Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-22

can-oh, there are thousand and one
chances that the thief will get away, and
career is gone; I'm under cloud, and
that's all there is about it. The great
trouble is that I've always been too straight
before this. If I were drunken, dlsreput-
able devil, doing things every day that
ought to dismiss me, from the service, it
would be all right In that case people
would laugh and say 1T wasn't half as bad
as some things had done. But. now, with
clean record, this cursed suspicion will
damn me all my days"
There was a silence for several minutes,
and then Crossing spoke in a softer tone.
DO you know. Tom said he. that If
happened at better time"
Winters made no reply.
Because, Tom,f continued Crossing, at
happened just in time to prevent hurting
know that 1t would have hurt any one but
myself but STILL 1 believe had a chance,
Tom. And if it had to happen, thank God
1t happened before it could hurt her."
There was nothing for Winters to say,
and he wisely remained silent
Have you seen her today, Tom?" asked
Crossing. softly. You know whom I mean
with this cloud over me 1 am not good
enough to speak her name. But have you
seen her? Does she-oh, surely, she knows
me better than that"
Look here" said Winters "you are maxi
ing this thing a thousand times worse than
it really is. I cannot deny that there are
people in this garrison so low that they raise
their slanderous fingers at you. But those
gossipng slanderers are beneath the notice
of self-respecting people, and # you won't
walk around the post and see for yourself,
1 can assure you from personal knowledge
that your friends are still the same warm
hearted. loyal gentlefclks that they were
before this thing happened. My friends are
your friends, old man, and 1 am proud to
say it. They are people VINO have good,
true blood in their veins and not the chilly
ice water that takes the place of blood in
some of them. 1 am glad that you are
not putting on a braZen front ans, stalk
Ing around as though nothing had happened
that wouldn't be you. and 1 am glad you
are not doing it. But every pang of sorrow
that you have felt since this loss was dis
covered has had its answering tear in the
eyes Of a girl who can never think airy
wrong of you. Now, good night; I'm going
to turn in"
Farther up the line of officers quarters,
in the more pretentious house occupied by
the major of the regiment in a tiny room,
whose daintincss reflected its dainty owner,
sat the majors daughter. She was bending
over a desk on which lay sheet OF paper
with eight names written on it. Opposite
each name was a letter-G for good B
for bad, for Indifferent, U for unknown.
There were various other marks opposite
the names, and to this sweetest of mystery
solvers each mark was full of meaning
where her information came from, how she
got it, or some past incident in the owners
career as soldier.
For the eight names were the names Of
the men who had formed the paymaster's
escort, and now the pretty head was hunt
ing for a clue to locate the robber. Once
she started with the first name in her list
and went over childish doggerel about
the mouse that ran up the clock. and by
this unfailing test she arrived at the name
Of the best and most trusted man of the
blindly Jabbed her pencil at the paper, and
sure enough. the pencil marked black dot
against name that was marked with
U. This might be the man, she thought,
but how could she prove it? Why was she
doing all this work. she wondered; and
then the big eyessdrooped, and she put her
white hands over the tell-tale face that
was reflected to her from tiny mirror on
over many happy days, many long walks
and long talks. dance or two in paricu-
lar, ride when the mo on adding Its
glory to her happiness, and in all the men,
tai pictures one tall figure stood out pre-
eminent
mo one shall ever, ever know what am
doing" thought She, but the thought was
only half satisfying.
There was knock at her door, and. with
trembling hands, she hastily concealed her
slip of paper. At her arm, Come" en-
tered the one maid that the majors pay
allowed to his wife and daughters. Now.
Mary. the maid, was the acknowledged
belle of the post at every ball given by the
soldiers. and to be a soldiers belle is to re-
ceive as much attention as the heart of
woman can desire. PrivateS. corporals and
sergeants, even the non commissioned staff.
danced constant attendance Mary, the
maid, and wooed her in many ways that
were strange and sometimes a trifie rough,
and to all of them Mary said No" But her
faithful adherence to the negative was as
nothing compared to her devotion to her
mistress, the majors daughter. Body and
SOUL she waited or her. and the soldier adj
mirers had to be contented with the ma
jor's cook whenever Mary, the maid, fancied
she could be of any service to Miss Whyt-
ing.
AS Mary entered the room her mistress
gave a sudden start
Mary" she said, Il think you would do
anything for me, and some day. perhaps,
l may be able to do something for you"
The maids eyes were sparkling with love
for her young mistress.
Il have heard that the soldiers are going
to have ball tonight, Mary" continued
the young girl. "Wen. you can help me
that is you can help papa-you know papa
is anxious to learn who stole the paymas-
ter's money, and 1 think he thinks it was
soldier in the escort. Do you think yon
could find out anything about it, Mary?
You know a woman can discover more
than man sometimes, and if you could
help me-and papa-it would be very
great favor to me-and papa
The maids face was a study. Accus
toned to her mistress calm and dignified
manner of speaking, this confused and
heSltating speech was an evidence OF some
trouble. What it was, Mary did not stop
to cousider-it was enough for her to know
that the being she worshiped wanted some
thing done.
Tell me the names OF the tnen in the
escort, Miss Helen, please; and if the
thief's at the ball tonight, I'll find him
out"
ooh, If you could" exclaimed the girl.
IF you could. I'd be so happy-pspa
would, l mean"
Late that night Miss Whyting was awak-
ened by light knock at her door. 1t vas
Mary, the maid, in all her ball room finery.
ITS all right, Miss Helen" she exclaim-
ed. Il think we've caught the man."
"What?" asked the girl, not daring to be-
1ieN e her awakening senses.
I'VE ought to know pretty soon, but 1
think we've got him all right"
But. Mary, tell me what you mean.
How Is he going to be caught? Who is go
ing to catch him.
''Well. it was this way, Miss Helen. He
played right into my hands. At the ball
tonight l was keeping all my dances for
these escort men. because 1 wanted to
draw them out. And ] guess I succeeded.
There is a man in z company named Has
kins. He danced with me twice, and-well,
he has been coming around to the kitchen
very often. you know. Miss Helen. After
the second dance he wanted me to take a