The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-11-17
CHAPTER VII.
vOh XII.

Christmas preparation. Ever since re-
veille the men had been busily at work,
and while most Of them were engaged
in the decoration of their barracks,
messrooms and the little chapel, Terry
Rorko, with good sized squad, was
still putting the finishing touches on
the assembly hall. An odd thing had
happened that morning No one had
ever known that fellow Graice to offer
to do stroke Of work Of any kind, espa-
cially where Rorke had anything to do
with tho matter. yet here he came, right
after reveille, to tell that very man that
II it was all the same to him he'd take
the place Of Higgins. who had been put
on guard, and would help at the assem-
bly, room.
There's no whisky to be had there,
Graice, if that's what you want, and
ye look moro'n like it. Answer me this,
now. Whero'd ye been whin ye came
runnin in at O'Clock this mornin?"
"On still hunt, corporal" answer
cd Graice, with leer. "It's to keep
away from whisky this day I'm ready
to work with you. I'm supernumerary
Of the guard"
"You were drinkin last night, and
you've had yer eye opener and brain
cloudier this mornin, bad scran to ye.
There's an internal revenue tax Oh the
breath Of ye that would make an ex-
ciseman jealous. But, God be good to
u.s. ev it's to kape mischief away from
the garrison this day I'll goye. G'wan
now, but whist, ye've no liquor about
ye, Graicep'
Devil drop outside Of my skin.
corporal"
"Then kape out Of reach Of it and
out Of the way Of the ladies, lest the
sight Of yer ugly mug would throw
them into fits. G'wan," and Graice
went. "Was it ye, ye black throated
devil, that gave that sweet lady her
fright last nightp" he continued reflect
lively. "There's no provin it beyond the
boot tracks, and they'd fit worse look
in feet than yours. It's tho wan mark
Of the gentleman that's left to ye. Yes,
sergeant I'll kape me eye on him." he
continued, in response to q suggestion
from the senior noncommissoned officer
Of the troop, who came forth from the
Office at the moment. 'The captains
hot about that business Of last night,
and like as not there's the blackguard.
Now, what OH earth does he want to be
playin Peepin Tom about the officers
quarters2''
'No good, Of course, but we can prove
nothing, as you say, except that he was
out Of quarters and wasn't at Bunko
Jim's after ] l o'clock. He was here and
In bed when inspected.
Very little was known about this
episode. Mrs. Daunton had quickly re-
vived under the ministration of Ellis
and Mr.. Ormsby, and, half laughing,
half crying, had declared that just as
she reached the window the blind
swung slowly back and the moonlight
fell full on the head and shoulders Of q
man with a fur cap, black beard and
soldiers overcoat. She could describe
no other features. Ho saw her at the
same instant. Each recoiled, but in her
excited, nervous state it was too much of
a shock. Ellis, who at first had been
promo to attribute Helen's prostration to
the interview with Ormsby, recalled the
prowler she herself had seen and could
not but corroborato Mrs Daunton's
story. Jack had rushed out, only to find
boot tracks in the snow and an un-
fastened blind, but no other sign Of q
man. Mrs. Farrar was kept in total ig-
norance Of the affair, and only Leale
and Will at first were taken into the So
cret, though the captain at once went
to consult his trusty noncommissioned
officers. All the Same, though Helen
laughed at her weakness when morning
came, she and Ellis, parting for the
night with but few words and each feel.
ing conscious Of the gulf between them,
passed q restless and disquictng night
Just what mischief that fellow Graice
was meditating puzzled not little the
honest pate Of Terry Rorke. For q time
the man worked busily, silently, lug
ging bundles of green's into the hall and
bare, stripped branches out. Once or
twice, in answer to chatting remarks Of
the other men, he had retaliated. Once
again, colliding with Grow Knife at the
door, he had muttered All angry curse
and bade the redskin keep out Of his
way unless he coveted trouble. The In
dams eyes flashed vengefully, but he
spoke no word.
1t was just after guard mounting that
SrEdlCo huu OucTeu lib bcrVlCCS, WuSu
as supernumerary, he really did not
have to work at all and was not proper
ly detailable for any such fatigue duty.
BY 10 O'Clock, however, it was apparent
to moro than one present that he was
drinking more liquor and had it con.
cealed probably somewhere about the
premises or in his overcoat Rorke
warned him and got sullen reply. Not
minute after, although strict orders
had been given against smoking, be-
cause of the flimsy nature OF the struc-
ture and the large quantity Of infam-
mable material scattered about, he pre-
cipitated an excitement. Right in the
entrance Of the hall big square box
had just been placed by two of the men,
and Grow Knife was carefully removing
the lid, when Graice, lurching in from
the dressing room with q bundle of
greens, stumbled against the edge of
the case, aud, dropping his burden with
savage curse, he drew back his heav-
lily booted foot as though to let drive a
furious kick.
Instantly the Indian interposed.
"Don't kicki" he said. "Hold your
hoof therep shouted Rorke, and others
Of the men joined in their cry Of warn
ing. Wonderingly he looked about him
on the quickly gathered group, swaying
bit unsteadily even now.
"Why not?" he scowlingly, sulenly,
thickly asked. "What harms there
- -