The Delta independent., 1898-08-05
CHAPTER XIV.


Mra Turner forgot even that Hrs.
Gregg and she were net Oh speaking
terms that afternoon. Sho wGs calling
ut the Rarrys' ostensibly to bless the in-
mates with her sympathy, but actually
in the hope of seeing Nathalie and be-
Ing xLle to tell how she loo.:ed ;;:il WIZ:
ale said. III this, however. she Vas dis
appointed. for Nathalie kept her room,
and when Mrs. Turner world have gone
cIofr TO visit her there Mrs. Larry, far
f.oiu assent ing. declared che believed it
best for Nathalie not to sec cay che TN
Ill she had slept. But, while tho luxury
Of . personal interview with the sus.
pected gill was ilI.ed bcr and the
hoped for sensation vas lost, sirs. Tur-
ner YVES treated to enc eyea Er,G:er ;:ud
most unexpected.
Mira. Staunard had hastily entered
without either knocking or ringing, rs
had become her custom Of late, and ct
sight of Mrs. Turner had Us suddenly
retired. closing the door behind her and
hns,ening back along tho piazza. Only
y half seconds glance lad Mrs Turner
Of bef face. but she could swear that
Mrs. StaInard had been crying.
Then Mrs. Turner was suddenly ra-
minded thas she had not seen Gr.co
Maynard tor at least two ko:-s. Gnd she
lost NO time Ia Fastening ia Mss. Stan
nard's footsteps Miss Maynard herself
opened the STANDARDS door and let her
in, and Grnce's face was the picture of
woe and CONSERVATION.
"So,no hing dreadful has happened,
! feel sure of it," said Mrs Turner the
moment she caught sight Of ner friend.
"Ob, what is it?''
Ii was no time to think Of recent diff
fercnces. "My brother has been arrest
ed," said Miss Maynard in solemn
tones, aud knowing no distinction be-
tween that method Of expression aud tho
conventional form in use in the army.
"Who-why-I can't understand.
You don't mean he's suspected Of the
robbery? Who arrested him?- Whero is
he-sone!"
"Hs hasn't gone. He's here in bis
room. " aid Miss Maynard with break
ing voice. IT'S Captain Walters who
did IL"
''Oh," said Mra Turner. disappoint-
Cd In spite Of her better nEturc. "Been
placed under arrest, you mean. Oh,
that's % different. but what for-why?"
Aud the eagerness In the fGir lady p face
and tooe was unmistakable.
He will not tell" answered Miss
Maynard. ''and that Is why I'm certain
Is is-oo that girls account. She las
led him from, one trouble into another.
Do come in awhile I'm 500 mislra-
Lie don't know what to do. Rnd Rom
u1A 10
want even me in his FOOL"
But Mrs. Turner'S ministrations
were all too brief nnd uncoalfortiug.
They consisted in sharp und rapid fire
Of cross quest ions " bich evoked none Of
the looked for information as to ca1se,
or even as to the allegations, ald I.rs.
Turner lost her accustomed eqaipoise in
finding she was losing time. Nothing
n,ore sensational had occurred at Rus
sell for nearly two years, and the bliss
of being the first TO break the news to
half dozen households might he lost to
her entirely II she did not net at once.
She louged for Mrs Staunard's reap
pearance, but her room door remained
obstinately closed.
When IL became apparent that Miss
Maynard really knew nothing about tie
matter and that IL wn- useless to ques-
tiou further, the energetic and now
thoroughly aroused lady decided that
she must SO. and 20 at once. So. despite
hef cherished friends rem monstrances,
ske babe her adieu, declaring she had
faithfully promised to be at Mrs. Rays
20 minutes ago, end 20 hastened to the
door, only TO be there confronted ty .
eight that gave her parse. Mr. Warner,
the acting sdjutant, accompanied by .
stout party In gray business srit, had
5uss entered the gate and met her face
70 face.
Warner politely raisod his cap and
smilingly asked il they could see Mrs.
Stannard moment. Mrs. Turner didn't
know. hut would inquire. So she re-