The Delta independent., 1898-06-24
e.er,z:s<NsjSIz - n...
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
The Doctor came awsy from Ronald
Maynard's room that evening q puzzled
man. He was not the most astute prac.
titioner in the service. OF the three
'msdioos'' employed ut the post two
were In the field with the battalions Of
Barry and Stannard, and the third-we
need not give his name-remained to
look after che women and children, the
band and noncom batants aud the in
f..utry guard sent over from Steele.
He was o good. conscientious young
man. He had found the lieutenant so
much improved two days before that he
advised his sitting cut on the porch and
summing himself and was surprised at
the result Of his experiment. Maynard
said the sight of the faraway snowcsps
OF the peaks only made him mad with
easernsss to get into saddle and away
to join his friends in the Geld. So if
they oouldn't let him 90 to the regi-
ment there was no use Of his getting
worse by fretting ont Of doors
Maynard was distinctly and aggres-
sively i'll tempered in h.; remsrks.
thought the doctor, and ought therefore
to be getting we'll, but he was not ~
we'll by several degrees ~ he had been
three days before, aud for the life OF
him the Doctor couldn't say what had
gone amiss until coming down into that
self same evening sunshine he found
Ars Turner and Miss Maynard with
their heads close togethsr-so close that
they could only find time for . very per.
func.ory greeting to Mrs Raymond.
who had just gone by, but who spranS
up quickly enough at his appearance Gu
the piasza with Mrs Stannard by his
side, and - he looked at Fanny Turner'S
now coquettishly smiling face the little
medico's eyes were suddenly enlightsu-
ed. He was . married man. it is per-
haps unnecessary to say, and therefore
had more comprehensive knowledge Of
the personal characteristics Of the ladies
ut the post than could ever have been
acquired - . bachelor. He. In common
with every man and woman. bad noted
the rapid growth Of Ronald Maynard's
devotions to Miss Baird, their equally
sudden cessation. and be. too, had heard
aud pishsd and pshawed and poohpooa.
ed the rapidly circulated stories about
hsr meetings with the mysterious man.
"You might ~ well tell me that Mrs.
Barry was out hirtinG with . stranger
row that the majors gons," said be to
mn BBpUuD - oo1neWhAE Wfnthful tone.
''H eves . girl was truth and purity
psesoniAsd, rs that Niss Baird" But
he, too, was nonplused and silencsd
when the wife Of bis bosom declared: I:
"Well, I'm not telling you alone what
I've heard, but what I've seen. Our
spare room windows look oct over the
prnirie back Of the hospital, and I've
seen her msst . man away out there
The doctor was heard 70 express . wiah
that the spare room was in Halifax for
ali the good 1t did them, but that didn't
help matters. 1t was something in the
fncss Of ths two womeu-Miss Maynard
graSs and anxious. MrA Turner coquet-
tishly @ilins-that gnxe him . clcw
70 his patisot's feverish pulse and lack
luseer eye. Nra Turner. rs has been
aid. could rob woman Of her reputa-
tion and receive her with open arms al.
Dost In the same instant.
Mrs. Stannsrd had been writing to
bef ma3oe in . quiet corner, while the
0CWAy Rk0A&o lbbAluotCo WCEo Jury ouS>
side. She bad intended wsylsying the
doctor - be came down stairs, in order
that Stannard might have the latest
bulletin ~ to the patient, but 20 alb
sorbed had she become in telling
"Luce" the homo news and 20 slowly
and quietly did he descend the stair
that she never heard him until tho
opening Of the outer door aroused her.
and she bad Just time to catch him ON
the porch.
The little man looked badgered a. the
three surrounded him. Maynard isn't
a. we'll ~ be ought to be, i" was, how
ever, his downright reply. His wound
n doing we'll, but be isn't. That's all
there 10 to be said about IL, except
and hero be looked intently first at the
sister, then at the sisters new found
that just now nothing
Of q worrying or disturbing character
shosld be allowed to reach him. It 10
lad enough that he should to fretting
70 10 get 70 the regiment. oh. you'll all
have letters tomorrow, Mrs Stannard."
be coutinued, for we heard that the
major crussed st North Platte today"
~ was joss writing to him, hoping
10 intercept him thcre," she replied,
''bas courisrs will undoubtedly be sent
after them, will they notf Have you
..eard where Major Barry was likely to
striks the railway The Indians must 10
far ahead now"
80 far that can see no chance Of
oss people coming up with them unless
F'ey 90 to sleep" mid the doctor.
Now I've Aid nothing Of their Cross
lsg 10 Maynard. want him kept quict
Iuuighs q ppesibic Ill be back BY and
b." And with those parting injunc-
AfsL essnsafd. after . courteous word
" Two with her guests. left them To-
Dssbss aud returned to ber desk.
NJ -. ~Ir,Ee In hia rrxv pru,vu Mr