Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-01


 to break through the awkwardness of his reserve, ''or are you worn out with your night watch as officer of the day?'' He fairly started. Had she seen him then? Did she know it was he who stood beneath her window; he who leap ed in chase of that scoundrel; he who stole away with that heavy telltale lad der? And knowing all this. could she stand there smiling in his face, the in- carnation of maiden innocence and beauty? Impossiblei Yet what could she mean?
 ''How did you know had so long a vigil?'' he asked, and the cold. strained tone, tho half averted eyes. the pallor of his face, all struck her at once. In- stantly her manner changed.
 "Oh, forgive me, captain. I sec you are all worn out, and I'm keeping you here at the gate. Come to the piazza and siS down. I'll tell papa you arc here, for know you want to see him" And she ripped lightly away before he could re- ply and rustled up the stairs. He could hear her light tap at the colonel's door and her soft, clear. fiutelike voice, Papa, Captain Chester is here to see you"
 Papa, indeed! She spoke to him and of him as though he were her own. He treated her as though she were his flesh and blood-as though he loved her de- votedly. Even before she came had not they been prepared for this? Did not Mrs. Maynard tell him that Alice had become enthusiastically devoted to her stepfather and considered him the most knightly and chivalric hero she had ever seen? He could hear the colonel's hearty and loving tone in reply, and then she came fiuttering down again.
 "Papa will be with you in five min- utes, captain. But won't you lot me give you some coffee? It's all ready, and you look SO tired, even i'll. "
 ''I have had bad night, he answer ed, "but I'm growing old and cannot stand sleeplessness as you young people seem to"
 Was she faltering? He watched her eagerly, narrowly, almost wonderingly. Not a trace of confusion, not a sign of fear, and yet had he not seen her and that other figure?
 ''I wish you could sleep as do. " was the prompt reply. ''I was in the land of dreams 10 minutes after my head touched the pillow, and mamma made me come home early last night because of our journey today. You know we are going down to visit Aunt Grace, Colonel Maynard's sister, at Lake Sab. lon, and mamma wanted me to be look ing my freshest and best" she said, 'and I never heard thing till rcveille. VI
 His eyes, sad, penetrating, doubting, yet self doubting, too, searched hel very soul. Unflinchingly the dark orb: looked into his, even pityingly, for shC quickly spoke again:
 Captain, do come into the breakfast room and have some coffee. You have not breakfasted, I'm sure"
 He raised his hand as though to repe her offer, even to put her aside. Ht must understand her. He could not b. hoodwinked in this way.
 Pardon me, Miss Berwick, but diC you hear nothing strange last night ol early this morning? Were you not dis turbed at all?"
 "'I? No, indeedv' True, her face haf changed now, but there was no fear il her eyes. It was look of apprehension perhaps of concern and curiosity min gled, for his tone betrayed that some thing had happened which caused hin agitation.
 "And you heard no shots fired?''
 ''Shotsl Noi Oh, Captain Chester what does it mean? Who was shot? Tel mel
 And now, with paling face and wil' apprehension in her eyes, she turned an, gazcd beyond him, past the vines anC the shady veranda, across the sunshin, of the parade and under the old piazza searching that still closed and darkenet window.
 ''Who?" she implored, her hand clasping nervously, her eyes returning eagerly to his face.
 ''It was not Mir. Jerrold, he answer ed coldly. He is unhurt, so far as sho is concerned"
 Then how is he hurt? Is he hurt a all?' she persisted, and then as she me his gaze her eyes fell, and the burning blush of maiden shame surged up to he forehead She sank upon n seat and GOV cred her face with her hands.
 II thought of MT. Jerrold naturally He said he would be over early thi morning, Twas all she could find to say
 ''I have seen him and presume he vii come. To all appearances, he is the las man to suffer from last nights affair. he went on relcntlcssly, almost brutally but sho never winced. ''It is odd yo1 did not hear the shots. l thought your was the northwest room-this one," h indicated, pointing overhead.
 ''So it is, and I slept tlscre all las night and heard notbing-not a thing Do tell mo what the trouble was - Then what was there for him to say The colonel's footsteps were upon tn stair. and the colonel, with extende hand and beaming face and checry wei come, came forth from the open door way.
 Welcome, Chester. I'm glad you'v come just in time for breakfast. Mir: Maynard won't be down. She sleI badly last night and is sleeping now What was the firing last night? I di not hear it at the time. but the orderl and old Maria, the cook, were discus: ing 1t as l was shaving"
 Ut is that came to sec you about colonel am the man to hold respor sible."
 ''No prisoners got away, hope?"
 "No, sir. Nothing. fear, that woul seem to justify my action. I ordere No. 5 to fire
 "why, what on earth could have haI pened around there-almost back ( us?" said the colonel in surprise.
 ''I do not know what had happene or what was going to happen" An Chester paused Q moment and glance toward the door, through which Mi Renwick had retired as soon us the col, mel arrived. The old soldier seeme to understand the glance. ''She woul not isten," he said proudly.
 'I know" explained Chester. q