.
ours to me he might have been running
coyote or a rabbit, and his horse have
stumbled and fallen with him. There is
no end of prairie dog holes down that
way"
No, the dogs are all in. / wouldn't
be surprised if he had gone to the ranch.
That's an English name, and they are all
Englishmen down there, l near. Very
possibly that is the solution. They may
have tempted him to stay with English
hospitality; though it would astonish me
if he yielded. I'll tell the men to inquire
there first, colonel, and will go and send
them now" And, bowling to his COM
mander, Capt. Stryker turned and left
the porch
The doctor rose, thrust his hands deep
in his pockets, paced slowly to the south
ern end of the veranda. and gazed down
the distant, peaceful valley, an anxious
cloud settling on his brow. The colonel
resumed once more the newspaper he
had dropped upon the floor. After mo-
ment DR.. Quin came slowly back, stood
in front of the entrance few seconds
looking irresolutely at the soldier
LODI r,,I L
chair, stepped towards him with pre-
paratory clearing Of his throat as though
about to speak, and then. suddenly and
helplessly abandoning the idea, he
plunged down the short flight of steps,
hurried out of the gate and disappeared
around the fence corner in the direction
of the hospital. Immersed in his paper,
the colonel never seemed to note that he
had gone; neither did he note the fact
that two ladies were coming down the
walk
The soft swish of trailing skirt being
insufficient to attract his attention as
they arrived nearly opposite the shaded
veranda, silvery peal of laughter broke
the stiffness of the early evening. Mrs.
Belknap's laugh was delicious-soft, me-
lodious, ripping as a canary song. and !
just as spontaneous. Neither lady had /
said anything at the moment that was
incentive of merriment; but if Mrs Law /
renee had given utterance to the qsaint- /!
est, oldest most whimsical conceit i'm /
aginable, Mrs. Belknap's laugh could not /
have been more ready, and her great, /
dark eyes shot sidelong glance to note /
the effect. Down went the paper. and /
up, with considerable propping from his 4
muscular arms, came the burly form of i
the post commander. Two sweet, snil- +
ing faces beamed upon him through an /.
aperture in the leafy screen, and Mrs. /
Belknap's silvery voice hailed him in
laughing saiutation:
did we spoil your siesta, colonel:
How can make amends? You see, Won
were SO hidden by the vines that no one
would dream of your being there in am
bush"
''Oh, indeed, assure you / wasn't
asleep" answered the colonel. hastily.
Wont you come in, ladies, and sit
here in the shade awhile:"
I'VE thought We would stroll around
until parade" said Mrs. Lawrence, hest
tatingly. land then sit down and watch
it somewhere"
.'No place better than this" promptly
answered the colonel 'You can SIT be-
hind the vines on that side and see, or,
what we would infinitely prefer. sit here
CT rha entrance and 30 saau Aa1,-1-,a !