Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-09-22


| spoke. Miriam has been quite upset
! by letter from home, and this little
| -episode-this evening, which she
| cannot understand as we do. has SO
unstrung her that Mrs. Foster offered
| to send them over home in her sleigh.
The side door had been barred, but
Mr.. Horton. pried it open for them,
so they had no need to come this way
and face everybody-and explain"
you know how sorry I am" said
| Mrs. Button. "Of course they are ex-
cusable for leaving as they did. Why,
where are the others going?'
The music had suddenly stopped
Some one among the women, with
startled eyes and paling face, sprang
up saying, Its fire" Almost at the
same instant the colonel and Scott
reached the veranda without. A dozen
officers were there, intent and listen
ing. II tell you l heard it plainly
said one Of their number, land the
Foster sleigh isn't back"
Heard what sir?" demanded the
colonel. whats the roubIe?" =
"a cry for help, or something, over
yonder''
There presently appeared round the
corner Of the building the sergeant of
the guard, and with him a burly sol
der, bleeding at the nose. One hand
covered Il damaged eye; with the other
he saluted Captain Snaffle.
"Sir, I have to report Trooper Raw
don assaulting a noncommissioned Off
GER"
Major Scott gave tongue.
trooper Rawdon," cried he "Why
he now has a months furlough from
! General Crook. He's the best man of
the escort.'
Refused to obey my orders to go to
| his quarters, sir, and assaulted me
when 1 tried to enforce 'em. Sergeant
Blunt says he won't cOnfne him unless
Captain Snaffle orders it,
Zone moment, sergeant" interposed
Colonel Button. HAS any disturbance
any cry for help-been heard at the
! guardhouse, or was this the explana-
tion?"
'No. 5, sir, hasn't called off half past
| 'leven."
"No. 81 cried two or three men at
| the instant, and without word Cap
| tain Sumter hurried away.
"No. 5.' repeated the colonel.
'"That's just back of Sumter's quar-
| ters.'
Affair across the glistening level a
few lights glimmered family in the
| row of officers quarters, but there was
| no sign of moving humanity. Only
| the hurrying form of Captain Sumter
could be seen halfway across the
| parade. The Fosters sleigh was no
| where in sight. Sumter's quarters
were about the middle of the row.
| Lanier's were at the eastward end.
| All men stood waiting, watching.
| Then on d sudden two or three black
| forms darted from the shadow of the
| middle quarters. One came running
| out across the parade hardly slack
! ened speed at the hail Of Captain Sum-
| ter, pointed back with one hand,
shouted something that doubled Sum-
! ter's pace.
| It was ConrOy, corporal of the guard.
| '"The adjutant orders me to report No.
5 sick, sir" he painted. 81 found him
| all doubled up in the coal shed. They
got the steward over from the hospi-
tai, but they want the sergeant and
some of the guard to search the back
buildings"
"Who wants them?" demanded the
colonel.
"The adjutant, sir. Lieutenant
Blake's with him. There has been
some providers, and the young ladies
were frightened"
Zone moment" interposed the colo
mel. Sergeant of the guard, take four
Of your men and report to Captain
| Sumter Or to the adjutant. Now, cor
| poral, when was this cry heard"
"Just after the young ladies got
home, SIR
"Was the officer of the guard over
there?"
mot the-new one. sir, butt The
corporal suddenly stopped.
'But what?' demanded the colonel
"Do you mean that Lieutenant Lanier
was there-out Of his quarters"'
"Out of his head if he was" grow1-
ed the paymaster, who loved him well
and was deeply concerned over his
trouble.
IL didn't see him, SIR answered
the young soldier but in manner so
confused that it simply added to the
commanders suspicion.
"Come with me, Horton" said the
colonel to his quartermaster, and turn
ed back for his cap and overcoat.
Then once again the voice Of the ag-
grieved and importunate sergeant was
heard, this time with convincing ap-
peal.
81 beg the colonel's pardon, but if he
wants to get the truth as to this
nights business it would be we'll to
arrest Trooper Rawdon or he'll be off
for good and ALL"
Find him, then, sergeant of the