Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-03-19


effort had been made to trail the wheel
tracks from the bridge, but, though a
place was found among the trees near
the old station where horse and buggy
had evidently stood for two or three
hours, il was impossible to determine
which way they had gone after crossing
the stream, for the farm wagons com
ing from every by road in the morning
had totally obliterated the tracks.
Goss' escape while under charges of
such grave character was regarded as
tantamount to admission of his guilt.
Meanwhile Corp. Brent's case seemed
to have taken turn for the better, and,
though there was still danger, there was
hope. What struck many inquirers was
the fact that the doctor seemed i'll at
ease, and invariably eyaded the ques-
ton, when pressed as to the nature of
Brents delirium. This, of course, sim
ply served to whet public curiosity; and
the young soldier became, all uncon-
sciously, an object of greater interest
than ever. The ladies of the infantry.
who had known him by sight some time.
were certain that from the very first be
had borne all the outward appearance Of
gentleman. and in every word and
gesture had .'given the world assurance
of man. of birth and breeding. Their
sisters of the cavalry, who had but re-
Gently reached Fort Ryan, were not slow
in accepting their theories.
Such things were by no means un-
common in the service; and wouldn't it
be delicious, now, to have romance in
the ranks at Ryan? Only fancy, Mrs.
Burnham, Mrs Brodie, and, above all,
Mrs. Graves, were quite ready to go to
the hospital at any time the doctor would
permit and become the nurse Of the
young corporal; but the medical man
almost bluntiy declined the services of
two of these ladies, and with positive
insolence, said the third, had told her
she could much better devote her minis
trations to her own children s.Just as
if | didn't know best what my children
neededw said the offended matron.
And it was about DIR. Ingersoll that
Mrs. Graves was discoursing this very
morning ON Mrs. Lanes piazza, while
her own olive branches were clambering
the fences and having battle royal
with the progeny of Mrs Sergt. Flynn
at the other end of the garrison. And,
as luck would have it, who should come
along the gravel walk but the major
and the doctor, arm in arm, at which
sight Miss Marshalls expressive eyes,
brimming with merriment, sought the
half vexed features of Capt. Lane, who
had been fidgeting uneasily in his chair
during her ladyship's exordiuln. Like
many another excellent soldier, this
practised trooper had no weapon with
which to silence woman's tongue.
You'll find I'm right, Mrs. Lane.
See you don't, proceeded Mrs. Graves,
all unconscious of the coming pair.
''You found / wasn't mistaken about
Maj. Kenyon; and they are just as like
as two peas in pod-both of them
Then, recalled to the possibilities of
the situation by the mirthful gleam in
Miss Marshall's eye and the audible
chuckles of Mr.. Lee, she wh1rled about
and caught sight Of the object Of her
dissertation.
''Oh, its you they're laughing at, is
it?" she hailed. II was just talking
about you.
s1Then how could you find the heart
TO laugh, Mrs. Lane?" said the major.
raising his cap with simulated reproach
of mien. .'Does it amuse you to see
fellow mortals fayed alive? Is it not
bad enough that, like Sir Peter Teazle,
am never out Of Mrs. Graves sight but
that / know I've left my character be-
hind me? The doctor and | were won
dering whether there was vestige left
of the good impression we strove to
make upon Miss Marshall
'tTm sure you ruined all possibility of
that three days ago, major, when you
showed her what cynical old party
you were. No wonder the young officers
in our regiment lose all love for their
profession after hearing you talk. If 1
were Col. Morris I wouldn't have you
communicating the ieutenants Of the
Eleventh the way you were trying it on
Mr.. Hearn the other day."
where is Mr.. Hearn, by the way?"
asked Mrs. Lane, eager to put an end to
such an improbable controversy. HE
hasn't been in here for nearly two days.
Come, major-come, doctor, walk in and
sit awhile We want to hear how Corp.
Brent is, too.'
sBrent seems easier, Mrs. Lane, thank
you," answered the surgeon. 81 cannot
stop just now: we came over to meet the
mail, for the orderly seems to have an
unusually big load this morning. Here
come the youngsters up from the post
Office now"
And as he spoke perhaps half dozen
young cavalrymen, still in their riding
boots and spurs, as though they had but
just returned from drill, came slowly up
the slope. Wharton had an open news
paper which he was reading aloud: the
others were hanging about him, evident
ly listening with absorbed attention, to
the neglect of their own letters.
"What's the matter with the boys:'
asked Kenyon, whimsically, as they APP
preached. ''They look as solemn as
owls"
Naturally all eyes were drawn toward
the coming party. Lane, bending for
ward, saw that Hearn's face was pale,
even under the coat of tan and sunburn.
He would have passed them by, simply
lifting his cap, as Wharton half folded
the paper when thegroup filed in through
the main gate, but again Kenyon spoke:
"What makes you look so like pack
of mutes, lads? What's gone'wrong? Is
congress sailing into Us again.
Maj. Kenyon" said Martin, deliber-
ately, halting in front of the gate, II
said some disparaging things about your
remarks here the other day. beg your
pardon, sir. You were right; l was
wrong. Hold on, Hearn; don't go now
and brood-over this thing. Stay here
with the crowd, and we'll take it all to-
gether.''
Lane had half risen. anxiety Deepen
ing in his dark gray eyes:
"What is it, Hearn? Come in here,
come in, all Of you"
And Georgia Marshall, glancing from
one face to another, noted the silence
and gravity that had fallen on each.
Some looked full of Suppressed wrath,
others simply perplexed and annoyed.
Without word to any one Hearn
stepped in and stood beside her chair.
"You best know your own papers,
major; you read this aloud, said Martin.
And Kenyon, looking about in mo-
mentary surprise, unfolded the great