The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-06
CONTINUED

saying good night" she cordially
spoke. Miriam has been quite upset
by a 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 l 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. 81 tell you l heard it plainly"
said one of their number, "and the
Foster sleigh isn't back"
Heard what, sir?" demanded the
colonel whats the trouble?"
"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 burly SOL
dier, bleeding at the nose. One hand
covered damaged eye; with the other
he saluted Captain Snaffle.
"Sir, l have to report Trooper Raw
don assaulting a noncommissioned off,
GER"
Major Scott gave tongue.
trooper Rawdonv' 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 so to
his quarters, sir, and assaulted me
when l tried to enforce 'em. Sergeant
Blunt says he won't confine him unless
Captain Snaff1e 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. 5v' cried two or three men at
the instant. and without word Cap
tain Sumter hurried away.
"No. 81 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 We're at the eastward end.
All men stood waiting watching.
Then on 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.
1t was Conroy, corporal of the guard.
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 adiutant, 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 but 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,' growl
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 sc
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 az.
grieved and importunate sergeant was
heard, this time with convincing ap.
peal.
II beg the colonel's pardon, but If he
xryoufc RI oot tho truth IN thic