Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-10

OiICS, us lHOuhn snS "Oulu dllnlnlIate with her wrath the prosecutors of her hero. Then they saw her stretch forth both her hands, with a 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 irresolutC. EVI .; I.,.n felt that it was somebody's GuIy iO step forward, meet her an be her ,@co-t {, rough the party, but nu ore advanced ThCrC was if anything. tendency to sidlc 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, wish to see Captain Chester at once. Is he in the officer"
 Certainly, Miss Beaubien. Shall I call him, or will you walk in?" And both men were at her side in a moment
 "Thanks. will go right inf you will kindly show me to him.
 Another moment, and Armitage and Chester, deep in the midi of their du- ties and surrounded by clerks and order lies and assailed by half n dozen qucs- tions in one and the same instant, looked up astonished as Wilton stepped in and announced Miss BeaubiGn, desiring to see Captain Chester Oil immediate busi- ness. There was no time fO- q inference. There she stood ill tLc doorway, and all tongues wclc hushcd on lhe instant. Chester rose and stepped o.ward. with anxious courtesy. She did not chOOs" to see the extended hand.
 ''It is you. alone. I wish 10 sSc cap tain. |; it impossible hcIe:'
 ''I fear it is, Miss BaaubieiI, but we can walk out in the open air. l feel that know what it is you wish to say to me-, he added in a low tone, took his cap from the peg on which it hung and led the way. Again she passed through the curious but respectful | group. and Jerrold. watching furtively frorl his window, saw them come forth. The captain turned to her as soon as they were out of carshot:
 II have no daughter of my own, my dear young lady, but if I had could not more thoroughly feel for you than do. How can l help you?'
 The reply was unexpectedly spirited. He had thought to encourage and sus- tain her, be sympathetic and paternal: but, as he afterward ruefully admitted, he never did seem to get the hang of n woman's temperament. Apparently sympathy was not the thing she needed. Ut is late in the day to ask such a question, Captain Chester. You have done great wrong and injustice. The question is now, Will you undo it?''
 He was too surprised to speak for a moment. When his tongue was un- loosed, he said:
 II shall be glad to be convinced I was wrong"
 ''I know little of army justice or army laws, Captain Chester, but when girl is compelled to take this step to | rescue a friend there is something brutal | about them, or the men who enforce them. MT. Jerrold tells me that he is arrested. 1 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 the | day two weeks ago and last Saturday night. He is too noble and good to de- fend himself when hy doing so he might harm me. But I am here to free him 1 from the cruel suspicion you have form ed. " She had quickened her step, and ill her impulsivencss and agitation they were almost at the end nf tho walk. He | hesitatcd, as though reluctant to 20 along under the piazza, but she was inn periOus, and he yielded. No, comc"' she said. II mean that you shall hear I the whole truth, and that at once. 1 do | not expect you to understand or condOne my conduct, but you must acquit him. We are engaged, and-I love him. He has enemies here, as 1 see all too plain ly, and they have prejudiced mother against him, and she has forbidden my seeing him. came out to the fort with out her knowledge one day, and it an- ] gercd her. From that time she would not let me see him alone. She watched every movement and came with me wherever I drove. She gave orders that should never have any of our horses to drive or ride alonc-I, whom father had indulged to the utmost and who had ridden and driven at will from my baby hood. She came out to the fort with me that evening for parade and never even agreed tO let me go ont to see some neighborS until she learned he was tC escort Miss Rcnwick She had ordered me to be ready to go with her to Che quamaGon the next day, and would not go until had seen him. There had been a misunderstanding. got the Slut tons to drive me out while mother sup posed me at the Laurents'. and Mir. Jer rold promised to meet me east of tht bridge and drive in town with us, anC was to send him back in Graves
 buggy.
 He had been refused permission tC leave the post. he said, and could no cross the bridge, where the sentrie: would be sure to recognize him, but ai
 it was our last chance of meeting b,
 risked the discovery of his absence, ncv
 CT dreaming of such thing as his pri
 vate rooms being inspected. He had ;
 little skiff down in the willows that h,
 had used before, and by leaving tn, party at midnight he could get home
 change his dress, run down the banl
 and row down stream to the point, ther,
 leave his skiff and climb up to the road He met us there at 1 o'clock, and tn Suttnns would never betray either of us . though they did not know we were cn gagged. We sat in their parlor a quarte of an hour after We got to town, ant then twas time to go. and there wa only little 10 minutes walk down t the stable I had seen him such a yer, short time. and had so much to tel him" Chester could have burst int. rapturous applause had she been an ac
 tress- Her cheeks were ahame, he ' eyes full of fire and spirit, her bosom heaving, her little foot tapping tn . ground, as she stood there leaning ol