The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-25

silence among the members and along the
benches whereon were seated the dozen
spectators was for moment unbroken
by a sound except a little shuffiing OF feet
Then ono veteran member cleared his
throat with hem" OF preparation TO
speak. yet hesitated.
The junior officer OF the court, lieu
tenant OF cavalry. slowly stretched forth
his hand. picked up the solitaire and
eyed IL with an assumption OF critical yet
respectful interest. The president a
grizzled. red faced veteran. presently
Ftole a glance at Turnbull, who sat with
stolid features Immediately on his right
One by one the nine members tive OF
the original IL having been challenged
and excused) began TO look cautiously
about them.
A captain OF infantry was observed
10 be very red about the eyelids, but that
might have been, and possibly was. the
result OF cocktails. Loring alone re
mained in the same position. He had half
turned his back 10 Nevins when the latter
began TO speak. rested his left elbow on
the table and his head on his hand his
eyes shaded under the curving palm
against the glare OF light that came from
without. There was no room or building
big enough for the purpose at the post,
and the court had held Its session under
a brace of hospital tent flies stretched
on a framework adjoining the office OF
the major commanding, and Camp Cooke,
as a rule, looked on from afar.
She spectators who ventured beneath
the shade were officers OF the little gar
rison, the sutler and half a dozen "cas-
uals" OF the civilian persuasion, among
whom, II not among the members Of the
court, Nevins' harangue had created an
undoubted sensation, for glances indica-
tive OF surprise II not OF incredulity
passed among them.
At last as though he felt that some
thing must be said rather than that be
knew what was appropriate 60 say, the
presiding officer addressed the member
who had cleared his throat
"You were about to say something.
major?'
"I--er-should like TO ask the accused
whether his wife Is informed OF his-er-
predlcament."
And Nevins. slowly turning, answered: /:
II wrote last week confessing everything.
IL will be a relief TO her that I am no
longer In the army. She said she could
never look an officer in the face" There
was another pause, then Nevins spoke
again:
II hope have not imposed too much on
the Judge advocate ] have asked because
he is the only gentleman here who is
not entirely stranger to my poor wife. "
Then all eyes were on Loring as he
undisguished astonishment at the ac-
used, Blake, a spectator, suddenly drew
his long legs under him and Strengthened
UP In his seat IL was needless for Lor-
ing 10 speak. His eyes questioned.
II do not mean that Mr.. Loring knows
my wife, but she has heard OF him from
her sister They hoped TO find him in
San francisco"
Loring had picked up a pencil as he
turned Its point was resting on the pine
topped table. He never spoke. His
eyes, still steadily fixed upon the twitch-
ing face OF Nevins. questioned further.
and every man present strained his ears
for tlse next word.
81 should explain--her sister is Miss
Geraldine Allyn"
And with n snap that was heard all
over the assembage the lead of Loring's
pencil broke short off. He sat staring
at Nevins, white and stunned.
(To be Continued Tomorrow)