The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-03-05
CLINTON NJ c. THURSDAY MARCH s. 1891

had Had long talk together. Upper
circles in the garrison were still agitated
with chat and conjecture about GLADYS
Maitland and her strange father; Perry
was still tortured with questions about
his one visit to Dunraven whenever he
was so incautious as to appear in public;
but all through ''the quarters" every
where among the rank and file, there
was subject that engrossed all thoughts
and tongues, and that was discussed with
feeling that seemed t. deepen with every
day-the approaching court martial of
Sergt. Leary and of Trooper Kelly.
AS result of his investigation, Capt
Stryker had preferred charges against
these two men-the one for leading and
the other for being accessory to the as
sault on his stable sergeant. Gwynne
YVES still at the hospital, though rapidly
recovering from his injuries. Not word
had he said that would implicate or ac-
csc any man; but Stryker's knowledge
OF his soldiers, and his clear insight into
human motive and character, were such
that he had readily made up his mind as
tothe facts in the case. He felt sure that
Leary and some of the Celtic members of
his company had determined to go down
to Dunraven and "have it OUT with the
hated Britons who had so affronted and
abused them the night of Perry's visit.
They knew they could not get their horses
by fair means, for Gwynne was above
suspicion. He was English, too, and
str ring to shield his countrymen from
tie threatened vengeance. They there
fore determined, in collusion with Kelly,
to lure him outside the stables, bind and
gag him, get their horses, having once
rified Gwynne of the keys, ride down to
the ranch, and, after having Donny-
brook fair on the premises, get back to
Rossiter in plenty of time for reveille ard
stables. No sentries were posted in such
way as to interfere with them, and the
plan was feasible enough but for one
thing. Gwynne had made most gallant
and spirited resistance, had fought the
whole gang like tiger, and they had
been unable to overpower him before the
noise had attracted the attention of the
sergeant of the guard and some of the
men in quarters. An effort, of course,
was made to show that the assaulting
party were from without, but it was
futile, and Stryker's cross-questioning
among the men had convinced them that
he knew all about the matter. There
was only one conclusion, therefore, that
Gwynne must have ''given them away"
as the troopers expressed it.
Despite the fact that he had been as
,aulted and badly beaten, this was some
Thing that few could overlook, and the
latent jealousy against the "cockney
sergeant" blazed into a feeling Of deep
resentment. Garrison sympathy was
with Leary and his fellows.
Thursday came, and Sergt. Gwynne
returned to light duty, though his face
was still bruised and discolored and he
wore patch over one eye. He resumed
charge of the stables in the afternoon,
after brief conversation with his cap
Tin, and was experimenting the issue
of forage, when Perry entered to inspect
the stalls of his platoon. Nolan was
being led out by his groom at the mo.
ment, and pricked up his tapering ears
at sight of his master and thrust his lean
muzzle to receive the caress of the hand
he knew so well. Perry stopped him
and carefully and critically examined
his knees, feeling down to the fetlocks
with searching fingers for the faintest
symptom of knot or swelling In the ten.
dons that had played their part sc
thoroughly in the drama of Monday
Satisfied, apparently, he rose and be-
slowed a few hearty pats on the glossy
neck and shoulder, and then was sur.
prised to find the stable sergeant stand
ing close beside him and regarding botl
him and horse with an expression thai
arrested Perry's attention at once.
"Feeling all right again, sergeant" he
asked, thinking to recall the non com
missioned officer to his senses.
"Almost, sir. I'm trife stiff yet
Anything wrong with Nolan, sir?"
Nothing. gave him rather tough
run the other day-had to risk the prai
rie dog holes-and, though I felt no jal
then, I've watched carefully ever since
to see that he was not wrenched. Iwisl
you would keep an eye on him too, viii
your
There was no answer. Perry had beer
looking over Nolan's launches as ht
spoke. and orce more turned to the ser
geant. To his establishment, Gwynnei
! lips were twitching and quivering, hi
hands, ordinarily held in the rigid poss
of the English service-extended alon,
the thigh-were clinching and working
nervously, and something suspiciously
like tear was creeping out from unde
the patch. Before Perry could recove
from his surprise the sergeant suddenl,
regained his self control, hastily raiset
his hand in salute, saying something
half articulate in reply, and turned
sharply away, leaving his heutenan
gazing after him in much perplexity.
That night, just after tattoo roll call
when little group of officers was gath
cred ut the colonel's gate, they were sud
denly joined by DIR. Quin, who cam
from the direction of the stable where h
kapt lbs horse in rear of his own quar-
tefs. Col. Brainard greeted him warml,
and inquired after his patient at Dun
raven. Every one noted how grave ant
subdued was the tone in which the doc
tor answered.:
lie is very sick man, colonel, AM
it is hard to say what will be the resul
of this seizure
''You may want to go down again
doctor, if that be the case-before sic
call tomorrow, l mean; and you ha
better take one of my horses. I'll tel
my man to have one in readiness"
"You are very kind, sir. | think oil
Brian will do all the work needed. Blu
| would like to go down at reveilie, a
we have no men in hospital at all now
And, by the way, is Mr.. Perry herey"
81 am here" answered Perry coldly
He was leaning against the railing
rather away from the group, listenin
intently, yet unwilling to meet or hol
conversation with the man he conceive
: to be SO ininlicai to his every hope an
interest.