The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-02-01

seemed to DO an excellent understanding
between the commandant and his medi-
cal officer, and it was known that they
had had long talk together. Upper
circles in the garrison were still agitated
with chat and conjecture about Gladys
Maitland and her strange father; Perry
was still tortured with questions about
his one visit to Dunraven whenever he
was so incautious as to appear in public;
but all through "tle quarters" every
where among the rank and file, there
was subject that engrossed all thoughts
and tongues, and that was discussed with
feeling that seemed to deepen with every
day-the approaching court martial of
Sergt. Leary and of Trooper Kelly.
AS result of his investigation, Capt.
Stryker had preferred charges against
these two men-thc ono for leading and
the other for being accessory to the as
sault on his stable sergeant. Gwynne
was still at the hospital, though rapidly
recovering from his injuries. Not word
had he said that would implicate or ac-
cuse any man; but Strykers knowledge
of his soldiers, and his clear insight into
human motive and character, were such
that he had readily made up his mind rs
totho facts in the case. He felt sure that
Leary and some of the Celtic members of
his company had determined to 20 down
to Dunraven and "have it out" with the
hated Britons who had so affronted and
abused them the night of Pcrry's visit.
They knew they could not get their horses
by fair means, for Gwynne was above
suspicion. He was English, too, and
striving to shield his countrymen from
the threatened vengeance. They there
fore determined, in collusion with Kelly,
to lure him outside the stables, bind and
gag him, get their horses, having once
rified Gwynne of the keys, ride down to
the ranch, and, after having Donny-
brook fair on tho premises, get back to
Rossiter i'll plenty of time for reveille and
stables. No sentries were posted in such
a way as to interfere with them, and the
plan was feasible enough but for one
thing. Gwynne had mado most gallant
and spirited resistance, had fought the
whole gang like tiger, and they had
been unable to overpowcr him before the
noise had attracted the attention of the
sergeant of the guard and some of the
men i'll quarters. An effort, of course,
was made to show that the assaulting
party were from without, but it was
futile, and StrylScr's cross-questioning
among the men had convinced them that
lie knew all about the matter There
was only ono conclusion, therefore, that
Gwynne must have "given them away" ;"
rs tho troopers expressed it.
Despite tie fact that lie had been as
saultca and badly beaten, this was some
thing that few could overlook, and the
latent jealousy against the "cockney
sergeant" blazed into feeling of deep
resentment. Garrison sympathy was
with Leary and his fellows.
Thursday came, and Sergt. Gwynne
returned to light duty, though his face
was still bruised and discolored and he
wore patch over one eye. lie resumed
charge of tho stables in tho afternoon,
after brief conversation with his cap
tain, and was experimenting tho issue
of forage, when Perry entered to inspect
the stalls of his platoon. Nolan was
being led out by his groom at the mo-
mcnt, and pricked up his tapering ears
at sight of his master and thrust his lean
muzzle to receive the carcss of the hand
ho knew SO well. Perry stopped him
and carefully and critically examined
his knees, feeling down to the fetlocks
with searching fingers for the faintest
symptom of knot or swelling in the ten
dons that had played their part SO
thoroughly in the drama of Monday.
Satisfied, apparently, ho rose and be-
slowed few hearty pats on the glossy
neck and shoulder, and then was sur
prised to find the stable sergeant stand
ing close beside him and regarding both
him and horse with an expression that
arrested Perry's attention at once.
"Feeling all right again, sergeant?' ho
asked, thinking to recall tho non-com-
missioned officer to his senses.
"Almost, sir. I'm a triHe stiff yet.
Anything wrong with Nolan, sir:"
"Nothing. I gave him rathera tough
run the other day-had to risk the prai-
ric dog holes-and, though felt no jar
then, Two watched carefully ever since
to see that he was not wrenchcd. Iwish
you would keep an eye on him too, will
your
There was no answer. Perry had been
looking over Nolans launches as lie
spoke. and once moro turned to the SER
geant. To his astonishment, Gwynnc's
lips were twitching and quivering, his
hands, ordinarily held in the rigid pose
of the English service-eNtended along
the thigh-were clincling and working
nerTously, and something suspiciously
like tear was creeping out from under
the patch. Before Perry could recover
from his surprise the sergeant suddenly
regained his self control, hastily raised
his hand in salute, saying something
half articulate in reply, and turned
sharply away, leaving his lieutenant
gazing after him in much perplexity.
70 DE Continued