The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-10-21

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
| 70 send them over home In her sleigh.
The side door had been barred. but
Mr.. Horton pried 1t open for them,
so they had no need to come this way
and face everybody-and explain"
"You know how sorry / 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 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 a burly SOL
der, bleeding at the nose. One hand
covered damaged eye; with the other
he saluted Captain Snaffie.
"Sir, have to report Trooper Raw
don assaulting a noncommissioned off,
GER"
Major Scott gave tongue.
Trooper Rawdonw 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 tried to enforce 'em. Sergeant
Blunt says he won't confine 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. 8, sir, hasn't called of half past
'leven."
mo. 81" cried two or three men at
the instant. and without a word Cap
tain Sumter hurried away.
"No. 90 repeated the colonel.
'That's just back Of Sumter's quar-
ters."
Altar across the glistening level a
few lights glimmered family in the
nf off nrc, rtnr h,rf <hov
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 a 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
1.-THE adjutant orders me to report No.
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.
1.-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 whatT" demanded the colonel.
"Do you mean that Lieutenant Lanier
was there-out of his quarters?"
"Out of his head il he was" growl-
ed the paymaster, who loved him well
and was deeply concerned over his
trouble.
T-I 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.
II beg the colonel's pardon, but If he
wants to get the truth as to this
nights business 1t would be well to
arrest Trooper Rawdon or he'll be of
for good and ALL"
Find him, then. sergeant Of the
guard, and have it DONE" said Button.
CHAPTER III.
~HAT ended the dance, but not
the excitement. Not yet mid