The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-02-08
CHAPTER XIV

Tuesday and the day Of tho long pro-
jeeted german had come, and if ever a
lot Of garrison people were wishing
themselves we'll out Of furry it was
the social circle at Sibley. invitations
had been sent to all the prominent peo-
pie in town who had shown any interest
in the garrison since the regiments ar
rival; beautiful favors had been pro-
cured: an elaborate supper had been pre-
, pared, the ladies contributing their
efforts to the salads and other solids,
the officers wisely combining their dona-
tons to the wines. It was rumored
that new and original figures were to
be danced, and much had been said
about this feature in town, and much
speculation had been INDUCED in, but
the Beaubien residence had been closed
until the previous day. Nina was away
with her mother and beyond reach of
question, and Mr.. Jerrold had not
shown his face in town since her de-
parture
Nor was he accessible when visitors
inquired at the fort. They had never
known such mysterious army people in
their lives. What on earth could induce
them to be so close mouthed about a
mere german? One might suppose they
had something worth conceaiing, and
presently it became noised abroad that
there was genuine cause for perplexity,
and possibly worse.
70 begin with, every one at Sibloy
now knew something Of the night adj
venture at the eolonel's, and as no one
could give the true statement of the
case the stories in circulation were
gorgeous embellishments of the actual
facts It would be useless, even if adj
Fisable, to attempt to reproduce these
wild theories, but never was army gar
rison so unanimously stirred By the
whirlwind Of rumor 1t was n O longer
denied for an instant that the absence of
the colonel and his household was the
direct result Of that nights discoveries
and when, 70 Mrs. Hoyts inexpressible
relief, there came prettily worded note
from Alice on Monday evening inform
ing her that neither the colonel nor her
mother felt we'll enough to return to
Silbey for the german, and that she her
self preferred not to leave her mother
at a time when she needed her care,
hirs. Hoyt and her intimates, with
whom she instantly conferred, decided
that there could be no doubt whatever
that the colonel knew of the affair, had
forbidden their return and was only
waiting for further evidence to decide
what was to be done with his erring step
daughter. Women talked with bated
breath OF the latest stories in circula-
ton. Of Chester's moody silence and
pgeocoupation, Of Jerrold's o#traeism
snd Of Frank ATmitage's sudden return.
On Monday morning the captain had
quietly appeared in uniform a. the Of
nee and it was known that he had re-
linquished the remainder Of his leave Of
absence and resumed command. Of his
eompany. There were men IN tie garri-
son whe well knew that it was because
q the mystery eveEhanging the colonel 8
household that Armitage had so sudden
s. Teturned. They asked no questions
and sought no explanation. al men
marked. however, that Jerreld vas not
k the Office on Monday. and many curi-
ansiy locked at the morning report IN
tie adjutaRs' s Office. No, he was not IN
arrest, Neither was he On sick report
s..e zFas marked present for duty, and
get be was nos q the customary Assem-
ay q all the commissioned officers at
ssaaqnaTters. Mere mystery. and most
leEating, too it vas known that
=l1aitage and Jerrold had heida hrie1
i-ziI II tho fatter's quarters seen after
ss.sLassay's evening parade and t.lat the
-I.s.aseE rad been Ea-enforced fer "a tine
asssaill Chester, with whom be was
: egoseted efdcers Who heard
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