Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-05-11

told all about it when the colonel came.
Some looked reproacefully at Billings,a
though to remind him of their expecta-
tions. Stannard, his old stand by,
passed him with a gruff Thought you
said the colonel had something to tell
us, and went out with an air of Injured
and defrauded dignity.
Rayner arose, and seemed TO be max
ing preparations TO depart with the
others, and some of the number, con-
Meeting him unerringly with the prevail
ing sensation, apseared to hold back and
wait for him to precede them and so
secure to themselves the satisfaction OF
knowing that, if it was matter con-
nected with Rayner, they had him
along" and nothing could take place
without their hearing it. These men
were very few, however, but Buxton
was one of them Rayner's eyes were
| fixed upon the colonel and searching for
sign, and il came-a little motion OF
the hand and a nod of the head that sig
niiied ''Stay" Then, as Buxton and
one or two of his stamp still dallied ir-
resolute, the colonel turned somewhat
sharply to them: WAS there any mat
ter on which you wished to see me,
gentlemen" and, as there was none,
they had to go. Then Rayner was alone
with the colonel: for Mr.. Billings quick
ly arose, and, with significant glance
at his commander, left the room and
closed the door.
Mrs. Rayner, gazing from her parlor
windows, saw that all the officers had
come out except one-her husband
and with a moan of misery she covered
her face with her hands and sank upon
the sofa. With cheeks as white as her
sisters, with eyes full of trouble and
perplexity, but fearless, Nellie Travers
stepped quickly into the room and put a
trembling white hand upon the others
shoulder:
kate, it is no time for so bitter an
estrangement as this. | have done
simply what our soldier would have
done had he been here. | am fully
aware of what it must cost me. knew
when did it that you would never
again welcome me to your home. Once
cas- again, you and | can go our ways:
won't burden you longer, but is it not
better that you should tell me in what
way your husband or you can have been
injured by what | have done?"
Mrs. Rayner impatiently shook away
her hand.
81 don't want to talk to YOU" was the
blunt answer. You have carried out
your threat and-ruined us: that's all
"What can you mean? Do you want
me to think that because Mr.. Haynes
innocence may be established your hus-
band was the guilty man? Certainly
your manner leads to that inference,
though his does not by any means"
Il don't want to talk, | tell you.
You've had your way-done your work.
| You'll see soon enough the hideouS web
of trouble you've entanglcd about my
| husband. Don't you dare Say-don't
you dare think'-and now she rose with
sudden fury-''that he was the-that he
lost the money! But that's what all
others will think"
IF that were true, Kate, there would
be this difference between his trouble
and Mr.. Haynes: Capt. Rayner would
have wife, wealth and friends to help
him bear the cross: Mr.. Hayne has borne
it five long years unaided. pray God
the truth has been brought to light"
What fierce reply Mrs. Rayner might
have given, who knows? but at that in
slant quick step was heard on the
piazza. the door opened suddenly, and
Capt Rayner entered with a rush. The
pallor had gone; a light of eager, half
incredulouS joy beamed from his eyes,
he threw his cap upon the floor, and his
wife had risen and thrown her arms
about his neck.
'Havc they found him?" was her
breatheSs question, What has happen
ed? You look so different"
Found him? Yes; and he has told
everything"
''Told-what?"
Told that he and Cover were the
men. They took it all
''Clancy-and Cover. The thieves,
do you mean? Is that's that what he
confesSed?" she asked, in wild wonder
ment, in almost stupefied amaze, releaS-
ing him from her arms and stepping
back, her eyes searching his face.
Nothing else in the world, Kate.
don't understand it at all. I'm all
a-tremble yet. 1t clears Hayne utterly.
1t at least explains how | was mistaken.
But what-what could she have
meant?'
Mrs. Rayner stood like one in dream,
her eyes staring, her lips quivering: and
Nellie, with throbbing pulses and clasp
ing hands, looked eagerly from husband
to wife. as though beseechng some eX-
platon.
"What did she mean? What did she
mean? | say again." asked Rayner,
pressing his hand to his forehead and
gazing fiXedly at his wife.
A moment longer she stood there, as
though a light-a long hidden truth
were slowly forcing itself upon her
mind. Then, with impulSive movement
she hurried through the dining-room,
threw opeen the kitchen door, and
startled the domestics at their late
breakfast.
Ryan," she called to the soldier SER
want who rose hastily from the table,
''go and tell Mrs. Clancy want her in
stantly. Do you understand? In
stantlyl" And Ryan seized his forage
cap and vanished.
1t was perhaps ten minutes before he
returned. When he did so it was APP
parent that Mrs. Rayner had been cry
ing copiously, and that Miss TraverS,
too. was much affected. The captain
was pacing the room with nervous
stride in mingled relief and
agitation. All hooked up ex-
pcctant as the soldier re-entered.
He had the air of man who knew he
bore tidingS of vivid and mysterious in
terest, but he curbed the excitement of
his manner until it shone only through
his swapping eyes, saluted, and reported
with professional gravity:
'Mrs. Clancy'S clean gone, sir.
Gone where"
"Fobody knows, sir. She's just lit out
with her trunk and best clothes some