The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-11-18
him was sternly ordered to leave.

Coionei Riggs lay before Lieutenan
Lanier In the presence Of Drs. LARA
bee and Schuchardt as well as Lieu
tenant Ennis. 1--WE known you thre,
years, young SIR" said he, "and I've
believed in you from the first. l hav,
reminded Sergeant Fitzroy Of his pre-
vious allegations against Trooper Raw
don as to the scuffle and assault, and
SO far from showing confusion. Fitz.
roy promptly said, Certainly; that took
place barely half minute later and
within ten yards of the spot He says
his whole idea first was to drive Raw
don from the scene and prevent his
finsiing his officer In so humillating q
plight He says he sought In every
way to shield the lieutenant, but when
all these other facts came out about
the cap. the clothing, the lieutenant's
absence from his quarters. his LAGER
ated hand, ETC.. there was no help for
1t. He finally yielded to the pressure
Of Captain Snaffle's questions and told
the truth. Kelly miserably admitted
his knowledge Of II. and when Rafferty,
came to his senses he. too, was to be
catechised.
"Now, Mr.. Lanier. there's the situa-
ton. Do you care to say anything to
me, or would you prefer to take coun-
selY'
And Bob Lanier, leaning on his ell
bow, looked quietly up In the colonels
bearded face and answered.:
Colonel Riggs, l reckon both those
men think they're telling the truth.
and i may have to prove they're not"
do you mean you were thereT
queried old Riggs in genuine concern.
There. sir? OF course l was there
quick as / could get there. but not
quick enough. by any manner Of
means"
Riggs looked grave indeed.
"You say you may have to prove 1t
was not you. Don't You know you'll
have to if these witnesses are further
sustained?"
Fully. sir. and when my need is
known there will be witnesses for the
defense. The doctors tell me Rafferty,
may not come round In less than q
week. When the time arrives I'll be
ready"
That was the condition Of affairs
when the eighth and final day of La
nier's close arrest arrived. The idea
Of Bob Lanier spending Christmas in
hospital!' said Mrs. Stannard. A
sunshiny room on the ground floor Of
the majors big house was duly pre-
pared, and thither just before sunset
on Christmas eve our young soldier
was piloted by Schuchardt and Ennis,
making the trip afoot across the rear
ward space, yet being remanded to a
huge easy chair and partial bandages
Immediately on his arrival.
BLACK Bill" with his incomplete re-
port, had gone back to Omaha to fur
ther mystify the adjutaht general and
to eat his Christmas dinner. At 3 p. IN.
the day before Christmas came tele-
gram from - Arnold, Esq, of Stand
ish Bay, Mass. announcing that he
would leave forthwith for the west
bringing his sister with him. The
told Bob Lanier.
1t has been said that this young gen.
tleman was an outspoken fellow. with
a hit or miss way of saying things
when once his mind was made up. and
by this time 1t would seem he had
made up his mind.
Mrs. Stannard, If you think girl
could stand the sight of such a Guy
Fawkes as this l would give much to
speak ten minutes to Miss Miriam Ar
nold.''
you're not a Guy Fawkes," said
Mrs. Stannard, with futtering heart.
you've lost something of your mus
tache and eyebrows, but very little of
your good looks, only
only whatf"
why, it's going to be much harder
to see her now than 1t was before-be-
fore She And Mrs. Stannard fal-
tered.
Before she saw me playing st.
Somebody or other at the back win
dow and screamed? Nobody knows |
heard 1t except you, and you won't
tell. Moreover. it isn't about that that
l have to speak"
Mrs. STANDARDS bonny face showed
instant disappointment.
"There's-there'S another matter"
said Bob, with trouble in his tones.
81 so hoped faltered that arch
matchmaker.
$50 did I. Mrs. Stannard," said
downright Bob, "but not with charges
hanging over my head. First I've got
to meet the enemy"
And yet he wished to see and speak
with Miriam, who not once had set
foot out Of doors since the night Of the
fire, whose sweet face famed at every
recurring thought Of that incident.
whose self betrayal covered her with
shame and confusion indescribable.
who would give years Of her young
life II she could only escape from
Fort Gushing and hide herself thou
sand miles away. But not until that
stern puritanical father should arrive
was leaving to be thought Of. A week
agone and the tidings Of his coming
would have filed her with dread. Now