The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-30
CHAPTER XIII.

for desiring to read them. Mr.. Jerrold
OH the other hand, seemed disposed to
keep in the shadows as much as posi-
BILE. 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 i'll
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 on the cen
ter table, then thrusting his thumbs in
side the handsome, gold broidered sword
belt stood in a jaunty attitude, but with
very uneasy look in his eyes, to hear
what his senior might have to say. Be-
tween the two men an invitation to sit
would have been superfluity. Neither
had ever remained long enough in the
others quarters, since the exchange of
the first calls when Jerrold came to the
garrison, to render q chair at all neces-
sary.
''Be good enough to strike light
Mr.. Jerrold," said Armitage presently
seeing that his unwilling host made no
effort on his own account.
II purposed going out at once, cap
tain, and presume you cannot have any
very extended remarks to make"
"You cannot see the writing 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. l
presume 1t will keep"
1T will have to. The matter / have
come upon will admit no Ecther delay.
Light your lamp, if you please" "
And Jc1rold did SO, slowly and with
much reluctance. He wiped his fore
head vigorously the instant the fame
began to splutter, but as the clear,
steady light of the argand gradually
spread over the little room Armitage
could see the 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 in
so light yet immovable an aim were
twitching now. 1t was no wonder Jer-
rold's score had dropped some 30 per
cent. His nerve had gone to pieces.
Armitage stood and watched him a
moment; then he slowly spoke:
II have no desire to allude to the
subject of your conversation with Mer-
rick. 1t was to put an end to such a
tlling--not to avail myself Of any in
formation it might give-that h,lr-
ricd in. We will put that aside and go
nt once to the matter that brings me
back. You are aware, Of course, that
your conduct has compromised wom-
ans name, and that the garrison is
talking Of nothing else. "
Jelrold grasped the back Of a chair
with Ole slender brown hand and looked
furtively about, as though for some hope
of escape. Something like a startled
gulp seemed to work his throat muscles
nn instant; then he Stanmored mis- re.
ply:
II don't know what you mean"
"You do know what 1 mean. Cap.
tain Chester has already told you."
Captain Chester came i'll here and
made all unauthorized inspection Of my
quarters because he heard shot fired
by sentry. l was out. l don't deny
that. But he proceeded to say all man.
ner Of insulting and unwarrantable
things and tried to force me to hand in
q resignation simply because was out
of quarters after taps could account
for his doing something so idiotic but
I'm at a loss to comprehend your TAX.
ing it up
1.-THE most serious allegation eveI
made against an officer Of the regiment
is made against you, the senior lieuton-
ant OF my company, and the evidence
furnished me by the colonel and by
Captain Chester is of such character
that unless you can refuto it and cleal
her name you will have n settlement
with me to start with, and your dis
missal from the regimen" -
Settlement with you? What concern
have you in the NATTER" interrupted
Jerrold
Waste no words OH that, Mr.. Jor.
rold. Understand that where her name
is concerned nc man on earth is more
interested than /. Now answer me.
You wero absent from your quarters fol
some hours after the doctors party.
Somebody believed to havc been you was
seen and fired at for refusing to halt al
the order Of Captain Chester at $3.50 il
tho morning. Tho ladder that usually
hung at your fence was found at the
colonel'B while you were out, and that
night woman sname was compromised
beyond repair unless you can repair it.
Unless you prove beyond peradventurC
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 thesC
first"
Jerrold's face was growing gray ant
sickly. He stared at ~, stern eyes be
fore him and could mako no answer
His lips moved dryly, but made nj
sound.
Come, / want to hear from you
Where were you if not with or seek
ing her? Name your place and wit
nesses. "
"By God, Captain Armitage, tn,
army is no longer q place for gentle
man If his every movement is to b,
spied upon like thisr'
"Tho world is no place for a man O
your stamp is perhaps better way o
putting it," said Armitage, whose fin
gers were twitching convulsively, ant
whose whole franc quivered with tn
effort he was making to restrain tn
rage and indignation that consumed
him. He could not-he would not
believe in her guilt. He must hav
Z