Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-04

creaking shutter, then turned aside.
The neat moment, before she could
fasten the blind, the sentry at the guard
house sung out, Number 1, 12 o'clock"
The coporal leaned his rifle against the
fence, quickly extinguished the lamp,
and all in front of the quarters was dark
ness
Down at the guard house she could
see the bleary light of the oil lamp and
the dim form of the sentry pacing to and
tro; she stood there by the window
straining her ears for the watch call of
the distant sentries far over by the hay
stacks and wood yard, then nodded her
head approvingly at the soldierly ring in
the voice of No. as he sung out the
hnai ''all's we'll" Peering through the
shutters, she was wondering what had
become of the corporal, when the latch
or their gate clicked; the rusty hinges
gave a sudden squeak; there was a rattle
as of falling rifle, muttered ejacula-
ton; she could just dimly make out
shadowy form STOPPING to pick up the
| gun, and then cautiously reclosing the
gate. Then, instead of moving away,
| there 1t stood, leaning against the fence.
Evidently Corp. Brent had business
there and had come to stay Instantly
she bethought her of the talk she had
heard among the officers about the colo
neIs order prohibiting the men from
crossing the parade, Of the implied prom
lse that no more violations should occur
IN recognition of the colonel's having re-
leased the quartet of rOysterers in time
for the great match game, and of the al
| legged violation of this contract. She
was young woman of quick perception:
Brent had evidently posted himself there
to capture the malefactors should they
appear.
Quarter of an hour passed without the
tantest sound from without. She heard
Capt. Lane extinguishing the lamps in
the parlOr below, and Mrs. Lane had
come tripping up to her door TO say
good night, but seeing that her guest
was writing refrained from coming
farther, though Miss Marshall promptly
laid aside her pen and diary and cor
daily babe her enter. All was quiet
within and without, and she was Just
about pulling down the shade when.
peeping through the blinds, she saw the
dark shadowy form at the fence move
quickly, stea,thily into the road. The
next moment there came the stern, low
toned challcs,re:
Halt, You mem
There was an instant scurry and rush;
q mTttered oath; two shadowy forms
darted out by the gate, and at top speed
their flying footsteps could be di1nly
heard rushing tiptOe around to the back
of the garrison. But there was no pur-
suit. One man evidently had stood his
ground.
Where are you going" was Brent's
question, in the same low, stern tone.
Ito my quarters" was the answer, in
accents that were plainly defiant. ''Who
are You, and what business is it of
yours?"
Il am the corporal of the guard, and
you are disobeying orders in entering
the garrison. Face about and go with
me to the guard house."
"You can't arrest me, by God! I'm
going right to my quarters I'm not
going to cross the parade"
THAT VIII do. Face aboutr Brents
voice was heard. You know perfectly
well that you disobeyed orders in enter
ing that gate. What's your name-and
your troop
None of your damned business. I'm
tending to my affairs; you tend 70
yours"
Il am, and I arrest you, whoever you
are. Not another word, now, unless You
want me to use force
Don't you dare lay hand on me,
damn you! don't recognize your au-
thority. You're not corporal of the
guard; saw who marched on guard
this morning, and you were not one of
them. Get OFT of my way or Ill"-
Then came sudden scuffle, an oath, a
gasping cry. One man could be heard
running with lightning speed to the
gloomy outlines of the cavalry barracks.
close at hand; another seemed to dash in
pursuit. Then came the sound of stun
ming blow, the crash of a rife upon the
gravelly road, heavy fall, a moan.
Then-silence.
| (To be contnued)