The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-10
CHAPTER XVII.


There was the mischief to pay in and
about department headquarters for some
thing like "a hours. Colonel Strain. as
chief OF stan, had sleepless night OF
II. Mr.. Loring reticent as ever. had
gone straight to his rooms. which were
far from the onice and not very far from
the convent OF the good gray sisters lie
had no thought Of INSTRUMENTATION IN
wiring as he did To Washington. He
considered IL was his paramount duty 10
MAKE every effort i'm his power 10 sail by
the first steamer. Letters OF instruction
that had reached him had informed him
that new post was TO be built along
the Big Horn range In Wyoming, ana
that the moment he arrived board OF
officers. OF which he would serve as lu-
nior. would be sent out TO select the site.
There was urgent need OF his services
therefore and no time 10 be lost. he felt
that this sudden and summary arrest
was wrong TO him personally and pro-
fessionally, but the lessons OF obedience
and discipline taught I'm the four long
years at West Point were fresh In his
mind. and whatever should be the result
OF his detention the responsibility now
lay with the department commander
Arrived at his quarters, Loring calmly
Office Of the chief OF engineers at Wash
ington saying In so many words
placed I'm close arrest because or pre-
vious kilograms. Cannot sail tomorrow.
This and a note 10 the lady superior at
the convent. saying he would be unable
TO come 10 say goodby to Pancha. and
would probably be detained. he sent by
his servant bidding the man go first TO
the telegraph office. and then to stop at
Headquarters for certain books, and then
to deliver the note at the convent on his
homeward way.
Dennis was a retired dragoon who had
found such employment, with the officers
on duty In San Francisco for several
years past. and was endowed with the
Irishman's almost pathetic sense OF feal-
~ TO his "comUander" as he insisted on
speaking OF his employer Master was a
word he could not tolerate because OF its
impIication OF servitude. But even while
rebelling at the term he yielded to the
fact a degree OF devotion to Loring's In
terests far exceeding that usually accord
ed by the body servant Of tFadi+ ---A-- and
this calm. deliberate. methodical Silent
young soldier was. In spite OF himself
and the proverb. "a hero in the eyes OF
his valet de chambre.
Dennis had packed his boxes with
blinking eyes and saddened heart lie
had rwurrked" he said. "for twinty gin
tlemin. most av THIN foine men. but the
lootennt was the best av all Dennis
had his wife and brood in a little shanty
near tie sand lots and could not follow
I,oring 10 the east. He would have
howicd with delight TO hear the order
countermanded that was TO take the lieu
tenant away but when he heard at head
quarters from his fellow countrymen. the
tanitor and the guard, that such coun-
termand had been issued In the ehape
o: an arrest he swore with wrath.
A good Catholic was Dennis, and many
a Job had been given TO him and his lus-
Nv helpmate at the gray sisters. and a
warm friend had they In the lady supe-
rior. TO whom he presently bore the note
and the tale OF his hero's unjustinable
treatment Then went he on his way,
and came in upon Loring Just In, time 10
hear the closing words OF what bad been
probably a hrief and frigid conversation
between the engineer and the general $
assiduous aide-de-camp. Captain Petty.
Irigid as II sounded, the captain looked
10, enough as he took his leave and col
nded with Dennis at the door. cursed
him for being there, then whrled about
for a parting shot.
"I'I report your exact language to tho
general. sir said he. with anger In his
tone.
"Try to- at least said Loring pointed
II didn't come here 10 be insulted
sir said Petty fiercely.
''No. sir You came here TO Insult
was the cool reply.
The aid went down the stairs Will
laundering heels and raging heart saei
contcmptuous sang froid on part OF an OF
ncer four years his junior In service wa
somethins unheard OF. something not Z
be tolerated. and as Loring refused q
bulge from his position OF calm superi
Gritty the only thing left for Petty was q
leave So far from going TO Yuma n
had progressed only 10 Montcrry' an
there sprnt two or three days pok'nl
about the resorts around the plaza u
rearch OF gossip that was rumored to p
IN circulation at Loring's expense II
found the gossipers easily enough, hu
had great difficulty In reaching their au
thorities. 1t proved disheartenlng worh
for The farther he went the less ne iearn