The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-01-08
A Story of American Frontier
Life.
By Capt CHARLES KING. q. s. A.,
Author of''Ihe Coloners Daughter" From
the Ranks, ""The Deserter." Etc.
Copyrighted 1883 by J. B. Lippincott Company
Philadelphia, and published by special arrange
ment through the American Press Association

CHAPTER XII! CONTINUED.
"WelE we'll, Mrs. Belknap. said Quln
struggling his broad shoulders and laugh
ing at her undaunted pluck. i've known
you fifteen years, and never have found
you at loss for a sharp retort.
''In all the years you have known me,
doctor, as child, as maid, as woman,
you are the only man in the army who
ever put me on the defensive. | see
clearly that you would taunt me because
of this interview with Mr.. Perry. Honi
soft qui NAL y pense, DR.. Quin! You are
the last man in this garrison-cavalry
and all-who can afford to throw
stones"
''What little spitire you always were,
to be surel Mr.. Perry" said he, turning
suddenly on the young officer, ''let me
at once apologize for very misleading
observation. When / spoke of having
known Mrs. Belknap fifteen years she
instantly thought meant to make her
out very much older than she is; and
hence these recriminations. She always
objected to me because l used to tease
her when she was in her first long
dresses-the prettiest girl at Fort Leav-
enworth-and she's never gotten over it.
But her father and were good friends,
and I should like to be an honest one to
his daughter. Good night to you BOTH"
Zone moment, DR.. Quin, said Perry,
springing forward. ''You have seen fit
to make comments and insinuations that
have annoyed Mrs. Belknap at a time
when she was under my escort" -
''Oh, Mr.. Perry, no! mol" exclaimed
Mrs. Belknap. laying her hand on his
arm. 'Not word Of that kind, i'm
plorel Hush! here comes my husband"
''Ah, Belknap," said the doctor
blandly, as the big captain came bur
riedly forth with searching glance along
the dark gallery, "here you find me. as
usual, trying to be devoted to Mrs. B.
whenever can get you out of the way
Why the jeuce can't you stay?"
'Oh, it's you, is it, doctor?' answered
the captain in tones of evident relief.
sit is far too chilly for this young
woman to be sitting here without a
wrap, is it not? Come inside, Dolly.
Come, doctor. Hallool what's tha?'
A cavalry trumpeter came springing
through the gate and up on the veranda.
''Is Capt. Stryker here?' he painted
mo. What's the matter?" demanded
Perry.
Trouble at the stables, sir. Sergt.
Gwynne's assaulted again"
Perry sprang from the veranda and
went tearing across the dark level of the
parade as fast as active legs could carry
him, leaving the doctor far behind AS
he passed the company quarters he noted
that several men were leaping from their
broad galleries, some just pulling on a
blouse, others in their shirt sleeves, but
all fastening towards the stables, where
dim lights could be seen fitting about
like '-the-wisps. One of these
troopers came bounding to his side and
would have passed him in the race. He
recognized the athletic form even in the
darkness and hailed him:
''That you, Sergt. Leary2 What's gone
wrong2"
"It's thin blackguards, from below,
sir. Who else could it be2"
''Those people at the ranch?''
1.-THE very ones, sir No one else would
harm Sergt. Gwynne. Sure we ought
to have wound 'em up the one night we
had chance, sir
Breathless. almost. they reached the