Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-04-05


,Oarin0 his hand.
der orders for several days to proceed on
this particular date to large town o
days journey eastward by rail. A court
martial composed mainly of field officers
was ordered there to assemble for the
trial Of an old captain Of cavalry whose
propensity 1t was not 30 much to get
drunk as never to get drunk without con-
comitant publicity and discovery. 1t
was q pr.fe thing for the old war dog to
take 30 much as glass of wine; he went
for months without it; but the instant he
began to drink he was moved to do or
say something disreputable, and that was
the trouble now. He was an unlucky
old trooper. who had risen from the low
est grades, fought with credit, and even.
at times, commanded his regiment dur
ing the war; but war records could not
save him when he wouldn't save himself,
and he had to 60. The court was or.
dered, and the result was foregone con-
clusion. The colonel, his adjutant and
Maj. Stannard were to drive to town
during the afternoon and take the east
bound train, leaving Maj. Waldron in
command Of the post; but before rnard
mounting telegram was received, which
was sent from department headquarters
the evening before, announcing that one
of the officers detailed for the court was
seriously i'll and directing Maj. 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 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 short talk together on the
majors 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 major called out, 80
that oil could hear:
"By the way, Hayne, I wish you would
drop in occasionally while I'm gone and
take Mrs. Waldron out for q walk or
drive; my horses are always at your
service. And-a-Ill write to you about
that matter the moment I've had
chance to talk with the colcnel-to-mor-
row, probably" And Hayne touched
his cap in parting salute, and went blithe-
" of with frightened eye and rising
color.
Buxton glowered after him moment,
and conversation suddenly ceased in their
party. Finally he blurted out:
"Strikes me your major might do O
good deal better by himself and his regi-
ment by standing up for its morale and
discip Zine than by openly Haunting his
favoritism for convicts in our faces. II
were in your regiment I'd cut him."
"You wouldn't have to-" muttered one
Of the group to his neighbor; "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 vindictive.
"The major is fond of music, captain" ("
said Mr.. Ross, with mischievous intent.
"He hasn't been to the club since tho
night you sang Eileen Alanna.' That
was about the time Haynes piano came" /"
"Yes." put in Foster, "Mrs. Waldron
says he goes and owls Hayne now night
after night just to hear him play"
ut would be well for him, then, IL he
kept better guard on Mr.. Haynes other
VISITORS" said Buxton, with a black
scowl. II don't know how you gentle
men in the Riflers look upon such mat
ters, but in the --th the man who dared
10 introduce 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 you? asked
Ross, in amaze.
II do-just that. Only, I say this to
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 matter. II he sus
poets 1t Is known he won't repeat it; il
kept to ourselves he will probably try il
agsin-and be caught. Now ! charge
you al to, regard this as confidential"
but, Capt. Buxton" said Ross, "thii
n 90 serious matter that don't like I,
believeit. Who can prove such storyY
"Of course not, Mr.. Ross. You ar,
quite ready to treat man as a thief, bu
can't believe he'll do any other that is dis
reputable. That is characteristic Of you
style Of reasoning" said Buxton, witt
biting ssrcasm.