Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-20

| TOO peILufUeu TO say WOlQ even mad
there been chance to get in one edge.
wise. Blunt as be was, he could not but
realize the awkwardness Of the situation.
And to be so misjudged by.such man as
DR.. Quini All this was flashing through
his mind as the doctor answered:
Nothing with my appearance, Mrs.
Belknap; it was yours | remarked upon.
You seemed to think it All Fools day"
Far from it, doctor, when I thought
you miles away"
well, well, Mrs. Befl1nap," said Quin.
struggling his broad shoulders and laugh
ing at her undaunted pluck, '.Tve known
you fifteen years, and never have found
you at a loss for sharp retort.
''In all the years you have known me,
doctor, as child, as maid, as woman,
you are the only man in the army who
ever put me On the defensive. I see
clearly that you would taunt me because
of this interview with Mr.. Perry. Honi
soft qui NAL pense, DR.. GUM! You are
the last man in this garrison-cavalry
and au-who can afford to throw
| stones"
''Whew-w-w" whistled the doctor.
"What little spitfre you always were,
to be sure! Mr.. Perry" said he, turning
suddenly on the young officer, ''let me
at once apologize for very misleading
! observation. When 1 spoke of having
known Mrs. Belknap fifteen years she
instantly thought meant to make her
~, II, -. 4
hence these determinations. She always
objected to me because I used to tease
her when she was in her first long
dresses-the prettiest girl at Fort Leav-
enworth-and she's never gotten over it.
But her father and were good friends,
and l should like to be an honest one to
his daughter. Good night to you both. !"
Zone moment, Dr.. Quin," said Perry,
springing forward. "You have seen fit
to make comments and insinuations that
have annoyed Mrs. Beiknap at a time
when she was under my escort'-
"Oh, Mr. Perry, no! moi" exclaimed
Mrs. Belknap, laying her hand on his
arm. Not word OF that kind, i'm
plore! Hush! here comes my husband"
"Ah, Beiknap," said the doctor
blandly, as the big captain came huu-
riedly forth with searching glance along
the dark gallery, there you find me, as
usual, trying to be devoted to Mrs. 3.
whenever can get you out of the way.
Why the jeuce can't you stay:''
ooh, it's you, is it, doctor?' answered
the captain in tones of evident relief.
at is far too chilly for this young
woman to be sitting here without
wrap, is it not? Come inside, Dolly.
Come, doctor. Halloo! what's that?"
a cavalry trumpeter came springing
through the gate and up on the veranda.
SIS Capt. Suyker here?' he painted.
''No. What's the matter" 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
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 an
would have passed him in the race. II
recognized the athletic form even in tn
darkness and hailed him:
THAT you, Sergt. Leary? What's gone
wrong%
''It's thin blackguards from below,
sir. Who else could it be?"
''Those people at the ranchP"
"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 Eslls, showing
every indication of excitement and
alarm. From the stables of the adioin-
ing companies other men had come with
lanterns, and groupo 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 a sponge; the first sergeant of |
the troop was bending over and trying
to feel the pulse.
Stand back, you men" he said, au-
as he caught sight of the
heutenants shoulder straps. Leave a
lantern here. Now, Gwynne, here's
Lieut.. Perry. Can you tell him who it
was?'
Gwynne feebly strove to rise, but Perry
checked him.
''Sit down, The doctor 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
md said they were killing Sergt. Gwynne.
sent him for the captain and grabbed
NY revolver and ran here as hard as
,ould. He was lying just outside the
loor when got here. and not another
oul in sight. Sergt. Ross, of F troop,
md Sergt. Pagan. of B. came with their
anterns from the stables next door; sut
hey had not even heard the trouble"
Where was the stable guard?'
Inside, sir. and he's there now. He
heard the scufAe, he says. and ran to
1--WE the alarm and TO protect the ser
,eant, but the men scattered when he
anne, and he saw none Of them"
Tell him to come here. Let some OF