The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-12-06


ears. He heard the piano crisply thrilling
response to light, skillful fingers. He
ionged for q peep within, and regretted
that he had dropped Mr.. Hayne from the
list of his acquaintance He recognized
Haynes shadow presently thrown by
the lamp upon the curtained window
and wished that his visitor would come
similarly into view. He heard the clink
OF glasses and saw the shadow raise a
wine glass to the lips, and Sans Mon.
goiian shape fitted across the screen,
bearing tray with similar suggestive
objects. What meant this unheard of
conviviality on the part of the ascetic,
the hermit, the midnight oil burner, the
scholarly recluse of the garrison? Bux-
ton stared with all his eyes and listened
with all his ears. starting guilty when
he heard martial footstep coming
quickly up the path, and faced the in
truder rather unsteadily 1t was only
the corporal of the guard, and he glanced
at his superior. brought his fur gauntlet
ed hand in salute to the rifle on his shoul-
der and passed on.
The next moment Buxton fairly gasped
with amaze; he stared an instant a. the
window as though transixed, then ran
after the corporal, called to him in low,
stealthy tone to come back noiselesslv,
drew him by the sleeve to the front of
Haynes quarters. and pointed to the
parlor window. Two shadows were
there now-one easily recognizable as
that OF the young officer in his snugly
fitting undress uniform, the other slen-
der, graceful feminine.
"What do you make that other shadow
to be. corporal" he whispered, hoarsely
and hurriedly. Look And with that
exclamation Swallowed arm seemed to
encircle the slender form, the mustached
image to bend low and mingle with the
outlined Insurance of tress that decked
the others head. and then. together, with
clasplng arms, the shadows moved from
view. ~
What was the other, corporal?' he
repeated.
well, sir, should say it was a Young
woman"
Buxton could hardly wait until morn
ing to see Rayner. When he passed the
latter's quarters half an hour later all
was darkness, though, had he but known
1t, kayner was not asleep. He was at
the house before guard mounting and
had a confidential and evidently exciting
tax with the captain; and when he went
Just as the trumpets were sounding.
these words were heard at the front door:
''She never left until after daylight.
when the same rig drove her back to
town. There was stranger with her
then"
That morning both Rayner and Buxton
looked hard at Mr.. Hayne when he came
IN TO the matinee: but he was just as
calm and quiet as ever, and having sa-
luted the commanding officer took a seat
by Capt. Gregg and was soon occupied
in conversation with him. Not a word
was said by the officer of the day about
the mysterious visitor to the garrison the |
previous night. With Capt. Rayner,
however, he was again in conversation |
much of the day, and to him, not to his
successor as officer Of the day, did he
all the details of the pre-
Vious nights adventure and his theories |
thereanent
Late that night, having occasion to
'tep to his front door, convinced that he
ieard stealthy footsteps on his piazza,
Mr. Hayne could see nobody in the DARK
less, but founi his front gate open. He
walked around his little house, but not
man was visible His heart was FULL
d new and strange excitement that
iight, and, as before, he threw on his
'Sercoat and furs and took rapid walk
around the garrison, gazing up into the
'tarry heavens and drinking in great
of the pure, bracing air. Re-
urnng, he came down along the front
v officers row, and as he approached
Sayners quarters his eyes rested long
ngiy upon the window he knew to be
lers now: but all was darkness. AS he
apidly neared the house, however, he
'ecame aware of two bulky figures at
he gate, and, as he walked briskly mast,
ecosnized the overcoats as those of Off
ers. One man was doubtless Rayner,
he other he could not tell: for both, the
astant they recognized his step. seemed ,
avert their heads. Once home again.
q soon sought his room and pillow: :
ut, long before he could sleep, again
nd again a sweet vision seemed to :
ONE to him: he could not shut out the !,
bought of Nellie Travers-of how she ,
'oked and what she said that very after. ;
DON.
He had gone to call at Mrs. Waldron's =
ION after dark. He was at the piano, !,
laying for her, when he became con- ;,
'ious that another lady had entered the =
'om, and, turning, saw Nellie Travers. :,
Q rose and bowed to her. extending his
and as he did so, and knowing that his ,
cart was thumping and his color rising '