The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1894-05-17

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there sat Kane. his face buried in his
hands
Il ordered him locked in here by
/ himself. because | feared our fellows
would hammer him if he were turned
in with them explained Mr.. Merton,
and al sound % the voice the pris-
oner looked up and saw his commander.
dripping with wet Unsteadily he rose
10 h. feet
Captain" ne began, thickly. I'D
never have done II in the world, sir,
but that blackguard was drunk, sir.
and slandering my officer, and gave
him fair warning 10 quit or Ia hit him,
but he kept on"
"Ye-es? And what did he sa~?"
HE said wouldn't believe il. sir
that Mr.. Doyle was that drunk that
him and some other fcllers had lifted
him out of the mud and put him 10 bed
up there at-up there at the house. sir.
back Of AnatoIe's place. think the
captain knows"
"Ah, You should have steered clear
of such company, Kane. Did this hap
pen al AnatDle's s&loon@"
Yes, SIR, and them fellers was MAX
ing SEA much noise that the dago turned
them all out and shut Up the shop at
eleven o'clock, and that's what made
them follow me home in the car and
abuse me all the way. | couldn't
stand il, sir"
"You would only have laughed at
them if your better Judgment hadn't
been ruined by liquor. Sorry for you,
Kane, but you've been drinking just
enough to be nuisance. and must stay
where you are for the night. They II
be sorry for what they said in the
morning Did you lock up the others,
Mr. Merton?" he asked, as they turned
away.
"All but Dawson, sir | took him
over to the hospital and put a sentry
over him. That fellow looks to be
verging on jimjams, and wouldn't be
surprised if he'd been talking as Kane
says" Merton might have added.
''and it's probably true" but courtesy
to his battery friend forbade. Cram
did add mentally something to the
same effect, but loyalty to his arm of
the service kept him silent At the
flagstaff the two officers stopped.
Merton, oblige me by saying moth
ing as to TIE alleged language about
Doyle, will you?"
Certainly, captain. Good night"
Then, as the officer of the days Ian.
tern fickered away in one direction,
Cram turned in the other. and pres
emily went climbing up the stairs to
the gallery leading to the quarters of
his senior first lieutenant. dim light
was shining through the shutters
Cram knocked at the door; no answer
Opening it, he glanced in The room
was unoccupied A cheap marine
clock, ticking between the north win
dows and the wash-stand, indicated
midnight, and the battery commander
turned away in vexatiOn of spirit
Lieut.. Doyle had no authority to be
absent from the post.
1t was dark and stOrming furiously
when the bugles of the battery sounded
the reveille, and by the light of the
swinging lanterns the men marched
away in their canvass stable rig. look
ing like a column of ghosts. Yet
despite the gale and the torrents of
rain, Pierce was in no wise surprised
to find Cram at his elbow when the
horses were led out to water.
Groom indoors this morning, Mr.
Pierce. is Waring home?"
mo, sir; Ananlt-s told me when he
brought me up my coffee"
"Bold the morning report, then
un3il come to the Office. | fear we
have both first lieutenants to report
- 10 4
GO 70 town; so get your breakfast
early. We will ride. doubt if even an
ambulance could get through Tell
me, Pierce, have you spoken to Waring
about--abOut that matter we were
discussing? Has he ever given you
any idea that he had received warning
of any h4nd from old Lascelles--or any
of his friends?"
mo, sir. I've had no chance to
speak, 70 be sure. and, so far as could
observa, he and Mr.. Lascelles seemed
on YER? excellent terms only a few
days ago"
Well, I wish had spoken myself, :
said Cram, and turned away.
That morning, with two first lieu
tenants absent without leave. the re-
port of Light Battery TX" went into
the adjutant's office just as its com
mander and his junior subaltern went
out and silently mounted the dripping
horses standing in front. The two
orderlies, with their heads poked
through the slit of their ponchos,
brisllly seated themselves in saddle,
and then the colonel hurried forth just
in time to hail:
"Oh, Cram! one minute" And Cram
refined about and rode to the side Of
the post commander, who stood under
the shelter of the broad gallery.
81 wouldn't say anything about this
to anyone at headquarters except
Reynolds. There's no one else on the
staff to whom Waring would apply, is
there?"
mo one, sir. Reynolds is the only
man | can think Of
''Will you send an orderly back with
word as soon as you know?"
Eyes, sir, the moment hear. And-d
shall send you word from-there"
and Cram nodded northward, and
then, in a lower tone, "as to Doyle?"
''Oh, damn Doyle! don't care if he
never" But here the commander of
the post regained control of himself.
and with parting wave of the hand
turned back to his office.
Riding single file up the levee, for
the city road was one long pool, with
the swollen river on their left. and the
slanting torrents of rain obscuring all
objects on the other hand, the party
made its way for several squares with
out exchanging word. Presently the
leading file came opposite the high
wall Of the Lascelles place The green
latticed gate stood open-an unusual
thing-and both officers bent low over
their pommels and gazed along the
dark, rain-swept alley to the pillared
portico dimly seen beyond. Not a soul
was in sight. The water was already
on a level with the banquette. and
would soon be running across and into
the gate. A vagabond dog skulling
about the place gave vent to a mourn