The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-20


'Neuer mind! Don't tirel"
Ten minutes after the usual time the
adjutant darted in and plunged will
his characteristic impetuosity into the
pile of passes and other papers stacked
up by the sergeant major at his table
To all q'lestions as to where he hao
been and what was the matter with the
colonel he replied, with more than usua
asperlty of manner the asperity en-
gendered of some years of having tc
answer the host of questions PROFOUND
ed by vacant minds at his own busiest
hour of the day-that the colonel would
tell them all about it himself; he had
no time for word. The evident man.
ner of suppressed excitement, however
was something few failed to note. and
every man in the room felt certain that
when the colonel came there would be
a revelation. 1t was with sometime
bordering on indignation, therefore. that
the assemblage heard the words that
lntimated to them that all might retire.
The colonel mad come in very quietly,
received the report of the officer of the
day, relieved him, and dismissed the
new officer of the day with the brief
formula, Usual orders, SIR" then CLAN.
ced quickly around the silent circle OF
grave, bearded or boyish faces. His
eyes rested for an instant with some.
thing like shock and trouble upon one
lace, pale, haggard, with almost blood
less lips, and yet full of fierce deter
mlnation-a face that haunted him long
afterwards, it was so full of agony, of
suspense, almost of pleading-the face
of Capt. Rayner.
Then, dispensing with the customary
talk, he quietly spoke the disappointing
words:
81 am somewhat late this morning.
gentlemen, and several matters will oc-
cupy my attention; so 1 will not detain
you further"
The crowd seemed to find their feet
very slowly. There was visible disincli-
nation to go. Every man in some mex
phcable way appeared to know that there
was a new mystery hanging over the
garrison, and that the colonel held the
key. Every man felt that Billings had
given him the right to expect to be told
all about it when the colonel came. Some
looked reproachfully at Billings, as
though to remind him of their expecta-
tions. Stannard, his old stand by, passed
him with gruff Thought you said the
colonel had something to tell u.s. and
went out with an air of injured and de-
frauded dignity.
Rayner arose, and seemed to be max
ing preparations to depart with the
others, and some of the number, connect
ing him unerringly with the prevailing
sensation, appeared to hold back and
wait for him to precede them and so
secure to themselves the satisfaction of
knowing that, if it was a matter con-
nected with Rayner, they chad him
along" and nothing could take place
without their hearing it. These men
were very few, however; but Buxton
was one of them. Rayner's eyes were
fixed upon the colonel and searching for
a sign, and it came-a little motion of
the hand and a nod of the head that sig
nlfled Stay" Then, as Buxton and one
or two of his stamp still dallied irreso-
lutte, the colonel turned somewhat sharp-
ly to them: WAS there any matter on
which you wished to see me, gentlemen"
and, as there was none, they had to go.
Then Rayner was alone with the colonel:
for Mr.. Billings quickly arose, and, with
significant glance at his commander,
left the room and closed the door.
Mrs. Rayner, gazing from her parlor
windows, saw that all the officers had
come out except one-her husband-and
with moan of misery she covered her
lace with her hands and sank upon the
sofa. With checks as white as her sis
ter's, with eyes full of trouble and per-
plexity, but fearless, Nellie Travars
stepped quickly into the room and put n
trembling white hand upon the others
shoulder:
Kate, it is no time for SO bitter an cs.
arrangement as this. have done sirnply
what our soldier father would have done
had he been here. l am fully aware of
what it must cost me. 1 knew when I
did it that you would never again wei
come me to your home. Once east again.
you and l can go our ways; 1 won't bur-
den you longer: but is it not better that
you should tell me in what way your
husband or you can have been injured
by what / have done:?.
Mrs. Rayner impatiently shook away
the hand.
Il don't want to talk to you" was the
blunt answer. 'You have carried. out
your threat and-ruined us; that's all"
What can you mean? Do you want
me to think that because Mr.. HAYNES
innocence may be established your hus-
band was the guilty man? Certainly
your manner leads to that inference.
Though his does not, by any MEANS"
II don't want to talk, tell Won.
You've had your way-done your work.
You'll see soon enough the hideous web