Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-05-22

Philadelphia, and published by special arrange
ment through the American Press ASSOCIATION
rs i.e: re:ooH their places; TIE esp
tain again resumed his position In front
of the center of his company, dropped
the point of his saber to the ground and
settled back into parade rest;" the band
went on laundering down the line,
countermarched and came back to its
post on the right, making the welkin
ring with the triumphant strains Of
Northern Route" the trumpets pealed
the retreat" the adjutant stalked his
three yards to the front, faced flercely
to the left and shouted his resonant Or
ders down the line, three hundred mar
tial forms sprang to attention, and the
FURNISHED arms came to the carry"
with simultaneous crash, ranks were
opened with old time precision, the
parade presented" to the colonel with
all due formality, the manual was ex-
ecuted Just as punctiliously as though
nothing unusual had happened; first SER
geants reported, orders were published,
parade formally dismissed; the line of
officers marched solidly to the front,
halted, and made its simultaneous salute
to the colonel, who slowly raised and
lowered his white gloved hand in recog-
milton; and then, and not till then, was
any one allowed to speak of what was
uppermost in every mind-that Sergt.
Gwynne's horse had come in without
him, and that the animals right flank
was streaming with blood.
Ten minutes later Lieut.. Perry, in rid
ing dress, came hurrying down to the
coloners quarters, where two or three
officers were now gathered at the gate.
The ladies had put aside the albums, and
with anxious faces were scanning the lit
tie group as though striving to gauge
from their gestures and expression the
extent of the calamity or the possible de-
gree of danger But Mrs. Lawrence
looked fairly startled when her hus-
bands voice was heard for the first time
above the general hum of consultation:
"Col. Brainard. Mr. Perry is coming,
see, md / presume there is no time to be
lost. You have asked if none of us who
were stationed here ever visited the
suggest that DR. Quin could perhaps tell
something of its inhabitants"
where is the DOCTOR? asked the col
oneI. turning suddenly Orderly, 20
and give my compliments to the post
surgeon and say wish to see him here
a moment. All ready, Perry? You have
made quick work of it.
"All ready, sir. At least, l will be
the moment my horse gets here. There
sc the men running to the stables now"
Capt Stryker will send a sergeant
and four men to report to you, and you
are to 20 direct to Dunraven Ranch
The rest of the troop, with the Chey-
enrns. will scout the prairie to the east
and south. Twill soon be too dark to
rail, but three of the Indians are going
back on the horses track as far as they
can The adjutant is writing a note TO
the proprietor of the ranch-I don't know
his name
His name Is Maitland, sir"
is it? Have you been there?"
I've been around one end of It, out
side, but nowhere near the buildings.
It's all fenced in. sir. and the gates kept
locked"
What an incomprehensible proceed
ing for Texas! Wait a moment while
speak to Mr. Farnham; he's writing here
at my desk. Gentlemen, come in on the
porch and sit down. will you not?"
But they excused themselves and
hacfanad oyvou to fl,a;r full Irooa
Capt Lawrence had no need to call his
wife, She babe her companion good
evening, thanked the colonel with a
smiling glance for the pleasure the pho
5ographs had given her, and added q
word of earnest hope that they might
find the sergeant uninjured. Then she
joined her husband, and together they
walked quickly away. Mrs. Belknap and
Mr.. Perry were left for the moment alone.
Can you walk home With me?" she
asked, in her low, modulated tones, the
great. heavily dashed, swimming dark
eyes searching his face. Il have not
seen you since they broke in upon our
talk last evening, and there is something
| want to ask you"
I'm sorry, Mrs. Belknap, but I'm on
duty, you see," was the young fellows
answer as he gave tug to the strap of
his cartridge belt Cant you ask me
hereY"
"How can I"-and the eyes were full
of pathetic OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES they
may come out any moment? You did
not finish telling ME about-about the
tassel last night. believe you were glad
when they interrupted us. Were you
not?"
Nonsense, Mrs. Belknapl Twas hav-
ing too good time-lots of fun"
Eyes, vas the reproachful answer,
that is what it was-to you-mere fun.
And now you are going away again,
after promising to come in this evening""
81 have to so, Mrs. Belknap Why, /
want to go. Haven't you heard what
has happened-about Sergt. Gwynne?"
'Oh, yes, it is your duty, of course;
but how unluckyT And the pretty face
was dropping with its weight of disap-
pointment and sadness She leaned
against the railing near his gauntlet COW
cred hand, the dark eyes pensively down
cast, the dark lashes sweeping her soft,
flushing cheek. "And tomorrow you
are on guard. she presently continued.
"Yes, unless some one has to go on for
me-in case we are not back in the morn
ing in time"
Then it's good-by, l suppose" she
said, lifting her eyes once more to his
AFTER tomorrow there viii be little
chance Of seeing you. Mrs Page viii
be here by that time"