The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-28
CHApTER VII

CHAPTER XII.
Colonel Maynard, l admit every
thing you say as to the weight of the
evidence" said Frank Armitage 20
minutes later, "but it is my faith
understand me, my faith, say-that
she is utterly innocent. AS for that
damnable letter. l do not believe it was
ever written to her. 1t is some other
woman.
"What other is there, Or was there?"
was the colonel's simple reply.
''That is what l mean to find out.
Will You have my baggage sent after
me tonightP am going at once to the
station, and thence to Sibley. l will
write you from there. If the midnight
visitor should prove to have been Jer-
rold, he can be mado to explain. have
always held him to be a conceited fop,
but never either crack Drained or devoid
Of principle There is no time for ex-
planation now. Goodby and keep n good
lookout. That fellow may be here
again"
And i'll an hour moro Arlnitage was
skimming along the winding river side
en- route to Sibley. He had searched the
train from pilot torear platform, and no
man who i'll the faintest degree re-
sembled Mr.. Jerrold was ON board. He
had wired to Chester that he would
reach the fort that evening, but would
not resume duty for few days. Ho
made another search through the train
as they nearod the city, and still there
was none who in stature or appearance
corresponded with tho descriptions given
of the sinowy visitor.
Late III the afternoon Chester received
him as he alightod from the train at the
little station under the cliff. 1t was q
beautiful day, and numbers Of people
were driving or riding out to the fort,
and the high bridge over the gorge was
constantly resounding to the thunder
Of hoofs. Many others, too, had come
out on the train, for the evening dress
parade always attracted swarm of Wis
itors. A corporal Of the guard, with
couple of men, was on hand to keep
vigilant eyes on the arrivals and to per-
suade certain prescribed parties to re-
enter tho cars and go On, should they
attempt to revisit the post, and the faces
of these were lighted up as they saw
their old adiutant, but mono others of
the garrison appeared.
Let us wait Il moment and get these
people out Of the way" said Armitage.
II want to talk with you. Is Jerrold
back"
"Yos. He camo III just 10 minutes
after photographed to you, was present
ct inspection, and if it had not been for
your dispatch this morning l should not
have known he had remained out Of
quarters. He appeared to resent my
having been to his quarters, Calls it
spying, presume
"What permission had he to bo
away:"
81 gavo him leave to visit town on
personal business yesterday afternoon.
lie merely asked to be away few hours
to meet friends i'll town, and Mr.. Hall
took tattoo roll call for him. AS do
not require any other officer to report
the timo Of his return, did not exact
it Of him, but Of course no man can be
away after midnight without special
/ permission, and he was gone all night
What is it, Armitago? Has he followed
her down thoro!"
Somebody was thore last night and
capsizod tho colonel pretty much as he
| did you the ight Of the ladder episode, "
said Armitago coolly.
"By heaven, and let him go!'
"How do you know twas he?'
"Who olso could it be, Armitage?"
"Tha:'s what the colonel asks but it
isn't clear to mo yet awhile"
'Iwish itwero less clear to me-, !" said
Chester gloomily. "The worst is that
the story is spreading like u pestilence
all over tho post. The women have got
hold of it, and there is all manner of
talk. L shouldn't be surprised if Mrs.
Hoyt had to bo taken violently i'll. She
has written to invite Miss Renwick to
visit her, as it is certain that Colonel
and Mrs. Maynard cannot come, and
Hoyt camo to me in q horror Of amaze
yesterday to know if there were any
truth in the rumor that ! had caught u
man coming out of Mrs. Maynard's
window tho other night. would tell
him nothing, and he says the ladies
declare they won't go to the german il
sho does. Heavens! I'm thankful you
are come. The thing has been driving
me wild these last IL hours. wanted
to go away myself Is she coming upS'
"No, she isn't but lot me say this,
Chester-that Whenever she is ready tC
return shall bo ready to escort her."
| Chester looked at his friend in amaze
msnt and without speaking.
"Yes, see you are astonished, but
you may as well understand the situa
ton. I have heard all the colonel coult
tell and have even seen the letter, an(
since she left hero a mysterious stranger
has appeared by night at sablon, at tn,
cottago-window, though it happened t
be her mothers this time, and don
believe Alice Renwick knows the frs
thing about it" M
"Armitage are you in lover
(, Chester, lam in my sound senses
Now come and show ME the ladder ant
where You found it and tell me tn
whole story over again. think 1t grow
interesting. One moment. Has he tina
picture yeti"