Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20


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The d,'irer caught sight of Lieut.. Hnyne
,rduing has hand.
was sent from department headquarters
the evening before, announcing that one
of the officers detailed for the court was
seriously i'll and directing Mai. Waldron
to take his place. So it resulted in the
post being left to the command of the
senior captain present for duty, and that
man was Capt. Buxton. He had never
had SO big a command before in all his
life.
Maj. Waldron of course had to go home
and make his preparations. Mr.. Hayne,
therefore, had brief opportunity to speak
with him. 1t was seen, however, that
they had a short talk together on the
ma ors piazza, and that when they
parted the major shook him warmly and
cordially by the hand. Rayner, Buxton,
Ross and some Juniors happened to be
coming down along the walk at the mo-
ment, and, seeing them, as though with
pointed meaning the ma jOr called out, SO
that all could hear:
by the way, lIayne. / wish you would
drop in occasionally while I'm gone and
take Mrs. Wadron out for Il walk or
drive; my horses are always at your
service. And-a-Ill write to you about
that matter the moment I've had a
chance to talk with the colonel-to-mor-
row, probably.' And Hayne touched
his cap inparting salute, and went blithe-
ly OFF with Enlightened eye and rising
color.
Buxton glowered after him a moment,
and conversation suddenly ceased in their
party. Finally he blurted out:
Strikes me Your major might do a
good deal better by himself and his regi-
ment Wy standing up for its morale and
discipline than by openly Haunting his
! favoritism for convicts in our faces. If
l We're in your regiment Id cut him
"Gou wouldn't have to-" muttcrcd one
of the group to his neighbor; 1.-THE cut
would have been on the other side long
ago. And the speaker was Buxton S
own subaltern.
Rayner said nothing. His eyes were
troubled and anxious, and he looked
after Hayne with an expression far more
wearied than vindictiyc.
"The ma or is fond Of music, captain, =
said Mr. Ross, with mischievous intent.
lie hasn't been to the club since the
night you sang Eileen Alanna. That
was about the time Hayne piano came. "
"Yes," put in Foster, Mrs. Waldron
says he goes and owls Hayne now night
after night just to hear him play"
at would be we'll for him, then, if he
kept better guard on Mr.. Hayne' other
visitors" SAID Buxton, with a black
scowl. 81 don't know how you gentle
men in the RifierS l,-ol1 upon such mat.
tiers, but in the til the man who dared
to introduce a woman of the town into
his quarters would be kicked out in short
order"
you don't mean to say that anybody
accuses Hayne of that, do your" asked
Ross, in amaze.
81 do-just that. Only, say this tc
you, it has but just come to light, and only
one or two know it. To prove it positively
he's got to be allowed more rope; for he
got her out of the way last time before
we could clinch the mater. If he sus
poets it is known he won't repeat it; il
kept to ourselves he will probably try il
again-and be caught. Now | charge
you all to regard this as confidential"
"But, Capt. Buxton" said Ross, this
is so serious a matter that / don't like tC
believe it. Who can prove such storyY
"Of course not, Mr.. Ross. You are
quite ready to treat a man as thief, bu
can't believe he'll do any other that is dis
reputable. That is characteristic of YOU
style of reasoning" said Buxton, with
biting sarcasm.
"You can't wither me with contempt
Capt. Buxton. l have a right to my
opinion, and I have known Mr., Hayn'
for years, and if did believe him guilty
of one crime five years ago I'm not 81
ready to believe him guilty of anothe
now This isn't-isnt like Hayne."
mo, of course not, as | said before
Now, will you tell me, Mr.. Ross, just VIII.
Mr.. Hayne chose that ramshackle OLE
shanty out there on the prairie, all b,
himself, unless 1T was TO be where h,
could have his chosen companions witt
him at night, and no one be the wiserY'
Il don't pretend to fathom his motives
sir; but don't believe it was for any sucl
purpose as you seem to think.
"In other words, you think I'm circu
lating haseless scandal, do your
81 have said nothing of the kind; an
l protest against your putting words int
my mouth | never used"
"You minated as much, anyhow, an
you plainly don't believe it,
"Well, l don't believe--that is, don
see how it could happen"
Couldn't the woman drive out froI
town after dark, send the carriage bach
and have it call for her again in the morn
mgr asked Buxton.
Possibly. Still, it isn't a proved fac
that woman spent the night at Haynes
even if a carriage was seen coming on
You've got hold of some Sudsville GOSSIP
probably" replied Ross.
, Il have, have n BY God, sir, tn teao
you better manners before we e
through with this question. Do 70
!. ! know. who saw lezsassiage,,a nd 1wh