The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-01-04
CHAPTER IV.-Continued.


Z ed in chase Of that scoundrel; he who
stole away with that heavy telltaIe lad
der? And knowing all this. could she
stand there smiling in his fa9e, the ia,
eaTnation Of maiden innocence and
beauty? Impossiblel Yet what could she
mean?
How did you know had SO long q
vigil?2 he asked, and the cold, strained
tone the half ayerted eyes, the pallol
Of his face, ali struck her at once. In
SANITY her manner changed
'Oh, forgive me, captain. I 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, fol
know you want to see him. And she
tEipped lightly away before he could re,
ply and rustled up the stairs. He could
hear her light tap at the colonel's door
rad her soft, clear, futelike voice,
Papa, Captain Chester is here to see
"a.
Papa, indeed She spoke to him and
Of him as though he were 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 fog this? Did not
Mrs. Maynard tell him that Alice had
become enthusiastically devoted to hel
stepfather and considered him the most
knightly and chiYalric hero she had even
seen? He could hear the colonel's hearty
and loving tone in reply, and then she
came 1uttering down again.
Papa will be with you in five min
utes, captain. But won't you let me give
you some coffee? It's all ready, and you
look so tired, even i'll. "
II have had a bad night, - he answer.
ed, but I'm growing old and cannot
stand sleeplessness as you young people
seem to. !"
Was she faltering? He watched hel
eagerly, narrowly, almost wonderingly.
Mot a trace Of confusion, not sign Of
fleaE, and yet had he not seen her and
4hat other figure?
II wish you could sleep as I do, u
was the prompt reply. 81 was in the
lRnd of dreams 10 minutes after my
head touched the pillow, and mamma
made me come home early last night
be&ause Of our journey today. You know
we are going down to visit Aunt Grace,
Colonel Maynard's sister, at Lake Sab
lo!a, and mamma wanted me to be look.
mig my freshest and best" she said,
and Ineyer heard a thing till reveille. u
His eyes, sad, penetrating, doubling,
YET self doubling, too. searched hel
VeAy soul Unfinchingly the dark orbi
looked into his, even pityingly, for she
quickly spoke again:
Captain, do come into the breakfast
Room and have some coffee. You have
MOT breaIfasted, I'm sure, ="
He raised his hand as though to repe
heir offer, even to put her aside. Hi
MUST understand her. He could not bt
hoodwinked in this way.
Pardon me, Miss Renwick, bat die
yo,u hear nothing strange last night o.
early this morning? Were you not dis
tul rbed at all?"
st? No, indeedP' True, her face ha(
changed now, but there was no fear il
her eyes. 1t was a look Of apprehension
perhaps of concern and curiosity min
gbad, for his tone betrayed that some
thing had happened which caused hin
agitation,
sand you heard no shots fired?'
'Shotsi MOI Oh, Captain Chester
". at does it mean? Who was shot? Tel
n. P'
And now, with paling face and wilC
apprehension in her eyes, she turned ant
gaszed beyond him, past the vines ant
THE shady veranda, across the sunshin
Of 1.-THE parade and under the old piazza
searching that still closed and darkenet
window.
"Who?" she implored, her hand
olasping nervously, her eyes returning
eagerly to his face.
eft was not Mr.. Jerrold, {" he answer
ed Coldly, He is unhurt, so far as sho
is concerned. F"
''Then how is he hurt? Is he hurt a
all?n she persisted, and then as she me
his gaze her eyes fell, and the burning
s bhJ ssh Of maiden shame surged up to he
81 sehead. She sank upon a seat and GOV
q ed her face with her hands.
II thought Of Mr.. Jerrold naturally
lie said he would be over early thi
morning, " was all she could find tosay
81 have seen him and presume he vii
some. To all appearances, he is the las
an to suffer from last nights affair,
went on relentlessly, almost brutally
ut she never WINGED. st is odd 70
lid not hear the shots. I thought your
8 Fas the northwest room-this one, 4" b
Indicated, pointing overhead.
SO it is, and I slept there all las
.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 til
stair, and the colonel, with extende
hand and beanling face and CHEEKY we
come. came forth from the open doOl
way
Welcome, Ghesteri I'm glad you '
CONS just in time for breakfast Mr
Maynard won't be down. She sleI
badly last night and is sleeping nov
Wal vas the firing last night? ] di
hear it at the time, but the orderl
q cid Maria, the cook. were discus
g it as was shaving. .
tits that I came to see you aboa
.alonel am the man to hold respol