Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20
saw the woman, both at Haynes quar-.

"Mr. Ross, just govern your tongue,
sir, and remember you are speaking to
your superior officer, and don't venture
to treat my statement with disrespect
hereafter. | saw it myself
"You!' gulpcd Ross, while amaze and
increduity shot across his startled face.
"Youl' exclaimed others of the group,
in evident establishment and dsmav.
Rayner alone looked unchanged. 1t was
no news to him. while to every other
man in the party it was n shock. Up to
that instant the prevailing belief had
been with Ross that Buxton had found
some garrison gossip and was building
an editice thereon. His positive state
ment, however, was too much for the
most incredulous.
"Now what have you to sayT' he asked,
in rude triumph.
There was no answer for a moment;
then Ross spoke:
"Of course, Capt. Buxton, withdraw
any expression of doubt. It never oc-
Cured to me that you could have seen
it. May | ask when and how"
"'The last time | was officer Of the day,
sir; and Capt. Rayner is my witness as
to the time. Others, whom l need not
MENTION saw it with me. There is no
mistake, sir. The woman was there"
And Buxton stood enjoying the effect.
Ross looked white and dazed. He
turned slowly away, hesitated, looked
back, then exclaimed:
"You are sure it vast was not some
one that had right to be there:'
Glow could it be-" said Buxton,
! gruflly. "You know he has not an &C
| quaintance in town, or here, who could
be with him there at night"
docs the commanding officer know of
it?' asked Mr., Royce, after moments
| silence.
II am the commanding officer, Mr.
Royce" said Buxton, with ma estic dig
nity-"at least will be after 10 o'clock;
and you may depend upon it, gentle
men, this thing will not occur while
am in command without its receiving
the exact treatment it deserves. Re
member. now, not word of this to any
! body. You are as much interested as
am in bringing to justice a man who
will disgrace his uniform and his regi-
son by such an act. This sort of thing
of course will run him out of the service
for good and all We simply have to be
sure of our ground and make the evil
dence conclusive. Leave that to me the
next time it happens. Irepeat, say moth
ing of this to any one"
But Rayner had already told his wife
Just as Mai. Waldron was driving off
to the station that bright April after
noon, and his carriage was whirling
through the east gate, the driver caught
sight of Lieut.. Hayne running up Prai-
RE avenue, waving his hand and shout
ing to him. He reigned in his spirited
bays with some difficulty, and Hayne
finally caught up with them.
"What is it, Havne:" asked Waldron,
with kindly interest, leaning out of his
carriage.
They will be back tonight, sir. Here
is a telegram that has just reached me. y
Il can't tell you how sorry | am not
to be here to welcome them; but Mrs.
Waldron will be delighted and she will
come to call the moment you let her
know. Keep them till I get back, if you
possibly can
CAY, av, sir Good-by"
"Good-by, Hayne. God bless you, and
good luck"
A little later that afternoon Mrs. Ray
ner had occasion to go into her sister,
room. 1t was almost sunset, and Nellie
had been summoned downstairs to sec
visitors Both the ladies were busy with
their packing, Mrs. Rayner, as became
an invalid, uperntending, and Mis-.
Travers, as became the junior, doing al
the work. 1t was rather trying to pacl
all the tslnks and receive visitors OF
both sexes at odd hours. Some of hel
garrison acquaintance would have beer
glad to come and help, bug those whom
she would have welcomed were no
agreeable to the lady of the house. ant
those the lady of the house would have
chosen were not agreeable to her. Tht
relations between the sisters were some
what strained and unnatural, and hat
been growing more and more SO for sew
eral days past. Mrs. Rayner's desk wa
already packed away. She wanted t.
send note, and bethought her of her sis
ters portfolio.
Opening it she drew out some pape
and envelopes, and with the latter can
an envelope sealed and directed. On,
glance at its superscription sent the bloo(
to her cheek and fire to her eye. Was i
possible? Was it credible? Her pet, he
baby S her pride and delI;ht-unti
she found her stronger in will-her prou,
spirited, truthful Neil was beyond Ques
ton corresponding with Lieut. Ilayne
Here was note addressed to him. Uov
many more might not have been ex
changed Ruthlessly now she explore,
: the desk, searching for something from
him, but her scrutiny was vain. Oh
what could she say, what could she dc
to convey to her errlng sister an ade
} quate sense of the extent of her displeas
ure? How could she bring her to realize
the shame, the guilt, the scandal of hel
, course? She, Nellie Travers, the be
trothed wife of Steven Van Antwerp
corresponding secretly with this-thi,
scoundrel, whose past, crime laden as i
had been was aS nothing cOmDared ii