The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-11-01


tentions" with laughing grace and en-
joying the society of these young fellows
immensely. The house would have been
gloomy without her and "the boys"
Rayner was prompt to admit, for he was
ill at ease and sOrely worried, while his
infammable Kate was Tuning over the
situation of her husbands affairs. I'm
der ordinary circumstances she would
have seen very little to object to so long
as Nellie showed no preference for any
one of her admirers at Warrener, and
unless peevish or perturbed in spirit
would have made little allusion to it.
AS matters stood, however, she was III q
most querulous and excitable mood; she
could not rail at the real cause of her
misery, and so, womanlike, she was
thankful for a preteXt for uncorking the
walls of her wrath on somebody or some
thing else.
II the young matrors in garrison who,
with the two or three visiting maidens,
were disposed to rebel ct Miss Nell's ap-
parent absorption of all the available
cavaliers at the post, and call her too
lucky girl, could but have heard Mrs.
Rayner's nightly TRADES and hourly re-
Dukes, they might have realized that
here, as elsewhere, the rose had its
singing thorns. AS for Miss Travers,
she COMPOUNDED her sister by taking it all
very submissively and attempting no de-
Tense. Possibly conscience was telling
her that she deserved more than she was
getting, or than she would be likely to
get until her sister heard of the adven-
ture with Mr.. Hayne.
by the way" said Mr.. Royce one
evening as they were stamping off the
snow and removing their heavy wraps in
Rayner's hallway after series of garri-
son calls, Mrs. Waldron says she ex-
poets you to play for her tomorrow
afternoon, Miss Travers. Of course it
will be my luck to be at stables"
"You hear better music every after
noon than ! can give you. Mr.. Royce"
"Where, pray2' asked Mrs. Rayner,
turning quickly upon them.
Mr.. Royce hesitated, and--with shame
be it said-allowed Miss Travers to meet
the questions:
''At Mr.. Haynes. Kate"
There was the same awkward silence
that always followed the mention of
Haynes name. Mrs. Rayner looked an
noyed. 1t was evident that she wanted
more acknowledgements to ask, but
was restrained. Royce determined to be
Several Of us have got quite in the
way of stopping there on our way from
afternoon stables he said, very quietly.
"Mr. Hayne has his piano now, and has
nearly recovered the full use of his eyes.
He plays we'll"
MIS-. Rayner turned about once more,
and without saying SO much as good
night, went heavily upstairs. leaving
ner escort to share with Mr.. Royce such
as the captain was ready to
accord them. IT forbidden to talk on the
subject nearest her heart, she would not
speak at all. She would have banged her
door, but that would have walked baby.
It stung her to the quick to know that
the cavalry officers were daily visitors
1T Mr.. Haynes quarters. 1t was little
comfort to know that the infantry Of
icers did not go, for she and they both
knew that, except Maj. Waldron, no
one of their number was welcome under
hat roof, unless he would voluntarily
come forward and say, 81 believe you
innocent" She felt that but for the
stand made by Hayne himself most of
their number would have received him
into comradeship again by this time,
and she could hardly sleep that night
from thinking over what she had heard.
But could she have seen the figure
hat was sinking in the snow at the
rear door of Haynes quarters that very
evening, peering into the lighted rooms,
md at last, after many an iiresolute
urn, knocking timidly for admission
md then hiding behind the corner of
he shed until Sam came and poked his
pig tailed head out into the wintry dark
hess in wondering effort to find the Wis
tor, she would not have slept at all.
1t was poor Clancy, once more moon-
ng about the garrison and up to his old
ricks. Clancy had been drinking: but
he wanted to know, could ho spake
With the lieutenant"
CHAPTER IL.