The Dickinson press., 1890-01-25
the last man in this garrison-cavalry
and all-Hho can afford to throw

"What n little spitfire you always were,
to be sure! Mr.. Perry" said lie, turning
suddenly on tho young officer, 'let me
at once apologize for a very misleading
observation. When I spoke of having
known Mrs. Belknap fifteen years she
instantly thought meant to make her
out very much older than she is; and
hence these recriminations. She always
objected to me because l 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 should like to be an honest one to
his daughter Good night to you both"
Zone moment, DIR. Quin," said Perry,
springing forward. "You have seen fit
to make comments and insinuations that
have annoyed Mrs. Belknap at time
when she was under my escort"-
"Oh, Mr.. Perry, mol nov' exclaimed
Mrs. Belknap, laying her hand on his
arm. "Not word of that kind, i'm
plore! Hush! hero comes my husband"
"Ah, Belknap," said the doctor
'blandly, as the big captain came hur.
riedly forth with searching glance along
the dark gallery, "here you find me, as
usual, trying to be devoted to Mrs. b.
whenever can get you out of the way.
Why the jeuce can't you stay2"
ooh, it's you, is it, doctor?" answered
tho captain i'll tones of evident relief.
''It is far too chilly for this young
woman to be sitting here without a
wrap, is it not? Come inside, Dolly.
Come, doctor. Halloo! what's that?"
A cavalry trumpcter came springing
through tho gate and up on the veranda.
"Is Capt. Stryker llere?' he painted.
"No. What's the matter?" demanded
Perry.
"Trouble at the stables, sir. sergt.
Gwynne's assaulted again."
Perry sprang from tho 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 n
blouse, others in their shirt sleeves, but
all fastening towards the stables, where
dim lights could be seen fitting about
like '-the-wisps. One of these
troopers came bounding to his side and
would have passed him in the race. lie
recognized the athletic form even in the
darkness and hailed him:
"That you, Sergt. Leary? What's gono
wrong!"
"Its thin blackguards from below,
sir. Who else could it bc?'
"Thoso people at the ranch?"
"The very ones, sir. No ono else would
harm Scrgt. 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 stalls, showing
every Indication of excitement and
alarm. From the stables of the adjoin-
ing companies other men had come with
lanterns, and a group Of perhaps half a
dozen troopers was gathered about the
form of a cavalry sergeant who was seat
cd, limp and exhausted, at the western
doorway. One soldier was bathing his
face with sponge; tho first sergeant of
the troop was bending over and trying
to feel the pulse.
"Stand back, you men!" he said, au-
thoritatively, as he caught sight Of the
lieutcnant's shoulder straps. leave Il
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 docter is coming;
don'tattempt to move, painted the young
officer. Tell ME what you know about
it, Sergt. Hosmer."
Nothing but this, sir. was in tho
Office when Trumpeter Petersen ran in
and said they were killing Sergt. Gwynnc.
sent him for the captain and grabbed
my revolver and ran here as hard as
could. He was lying just outside the
door when got here, and not another
soul in sight. Sergt. Ross, of F troop,
and Sergt. Pagan, of B. came with their
lanterns from the stables next door; but
they had not even heard the trouble"
"Where was the stable guardY'
Inside, sir, and he's there now. He
heard the scuffle, he says, and ran to
give the alarm and to protect the SER
geant, but the men scattered when he
came, and he saw none of them"
'Tell him to come here. Let some of
these men go in and quiet the horses
The captain will be here in minute
and he will want to see that stableman.
Who is it?'
kelly, sir."
BY this time DR.. Quin came lumber
ing heavily up tho slope to the stable
door His manner was very quiet and
very grave as he bent over the injured
man and carefully studied his face by
the light of the sergeant's lamp. The
doctor spoke gently:
"You know me, sergeant?-Dr. Quin.
Can you tell me what struck you? Are
you hurt elsewhere than in the head?'
Gwynne made no reply for moment,
then family answered:
Stunned, mainly, and one or two
kicks after was knocked down."
Then came deeper voice, quiet but
authoritative, and the group that had
begun to close in again about the doctor
and his patient fell back as Capt. Stryker
strobe into their midst.
'Sergt. Hosmer, send all these men of
the troop back to their quarters at once,
and permit no more to come out. Is he
much hurt, doctor?"
Somewhat stunned, he says. I've
made no examination yet"
The captain looked about him. Ex-
cept one sergeant holding lantern, the
other troopers, obedient to his order,
were slowly fading back into the dark.
ness on their way to the barracks. Only
the doctor, Mr.. Perry, and the sergeant
remained by the side of tho injured
man. Then came the question:
WHO did this, Gwynne:'
No answer. A deeper shade of pain
and trouble seemed to pass over the
sergeants face. He made an effort to
speak, hesitatcd, and at last replied:
II cannot say, sir
You know, do YOU not:'