The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-12-23

lowed the Platte valley all the way to
Brenner's, and, once there, he would
feel safe, whereas the Rock creek
trail wound through gulch, ravine and
forest most of the distance, affording
many chance for ambuscade. Of
course, said Mrs. Hay, if her husband
had for a moment supposed the gen
eral would wish to see him, he would
not have gone, adding, with just
little touch of proper, warlike spirit,
that on the generals previous visits
he had never seemed to care whether
he saw Mr.. Hay or not.
All this did Mrs. Dade accept with
courteous, yet guarded interest.
They were seated in the little army
parlor, talking in low tone; for, with
unfailing tact, Mrs. Hay had asked
for Esther, and expressed her sym
pathy on hearing of her being IN
nerved by the excitement through
which they had passed. Well she
knew that Fields serious condition
had not little to do with poor Es-
theirs prostration, but that was
knowledge never to be limited at.
Dade himself she did not wish to meet
just now. He was too direct a ques-
toner, and had said and looked things
| about Nanette that made her dread
him. She knew that, however austere
and commanding he might be when
| acting under his own convictions, he
was abnormally susceptible to uxorial
| views, and the way to win the cap
tain's sympathies or avert his cen
| sure, was to secure the kindly inter-
est of his wife. Mrs. Hay knew that
he had sent couriers off by the Raw
Inns road-a significant thing in itself
and that couriers had come in from
| the north with further news from
Webb. She knew he had gone to the
office, and would probably remain
| there until summoned for breakfast,
and now was her time, for there was
something further to be spoken of,
and while gentle and civil, Mrs. Dade
| had not been receptive. 1t was evil
dent to the traders wife that her lord
and master had made mistake in
leaving when he did. He knew the
general was on the way. He knew
| there was that money business to be
cleared up, yet she knew there were
reasons why she wanted him away
reasons hardest of all to plausibly
explain. There were reasons, indeed,
why she was glad Nanette was gone.
She was glad Nanette was gone,
because Field, wounded and present,
would have advantages over possible
suitors absent on campaign-because
all the women and few of the men
were now against her, and because
from some vague, intangible symp-
toms, Mrs. Hay had satisfied herself
that there was something in the
wind Nanette was hiding from-her
benefactress, her best friend, and it
seemed like cold-blooded treachery.
Hay had for two days been disturbed,
nervous and unhappy, yet would not
tell her why. He had been cross-ques-
ioning Pete, "Crapaud" and other en-
ployes, and searching about the
premises in way that excited curl
osity and even resentment, for the
explanation he gave was utterly in
adequate. To satisfy her, if possible,
he had confided, as he said, the fact
that certain money for which Lieut..
| Field was accountable, had been
stolen. The cash had been carefully
placed in his old-fashioned safe; the
missing money, therefore, had been
taken while still virtually in his
charge. "They might even suspect
me-" he said, which she knew would
not be the case. "They forbade my
speaking of it to anybody, but l sim
ply had to tell you.' She felt sure
there was something he was conceal
ing; something he would not tell her;
something concerning Nanette, there
fore, because she so loved Nanette h,
shrank from revealing what nigh
wound her, indeed, it was best tina
Nanette should go for the time, a
that others would be saying-evel
this kindly, gentle woman before hel
that Nanette should have stayet
until certain strange things wer;
thoroughly and satisfactorily ex
planned.
But the moment she began, falter
ing not little, to speak III matter!
at the post, as means of leading
up to mathematics concerning
Lieut.. Field and his financial affairs
to her surprise Mrs. Dade gently up
lifted her hand and voice. II am go
ing to ask you not to tell me, Mrs
Hay" she said. Captain Dade ha:
given me to understand there wa:
something to be investigated, bu
preferred that ] should not ask abou1
it. Now, the general will be down il
is or 20 minutes. l suggest that we
walk over to the hospital and see how
Mr.. Field is getting on. We can talk
you know, as we go. Then you viii
breakfast with us. Indeed, may
not give you cup of coffee now
Mrs. Hay?"
But Mrs. Hay said no. She had hat
J coffee before coming. She would re
and see if there was anything the,
could do for Field, and ,vnn!a try
again to induce Mrs. Dade to lister
to certain of her explanations.
But Mrs. Dade was silent and pre-
| npf.11r,ial Cha ;,1y;