Evening star., 1903-07-27

her father. Blakely. meanwhile had sum
moned his servant:
Take this pony at once to Mr.. Hart"
said he. ''and say I'll be back again as soon
as I've seen the commanding officer"
When Downs. the messenger. returned to
the house about half an hour later It was
to find his master prostrate and bleeding on
the bed in his room. DR.. Graham and the
hospital attendant working over him, the
major and certain of his officers with
gloomy faces and muttering tongues. con-
ferring on the piazza in 'front.' and one of
the Heutenant's precious cases of bugs and
butterflies a wreck Of shattered glass. More
than half the officers OF the post were
present. A bevy of women and girls had
gathered in the dusk some distance down
the row. The wondering Milesian whisper
ed inquiry of silent soldiers lingering about
the house, but the gruff voice Of Sergeant
Clancy bade them go about their business.
Not until nearly an hour later was 1T gen.
orally known that Captain Wren had been
escorted to his quarters by the post adju-
tant and ordered to remain therein in close
arrest
than Duane had been there perhaps the
matter would not have proved SO tragic,
but the latter was utterly unstrung by
Wrens furious attack and the unlooked-for
result. Without warning of any kind the
bur1y Scot had launched his big fist straight
at Blakelys jaw, and sent the slender, still
fever-weakened form crashing through a.
case of specimens, reducing 1t to splinters
senseless face. A corporal Of the guard,
marching his relief in rear of the quarters
at the moment, every door and window be-
Ing open, heard the crash. the wild cry for
help. rushed in. with his men at his heels.
and found the captain standing stunned and
CHASTITY. with the sweat starting from his
brow staring down at the result of his fear
full work. From the front Captain Sanders
and his amazed lieutenant came hurrying.
Together they lifted the stricken and bleed
Ing man to his bed in the back room and
started a soldier for the doctor on the run.
The sight of this man speeding down the row
bombarded all the way with questions he
could not stop to answer, startled every
soul along that westward-facing front, and
sent men and women streaming up the line
toward Blakely's quarters at the north end.
The doctor fairly brushed them from his
path and Major Plume had no easy task
persuading the fearful, pallid groups of
army wives and daughters to retire to the
neighbOring quarters. Janet Wren alone re-
fused point-blank. She would not go with
out first seeing her brother. d. 1t was she
who took the arm of the awed, bewildered.
shamed and conscience e-stricken man and
led him. with bowed and humbled head, the
adjutant aiding on the other side, back to
the door he had SO sternly closed upon his
only child, and that now as summartly shut
on him. DR.. Graham had pronounced the
young officers injuries serious. and the
post commander was angry to the very
core.
One woman there was who, with others,
had aimlessiy fastened up the line. and
who seemed now verEing on hysterfcs-the
majors wife. It was Mrs. Graham who re-
bukefully sent her own Draw young brood
scurrytnE homeward through the gathering
dusk, and then possessed herself OF Mrs.
Plume 1.-THE shock has unnerved you."
she charitably. soothingly whispered: Come
away with me-" but the majors wife re-
fused to go. Hart. the big post trader. had
Just reached the spot. driving up in his
light blackboard. His usually joyiI face
was full OF sympathy and trouble. He
could not believe the news. he said Mr..
Blakely had been with him SO short time