Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-10
FROM TIE RANKS.
By CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
tcopyright. ise4, by the.J. B. 14ippincott Col
CHAPTER. XVI.


 finite spirit and the most perfect self control, Miss BeauhGen had informed them that she had promised tolead with Mir Jerrold, and since he wash duress she would lead with no one, and sent them of wondering and greatly excited, there came running up to the carriage telegraph messenger boy, >who handed her dispatch.
 II was going up to the avenue, mum" he explained, but I seen you here.
 Nina's face paled as she toresit open and read the curt lines:
 Come to me here. Your help,needed instantly"
 She sprang from the carriage. Tell mother 1 have gone over to sec some fort friends-not to.wait, " she called to the coachman, well knowing he would understand that she meant the ladies with whom she had been so recently talking Like frightened deer she sped around the corner, hailed the driver of q cah. lounGing with his fellows along the walk. ordered him to drive with all speed to Summit avenue, and with beat ing heart decided on her plan. Her glO- riuuS eyes were flashing: the native courage and fierce. cc.dctcrminatiOn of her race were working ill her woman's heart She we'll knew that imminent danger threatened. him. She had dared everything for love of his mere presence. his sweet carcss. What would she pot darc to save him ifIsave she could? He had not been truestO her. She knew, and knew we'll. that. whether sought or I,,I him from her. that ho was wavering. that he had been cold and negligent, but with all her soul and strength she loved him and believed him grand and brave and fine as he was beautiful. Now-now was her opportunity. He needed her. His commission. his honor, depended on her. He had intimated as much the night before-had told her of the accusations and suspicious that attached to him-but made no mention of the photograph
 He had said that, though nothing could drag from him n word that would compromise her. she might be called upon tu stand 'twixt him and ruin, and now perhaps the hour had come. She could free. cXouerate, glOrify him, and ill doing so claim him for her own. Who. after this, could stand 'twixt her and him? He loved her, though he had been cold, aud she? Had he bidden her bow her duslyIhead to. earth and kiss the print of his heel she would have obeyed could she but feel sure that her reward would be simple touch of his hand, an assurance that no other woman could find moments place in 1,i 1v- hn I,Nir desperate wooing ill the long winter, for the very depths of her nature were all athrOb with love for him. And now he could no longer plead that poverty withheld his offer of his hand. She would soon br mistress of her own lit tie fortune, and at her mothers death of an independence Go to him she would, and on wings of the wind. and go she did The cab released her at the gate to her home and want hack with a double fare that set the driver to think ing. Sh" sped through the house and out the rear doors, much to the amaze of cook and others who were ill consul tation ill the kitchen. She flew down a winding flight of stairs to the level be low. and her fairy feet went tripping
 
 A quick turn. and she was at little second rate stable, whose proprietor knew her and started from his chair. Whats wrong today, Miss Nina:'' Il want the roan mare and light buggy aCain-quiCk aS you can. Your OWL price at the old terms, Mir. Graves-si fence.
 He nodded. called to a subordinate and in five minutes handed her into tho frail vehicle An impatient chirrup anC flap of the reins, and the roam sho forth into the dusty road, leaving ole Graves shaking his head at the door. live known her ever since she wa: wcanrd." he muttercd, and she's [ wild bird. if ever there was one, but shes never been the like Q this till las month. =
 And the rnan mare was covered witt foam and sweat when Nina BeaubicI drove into the hustling fort, barely al hour after her receipt of JcrrOld's tcle gram. \ few officers were gathered il front of headquarters, and there wer, curious looks from face to face as sh, was recognized Mir. Rollins was or the walk, giving some instructions to
 
 her until the buggy refined up close be hind him. and turning suddenly he me her face to face aS she sprang lightl, | to the ground. The young fellow rcd | dened to his eyes and would have re l coilel. but she was mistress of the situ ation- She we'll knew she had but [, command. and he would obey, or, at tn | most. ii she could no longer comman' she had only 10 irplorc, and he woul, be pOwcrlesS to withstand her entreaty
 Il am glad you are here. Mir. Rol lns- YOu can help me-scrgeant, vii you kindly hitch my horse at that post now" she added in low, hurrie' tone, come with me to MT. Jerrold's.
 Rollins was too stupefied to answer Silently he placed himself by her side and together they passed the group a the office Miss Beaubien nodded wit something of her old archness and C quetry to the cap raising party, bu never hesitated. Together they passe along the narrow board walk, followe by curious eyes, and as they reached tn angle and stepped beneath the shelte of the piazza in front of the long, low
 green blinded bachelors TOW there wa
 sudden sensation ill the group. Mi
 Jcrrold appeared at the door of his qual
 ters: Rollins halted some 50 feet ava!
 raised his cap and left her, and all alone
 with the eyes of Fort Sibley upon he
 Nina Beaubien stepped bravely forwar
 to meet her lover.
 They saw him greet her at the doc
 Some of them turned away, unwillin
 to look and yet unwilling to go and n' understand this new phase of the my tery. Rollins. looking neither to rigl nor left, repassed them and walked 0
 with set, savage look on his youn
 face, and then, as one or two still gaze fascinated by this strange and dariI