Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-11

door and another at the window, and
orders prohibiting his being seen or
spoken to by any body except the doc
tors and the steward, unless it we're
himself or on his own written order
Then Mainwaring had to go home and
face the women folk, and there for the
first time Miss Leroy, shocked and stun
ned, having gone to her ROOM did Mrs.
Mainwaring have him to herself and
tell him of the identification Of Hunter
as the polite and helpful stranger of the
night on the train. Then, Furthermore,
did abe add her plea to the Doctors and
finally admit that much to her own dis
tress and CONSERVATION, she feared Pet
was actually deeply if not indeed very
painfully interested In this mysterious
trooper. In Justice to Pet she must say
that that young lady was probably I'M
aware Of the feeling that had been grow
ing upon her until the denouement Of
that evening. She Mrs. Mainwaring)
had striven to wean her from the morn
ing services, but without success, and
now she knew not what had happened,
for Pet had shut herself in her room
and begged to be left undisturbed.
Which was more than Pet would
permit the major to be next day, how
ever for she was up and on the lookout
for him on his return from stables, He
marveled and was shocked at the pallor
Of her face, the trouble in her eyes.
Without preliminary remark, she went
straight to her subject
Major Mainwaring, at what time
and where may see Trooper Hunter, as
you call him, today''
Well, I'm sure I don't know,
Kate, " for the major, like many lion
among men, was lamb among women.
"I-don't think you-ousht to wish to
see him."
But do wish it, major Moreover,
l should be ashamed of myself if did
not" And the reply conveyed all the
more weight because of the calm deoi
sion of her manner.
And so the first written order Main
waring signed was one to permit the
bearer to visit the prisoner Hunter, and
at 10 o'clock that morning, when, pale,
calm, but resolute as ever and smiling
still despite her sleepless night, Miss
Leroy entered the hospital for the cus-
tomary reading, she sent the steward
to tell Mr. Hunter that she hoped he
would be able to see her soon after l /
and then indomitably went on with her
self appointed task.
At 11:15 the post surgeon came, ST.
lently gave her his arm as they left the
big sunshiny ward and led her to a
doorway up the corridor in front Of
which sentry was pacing--a sentry
who halted and presented arms as the
doctor opened the door and ushered her
! in.
1t was that night that Merriweather
was brought back from town to tho
guardhouse, shot and stabbed, as has
/ been said. Mrs. Merriweather had fed
during the previous night, and the SER
geant haG been missing since reveille.
! 1t was the next night that Stannard re-
turned and had Brady hunted up. Then
came new labors and honors for Sheriff
Conway, and this time there were no
troops to divide the honors Of the cap
ture with him, for his prisoners were
deserters alone from all overindul-
gent husband, the others from not too
fndulgent Uncle Sam. Pawnee was the
Mecca Of the fugitives. Thither had
Mrs. Merriweather fled to married sis
ter. Thither had Croxford and Elzey
followed, after having remained to cover
her retreat and settle matters with the
sergeant, whisn they had done only too
effectually, for Merriweather's days
were mum bered
Two days later Stannard had straight
ened out affairs at the post in marvellous
fashion (all save matters domestic
wherein said he, no wise man med
dled), and the man to start him on the
right scent was that scapegrace, the Kid,
whom he had disciplined time and
again in Arizona days and appreciated
at his true value. The Kids derisive
and explosive laughter when told that
Major Mainwaring had ordered Trooper
Hunter confined as accessory to the mag
azine robbery, ETC., had been promptly
reported to Stannard on his return, and
that versatile young reprobate was sent
for, marched to the adjutant's Office and
collared by his old time troop command.
er, for one Of his several enlistme nts
the Kid had spent with Stannard, and
knew him we'll.
And this was what the Kid divulged.
Every one knew he could use lasso
like a cowboy, and Croxford had asked
him, just for deviltry, to join him and
some other fellers" in roping the
swell, Hunte-, ON the midnight relief,
and he was going to, but happened to
hear that Merriweather was in it, and
that set him to thinking. He'd heard
the women talking about Mrs. Merri-
weather's boasting that she had made a
conquest Of the swell recruit, and he
remembered Merriweather' black eye
and the rumor that it was Hunter Laid
him out " and the Kid scented mischief
and backed out. Then Croxford came
and told him it would be best for him
to keep his promise, as he might get the
credit Of it anyhow. which prompted
the Kid to toll them all to go to Bally
! hack But when Elzey and Hughes late,
, came and "stumped him" to join then
in spree to town that night and dis
/ played their money he forgot Croxford'
threat in the prospect Of whisky and
anything for frolio, started with
| them, only to run foul Of the patrol jus
, across the creek.