The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-11-30
[coNTINuEp.l
CHAPTER XIII.

keep IN the shadows as much as posi-
bic. He made no movement TO open the
shutters of the one window which ad-
mitted light from the front and walk
cd 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 Oh tho CEN
ter table, then thrusting his thumbs in
side the handsome, gold broidorod sword
belt stood i'll q jaunty attitude, but with
very uneasy look i'll his eyes, to hear
what his senior might have Co say. Be-
tween the two men Nh invitation to sit
would have been supcrfluity, Neither
had ever remained long enough in the
others quarters, since tho exchange of
the first calls when JeTrold came to the
garrison, TO roper chaic ut al neces
sary.
"Be good enough TO strike a light,
Mr.. Jerrold, said ATlnitago presently.
seeing that his unwilling host made no
effort on his own account.
81 purpo2cd 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.
I shall detain you no longer than is nee
essary. Had you an engagement"
Nothing Of great consequence. 1
presume it will keep"
'It will have to- The mater have
come upon Will admit no further delay.
Light your lamp, il you please.
And JerTold did So slowly and with
much reluctance. He wiped his fore
head vigorously the instant the fame
began to splutter, but rs the clear,
steady light of the argand gradually
spread over tho little room Armitage
could see tho 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 il
so light yet inlnovablo an aim wero
twitohing 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 q
moment; then ho slowly spoke:
subject of your conversation with Mer-
rick. 1t Was to put an end to such q
thing-not to avail myself OF any in
formation it might give--that / hur-
ried in. We will put that aside and go
at once to the matter that brings mo
back. You are aware, of course, that
your conduct has compromised Wont
ans name, and chat the garrison is
talking of nothing else.
Jorrold grasped tho back Of a chair
with one slender brown hand and looked
furtively about, Is though Tor some hopo
of escape Something like o startled
gulp seemed to work his throat muscles
an instant; then DO stGmmcred his re-
ply:
81 don't know what you mean"
"You do know what l mean. Cap
tain Chester has already told yen. -
Captain Chester cano in hero and
made an unauthorized inspection Of my
quarters because ho heard u shot fired
by sentry. / was ont. l don't deny
that. But he proceeded TO say all man
ner Of insulting und understandable
things and tried to force me TO hand in
resignation simply because I was out
Of quarters after taps. could account
for his doing something SO idiotic, but
I'm at q loss to comprehend your TAX
ing it up"
1.-THE most serious allegation ever
made against an officer of tho 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 settlement
with mo to start with, and your dis
missal from tho regiment '----
Settlement with you? What concern
have you i'll che natter" interrupted
Jerrold.
"Waste no words on that, Mr.. 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 $3.50 in
the morning. The ladder that usually
hung at your fence was found at the
colonel's while you were out, and that
night 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. I"
Jerrold's face was growing gray and
siclly. He stared at the stern eyes be-
fore him and could make no answer
His lips moved dryly, but made no
sound.
Come, want to hear from you.
Where were Jon il not with or seek
ing her? Name your place and wit
nesscs.
'By God, Captain Arnitage, the
army is no longer a place for q gcntle-
man if his every movement il TO be
spied upon like tiisl''