Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-04-27


The drirer caught sight of Lieut.. Hayne
earring his hand.
der orders for several days to proceed on
this particular date to a large town Il
days journey eastward by rail. Acourt
martial composed mainly of field officers
was ordered there to assemble for the
trial of an old captain OF cavalry whose
propensity IL was not so much To get
drunk as never to get drunk without
concomitant publicity and discovery. 1t
was rare thing for the old war dog TO
take so much as a glass of wine; he went
for months without it: but the instant he
began to drink he was moved to do or
say something diSreputable, and that was
the trouble now. He was an unlucky
old trooper, who had risen from the low
est grades. fought with credit, and even,
at times. commanded his regiment dur
ing the war: but war records could not
save him when he wouldn't save himself,
and he had to go. The court was or
dered and the result was foregone CON
clusion The colonel, his adjutant and
Mai. Stannard were to drive to town
during the afternoon and take the east
bound train. leaving Maj. Waldron in
command of the post; but before guard
mounting "A telegram was received, which
was sent from department headquarters
the evening before, announcing that one
of the officers detailed for the court was
seriously i'll and directing Maj. Waldron
TO take his place. So it resulted in the
post being left to the command of the
senior captain present for duty, and that
man was Capt. Buxton. He had never
had so big a command before in all his
life.
Mai. Waldron of course had to go home
and make his preparations. Mr.. Hayne
therefore, had brief opportunity TO speak
with him. 1t was seen, however, that
they had a short talk together on the
majors piazza, and that when they
parted the major shook him warmly and
cordially by the hand. Rayner, Buxton,
Ross and some juniors happened to be
coming down along the walk at the mo-
ment, and, seeing them as though with
pointed meaning the major called out. so
| that all could hear:
by the way, Hayne, wish you would
drop i'm occasionally while I'm gone and
/ take Mrs. WaldrOn out for a walk or
drive: my horses are always at your SER
vice. And-a-I'll write to you about
/ that matter the moment I've had a
chance to talk with the cOlonel-to-mOr-
row, probably" And Hayne touched
| his cap in parting salute, and went
/ blithely off with frightened eye and ris-
/ ing color.
Buxton glowcrcd after him moment,
| and conversation suddenly ceased in
| their party. Finally he blurted out:
Strikes me your major might do "A
good deal better by himself and his regi-
mcnt by standing up for its morale and
disciplined than by openly Haunting his
| favOritiSm for cOnvictS in our faces. II
| were in your regiment I'd cut him"
You wouldn't have to- muttered one
of the group to his neighbOr: 1.-THE cut
would have been on the other side long
ago" And the speaker was Buxton
own Subaltern.
Rayner said nothing. His eyes were
troubled and anxious, and he looked
after Hayne with an expression far more
wearied than vindictive.
The major is fond of music, captain, -
said Mr.. Ross, with miSchevous intent.
''He hasn't been to the club since the
night you sang Eileen Alanna. That
was about the time Haynes piano
came.
yes" put in Foster Mrs. Waldron
saws he goes and owls lIayne now night
after night just to hear him play"
at would be well for him. then, if he
kept a better guard on Mr.. Haynes
other visitors, said Buxton, with dark
scowl. Il don't know how you gentle
men in the RiflcrS look upon such mat
tiers. but in the TIL the man who dared
to introduce a woman of the town into
his quarters would be kicked out in
short order"
''You don't mean to say that anybody
accuses Haync of that, do yOu?" asked
Ross. in amaze.
Il do-iuSt that Only, | say this to
YOU. it has but just come to light, and
only ono or two know it, To prove it
positively he's got to be allowed more
rope: for he got her out Of the way last
time before we could clinch the matter.
If he suspects it is known he won't re-
peat it; if kept to ourselves he Will pro-
badly try it again-and be caught.
Now charge you all to regard this As
confidential
But. Capt. Buxton said Ross, this
is so serious matter that | don't like TO
believe it, Who can prove such a
story?"
.Of course not. Mr.. Ross. You are
unite ready to treat a man as thief. but
can't believe he'll do any other that is
disreputabe. That is characteristic of
vour style of reasoning said Buxton,
with biting sarcasm.
.You can't wither me with contempt.
Cant. Buxton. | have a right TO my
opinion. and have known Mr.. Hayne
for wears. and if l did believe him
guilty of one crime five years ago. I'm
not 50 ready to believe him guilty Of an
other now That isn't - isn't like
Hayne."
NO. of course not, as l said before.
Now. will YOU tell me, Mr.. Ross. just why
Mr.. Havnc chose that ramshackle old
sbantv out there on the prairie, all by
himself. unless it was TO be where he
could have his chosen companions with
him at night, and no one be the wiser?"
Il don't pretend to fathOm his mo-
tiyes. sir; but don't believe it was for
anv such purpose as you seem to think. y
in other words, you think I'm circu-
lating baselesS scandal, do you?'
i have said nothing Of the kind; and
protest against your putting words in
to nv mouth l never used.
s.You intimated as much, anyhow,
and Won plainly don't believe it,"
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