Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-05-29

meut through the American Press Association
''Inank you very much. wish you
would not trouble yourself. ! presume
can go over to those stable building, OF
wherever 1t is the men sleep; they would
be most apt to know if our sergeant haa
been SEEN"
"Oh, mol 1t Is no trouble; besides, they
are all asleep over there by this time, ]
fancy. They have to be out so very early.
don't you know
But Perry had stepped inside even as
he offered to go elsewhere-a fact that
the girl had not been slow to notice, fos
quizzical little shadow Of smile how
cred for an instant at the corners of heI
pretty mouth. pray sit down, she said,
as she vanished into an adjoining room,
leaving Ned Perry standing gazing after
her, spell bound.
He listened to the swish of her trailing
skirts through the dimly lighted room
beyond, through an invisible hallway,
and then to the quick pit-a-pat Of hey
feet up some uncarpeted stairway. He
heard her moving quickly, lightly, along
the corridor of the upper story until the
footballs were lost at the rear Of the
house, then a distant tap upon a door
way, and a soft voice, barely audible,
calling, Papa" He heard her speak
again, as though in response to inquiry
from within; he heard her raise her
voice, as though to repeat an answer to
previous question, and this time her
words were distinct. IAN officer from
the fort, she announced; and then fol-
lowed sensation.
He heard a door quickly opened; he
heard mems voices in low, eager, excited
talk; he heard her sweet tones once
more, as though in expostulation, saying
something about the sergeant, lost OF
wounded, and they were merely inquir-
ing for him; he heard stern, harsh in
junction of "Silence! that will do" some
quick, hurrying footsteps, a mans spur
red boots descending some staircase at
the back of the house, colloquy aloft
in fainter tones, and then-closing doori
and silence.
He waited five-ten minutes, and still
no one came; but the murmur of voices
again audible on the second floor, and
at last a door was opened and he heard
the same stern tones that had command
ed her silence before, and this time they
said:
THAT Is entirely my affair! will
see the gentleman myself, and let him
know my opinion of this impudent and
-and-burglariou intrusion"
"WhewT whistled Mr.. Perry to HIM
self at sound of these menacing words.
This is boarding the lion In his den
with vengeancel Now trot out youl
Douglas in his hall, and let's see what
it all means. I've seen the girl, anyhow,
and he can't take that back, even if Inc
turns me out"
He heard heavy step, accented by
the sharp, energetic prodding of n cane;
it came slowly along the H.. l. slowly
and majestically down the stairs, slowly
into the lower front room, and presently
there doomed forth from the darkness
into the broad glare of the astrals at the
hanging portieres the figure of tall,
gray haired. specialized. SHINY built and
fragile looking Englishnan, erect az
pride and high spirit could hold
man against the ravages Of
age and rheumatism; sharp, stern
and impcriOus of mood. as every glance
and every feature plainly told; vehement
and passionate, unless twitching lips and
frowning brows and angry, swapping
eyes belied him; man who had suffered
much, unless the deep lines and shadows
under eyes and mouth meant nothing
but advancing years; a man who entered
full of wrath and resentment at this in
vasiOn of his privacy this forcing of his
guarded lines, and yet-a gentleman,
unless Ned l'erry's instincts were all of
little worth
The young soldier had been standing
by center table. cooIly scanning the
pictures on the walls, and determining
to present rather exaggerated picture
Of nonchalance as reward for the hostile
language of the proprietor of Dunraven.
lie expected to hear an outburst of in
vective when that gentleman reached the
room; but no sooner had lie passed the
portiere than he halted short. and Mr..
Perry, turning suddenly. was amazed at
the pale, startled, yet yearning look in
his quivering face.
The moment the young man confront
ed him there came as sudden a change.
1t was with evident effort that he con-
trolled himself and then, after brief |
searching study uf l'erry's face. accosted |
him, coldly and with sarcastic emphasis: |
TO what circumstance 10 | owe the |
honor of this intrusiony"
Il regret you so consider it, Mr. Matt |
land, as | believe you to be- The old |
gentleman bowed With stately dignity. |
"One OF our men. a sergeant, rode down
this way quite early this morning and
failed TO Ieturn. His horse came back
bleeding at sunset, and we feared some
accident or trouble. Searching parties
are out all over the prairies, and the
colonel ordered me to inquire here"
Does your colonel take us for ban,
ditti here, and ascribe your desertions
and accidents to our Vaccinations"
Far from it, sir, but rather as hos
pitable refuge to which the injured man
had been conveyed" answered Perry,
with quiet smile, determined to thaw
the hauteur Of Dunraven's lord If cour-
tesy Of manner could effect 1t.
"He is utterly mistaken. them" an
swered the Englishman, land 1 resent
resent, sir, this forcing of my gates
after the explicit understanding we had
last year. As soldier 1 presume you
had to obey your orders; but / beg you
to tell your colonel that his order was an
afront TO me personally, In view of what