The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1890-11-08


lot looking well at all, and Kate is sore
Y anxious about him. 1t was his evil
lence that brought years of ostracism
and misery upon Lieut.. Hayne, and
there are vague indications that in his
own regiment the officers are beginning
to believe that possibly he was not the
guilty man. The cavalry officers, of
course, say nothing to us on the subject,
and have never heard the full story.
If he has been, as is suggested, the VIC
tim of a scoundrel, and Capt. Rayner
was at fault in his evidence, no punish
ment on earth could be too great for the
villain who planned his ruin, and no re-
morse could atone for Capt. Rayner's
share. l never saw so sad a face on
mortal man as Mr.. Haynes. Steven
Van Antwerp, wish were q man! I
would trace that mystery to the bitter
end.
"This is a strange letter to send toto
you: but l am strange girl. Already I
am more than expecting you to write
and release me Internationally; and you
ought to do it. do not say ] want it.
Faithfully, at least, yours,
"NELLE.
"P. S.-Should you write to Kate, you
are not to tell her, remember, of my
meeting with Mr.. Hayne. Of course I
am anxious to have your reply to that
letter: but it will be five days yet"
An odd letter, indeed, for a girl not
yet twenty, and not of hope inspiring
character: but when it reached Mr.. VAN
Antwerp he did not pale in reading it,;
his face was CHASTITY before he began. II
anything, he seemed relieved by some
passages, though rejoiced by none. Then
he took from an inner pocket the letter
that had reached him few days previ-
GUS, and all alone in his room, late at
night, he read it over again, threw it
upon the table at which he was sittingp
then, with passionate abandonment,
buried his face in his arms and groaned
aloud in anguish.
Two days after writing this letter Miss
Travers was SO unfortunate as to hear a
conversation in the dining room which
was not intended for her ears. She had
gone to her room Immediately after
breakfast, and glancing from her win
| dow saw that the officers were just go
ing to headquarters for the daily NATL
nee. For half or three-quarters OF an
hour, therefore, there could be no proba-
| BILE interruption; and she decided to write
an answer to the letter which came from
Mr.. Van Antwerp the previous after
noon. A bright fire was burning in the
old fashioned stove with which frontier
| quarters are warmed if not ornamented,
| and she perohed her little, slippcred feet
upon the hearth, took her portfolio In
her lap and began. Mrs. Rayner was in
the nursery, absorbed with the baby and
the nurse, when a servant came and an
nounced that "a lady was in the kitchen
sua wanted 20 speak with the lady OF
the house. Mrs. Rayner promptly re-
sponded that she was busy and couldn't
be disturbed, and wondered who it could
he that came to her kitchen to see her.
"Can l be of service, Kate? called
Miss Travers. 81 will run down, il you
say So"
II wish you would" was the reply
and Miss Travcrs put aside her writing
Didn't she give any manner" asked Mrs
Rayner of the Abigail, who was standing
with her head just visible at the stair
way, it being one of the unconquerable
tenets of frontier domestics to go no Tar
Their than is absolutely necessary in con
yeviny messages of any kind, and this
damsel, though new to the neighborhood
was native and to the manner born in al
the tricks of the trade.
l s.She said YOU knew her name, ma am
She's the lady from the hospital"
, Here, Jane, take the baby! Neve
mind, Nellie; I must go!" And Mrs
Rayner started with surprising alacrity
but as she passed her door Miss Traver
saw the look of deep anxiety on her face
, moment later she heard voices at tn
} front door-a party of ladies who wer
going to spend the morning with tn
coloneIs wife ut some "Dorcas society
work which many of them had embraces
! with enthusiasm. 81 want to see MIS-
; Travers, just a minute" she heard
voice say, and recognized the pleasan
tones of Mrs. Curtis, the young wife @
, one of the infantry officers; so secon
time she put aside her writing, and the
ran down to the front door. Mrs. Curt
merely wanted to remind her that sh
l must be sure to come and spend the after
: noon with her and bring her music, an
was dismayed to find that Miss Trave1
could not come before stable call; she ha
an engagement.
"Of course; I might have known ii
you are besieged every hour. Well, ca
: YOU come tomorrow? Do" And, t
morrow being settled upon, and despit
the fact that several of the party waitin
on the sidewalk looked cold and imp;
! tient, Mrs. Curtis found it impossible