Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-12-08
1t was not long. Of course, before the

out to play; so did the children, while
their mothers gathered on the front
plazzas and engaged in earnest talk,
even while keeping an eye out for War
ner and the stranger from Denver. They
had remaine,t at the Barrys' nearly 20
minutes and mad gone again next door.
presumably up stairs to Maynard s
room. Then, leaving Mr.. Cook there at
Stannard s, Warner had gone briskly
over to the office. When he was finally
seen returning, many fair faces, some Of
them sad and sweet and full of painful
interest, othe-s eager with curiosity
were turned - him, and had he
been many another fellow Warner
might have had his head turned by such
display of interest. He understood and
correctly estimated it all, however. It
wasn't the first time, poor fellow, he
mad ha.i to visit an officer of the til,
and a reginental favorite, too when in
arrest, and now, though many of the
number were women whom he could
trust and to whom he would be glad to
tell how blameless he considered May
nard, he feared that it would be diff
cult to discriminate where so many
were evidently OH the alert He darted
into STANDARDS s, therefore, and when he
reappeared and walked gravely down
the long line his civilian friend SLOWLY
pacing at his side and listening with
evident enjoyment to the music of the
band, the young adjutant raised his
cap as he passed group after group, but
made no stop whatever. At the old east
gate buggy was waiting, and into this
he assisted Mr.. Cook, saw him started
BACK to Cheyenne and then, to the scan
dal OF many an expectant and impatient
fair one, marched back across the open
parade, entirely out of range, spoke a
word to the band leader to cover his
otherwise accountable deviation from
the path of rectitude and officers row,
then dove into his office and disappeared.
Well, l never knew said Mrs,
Turner, "that Mr.. Warner could be so
mean"
1t had been blowing titfully during
the early afternoon, but by clock the
wind was strong from the northwest,
and instead Of the customary lull at
sundown there came steady gale.
Women gathered their children to roost
at an earlier hour than usual, and there
was no frolicsome band hasing and
shouting about the parade in the long
spring twilight There was less visiting
to and fro, and only near neighbors
dropped in to chat about the latest
phase in the garrison sensation and to
wish it wouldn't blow so hard at Rus
sell. Many would have liked to spend
an hour at Mrs. Barry's, but were de-
TERED from attempting it because it
was early given out that she was much
fatlgued and depressed by the events of
the last few days. Mrs. Stannard was
with her, and Marion Ray and Mrs.
Freeman for time had been admitted.
Others called with polite inquiries for
both the ladies, and Mary, the house
maid, had her answer pat Mrs. Barry
was not very we'll and begged to be ex-
cused, and Miss Baird was lying down.
1t was Brldget's evening out, for even
on the far frontier did our domestic ty-
rants hold their employers to the week
~ allowance Of social freedom. It had
been that CHEEKY and good natured god
dess practice to drive to town in car
ryall, owned by the old retired soldier
hitherto mentioned, who ran a sort of
bus line for the benefit avowedly of
ghe men on pass ana the domesrlcs on
pleasure bent, but quite as much for
That OF his own plethoric old pocket
book. He was forbidden the road with
IN the post because Of certain contra
band traffic in his past. But all that
was necessary to secure his services
Was as he announced, for the ladies and
gentlemen OF the post to leave their or
Ter at the band quarters, and sharp at Z
no would begin the rounds Of the back
gates and with crowded vehicle 90
spinning away to town.
Mrs. Barry had imagined that Bridg-
't would forcgo her visit on account of
The gale, but Mrs. Barry was mistaken.
n gala attire her valued cook appeared
o ask, as she always did, could she do
anything for Mrs. Barry in town, and
hat lady thanked her. said no, but eS-
pressed some anxiety as to Bridget's 60
ng.
"Oh. 1e'lLget there all right, mumr'
'alu sne Drlskly. The winds with US
very inch Of the way. But would Mrs.
Barry mind very much if 1 staid with
riends i'll town and came out tomorrow
it blows harder? It's the coming back
hat'll try the old mans horses. -
"Well, how can you get out in the
norning?'' was the question. "The
tage doesn t come until nearly noon.
"Oh, I'll get my I have friends
Who can bring me out, ma am, +" was
5rldget's confident answer So the
equisite permission was given and the
'ook departed in peace. When tho car
yall came few minutes later, sho was
eady at the gate. big satchel in her
and.
That night when taps was sounded
ew people heard it at all because Of
he gale. Nathalie had stolen down |,
talrs white and wan, and was kneel- J,
ng by Mrs. Barry's couch, while Mrs.
tannard read aloud. Not a whisper ;;
ad been permitted to reach the girl of
1aynard' s arrest. She knew of the visit
Warner and the man from Denver
nd was told that they had come for an