Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-03-08


one felt called upon TO do It. Guilty Or
innocent, he has lived the life OF .
Pariah ever since"
"I wanted to opsn out to him, today"
said Capt. Gregg, ''but the moment
began to speak OF his great kindness 10
our men no froze a. stiff - Mulligan's
car. What was the uses simply
couldn't thaw an icicie. What made
him no effective in getting the frost out
of them was his capacity for absorbing
IL into his own system"
"well, here, gentlemen" said Buxton,
impatiently, "wc've got to face this thing
sooner or later, and may ss well do Il
now. know Rayner and like him, and
don't believe he's the kind OF man TO
wiIfully wrong another. don't know
Mr.. Hayne, and Mr.. Hayne apparently
don't want to know me. ] think that
where man has been convicted Of dis
acknowledgement conduct and is
cut by his whole regiment II is our busi-
ness TO back the regiment, not the man.
Now the question is, where shall we
draw the line In this case7 It's none OF
our funeral, as Blake says, but ordinarily
II would be our duty to call upon this
officer. Shall we do II, now that he Is
in Coventry, or shall we leave him TO his
own devices?"
"lll answer for myself, Buxton" said
Blake, "and you can do as you please.
Except that one thing, and the not un-
usual frivolties OF q youngster that oc-
CURED previous to this trial, I understand
that his character has been above re-
proach. So far as I can learn, he is far
more reputable character than am, and
n better officer than most Of us. Growl
all you want to, comrades mine; it's q
way we have in the army and I like it.
So long as include myself In these NAL
odorous comparisons, you needn't swear.
II Is my. conviction that the Riflers
wouldn't say he was guilty today II they
hadn't said so five years ago. II Is my
information that he has paid every cent
OF the damages, whether he caused them
or not, and it is my intention to go and
call upon Mr.. Hayne as soon rs he's set
tied. don't propose to influence any
man in his action; and excuse me, Bux-
ton, think you did"
The captain looked wrathful. Blake
was an oddity Of whom he rather stood
in awe, for there was no mistaking the
popularity and respect in which he was
held in his own regiment Tho -th was
somewhat remarkable for being emphati.
cally an "outspoken crowd, and for some
years, thanks to leaven of strong and
truthful men in whom this trait was pro-
nounced and sustained, it had grown to
be the custom of all but q few OF the off,
GERS to discuss openly and fully all mat
ters Of regimental policy and utterly to
discountenance covert action of any kind.
Blake was thoroughly popular and gen.
orally respected, despite tendency to
rant and rattle on most occasions. Never
theless, there were signs Of dissent as TO
the line of action he proposed, though it
were only for his own guidance.
"And how do you suppose Rayner and
the Riflers generally will regard your
calling on their black sheepY asked Bux-
ton, after pause.
81 don't know" said Blake, more seri.
ously, and with tone of concern. 81
like Rayner, and have found most OF
those fellows thorough gentlemen and
good friends This will test the question
thoroughly. believe most of them, ex.
cept, Of course, Rayner, would do the
same were they in my place. At all
events, mean to see."
"What are you going to do, Gregg
asked "thc MOLE" wheeling suddenly on
his brother troop commander.
81 don't know" said Gregg, doubt
fully. 81 think I'll ask the colonel"
''What do you suppose he means to
DOR
II don't know again; but I'll bet we
mind; and he is making up his mind
now--or he's made it up, for there goes
Mr.. Hayne, and here comes the orderly
Something's up already.
Every head was turned to the door.
way as the orderly's step was heard in
the outer hall, and every voice stilled to
hear the message, it was so unusual fol
the commanding officer to send for one
of his subordinates after the morning
meeting. The soldier tapped at the
panel, and at the prompt "Come in
pushed it partly open and stood with ont
white gloved hand resting on the knob
the other raised to his cap visor in salute
Lieut.. Baker he asked, as no glanced
around.
what is it2" asked Blake, stepping
quickly from the window.
1.-The commanding officers compli
ments, sir, and could he see the lieuten
ant ono minute before the court meets?'
Coming at once" said Blake, as he
pushed his way through the chairs, ant
the orderly faced about and disappeared
"Ill bet it's about Hayne," was tn,
apparently unanimous sentiment as tn,
cavalry party broke up and scattered fo
the mornings duties. Some waited pur
posely to hear.
The adjutant alone stood In the colo
nel's presence as Blake knocked and en-
tered. All others had gone. There wa
a moments hesitation, and the colone
paused and looked his man over befor
he spoke:
"You will excuse my sending for you
Mr.. Blake, when tell you that it is
matter that has to be decided at once
In this case you will consider, too, tina
want you to say yes or no exactly a
you would to comrade Of your owl
grade. If you were asked to meet Mr.
Hayne at any other house in the garri
son than mine, would you desire to &C
cept? You are aware of all the circum
stances, the adjutant tells me-"
II am, sir, and have just announce,
my intention Of calling upon him."
"Then will you dine with us thi
evening to meet Mr.. Hayne3'
II will do SO with pleasure, SIR"
1t could hardly have been an hou
afterwards when Mrs. Rayner entere
the library in her cosey home and foun
Miss Travers entertaining herself with
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