The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-28

MISS RenWlck, Dut not In white ana yell
low. W.
Armitage smiled to see the evidences
of Mrs. Maynard's taste and handiwork
on every side. In the years he had been
the old soldiers adjutant nothing could
have exceeded the simplicity with which
the colonel surrounded himself. Now 1t
was something akin to Sybaritish ele-
gance, Thought the captain, but all the
same he made his deliberate survey.
There was the big dressing table and
bureau ON which had stood that ravish-
ed picture, that photograph of the girl
he loved which others were able to
speak of and one man to appropriate
feloniously, while yet he had never seen
it. His impulse was to 60 to Jerrold's
quarters and take him by the throat and
demand it Of him, but what right had
he? How knew he even that it was now
there? In view Of the words that Ches-
ter had used toward him, Jerrold must
know of the grievous danger in which
he stood. That photograph would prove
most damaging evidence if discovered.
Very probably, after yielding to his
vanity and showing it to Sloat, he
meant to get it back. Very certainly,
after hearing Chcster's words, he must
have determined to lose no time in get
ting rid Of it, He was no fool if he was
a coxcomb.
Locking around the half darkened
room, Armitago fingered long over the
photographs which hung about the
dressing table and over the mantel, sew
eral pfettily framed duplicates Of those
already described as appearing in the
album One after another he took them
in his hands, bore them to the window
and studied them attentively. Some
were not replaced without a long, lin
gering kiss. He had not ventured to dis
turb an item in her room. He would
not touch tho knob Of drawer Or at
tempt to opGi anything she had closed,
but here in quarters where his colonel
could claim joint partnership he felt less
sentiment or delicacy. He closed the
hall door and tried the lock, turning the
knob to and fro. Then he reopened the
door and swung it upon its hinges. For
o wonder neither lock nor hinges creak-
ed. The door worked smoothly and
with little noise. Then he similarly
tried the door Of her room. 1t was in
equally good working order, quite free
from squeak and complaint with which
quartermasters' locks and hinges are apt
to do their reluctant duty. The discov-
cry pleased him. 1t was possible for one
to open and close these portals noise
lessly, if need be, and without disturb
ing sleepers in either room.
Returning to the east chamber, he
opened the shades, so as to get more
light, and his eye fell upon an old al
bum lying ON little table that stood by
the bedside. There was night lamp
upon the table, too little affair that
could hold only thilnbleful of oil and
was intended evidently to keep merely
q faint glow during the night hours.
Other volumes--a Bible, some devo-
tional books, like 'The Changed Cross"
and a hymnal or two-were also there,
but the album stood most prominent,
and Armitage curiously took it up and
opened it.
There were only half a dozen photo
graphs in the affair. 1t was rather a
case than an album and was intended
apparently for only a, few family pic
lures, There was but one that interest
ed him., and this he oxaminedhintently,
almost excitedly. It represented little
girl of 9 or 10 years-Alice undoubted-
E-with, >. her arms clasped about tho
neck of a magnificent st. Bernard dog
and looking ,up into the handsome fea-
lures Of 2. tall, slender, dark eyed, black
haired boyiof 10 or Whereabouts, and the
two were enough alike to be brother and
sister. Who then, was this boy?
Arnitage took the photograph to the
window and studied it carefully. Parade
was over, and the troops were marching
back to their quarters. The band was
playing gloriously as it came tramping
into the quadrangle, and the captain
could not but glance out at his own old
company as in compact column Of fours
it entered the grassy, diamond and
swung off toward the barracks. He saw
q knot Of officers, too, turning the cor
aer by the adjutant's Office, and for q
moment he lowered the album to look
Mr. Jerrold was not of the number
that came sauntering up the walk, drop
ping away by ones Or twos as they
reached their doors and unbuckled their
belts or removed their helmets in eager
haste To get'out Of the constraint Of full
dress. But i'll another moment Jerrold,
too, appeared all alone, walking rapidly
and nervously. Armitage watched him
and could rot but see how other men
turned away or gave him the coolest
possible nod as he passed, The tall,
slender lieutenant was handsomer even
I than when he last saw him, and yet
there were gloom and worry on tho dark
beauty Of his face. Nearer and nearer
he came and had passed the quarters Of
the other officers and was almost at the
door of his own when Armitage saw q
little, wiry soldier in full dress uniform
running across the parade as though in
pursuit. He recognized Mcrrick, one Of
the scapegraces of his company, and
wondered why he should be chasing
after his temporary commander. just
as Jerrold was turning under tho piazza
the soldier seemed to mako himself
heard, and the lieutenant with al
angry frown on his face, stopped ant
confronted him.
"Itold you not to come to mo again, y
/ he said, so loud that every word was
audible to the captain standing by the
open window above. "What do yot
mean, sir, by following me in this
wayP" "G %N@T r' '
The reply was inaudible. Armitagc
could see the littlo soldier standing il
the respectful position Of attention,
4 \ A II.