The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-02-12

you at u loss for q sharp retort-"
I'm all the years you have known me.
doctor. as child. as maid. as woman.
you are the only man IN the army who
ever put me on the defensive. I see
clearly that you would Ia ant me because
OF this interview with Mr. Parry. Honi
soft qui NAL y pense. DR.. Quin. You are
the last man in this garrison-cavalry |
and aA-who can afford 10 throw |
stones"
"whew-w-w." whistled the doctor. |
"What little spittire you always were. |
to be sure! Mr.. Perry" said he. turning |
suddenly on the young officer. ''let me |
at once apologize for q very misleading |
observation. When spoke Of having |
known Mrs. Bclknap fifteen years she
instantly thought meant to make her
out very much elder than sbe is. and
hence these recriminations. She always
objected to me because used to tease
her when she was In her first long
dresses-the. prettiest girl at Fort Leav-
enworth-and she's never gotten over it.
But her father and were good friends,
and I should like to be en- honest one to
his daughter. Good night to you both.
"One moment, DIR. Quin," said Perry,
springing forward. "You have seen fit
| to make comments and insinuations that
have annoyed Mrs. Belknap at time
when she was under my escort"-
"Oh, Mr.. Perry, no! MOI" exclaimed
Mrs. Belknap. laying her hand on his
arm. "Not o word of that kind. i'm
plore! Hush! here comes my husband"
"Ah, Belknap." said the doctor
blandly. as the big captain came hur-
riedly forth with searching glance along
the dark gallery. ''here you find me, as
usual, trying 70 be devoted to Mrs B.
whenever can get you out of the way.
Why the jeuce can't you stayT
"Oh, it's you, is it, doctorT answered
the captain in tones Of evident relief.
1T is far too chilly for this young
woman to be sitting here without a
wrap, is it not? Come inside. Dolly.
Come, doctor. Halloo! what's that?"
A cavalry trumpeter came springing
through the gate and up on the veranda
"Is Capt. Stryker hereY' he painted.
"No. What's the matter~ demanded
Perry.
|
Gwynne's assaulted again"
Perry sprang from the veranda and
went tearing across the dark level Of the
parade as fast as active legs could carry
him, leaving the doctor far behind. As
he passed the company quarters he noted
that several men were leaping from their
broad galleries, some just pulling on a
. blouse, others in their shirt sleeves, but
all fastening towards the stables, where
dim lights could be seen fitting about
like will-o'-the-wisps. One Of these
troopers came bounding to his side ant
would have passed him in the race. HI
!, recognized the athletic form even in th'
!, darkness and hailed him:
THAT you. Sergt. Learys What's gon'
wrong?'
j. "It's thin blackguards from below
sir. Who else could it be?"
Those people at the ranch?'
'.The very ones, sir. No one else woult
). harm Sergt. Gwynpe. Sure we ough
u to have wound 'em up the one night WI
: had chance, sir"
Breathless, almost, they reached tn
, stables The horses were all snorting ant
= plunging about in their stalls, shown,
= every indication Of excitement ant
;. alarm. From the stables of the adjoin
ing companies other men had come wit
lanterns, and group of perhaps half
> dozen troopers was gathered about tn
form of cavalry sergeant who was seal
= ed, limp and exhausted, at the wester
doorway. One soldier was bathing hi
face with a sponge; the first sergeant G
the troop was bending over and trytn
=. to feel the pulse.
" "Stand back, you men!' he said. at
thoritatively. as he caught sight of tn
lieutenants shoulder straps. Leave
- lantern here. Now, Gwynne, here
- Lieut.. Perry. Can you tell him who
a wasy'
IT Gwynne feebly strove 10 rise. but PERI
checked him.
4 'sGit down. The docter IS coming
"a don't attempt to move, painted the youn
II officer. "TeH me what you know abo'
it, Sergt. Hosmer."
10 Nothing but this. sir. Twas In Il
% Office when Trumpeter Petersen ran
Al and said they were killing Sergt. Qwynn
m I sent him for the captain and grabb<
my revolver and ran here as hard as
4 could. He was lying Just outside Il
=. door when got here, and not anoth
, soul in sight. Sergt. Ross. Of froo
:, and Sergt. Pagan. Of B. came with the
~ lanterns from the stables next door; b
ve they had not even heard the trouble.
ar Where was the stable guardT
at "Insi4e. sir. and he's there now.
ov heard the scuffie. he says, and ran
~, give the alarm and TO protect the 81
,,,o geant. but the men scattered when
n. came, and he saw none Of them.
ha Tell him to come here Let some
these men go in and quiet the hors'
he The captain will be here liz minu
- and he will want to see that stabiema
~. Who is it,
.d Kelly. sir
I 81 By this time DIR. Quin came Iumb
h.. ing heavily up the slope to the stal
nm door His manner was very quiet
10, very grave rs he bent over the inJuI
~ man and carefully studied his face
-. the light of the serseant's lamp
in doctor spoke gently:
=. "You know me. serscants-Dr. Gu
wv Can you tell me what struck you! 4
- you hurt elsewhere than in the head?
h;s Gwynne made no reply for nome
r.a then family answered:
Stunned. mainly. and one or {
kicks after | was knocked down..
Then came deeper voice, quiet
authoritative. and the group that !
begun to close in again about the doc
our and his patient fell back as Capt Stry
an strobe into their midst.
Dull "SerCt. Hosmer. send all these men
ocK the troop back to their quarters at on
sue and permit 10 more to come out Is
ON much hurt. Doctor!
efs' Somewhat stunned, he says
10" made no examination yet.
YET The captain looked about him
nad cept one sergeant holding lantern.
ige other troopers. obedient to his orr
Dut were slowly fading back into the da
ION ness on their way to the barracks O