Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-10-20
Continued from last week }

" io't WIN
ed certain oIncers 70 JOIN MN at once.
and she. who ruled him in all matters
domestic almost as she managed the
children. knew well that when reused
he would brook no interference in mat
tiers professional. and Bob Lanier, q
prime favorite of hers. had in some
way managed to fall under the ban
OF his extreme diSpleasure.
At the Office were presently assem-
bled the colonel. the adjutant. the
quartermaster. the post ana
to them came Paymaster Scott. AT
the store" We're gathered half the
commissioned officers. Al Sumtcr's
there kept coming and going a success
sion of sympathetic callers. who left
ever more mystitied than when they
arrived. Miriam had had a fright ill
the dark on their return home ana
screamed. No. Sumter thought Mrs.
Sumter would need no help. yet he
was so much obliged to the several
who asked If they couldn't do
thing"
hAhoNbSh aco,S "oo NioSVu
to question. To the disappointment of
many and the disapprobation of a few.
Bob Lanier had closeted himself with
his classmate and most intimate
friend, Dad" Ennis; then. after a brief
colloquy with Barker. the adjutant
had caused a big card to be tackled
on his door wherein was %crayoned in
bold black letters Busy" But at
quarter past II the assistant sur
geon, Dir. Schuchardt. called. as was
known. for the second time and en-
tered without ceremony. When the
officer Of the day came tramping along
the board walk at 1890 and turned In
at the gate he struck the panel with
the hilt of his saber. Ennis came to
the door. but came with gloomy brow.
II am ordered by Colonel Button to
ask certain questions of Lieutenant
Lanier," said the official.
Flows that. doc" called Ennis
over his massive shoulder. Can your
patient see the officer of the dayY"
"Not yet. with my consent" came
the stout answer.
~"Shout your questions. captain"
sang out the patient. with much too
little humility of manner yet Lanier
knew Curbit we'll and knew his mis-
sion to be unwelcome.
SIS Trooper Rawdon In hiding any
where about your quarters?"
"He is not. If l know it."
Have you seen him-tonight?"
An instant's pause then. II don't
know whether l have or not"
"You don't know 2" exclaimed Curbit,
puzzled and beginning to bristle.
81 don't know" repeated Lanier.
Suppose the colonel tells me to ex-
plain that" began Curbit. but DIR.
Schuchardt set his foot down summari-
ly.
"Here," said he. this things got to
stop. Lanier's in a highly nervous and
excited state. He doesn't know whom
he has seen since he got home In ar
rest"
sa"Well. the old man wants to see that
young Rawdon forthwith, for many
people believe he's skipped"
"You can track anything but a ghost
in this new fallen snow.
Curbit lowered his voice. That's ex-
actly the trouble, doctor. Go to the
back. of the quarters and see for your
self. His trail starts and ends here"
In all its history Fort Gushing had
never known such n day of bewilder-
ment as that which followed Guard
mounting was held as usual at 8 a. M.
and Colonel Button, awaiting in his
Office the coming Of the old and the
new officers of the day. directed his ad-
jutant to drop his own work at heir
entrance and give attention to what
took place.
All eyes were on the two burly cap
tains who entered AT $50. fur capped.
fur giGred, in huge overcoats and arc
tics. The wind had begun to whine
and stir.
blizzard coming" said Scott as he
glanced at the sullen skies.
Il report as old officer Of the day.
SIR said Curbit. with brief salute.
rendering the guard report book.
The colonel went straight to bust
ness.
mo sign of Trooper Rawdon?'
NO. sir"
His horse and kit all right"
"All right. sir"
"Police notified TO watch all trains
and stages?''
yes. sir"
There was impressive silence in the
Office.
Eight men had gone with Sergeant
Stowell as escort to the paymaster
when, nearly four weeks earlier. he
had set forth on his trip. Then the lit
tie Iron safe was full of money. Seven
men had come back with him. when.
as the safe was well nigh empty. the
paymaster said he hardly needed an