Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-07
FROM THE. RANKS.
By OAPTAIU CHARLES KING.
tCopyrigh,. 1894. by the J. B. LippincOtt Col
CHAPTER XIII.

ed back to his bedroom door, glanced in there, as though to see that there were no occupants, then carefully closed it as he returned to face his captain He took off his helmet and placed it on the cen ter table, then thrusting his thumbs in- side the handsome, gold broidered sword belt stood ill jaunty attitude, but with a very uneasy look in his eyes, to hear what his senior might have to say. Be- tween the two men an invitation to sit would have been superf1uity. Neither had ever remained long enough in the Other's quarters, since the exchange of the first calls when Jerrold came to the garrison, to render a chair at all neces- sary.
 Be good enough to strike a light, MT. JerrOld, " said Armitage presently, seeing that his unwilling host made no effort on his own account
 II purposed going out at once, cap- tain, and presume you cannot have any very extended remarks to make. '
 You cannot see the writing I have to call your attention to without light l shall detain you no longer than is nec- essary. Had you an cngagement?''
 Nothing of great consequence. presume 1t will keep"
 1t will have to. The matter have come upon will admit no further delay. Light your lamp if you please
 And Jerrold did so, slowly and with much reluctance. He wiped his fore head vigorously the instant the flame began to splutter, but as the clear, steady light of the argand gradually 1 rl,.N could see the sweat again beading his forehead, and the dark eyes were glanc- ing nervously about, and the hands that were so firm and steady and fine the year before and held the Springfield in so light yet immovable an aim were twitching now. It was no wonder Jer- rold's score had dropped some 30 per cent. His nerve had gone to pieces.
 Armitage stood and watched him a moment; then he slowly spoke:
 II have no desire to allude to the subject of your conversation with Mer- rick It was to put an end to such a thing-not to avail myself of any in formation it might give-that I hur- ried ill. We will put that aside and go at once to the matter that brings me back You are aware, of course, that your conduct has compromised a wom- ans name, and that the garrison is talking of nothing else '"
 Jerrold grasped the back of a chair with one slender brown hand and looked furtively about, as though for some hope of escape. Something like a startled gulp seemed to work his throat muscles an instant; then he stammered his re- ply:
 ''1 don't know what you mean"
 ''1 Ou do know what 1 mean. Cap tain Chester has already told you"
 Captain Chester came ill here and made an unauthorized inspection of my quarters because he heard q shot fired by sentry. l was out. I don't deny that But he proceeded to say all man. her of insulting and unwarrantable things and tried to force me to hand in a resignation simply because was out of quarters after taps. I could account for his doing something so idiotic, but I'm at loss to comprehend your talk ing it up.''
 The most serious allegation ever made against an officer of the regiment Is made against you, the senior lieuten- ant of my company, and the evidence furnished me by the colonel and by Captain Chester is of such character that unless you can refute it and clear her name you will have a settlement with me to start with, and your dis missal from the regiment''- Settlement with yOu? What concern have you ill the natter" interrupted JerrOld
 Waste no words on that, MT. Jer- rold- Understand that where her name Is concerned no man on earth is more interested than l. Now answer me You were absent from your quarters for some hours after the doctors party. | Somebody believed to have been you was seen and fired at for refusing to halt at the order of Captain Chester at 3:3O in the morning. The ladder that usually hung at your fence was found at the | cOlOnels s while you were out, and that night a woman name was compromised | beyond repair unless you can repair it. Unless you prove beyond peradventure where you were both that night and last night, prove beyond question that you were not where you are believed to have been, her name is stained and yours blackened forever. There are other things you must fully explain, but these first'
 Jerrold's face was growing gray and sickly. He stared at the stern eyes be. fore him and could make no answer. His lips moved dryly, but made nc sound
 Come, I want to hear from you. Where were you if not with or seek. ing her? Name your place and wit. nesses. "
 By God, Captain Armitage, the army is no longer a place for gentle man if his every movement is to be spied upon like thisr'
 ''The world is no place for a man oi your stamp is perhaps better way ot putting it, ," said Armitage, whose fin gers were twitching convulsively, anG whose whole frame quivered with ths effort he was making to restrain tht rage and indignation that consumed him. He could not-he would not believe in her guilt. He must hay, this mans proof, no matter how i might damn him for good and all, nc matter whom else 1t might involve, s, long as it cleared her precious name He must be patient, he must be cain and resolute, but the mans cold blood ed, selfish, criminal concealment nearl. maddened him. With infinite effort h controlled himself and went on:
 But it is of her I'm thinking, no , of you It is the name you have com promised and can clear and shoult clear, even at the expense of your ow1 in fact MT. Jerrold, must clear Now will you tell me where you wer and how you can prove it2''
 'I decline to say. I won't be eros questioned by men who have no author ity. Captain Chester said he would TO fer it to the colonel, and when he ask : I will answer-not until then"
 "I ask in his name am authorize.