Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-09-29

Less than half an hour the trio spent
fore 2 O'Clock the wind had increased
to a gale The snow was driving swift
and hard. Il checked you just in
time" said he 'There'll be no train
either way this night" And so by 2
o'clock and just as the paymaster was
driving away down the front Of off,
GERS row Mrs. and Miss Sumter. with
Miss Arnold. escorted by the two med
zeal officers, were struggling across the
open space between the surgeons
| houses and the rear fence of the long
| line and presently entering the back
| gate at Sumter's.
1t was an odd arrangement, some
| the day. The Enclosure of Fort CuSh-
ing was diamond shaped. The entrance
| gate was at the eastern apex. The hos
| pital and surgeons quarters stood on
line with this gate. their front perpen-
dicular to the long axis of the diamond.
Their rear elevations, therefore. were
| not far from officers row. From the
/ 4AO1L VI SumlCL bOuOCs dAOuAu NY
way of the main gate to the doctors
door-the first to the left north) of the
post trader's-was quite walk. From
back door to back door, however, 1t
was less than 200 PAGES. I'VE are near
neighbors." Dr. Larrabee had been say
ing, though my wife thinks it a long
walk on windy day. l could reach
you day or night almost in a minute"
us Mr.. Lanier sitting up?" Mrs. Sum-
ter inquired. Il thought DR.. Schu-
chardt was trying to keep him in bed"
HE won't stay" was the answer.
"Dr. Larrabee," finally said Mrs.
Sumter, Miriam says she believes
it was all mere delusion-a dream.
She blames herself bitterly and-begs
us to think no more of ito forgive
her, butt
"But why should attempt to con-
ceal it? You know. and we have rea
son to know. she did see some one
there in her room who went out like
thief. through the window and away
in spite of sentries. Captain Sumter
had the snow swept Off before reveille.
What was the use Of advertising it
further? Mr.. Barker and Mr.. Blake
saw it, too. They hold it was some
garrison sneak thief. looking for jew
elry. Yet not so much as ring. or a
pin was touched-only her desk"
did she tell Of that?"
mo; Kate was the first to see 1t.
She few upstairs when she heard the
scream. found Miriam a senseless heap
on the floor. the desk open on the little
table by the window. the contents
scattered, the window up and some
body bounding and slipping away in
the moonlight. Then she heard the
challenge and scuffle outside and
thought the guard had him and gave
her whole attention to Miriam until
Mr.. Barker shouted from the lower
hail."
'rAnd nothing is missing?"
Nothing But Captain Sumter wish
ed to have it all kept quiet until he
! could confer with the detectives in
town."
Miss Kate has level head" pres
emily spoke Larrabee. What does
she say?'
doctor. that is what troubles me.
Kate won't say-anything. It's the
first time she ever kept a secret from
me-" And now tears of genuine dis
trcss were yelling in Mrs. Sumter's
eyes.
1t was half after 2. and the wind
was shrieking through the open space
back of the line when DR.. Larrabee,
bending almost double. managed to
fight his way homeward. Schuohardt.
occupant of the adjoining set to his
own. had not yet returned. At Sum-
ter's gate the senior surgeon encoun-
tered the corporal Of the guard. nearly
blind and we'll nigh exhausted. He
was searching for sentry No. 5.
"You will probably find DR.. Schu-
chardt at Lieutenant Laniers quar-
ters," shouted Larrabee at the cor
poral. with kindly intent. Take No.
In there and get thawed out. Tell
him think nip Of whisky advisable
under the circumstances"
And thus it happened that two storm
beaten soldiers presently showed their
way through Lanier's back gate and
banged at the kitchen door. Nobody
answering. they presently entered,
passed through that deserted apart
ment, and, hearing voices farther on.
the corporal ventured into the dark
hallway leading through the little
frame house, now fairly quivering In
the blast Here he caught sight Of
two of1cers-big, powerful men In fur
caps and canvas overcoats just push
ing forth through the front door into
Ii l3