The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-12-21

tiers; Rollins halted some 80 feet away
raised his cap and left her, and all alone
with the eyes of Fort Sibley upon her
Nina Bcaubien stepped bravely forward
to meet her lover.
They saw him greet her at the door
Some OF them turned away, unwilling
to look and yet unwilling to go and not
understand this new phase of the mys
terry. Rollins, looking neither to right
nor left, repasscd them and walked of
with set, savage look on his young
face, and then, as one or two still gazed,
fascinated by this strange and daring
proceeding, others, too, turned back
and, half ashamed of themselves fo1
such a yielding TO curiosity, glanced
furtively over at Jerrold's door.
There they stood-he restrained by
his arrest, unable to come forth; she,
restrained more by his barring form
than by any consideration of maidenly
reserve, for, had he hidden, she would
have gone within. She had fully made
up her mind that wherever he was, even
were it behind the sentinels and bars of
the guardhouse, she would demand that
she be taken to his side He had handed
out chair, but she would not sit.
They saw her looking up into his face
as he talked and noted the eager gesti-
culation, so characteristic of his creole
blood, that seemed to accompany his
rapid words, They saw her bending to-
ward him, looking eagerly up in his
eyes and occasionally casting indignant
glances over toward the group at the
office, as though she would annihilate
with her wrath the prosecutors Of her
hero. Then they saw her stretch forth
both her hands, with quick impulsive
movement, and grasp his one instant,
looking so faithfully, steadfastly, loyal
ly, into his clouded and anxious face.
Then she turned, and with quick, eager
steps came tripping toward them They
stood irresolute. Every man felt that it
was somebody's duty to step forward,
meet her and be her escort through tho
party, but no one advanced. There was,
if anything tendency to sidle toward
the Office door, as though to leave the
sidewalk unimpeded But she never
sought to pass them by With flashing
eyes and crimson cheeks, she bore
straight upon them, and with indignant
emphasis, upon every word accosted
them:
Captain Wilton Major Sloat, 1 wish
to see Captain Chester at once. Is he
in the Officer"
Certainly, Miss Beaubien. Shall l
call him, OF will you walk in:" And
both men We're at her side in moment.
"Thanks. will go right inf you
will kindly show me TO him.
Another moment, and Armitage and
Chester, deep in the mid of their du
ties and surrounded by clerks and order
lies and assailed by half dozen ques-
lions in one and the same instant, looked
up astonished as Wilton stepped i'll and
announced Miss Beaubien, desiring to
see Captain Chester on immediate bust
ness. There was no time ~, conference.
There she stood i'll the doorway, and all
tongues were huShed on the instant.
Chester rose and stepped forward, with
anxious courtesy. She did not choose to
sec the CXtCrlcd hand.
1T is you, alc,c, wish to Sec cap
tain. Is il impt ssh @ hc.o?'
81 fear it is, Mis- Be9ubicn. but Ue
can walk ont IL tie open air. / feel
that know what it is you wish to shy
to me, he added il a low tone, took
his cap from tho peg on which it hung
and led the way. Again she passed
through the curious but respectful
group, and Jerrold, watching furtively
from his window, saw them come forth.
The captain turned to her as soon al
they were cut Of earshot:
Il have no daughter of my own, my
dear young lady, but if had could
not more thoroughly feel for you than
/ dc How can help your"
Tho reply was unexpectedly spirited.
He had thought TO encourage and sus-
tain her, be sympathetic and paternal
but, Us he afterward ruefully admitted,
he "never did seem to get the hang of o
woman's temperament. " Apparently
sympathy was not the thing she needed.
1T is late in the day TO ask such
question: Captain Chester. You have
done great wrong and injustice. Tho
question is ,ow, Will you undo it,
He was too surprised TO speak for n
moment. When his tongue was ur
loosed, he said:
Il shall be glad to be convinced L
was wrong,
Il know little of army justice OF
army laws Captain Chester, but when
girl is compelled to take this step to
rescue friend there is something brutal
about them, or the men who enforce
them. Mr. Jerrold tells me that he is
arrested l knew that last night, but
not until this morning did he consent to
let me know that he would be court
martialed unless he could prove where
he was the night you were officer of tho
day two weeks ago and last Saturday
night He is too noble and good to de-
fend himself when by doing so he might
harm me- But / am here to free him
from the cruel suspicion you have form
ed" She had quickened her STEP and
in her impulsiveness and agitation they
were almost at the end of the walk. He
hesitated, as though reluctant to go
along under the piazza, but she was inn
perious, and he yielded. NO, comet"
she said II mean that you shall hear