The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-02-01

write that letter? What does it prove
but what ] say-that somebody has been
prying and spying into my affairsy How
came the colonel by it if not by fraud
OF treaoheTy!"
''He picked it up in tie garden, I tell
you, among the rosebushes, where she
where Miss ReHWiel-ahad been bat
few moments before, and where it
might appear that she had dropped it. "
"SheI That letter! What had she to
do with it? What right had she to read
it?''
Armitage stepped impulsiYely for
ward. A glad, glorious light was burst
ing upon his soul He could almost have
seized JerTold's hand and thanked him,
but proofs, proofs were what he needed.
1t was not his mind that was to be con-
WINGED; it was society" that must be
satisfied Of her utter innocence. .that it
might be able to say, "Well; I never for
a moment believed word of it. " Link
by link the chain Of circumstantial evil
denoe must be destroyed, and this was
only one.
You mean that THAT letter was not
intended for Miss Renwiek?" he asked,
with eagerness he strOye hard to rePress.
1T was never meant for anybody, "
said Jerrold, the color coming back to
his face and courage to his eyes, That
letter was never sent by me to any wo-
man. It'smy writing, of course-I can't
deny that-but I never even meant it to
go. If it left that desk, it must have
been stolen. I've been hunting high and
low for it. I knew that such a thing
lying around loose would be the cause
Of mischief. God is that what all this
fuss is about?" And he looked warily,
yet with infinite anxiety, into his cap
tain's eyes.
There is far more to it, as yOU we'll
know, sir, was the stern answer. "For
whom was this written if not for her?
1t won't do to half clear her name. "
Answer me this, Captain Armitage
Do you mean that that letter has COM
promised Miss Renwick; that it is she
whose name has been involved, and
that it was Of her that Chester meant to
speak,"
Certainly it was-and I too. "
There was an instant's silence; then
Jerrold began to laugh nerVOusly:
"Oh, well, I fancy it isn't the first
time the revered and respected captain
has got away off the track. All the
same, I do not mean to overlook his
language to me, and may say right
now, Captain Armitage, that yours,
too, calls for an explanation.
"You shall have it in short order,
Mr.. Jerrold, and the sooner you under
stand the situation the better. So far
as I am concerned, Miss Renwick need
ed no defender; but, thanks to your
mysterious and unwaTanted absence
from quarters two very unluoEy nights,
and to other circumstances 1 have no
need to name, and to your penchant
for letter writing of a most suggestive
character, it is Miss Renwiek whose
name has been brought into question
here at this post and most prominently
SO. In plain words, MI. Jerrold, you
who brought this trouble upon her by
your own misconduct must clear her,
no matter at whose expense, Or
"Or WHAT"
IT make no threats. I prefer that
you should make the proper explana-
tons from a proper sense Of what is
due.
"And suppose I say that no man is
called upon toexplain asituatiOn which
has been distorted and misrepresented
by the evil imagination Of his fellows?"
'Then I may have to wiring the truth
out Of you-and will; but, for her sake,
want as little publicity as possible,
After this display on your part I am
not bound to show you any cOnsidera-
ton whatever Understand this, how
ever-the array Of evidence that you
were feloniously inside Colonel May
nard's quarters that night and at his
cottage window last night is Of such a
character that a court would convict
you unless your alibi was conclusive.
Leave the service you certainly shall
unless this whole thing is cleared up. "
81 never was anywhere near Colonel
Maynard's either last night or the other
night I was absent. F"
A'You viii have to prove it. Mere de-
malls won't help you in the face of such
evidence as we have that you were there
the first time.
"What evidenced"
''The photograph that was stolen
from Mrs. Maynard between 2 and 4
o'clock that morning was seen in your
drawer by Major Sloat at reveille. You
were fool enough to show it to him.
Captain Armitage, I shall be quite
able to show, when the proper time
comes, that the photograph 1 showed
Major Sloat was not stolen. 1t was
given me. "
''That is beyond belief, Mr.. Jerrold.
Once and for all understand this case.
You have compromised her good name
by the very mystery Of your actions.
/ You have it in your power to clear her
By proving where you were, since you
wRe not near her; by showing how you
got that photograph; by explaining how
you came to write so strange letter.
Now Isay to you, will you do it instant
| y, or must we wiring it from yOu?i'
A sneering smile was the only answer
Tor moment, then:
81 shall take great pleasure in con.
founding my enemies should the matter
be brought before a court. I'm sure il
] the colonel can stand that sort Of thing
! can, but as for defending myself o.
anybody else from utterly unjust anG
proohess suspicious it's quite another
thing. "
/ ''Good God, Jerrold, do you realiz.
what a position you are taking? d