Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-13

U night no one seemed to
know. He was present
at sick call, and imperturbable as ever,
on the following morning, and the few
officers who were at headquarters after
guard mounting were able to affirm that
the colonel had been courteous as usual
in his greeting to the medical officer, and
that nothing whatever had been said
about his being away so late the previ-
GUS evening. Capt. Stryker came home
soon after midnight, had brief talk
with his colonel, and went over TO the
stables TO inquire into Gwynne's condi-
ton before he went to bed. Parke came
into Perry's room after morning stables,
and told him, as he was yawning and
stretching in bed, that the captain had
had quite long talk with Gwynne that
morning, and that something was up"
he didn't know what. Later in the
day Perry was sent for by Col Brainard
and found the commanding officer in
consultation with Capt. Stryker and two
other troop commanders.
At their request he repeated the story
of his adventure at Dunraven, beginning
with his instructions TO the men he left
at the gate, and ending with old Matt
lands swooning; and about an hour after
he had finished he saw the adjutant with
a small escort ride away down the valley,
and rightly conjectured that the colonel
had sent letter to Dunraven inQuiring
into the cause of the assaults on two
members of his command. Battalion
drill kept him occupied all the morning;
garrison court convened at noon and
sat until skirmish drill began at p. M;
and so it happened that not until near
parade did he find a moments time to
himself. He longed TO see Mrs. Law
renee and question her as to the nature
of the "Dunraven stories" she had men
toned; for what had been a matter Of
indifference to him then had suddenly
become of vivid interest. There were
ladies sitting on the Lawrences' gallery,
he could plainly see, as the cavalry off,
GERS came tramping in from afternoon
stables, but lac could not hope to ask or
hear anything about a matter so near
his heart in the presence of so many
and interested listeners. He
kept away towards his own gate, there
fore, until he saw that there, leaning on
the gate post, and apparently awaiting
him, stood DR.. Quin.
Perry would gladly have avoided the
doctor, the antagonism he was beginning
10 feel for him was of a character that
would hardly brook concealment Cor
dial and joyous in manner as he was to
almost every man, woman and child he
met, it was all the more noticeable that
to the very few whom he held in dislike
or distrust his bearing was cold and re-
pellent in the last degree. Something
told him the doctor was there to speak
TO him about their chance meeting at
Dunraven. He did not want to speak to
him at all, Just now. Yet how could he
hope to have these matters explained
without meeting and a talk? While
the officers strolled over and stopped
most Of them, in front of the group Of
adde's at Lawrence's, Perry stalked
straight across the parade and the boun-
dairy road, with his blue ewes fixed on
the doctors face.
The latter was studying him as he
came, and doubtless read that expression
of GOODNESS and distIust; possibly he re-
'ented it. At all events, something
him to speak in a tone less
cordial than he had ever employed to-
wards Perry youngster whom
thoroughly approve of" as he said be-
'ore he had known him a week. Still
Gaming on the gate post. and resting his
head on his hand, the doctor began!
mr.. Perry, / have been TO see you
.wice today, but could not find you, and
wanted 10 speak with you on a matter
u some importance"
"You could have found me on drill or
the court, if anything immediate was
needed. have been nowhere else, ex-
cept to stables, said Perry, shortly.
1T was a personal matter-a some
wbas embarrassing one-and thought
best to see you alone"
"Well, here / am, DIR. Quin; drive
ahead and let US have it,"
IL wanted to ask you if, while you
were at the ranch last night, you saw
anything Of large signet ring. with a
crest and motto engraved on the stone"
II did not, unless you mean the one
Mr.. Maitland wore"
Tho very one! You noticed that, did
you?"
~ noticed lac had something of the
kind on his left hand when he came
down"
"And it was nowhere TO be found after
you went away. You may remember
you were chatting and slapping that hand,
and thought you might have accident
ally removed 1t at that time"
THE reflection is not pleasant one,
DR.. Quin," said Perry, with an angry
light in the blue eyes.
Pardon me, Mr.. Perry; put it awk-
wardly, but mean no reflection what
ever. Miss Maitland mentioned your eff
forts to restore the old gentleman to con-
sciousness, and together we searched the
sofa and the floor after we had put him
safely to bed and discovered the loss of
the ring. Ii is one to which he attaches
peculiar value, and its loss has proved
upon him. While l know very well you
could not have the ring, was asked to
1871 NoAh "a yOu IcLucLuDtI6u seeing IL,
and so establish the truth of Mr.. Matt
Iand's belief that it was on his finger
when he went to that room"
at was; but do not recollect its be-
ing on his hand after he was carried to
he sofa. 1t would surely have attracted
my attention while chatting it."
The parlor, hall and piazza have been
swept and searched, am told by this
note" and the doctor indicated a little
nissive he held In his hand, whereat
Perry's face did not brighten, land with
10 success. l was asked to inquire of
1ou, and If it has annoyed you, as / in
er by your manner, pray let that be
ny apology. Then am to say you saw
when Mr.. Maitland entered the room,
nut not again.
Precisely; unless you choose to add
o your correspondent that the next
lime am associated with missing prop
'rty at Dunraven l would prefer to be
Questioned direct, and not through a
bird party"
A quiet smile shone for an instant on
he doctors grave face:
81 fear that have not ACCOMPLISHED