The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-10-19

ABOUT inc SnOtS.
cause he reminded her SO strongly of the
boy she had lost. She told me So But
after little she began to discover traits
in him she did not like, and then his
growing intimacy with Alice worried
her. She would have put stop to the
doctors party, to her going with him,
l mean, but the engagement was made
some days ago. Two or three days since
she warned Alice not to trust him, she
says, and it is really as much on this as
any other account that we decided to
get her away, Off to see her Aunt Grace.
Oh, God! How blind we arel How blind
we are!' And poor old Maynard bowed
his head and almost groaned aloud
Chester rose, and in his characteristic
way began tramping nervously up and
down. There was knock at the door.
"The adjutant's compliments, and twas
time for guard mount. Would the colo.
mel wish to see him before he went out?"
asked the orderly.
81 ought to go, sir, said Chester. II
am old officer Of the day, and there will
be just time for me to get into full uni
form"
Let them go on without you" said
Maynard. II cannot spare you now.
Send word to that effect. Now-now
about this man--this Jerrold. What is
the best thing we can do? OF course
know what he most deserves, but what
is the best thing under all the circum.
stances? Of course my wife and Alice
will leave today. She was still sleeping
when L left, and, pray God, is not
dreaming of this. 1t was nearly 2 before
she closed her eyes last night, and /,
too, slept badly. You have seen him.
What does he say?"
denies everything - everything -
challenges me to prove that he was alb.
sent from His house more than five min.
utes-indeed, l could not, for he may
have come in just after 1 left-and pre-
when accused him of striking me be-
fore l ordered the sentry to fire. OF
course it is all useless now. When
confront him with this letter. he must
give in Then let him resign and get
away as quietly as possible before the
end of the week. No one need know the
causes. OF course shooting is what he
deserves, but shooting demands eXpla.
nation. 1t is better for your name, hers
and all that he should be allowed to
live than that the truth were suspected,
as it would be if he were killed. In
deed, sir, if were you, l would take
them to Sablon, keep them away for q
fortnight and leave him to me. It may
be even judicious to let him go OH with
all his duties as though nothing had
happened, as though he had simply
been absent from reveille, and let tho
whole matter drop like that until all
remark and curiosity are lulled; then you
can send her back to Europe or the east
time enough to decide on that-but l
will privately tell him he must quit the
service in six months and show him
why. 1t isn't the way it ought to be
settled, it probably isn't the way Armi-
tage would do it, but it is the best
thing that occurs to me- One thing is
certain You and they ought to get
away at once, and he should not be per
mitted to see, her again can run the
post few days and explain matters
after you go. F"
The colonel sat in wretched silence q
few moments Then he arose.
eff it were not for her danger-her
heart-I would never drop the matter
here-neverl / would see il through
to the bitter end But you are probably
right as to the prudent course to take,
I'll get them away on the noon train.
He thinks they do not start until later.
Now I must go and face it. My God,
Chester, could you look at that child
and realize it? Even nov, even now,
sir. believe-I believe some way
somehow-she is innocent"
God grant it, siri''
And then the colonel left the Office,
avoiding. as has been told, word with
any man. Chester buttoned the telltale
letter in an inner pocket, after having
first folded the sheet lengthwise, and
then inclosed it in long official envel-
ope. The officers, wondering at the
oolonel's distraught appearance, had
come thronging in, hoping for informa.