The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-25

for me?" she blithely laughed, striving
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? Impossible! Yet what could she
mean?
"How did you know l had so long a
vigil?" he asked and the cold, strained
tone, the half ayerted eyes, the pallor
of his face all struck her at once. In
stantly her manner changed.
"Oh, forgive me, captain. see you
are all worn out, and I'm keeping you
here at the gate. Come to the piazza and
sit down. I'll tell papa you are here, for
l know yoE want to see him." And she
tripped 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, flutelike voice,
Papa, Captain Chester is here to SEQ
you"
Papa, indeed! She spoke to him and
of him as though he We're 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 futtering down again.
Papa will be with you in five min
utes, captain. But won you let me give
you somo coffee: It's all ready, and you
look so tired, even ILL.,"
Il have had bad night, " he answer
ed, "but Tn 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 q sign of
fear, and yet had he not seen her and
that other figure?
Il wish you could sleep as I do, "
was the prompt reply. 81 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 ard best" she said,
"and Inever heard thing till reveille. "
His eyes, sad, penetrating, doub-ing,
yet self doubling, too searched her
very soul. Unhinchingly the dark orbs
looked into his, even pityingly, for she
quickly spoke again:
Captain, do come into the breakfast
room and have some coffee. You have
not brcalfastcd, I'm sure"
He raised his hand as though to repcl
her offer, even to put her aside. He
must understand her. He could not be
hoodwinked in this way.
pardon me, Miss Renwick, but did
you hear nothing strange last night or
early this morning? Were you not dis
turbed at all!"
81? No, indeedp True, her face had
changed now, but there was no fear in
her eyes. 1t was lool, Of apprehension,
perhaps of concern and curiosity min
gled, for his tone betrayed that some
thing had happened which caused him
agitation.
"And you heard no shots fired?"
"Shots! No! Oh, Captain Chester,
what does it mean? Who was shot? Tell
mer
And now, with paling face and wild
apprehension in her eyes, she turned and
gazed beyond him, past the vines and
the shady veranda, across the sunshine
Of the parade and under the old piazza,
searching that still closed and darkened
window.
"Who?" she implorcd, her hands
clasping noryously, her eyes returning
eagerly to his face.
at was not Mr.. Jerrold, he answer
ed coldly. "Ho is unhurt, so far as shot
is concerned" "
"Then how is ho hurt? Is he hurt at
all?" she persisted, and then as she met
his gaze her eyes f6ll and the burning
blush Of maiden shame surged up to her
forehead She sank upon seat and cov-
cred her face with her hands.
81 thought Of Mr.. Jerrold naturally.
He said he would be over carly this
morning, was all she could find to say
81 have seen him and presume he will
come. To all appearances, he is the last
man to suffer from last nights affair, "
he went Oh rolentlessly, almost brutally,
but she never WINGED. at is odd you
did not hear the shots. l thought yours
was the northwest room-this one," he
indicated, pointing overhead.
$50 it is, and | slept there all last
night and heard notbing-not a thing
Do tell me what the trouble was. ."
Then what was there for him to say?
The colonel's footsteps were upon the
stair, and the colonel, with extended
hand and beaming face and choory well
come, came forth from the open door
way.
Welcome, Chesterl I'm glad you've
come just in time for breakfast. Mrs
Maynard won't be down. She slept
badly last night and is sleeping now.
What was the firing last night? did
not hear it at Tie time, but the orderly
and old Maria, the cook, were discuss
ing it as was shaving"
"It is that I came to see you about,
colonel. l am the man to hold respon-
sible"
"No prisoners got away, hope?"