The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-12-21

e--S AOAAONS tAoe WaAtrU 70 udNlC6 WIN
her.
That wasn't my fault Mrs May.
nard made her promise TO be home at
IL. You old cackler, that's what sticks
IN your crop yet You are prosecuting
me because they like me so much better
than they do you," he went on, laugh
ingly now. Come, now, Sloat, confess,
1t is ali because you're jealous. You
couldn't have that picture, and I could. -
Chester fairly started. He had urgent
need to see this young gallant BE was
staying for that purpose, but should he
listen to further talk like this? Too late
to move, for SlOat's answer came like a
shot:
/ bet you you never couldr'
But didn't tell you I had week
ago?"
aye, but I didn't believe it, You
couldn't show itr'
'Pshaw, mani Look here. Stop,
though. Remember, on your honor, you
never tell.
ION my honor, Of course.
well. theEsr'
A drawer was openC1. Chester heard
q gulp Of dismay, Of genuine astonish-
ment and conviction mixed, as Sloat
muttered some half artioulate words
ana then came into the front room.
Jerrold followed, caught sight Of Chester
and stopped short, with sudden aud
angry change Of color.
Il did not know you were hUre, " he
said.
1T was to find where you were that
] came, " was the quiet answer.
There w5B a moments silence. Sloat
turned and looked at the two men in
utter surprise Up to this time he had
considered JerTold's absence from re-
veille as a mere dereliction Of duty
which was ascTibable to the laziness
and indifference Of the young officer.
So far as lay in his power, he meant to
make him attend more strictly to bust
ness and had therefore come to his quar-.
tiers and stirred him up. But there was
no thought of any serious trouble in his
mind. His talk had all been roughly
good humored until-until that bet was
mentioned, and then it became earnest.
Now, as he glanced from one man to
the other, he saw in an instant that
something new-something Of unusual
gFavity-was impending. Chester, but
toned to the throat in his dark uniform,
accurately gloved and belted, with pale,
set, almost haggard face, was standing
by the center table under the droplight.
Jerrold, only half dressed, his feet
thrust into slippers, his fingers nervous
ly working at the studs of his dainty
white shirt, had stopped short at his
bedroom door, and with features chat
grew paler every second and a dark
scoWl on his brow was glowering at
Chester.
Since when has it been the duty Of
the officer Of the day to come around
and hunt up officers who don't happen
to be out at reveille?" he asked.
ut is not your absence from reveille
I want explained, Mr.. Jerrold," was
the cold and deliberative answer. IT
wanted you at $3.50 this morning, and
you were not and had not been here.
An unmiStakable start aud shock; a
quick, nervous, hunted glance around the
room SO cold and pallid in the early
light Of the August morning; a clutch
Of Jerrold's slim, brown hand at the
barred throat But he rallied gamel7,
strobe step forward and looked /
superior full in the face, Sloat marked
the effort with which he cleared ar,
the huskiness that seemed to Coz
larynx, but admired the spm.k
which the young officer returned L.,
seniors shot:
what is your authority here, Iwould
like to know? What business has the
officer Of the day to want me or any other
man not on guard? Captain Chester
you seem to forget that am no longer
your second lieutenant and that l am
a company commander like yourself
Do you come by Colonel Maynard's
order to search my quarters and question
me? If So say so at once. If not, get
out. " And JerTold's face was cow
ing back with wrath, and his big, lus-
Tous eyes were wide awake now and
fairly swapping.
Chester leaned upon the table and de-
liberated a moment He stood there
coldly, distrustfully eying the excited
lieutenant then turned to Sloat
Il will be responsible for the roll call
Of Company B this morning, Sloat.
have a matter Of grave importance to
bring up to this-this gentleman, and
it is Of private nature. VIII you let
me see him alone?"
"Sloat, " said Jerrold, don't go yet
/ want you to stay. These are my quar-
ters, and recognize your right to come
here in search of me, since I was not at
reveille, but I want a witness here to
bear me out. I'm too amazed yet, too
COMPOUNDED by this intrusion of Captain
Chester, to grasp the situation. never
heard Of such a thing as this. Explain
it if you can.
'Mr. JeTrold, what l have to ask or
say to you concerns you alone, It is
not an official matter. It is as man to
man want to see you, alone and at
once. Now will you let Major Sloat re-
tire?"
Silence for a moment. The angry
flush on JerrOld's face died away, and
In Ii. nlnnn on, n-Ln.. Ill. ----- -