The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-04

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acre riding side by side.
close attention to all the dragoon was
saying. All were eager to hear the par
ticulars of the condition of affairs at the
corral, and all were disposed to be en-
vious Of the mounted captain who could
ride alongside the one participant in the
rescuing charge and get it all at first
hand. The field officers, of course, were
mounted, but every line officer marched
afoot with his men, except that three
horses had been picked up at the rail
way and impressed by the quartermaster
in case of need, and these We're assigned
to the captains who happened to COM
mand the skirmishers and hankers.
But no man had the faintest idea
what manner of story that tall sergesht
was telling. 1t would have been of in
terest to every soldier in the command,
but to no one so much so as to the two
who were his absorbed listeners. Armi-
tage, before their early march, had
frankly and briefly set before him his
suspicious as to the case and the trouble
in which Miss Renwiok was involved.
No time was to be lost. Any moment
might find them plunged III fierce bat
tie, and who could foretell the results,
who could say what might happen
to prevent this her vindication ever
reaching the ears Of her accusers? Some
men wondered why it was that Colonel
Maynard sent his compliments to Cap
tain Chester and begged that at the next
halt he would join him. The halt did
not come for long hour, and when it
did come it was very brief, but Chester
received another message and went for
ward to find his colonel sitting ir lit
tie grove with the cavalryman while the
orderly held their horses @ short space
away. Armitage had gone forward to
his advance, and Chester showedno sur
prise at the sight Of the sergeant seated
side by side with the colonel and i'll con-
fidential converse with him. There was
quaint sly twinkle in Maynard's eyes
as he greeted his old friend.
Chester" said he, 81 want you to be
better acquainted with my stepson, Mr.
Renwick. He has an apology to make to
ydd."
The tall soldier had risen the instant
he caught sight of the newcomer, and
even at the half playful tone of the colo
mel would relax in no degree his soldier
ly sense of the proprieties. He stood
erect and held his hand at the salute,
only very slowly lowering it to take the
one so frankly extended him by the cap
tain, who, however, was grave and quiet.
II have suspected as much since day
break, " he said, "and no man is glad
der to know it is you than am.
"You would have known it before,
sir, had l had the faintest idea of the
danger in which my foolhardiness had
involved my sister. The colonel has told
you of my story. / have told him and
Captain Armitage what led to my mad
freak at Sibley, and while have much
to make amends for l want to apologize
for the blow l gave you that night on
the terrace. was far more scared than
you were, sir.
II think we can afford to forgive
him, Chester. He knocked us both
out, said the colonel.
Chester bowed gravely. '"That was
the easiest part Of the affair to forgive, y
he said, land it is hardly for me, pre-
sumo, to be the only one to blame the
sergeant for the trouble that has in
volved us all, especially your household
colonel"
1T was expensive masquerading, tt