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Cjtt festonnai! 2? $w?\m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7. By Capt. CHAELES ELTO, U. a A. ?vthor of "Dunraven Ranch," "The Colo? nel's Daughter," "Marions faith," Etc., Tic. *rijpyr%ht, hy J. B. Lipptncott Company, Phila ddtob- uand puWb?ovl by special arnu*?cuxeat -wish iiiem.\ I CONTINUED. ? CHAPTER UL ri ; ! - -?Zone m the coloneVs presence. The officers of Fort Warrener were * assembled, as vvas the daily morjiing custom, in the presence of the colonel commanding. It had long been the practice of that veteran soldier to re? quire ali his commissioned subordinates . ta put in an appearance at his office im iBediate'y after the ceremony of guard mounting. He might have nothing to say to them, or he might have a good - deal; and he was a man capable of say? ing a good deal ia very few words and meaning exactly what he said. It was j his custom to look up from his writing as each ofT? ^r entered and respond to t"he respectful salutation tendered him with an equally punctilious 4'Good morl? ing. Capt. Gregg," or "Good morning, 5?r. *Bla.ke." never omitting the mention of tl>e name, unless, as was sometimes tried, a squad of them came in together and made their obeisance as a body. In t?iis event the colonel simply looked each maa in the face, as though taking mental note of the individual constitu? ents of the group, and contented him? self with a '*Good morning, gentlemen." When i:i addition to six troops of his own regiment of cavalry there were sent to the post a major and four companies of infantry, some of the junior officers of the latter organization had suggested . tc* titeir x-omrades of the yellow stripes that as the colonel had no roll call it might bo a matter of no great risk to **cut the matinee" on some of the fiend Ishly cold mornings that soon set in; but j the experiment was ncvc>r designedly j tried, than ks, possibly, io the frank ex- i position of his person.-.: views as ex- I pressed by Lieut. Blake, of the cavalry, I who said. "Try it if you ure stagnating j for want of a sensation, my genial plod- ? dex, but not if you valu - the advice of Op* who* has been there, so to speak, .pike chief will spot you quicker than he can a missing shoe-a mi^isg horseshoe, johnnj-, let me elaborate for your com .prebension^and the next question will j be, *Mr Bluestrap, did you intentionally j absent ?ourself?* and then how will you get ont of it?* The- matinees, so called.'were by no ! means unpopular features of the daily j routine. The officers were permitted to | bring their pipes or cigars and take their j after breakfast smoke in the big, roomy office of the commander, just as they ? were perruitted.to enjoy the post-prandial whiff when at evening recitation in the same office they sat around the room, chatting in low tones, for half an hour, while the colonel received the re? ports of !?s"adjutant, the surgeon and the ; old and the new oiTicer of the day. Then any matte*-s affecting the discipline or instruction or general interests of the command were brought up: l*>rh sides of tlie question were presented, if question arose: tl*e decision was rendered | then and there, and the officers were dis? missed for the day with tlie customary .That's all. gentlemen.*" Tlicy left the office weil knowin^thatonly in the event of some sodden emergency w ould they be called thither again or disturbed in their daily vocations until tlie same hour on the following morning. Meantime, they must lie aiiout their work- drills, if -weatlver.iiermiited: stahl** du:\. n<> mat? ter wiuit the weather: garrison courts, boards of survey, the big general court that was perennially dispensing justice at the post, and the long list of minor but nore the ?ess exacting dema"nds on the time and attention of the subalterns and company commanders. The colonel was a si riet, even severe, disciplinarian, birt lie was cool, de? liberate, and just. ile "worked*" hts officers, and thereby incurred the criti? cism of a few, but held the respect of all Ile liad iieen a splendid cavalry com? mander in the field of ail others where his st erl i n g qualities were sure to find j responsive appreciation in his officers j and mon-on active and stirring ca:!?- [ paigns against the Indians-und among j his own regiment he knew that deep in ; their lu .M ts the -th respected and be- ? lloved in him. even wtieri they growled i at garrison exactions which seemed un called for. The infantry officers knew | less of him as a sterling campaigner. ! and were not so well pleased wit!? his discipline. I? was ?*:il right f< r him to "rout oui" every mothers son i i the cavalry at reveille. l*vause n'A the cav? alry officers had to go to stables s<?<?n afterward-that was they were lit for-btu what on earth was the use'of ' getting them-the infantry -out of theil I warm beds before sunrise on a wintry : morning and having no end ? f roll calls and such tilings through the day. "just to keep tisera busy?" The real oi>j-c?ion -the main objection-to the colonel's system was that it kept a large number \ of officers, most of whom were educates! gentlemen, hammering all day long at an endless routine of trivial duties. ::! lowing act nally no time in which they could read; study*, or improve their minds: but, as ill luck would have it. the three young gentlemrn who decid? i to present to the colonel thi . view of tin case had been d-'V'.-iin^ w A spar? time they could find to a lively une of joker down at "the store." an v ir petition : for "more time to them > ves** brought down a r? ply from the < icular hps <-f the commander that h< ;::>r immortal on the frontier and made the petitioners i nearly frantic. For a week the trio was th" butt of all . the wits ar Fort Warrener And \?'t the estire commissioned"force felt tliat they . were l>ei??;: kept at the grindstone be? cause of t he frivolity oftlieseyoungsters, and the;? did not like it. AU the same the cavalrymen stuck up for tlieir colonel and the infantrymen respected bim, and the matinees were business like and profitable. They were rarely unpleasant in any feature, but this particular morn ing-two days after the arrival of Rayner and her sister-there had bc scene of somewhat dramatic inte and tho groups of officers in breaking and going away could discuss not] else. The colonel had requested or their number to romain, as he vvishc speak to him further, and that man Lieut. Ilayne. Seven years had that young gentle] been a second lieutenant of thc regia of infantry, a detachment of which now stationed at Warrener. Only very winter had promotion cometo 1 and, of all companies in the regiment was gazetted to the first lieutenancy Capt. Rayner's. Tor a while the i ruent when by itself could talk of 1 else. Mr. Ilayne liad spent three or i years in the exile of a little "two c pany post" far up in the mountains, cept tiie officers there stationed, none his comrades had seen iiim during t time. "So one of them would like to ad that he would care to see him. And ; when once in a while they got to talk among themselves about him. and question was sometimes confident!; asked of comrades who came down leave from that isolated station, "1] is Ilayne doing?" or "What is lia; doing?" the language in which he i referred to grew by degrees far 1 truculent and confident than it had b when he first went thither. Officers other regiments- rarely spoke to ''Riflers" of Mr. Hayne, Unlike ene two others of their nun of the servi tliis particular regiment of foot held affairs of its officers as regimental pr erty in which outsiders had no conee If they had disagreements they w? kept lo themselves: and even in a ci winch in its day had attracted ' wi? spread attention the Riflers had lo Bince learned to shun all talk outsi< It was evident to other commands tl the Kayne affair was a sore point a one on which they preferred silen< And yet it was getting to be whisper around that the Riflers were by no mea so unanimous as they had been in th< opinion of this very officer. They wt becoming divided among tiiomselvi and what complicated matters was t fact that those who felt their views u dergoing a reconstruction were coi pelled to admit that just in proporti as the case of Mr. Ilayne rose in thc estimation ti ie reputation of another ol cer was bound to sutler, and that offic was Capt Rayner. Between these two men net a wo: had bern exchanged for five years-n a single word since the day when, wi ashen face and broken accent*, bat wi etern purpose in every syllable. Liei Hayne, standing in the presence nearly all the officers of his regimer liad hurled this prophecy in his adv?? sary's teeth* "Though rt take me year 1 will live it down despite you: and y< wiil wish to God you had bitten out yen perjured tongue before ever you told tl lie that wrecked me." No wonder there was talk, and lots < it, in the "Riflers" and all through tl garrison when Rayner's first lieutenai suddenly threw up his commission ar? retired to the mines he had looa ted i Montana, and Ilayne.the "senior second was promoted to the vacancy. Specnli tion as to what would be the result wj given a temporary rest by the licws th; war department orders had granted tl subaltern fix months" leave-the first 1 had sought in as many years. It wc known that he had gone east: but bardi had he been away a fortnight when thei came the trouble with the Cheyenr.es < the reservation-a leap for liberty b some fifty of the ban i, and an im med ate rush of the cavalry in pursuit. Thei were some bloody atrocities, as thei always are. Ail the troops in the deparl ment were ordered to be in readiness fe instant service, while the officials eagerl watched the reports to see which wa the destrate band would turn; and th next heard of Mr. Hayne was the new tliat he had thrown up his leave and ha hurried out to join his company the mo ment the eastern papers told of th trouble. It was all practically settle; by the time he reached the department but tlie spirit and intent of his actioi could not l)e doubted. And now here lu was at Warrener. That very morning during the matinee he had entered tin office unannounced, walked up to tin desk of the commander, and. while? even voice but his in the room was stilled, h< quietly spoke: "Permit me to introduce myself, col onel-Mr. Hayne. 1 desire to relinquisL my leave of absence ai ul re|H>rt for duty.* Thecolonel quickly arose and extended his hand: "Mr. I layne, I am especially glad tc see you and to thank you here for all your care and kindness to our men. The doctor teils methat many of them would have liad to sulier the los* of noses and ears, even of hands and feet in some cases, but for your attention. Maj. Stannard will add his thanks to mine when he returns. Take a seat, sir, for the present. Voa are acquainted with the officers <. f your own regiment..doubt? less. Mr. Billings, introduce Mr. Ilayne to ours.*" Whereat the adjutant courteously greeted the newcomer, pres Sited a small party of yellow strap?>e 1 shoulders, and then drew him into earnest tall; about th** adventure of the train, lt was no? ticed that Mr. Hayne neither by word nor glance gave tho slightest recogni? tion of the presence of the officers of his own regiment, and^that they-as studi? ously avoided him. One or two of their number had indeed risen an i stepped forward.as though to'oiler him the civil greeting -duo to one of their own c!\\. but it was with evi lent <! mb: of the re? sult They r- i.I -a - 1 when he mei their tentative- which was that of a gentle? man- with a col 1 lo .': of utter repudia? tion il" did not choose to sec them, and. of course, that end* 1 it. X- .:. wa < ling hearty among the cavalrymen. Tit re were only a few present, as most of the -ta were still out i:i t!i . 1 ;<.:.! and. ia ir<;!::r? rrlowly home? ward. The in lr >d:;cti< rus w erecourtei >us and formal, th*-re was even constraint among two or th. ree. but t tore wo.; civil? ity andan evident desire to refer to his servares ia hehai; of their men. All : ;?..?? attempts, however-. Mr. Hayne waved r's;.!,- by aa i n mediate change of the sub jeet. Ir was plain that to them, too, ho h:id the manner < fa man who \.;e< at odds wit h the woidd and der ired lo make no fri nd <. The colonel quickly noted the general silence and constraint, and resolved to shorten i: as much as ix?ssi >!e. Dropping hts pen, he wlie led around i.i his chair with determined cheorfalne? k*Mr. Mayne, you wiil i.d a day ot two ?o I * k .-J!, ?ut a.l> etq^irlersand get n ady for work, 1 pre-um ..** "Thank you. colon* I. N .. sir. I ?diall mo.vein ;!d^ af; moon i bc on <!:::> to-morrow morning." was the cairn r< There was an awkward pau -e for :t nioment. The officers 1 ??kr-.i h!a:vk!y j from ono to another, and t ion or "an craning their necks to search for the post quartermaster; who: a/an absorbe?! listener. Then the colonel spoke again: "I appreciate your promptness. Mr. Hayne: but have you considered tait in choosin ; quarters ace* ?rding to your i a;: !; volt wiil necessarily movesomeb . i1. out? We are crowtled now. and many of your j juniors are married, and the ladies will want tin"- t ? pack." An anxious silence again. Capt. Ray? ner was gazing at his l oot, toes and try? ing toappear utterly indifferent: otb? !-; leaned forward, a- though eager t.. !. ar ' ?ie answer. A faint smile ( i'ossed M Hayne's features; he seemed rather t eirjt-h- the situation: '.J have considered, colonel. I sha turn nobody out. and nobody need be h commoded in the least.*' "Olil then you will share qnartei with some of tao bachelors?'* asked th colonel, with evident relief, j ".No, sir:" and tho answer was stern i ?tono, though perfectly respectful; " shall live as I have lived for years-u! terly alone."' Onecould haveheard a pin drop in th office-even on thc matted floor. Th colonel half arose: "Why, Mr. Hvyno, there is not a vt cant set cf quarters in the garrison. Yo will have to movo some one out if yo decide to live alone.*' "There may be no quarters in the post sir. but, if you will permit me, lean liv near my company and yet in officer* quarters." "How so. sir?" "In the house out there on tho edge c the garrison, facing the prairie. It i within stone's throw of thc l>arracks c Company H. and isexactly like those hui] for the officeisin here along the parade. "Why, Mr. Ilayne, no officers eve lived there. It is utterly out of the wa; and isolated. I believe it was built fo the sutler years ago, but was bought i: by the government afterwards. Who live there now. Mr. Quartermaster?" "No one, sir. It is being used as a tail ors* shop: half a dozen of the compan; tailors work there; but I can send tlieu back to their own barracks. The hous is in good repair, and, as Mr. Haynesays exactly like those built for officers* use. "And you mean you want to live ther alone. Mr. Ilayne?" "I do, sir, exactly." The colonel turned sharply to hi desk once more. The strained silence continued a moment. Then ho faced hi officers. "Mr. Ilayne, will you remain a few moments? I wish to speak with you Gentlemen, that is all this morning.' And so the meeting adjourned. While many of the cavalry officers strolled into the neighboring club ant reading room it was noticed that theil comrades of the infantry lost no time a' intermediate points, but took the short est road to the row of brown cottage; known as the officers' quarters. Tin feeling of constraint that had settlei upon all was still apparent in the grour that entered the club room, and for r moment no one spoke. There was c general settling into easy chairs am: picking up of newspapers without refer? ence to or dut e. No one seem erl tc want to say anything, and yet every one felt it necessary to have some apparent excuse for becoming absorbed in othei matters. This was so evident to Lieut. Blake that he speedily burst into a laugh -the first that had been heard-an?] when two or three heads popped out from behind their prime? screens to in? quire into the cause- of his mirth that light hearted gentleman wi&seen sprawl? ing his long legs apart and gazing out of the window after the groups of infantry? men. "What do you see that's so intensely funny?" growled one of tiie elders among the dragoons. "Nothing, old mole - nothing,** said Blake, turning suddenly about. "It looks too much like a funeral procession for fun. What I'm chuckling at is the ab? surdity of our coming tn here like so many mutes in weepers. It's none of our funeral." "Strikes me the situation is damned awkward," growled "the mole" again. "Here's a fellow comes ia who's cut by Ids regiment and has placed ours under lasting obligation before ho gets inside the post." ..Weil, does any man here know the rights and wrongs of the case, anyhow?" said a tall, bearded captain as he threw aside the paper which he had not I ?cen reading, and rose impatiently to his feet. "It seems to me from the little I've heard of Mr. ilayne and the little I* ve seen, that there is a broad variation between facts and appearances. He looks like a gentle? man." "Xo one does know anything moro of thc matter than was known at the time of the court martial five years ago," an? swered "the mole.'* "Of course you have heard all about that, and my experience is that when a body ot" officers and gen? tlemen find.tifterdue deliberation on the evidence, that another has boen guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, the chances are a hundred to one he has boen doing something dis? reputable, to say the least." "Then why wasn't he dismissed?** queried a young lieutenant. "The law says he must i>e." "That's right, Dolly: pull your I ves and Benet on 'em and show you know all about military law and courts martial," said trie captain, crushingly. "It's one thing for a court to sentence and another for the president to approve. Ilayne was dismissed, so far as a court could do it. but the president remitted tho whole thins-" "There was more to it ?han that, though, and you know it. Buxton," said Blake. "Neither thc department com? mande rnor (?cn. Sherman thought the evidence "conclusive, and they said so. especially old Gray Fox. And you ask any of these fellows hero now whether they believe Ilayne was really guilty, and I'll bet you that eight out of ten will think at the question." "And yet they all cut him dead. That's prima facieevidenceof what they think." "Cut bc blowed! By gad, if any man asked m.* to testify on oath as to where the cut lay. I shouhdsay he had cut them. Did you SJ-" how he ignored Foster and j Graham this morning?" "I did,-and I thought it damned un? gentlemanly in him. Those fellows did i the projx'r tiling, and ho ought to have acknowledged ir." broke in a thifr<] officer, j "Fm not defending that point: the j Lord knows he has ?I >uo nothing toen- j courage civ ils tv* with lils own people; but j th? re aro two s:d~s t'? every story, and 1 ? asked their adjutant hist fall, when there was some t tis of his com pan v's being sent h re. what Ilayne's status was. and he t?>id me. There isn't a squarer i j:in or sounder soldier in the ; J i r : i y th:ui the adjutant of the Killers:. and he that it was Ilayne's stubborn pride thal more than anything else otood in til'- v? iv of his restoration to ^.H-T.IJ standing, il - had made ii a rule'that i I every one who w.;^ t.-,i for lum was against him. and refused to admit any j tuan to his s?>cietv vvh ? would not lirst j comet-?-hi t of his ow.i volition and say I lie believed him utterly innovent. As ; 111.-.t in"volv? 'I the nee?, ?sity of their look- j eng. up M f." . i:? r a * either j ?or hired or :r? .. f iv : persistently mistaken, no one felt called upon 1 ? <i.? it. Guilty or i innocent"? I.-- has lived th . lite of a ' Pariah ever sine-*' "1 ? tnt i t ? open cm* to. h im, ?od'?y.*' said <? ' ip?. . . j - - *. "but th?* moment 1 !>?..: ei !<>- .> :P; of hi, great kindness to our men l?? froze ai M? f as Mulligan's ear. What wa; the ir-se? . simply , couldn't thaw au i-iel -. What made ??i'!' so e?Feetive ia getting the f?"ost out of t_hc:n wa- his cap? -ny for absorbing it hit ? his own system." "Well, lier'4, gentlemen."said Buxton, ' impatiently, "we**? ' got to fae" this thing sooner or latur, and mae M > \\?ii ?i<> it .. now. I know t?ivinT and lb* ? him. an i d*?:i*| U-lieve he's the ki"'! of manto wilful?v wrong ano'her. 1 don't know Mr. flayne, and Mr. Mayne apparently don't want to know me. I think thal w here a maa has b; i convict? i '.?! uis honorable-disgraceful conduct and is cut by Iiis whole regiment it is our busi? ness to back the regiment, not thc man. Now the question is, where shall we draw the line in this case? It's none of our funeral, as Blake says, but ordinarily it would be our duty to call upon this ofiiccr. Shall we do k, now that he is in Coventry, or shall we leave him to his own devices?" "Til answer for myself, Buxton,"' said Blake, "and you can do as you please. Except that one thing, and tho not un? usual frivolties of a youngster that oc? curred previous to this trial, I understand that his character has been above re? proach. So far as I can learn, he is a far more reputable character than I am, and a better officer than most of us. Growl all you want to, comrades mine; 'it's a way wc have in the army," and I like it. So long as I include myself in these mal? odorous comparisons, you needn't swear. It is my conviction that the Riflers wouldn't Fay he was guilty today if they hadn't said so five years ago. It is my information that he has paid every cent of the damages, whether he caused them or not, and it is my intention to go and call upon Mr. Ilayne as soon as lie's set? tled. I don't propose to influence any man in his action; and excuse me, Bux? ton, I think you did." The captain looked wrathful. Blake was an oddity of whom he rather stood in awe, for there was no mistaking thc popularity and respect in which he was held in his own regiment. Tho -th was somewhat remarkable for being emphati? cally an "outspoken crowd," and for somc years, thanks to a leaven of strong and truthful men in whom this trait was pro? nounced and sustained, it had grown tc be the custom of all but a few of the offi? cers to discuss openly and fully all mat? tel's of regimental policy and utterly tc discountenance co vert action of any kind. Blake was thoroughly popular and gen? erally respected, despite a tendency tc rant and rattle on most occasions. Never? theless, there were signs of dissent as tc the line of action he proposed, though it were only for his own guidance. "And how do you suppose Rayner and the Riflers generally will regard your calling on their black sheep?" asked Bux? ton, after a pause. "I don't know," said Blake, more seri? ously, and with a tone of concern. "I like Rayner, and have found most of those fellows thorough gentlemen and good friends. Tin's will test the question thoroughly. I believe most of Hiern, ex? cept, of course. Rayner, would do the same \ve;e they in my place. At all events, I mean to see." "What aro you goin~ to do. Cregg?" asked "the mole," wheeling suddenly cn his brother troop commander. "I don't know," said Gregg, doubt? fully. "I think i'll ask the colonel." "What do you suppose he means to do?" "1 don't know again; but I'll bet we all know ns soon tm he make ; up his mind: and he is making up hrs mind now-or he's made it up, for then? goes Mr. ilayne. and here conics the orderly. Something's up already. Every head was turne1 to the door? way as the orderly's ste * v. is heard in tile cuter hail, and every -rice stilled to hear the message, it was so unusual for the commanding officer to send for one of his*subordinates after the morning meeting. The soldi' r tapped at the panel, and at the prompt "Come in" pushed it partly open and stood with one white gloved hand resting on the knob, the other raised io his cap visor in salute. "Lieut. Blake?" he asked, as he glanced i around. "What is i'.?** asked Blake, stepping quickly from tho window. "The commanding officer's cornpli- j ments, sir, and could he we thc lieuten- j ant one minute before tiie court meets?" j "Coming at once," said Blake, as he ? pushed his way through the chairs, and | the orderly faced about and disappeared. I "i'll bet it's al>out Hayne." was tht apparently unanimous sentiment as the ! cavalry party broke up and scattered for I line morning's duties. Some waited pur- ! pos.-ly to hear. The adjutant alone stood in the colo? nel's presence as Blake knocked and en- : tered. AU others had gone. There was a moment's hesitation, and the colonel paused and looked his man over before he spoke: "Voa will excuse my sending for you. Mr. Blake, when I tell you that it is a mailer that lias lo be decided at once. In this case you wili consider, too, that I want you to say yes or no exactly as you would to a comrade of your own grade. If you were asked to meet Mr. ilayne at any other house in the garri? son than miue, would you desire to ac? cept? You are aware of all the circum? stances, the adjutant tells me." "I am, sir, and have just announced my intention of calling upon him." "Theil will you dine with us this evening to meet Mr. Ilayne?" "I will do so with pleasure, sir." It could hardly have been an hour afterwards when Mr.- Rayner entered the library ia her cosey home and found Mi s Travers entertaining herself with a ?XX:k. "Have you written to Miss Van Ant? werp this morning?" she asked. "I thought that was what you came here tor." "I did mean lo, but Mrs. Waldron luis been lu re, and i was interrupted." "It is fully fifteen minutes aince sha left. Nellie, Y-r. might have written two or time pages already: and you know that nil manner of visitors wiil becoming in by noon.*' "1 was just thinking over something she told nu-. I"J1 write presently." "Mrs. Waldron is a woman who talks aljoui everything ami everybody. 1 ad? vise you to listen to her no more than ; you crin h< lp. What was it ?he told you?" Miss Travers smiled roguishly: "Why should you want to know. Kate, if you disapprove of her revelations?" "Oil." with visible annoyance, "it is to -I wanted l<> know so as to ?et you see that it was something unfounded, as usual." "SIie said she had just been told that the c??l<niel was going lo given dinner pal Iv this ev? nie.g to Mr. Hayna." "What:" "SSie- said -sh.-- had - just - been told-that--the -colonel-was going--- | to give a dinner pally-thia evening- j to Mr.-Kayne." " Who told her?" "Kate, I didn't re k." "Who are invited? None of f urs?" "Kate, 1 don't know." "Where dill she say she had heard it?" ( "She didn t say." Mrs. Ravner paused one moment, ir- ? resolute: "I>tdn't she tell yon anything j more nix ?ut it.-" "Nothing, sister mine. Why should ! you feel such a? hil? rot in what Mrs. Waldron says, if she's such a gossip?" j And Mi s Travers was evidently having j hard work to keep from laughing out- ! right. "You had 1>< it? r write your letter," j .>ai I her big sifter, and ll?Minced * uddeiily out . ? li:.- r.xiiii and up tho stairs. A moment lat? r she was at the parlor j d-?r with a wrap thrown <>\< r lier j should-rs. "If <a?.i. liayncr comes in. j tell liim 1 want particularly to seo him U i on> he j;.> s out again." "Yv h?*iv an* yon ?vine. Kate?" "Oh. just over to Mrs. Waldron's a j moment " Buy (cur be Cream Churns, Waler | 'O.>!.T.-?. Hummocks and Fh Fat-3 at E. E j it-au., rt Si Co. CHAPTER IV. Their hostess led kim to her 2>io.:\o. Facing the broad, bleak prairie, sepa? rated from it only by a rough, unpainted picket fence, and flanked by uncouth structures of pine, one of which was used as a storehouse for quartermaster's proj> orty. the other as the post trader's deposi? tory for skins and furs, there stood the frame cottage which Mr. Ilayne had chos? en as his home. As has l>een said, it was precisely like those built for the subal? tern officers, so far as material, plan and dimensions were concerned. The locali? ty made the vast difference which really existed. Theirs stood all in a row. front? ing the grassy level of the parade, sur? rounded by verandas, bordering on a weil kept gravel path and an equally well graded drive. Clear, sparkling water rippled in tiny acequias through the front yards of each, and so furnished the moisture needed for the life cf the various little shrubs and flowering plants. The surroundings were at least "socia? ble." and there was companionship and jollity, with an occasional tiff to keep things lively. The married officers, as a rule, had chosen their quarters farthest from the entrance gate and nearest those of the colonel commanding. The bache? lors, except the two or three who were old j in the service and had "rank" in lieu of I encumbrances, were all herded together j along the eastern end, a situation that ? had disadvantages as connected with du? ties which required the frequent pres? ence of the occupants at the court mar? tial rooms or at headquarters, and j that was correspondingly far distant j from the barracks of the soldiers, it ! had it3 recommendations in being con- j venient to tl ie card room and billiard j tables at "the store," and in embracing j within its limits one house which pos- j scssed mysterious interest in the eyes of j every woman and most of the men in the garrison: it was said to be haunted. A sorely perplexed lann was the post \ quartermaster when the rumen- came out ' from the railwaystation that Mr. Ilayne j had arrived and was coming to report j for duty. As a first lieutenant he would i have choice of quarters over every sec? ond lieutenant in the garrison. There , were ten of these young gentlemen, and four of the ten were married. Every '. set of quarters had ils occupants, and ? Ilayne could move in nowhere, unless as occupant of a room or two in the house ; of some comrade, without first compel- ; ling others to move out. This proceed- j mg would lead to vast discomfort, oe- j curring as it would in the dead of winter, ? and the youngsters were naturally per- j tui'bed in spirit-their wives especially so. What made the prospects infinitely j worse was the fact that the cavalry j bachelors were already living three in a house: the only spare rooms were in the j quarters of the second lieutenants of the infantry, and they wen- not on speaking ; terms wi:h Mr. Ilayne. Everything, therefore, pointed to the probability of j his ' displaein .:" a junior, who would in ' turn displace somebody else, and so they would go tumbling like a row of bricks j until thc lowest and List was reached. All tilts would involve no end ( f worry ; for the quartermaster, who even under ? the most favorable circumstances is sure to lie the least appreciate'* and most abused officer under 11 tc* commandant himself, and that worthy vas simply agasp with relief and joy wh< n he heard ' Mr. Elayne's astonishing announcement ! s that he would take the quarters out on j ? "Prairie avenue." ? It was tho talk of the <rarriso:T all that ? * ?av. The ladies, especially, liad a good i ' deal to 'ay, because many of the men ? ( seemed averse to expressing their views. 1 "Quite the proper thing for Mr. Ilayne : to do," was the apparent opinion of the j ?' majority of the young wives and moth- J ers. As a particularly kind and con- 1 siderate thing it was not remarked by 1 one of them, though that view of the ( case went not entirely unrepresented. 1 In choosing to live there Mr. Ilayne separated himself from companionship. ' That, said some of the commentators nien as well as women-he simply ac? cepted as the virtue of necessity, and so J there was nothing to commend in his i action. I>ut Mr. ilayne was said to pos- I sess an eye for the picturesque and lx-au- j tiful. If so. he deliberately condemned 1 himself to the daily contemplation of a M treeless barren, streaked in occasional j J shallows with dingv patches of snow, I ' ornamented only in spots by abandoned j 1 old hats, boots, or tin cans blown bo- 1 yond the jurisdiction of the garrison j f police parties. A line of telegraph poles \ ^ was all that intervened between his fence ! ' and the low lying hills of the eastern j horizon. j 1 Southeastward lay the distant roofs j < and the low, squat bail.lings of the fron- ' tier town; southward the shallow valley ' of the winding creek in which lay tho ? long line of stables for the cavalry and > thc great stacks of hay; while the row j 1 on which he chose to live-"Prairie ave? nue," as it was termed-was far worse at his end of it than at the other. Itcov- j 1 cred the whole eastern front. The big, j I brown hospital building stool at the j I northern end. Then came th" quarters i of the surgeon and his assistants, then : ; the snug home of the post trader, then < the "store" and its scattering appen- ' t dages, then the entrance gateway, then j j. a broad vacant space, through which the j * wind swept like a hurricane, then the : 1 little ?-banty of the trader's fur house i anil one or two hovel like structures t used hy the tailors and cobbler of the I adjacent infantry companies. Then j 1 came the cottage itself; south of it stood ' < the quartermaster's 6'oreroom, back of I which lay an extension lilied with ord- | n nanee stores, then other and similar j : shells devoted to commissary supplies ? the po t butcher shop, tho saddler's ? shoo, then i ?ig coal sheds, and then the t brow vf the bh.if. down which at a steep grade plunge?! the road to thc i j stables. It was as un pr?-possessing a 1 place for a home as ever was chosen by 1 a man of cd item iou or position; and Mr. i i Mavne was possessed of both. In garrison, despite the Hat parade, then' was a grand expanse of country to be seen stretching away towards the ; snow covered Rockies. There was life and the sense of iieighl.H>rlinoss to one's kind Out on Prairie avenue all was 8 wintry desolation, except when twice 1 each day tin* cavalry officers went plod- j ding by on their way to and from the I rt stables, muffled up in their fur caps and i coats.and hardly distinguishable from so ! I many hears, much less from one another. And yet Mr. Haynesmiled not unbap- n [div as Le glanced from his eastern win- 1 dow at this group of burly warriors tl afternoon succeeding his dinner at tl colonel's. Ile had been busy all day lor unpacking bo:ks, book shelves, son few pictures which he loved, and h simple, soldierly outfit of househol goods, and getting them into shape. II sule assistant was a Chinese servant, wi worked rapidly and well, and wi seemed in no wise dismayed by tl bleakness of their surroundings. If any? thing, he was disposed to grin and b dulgc in high pitched commentaries i "pidgin English" upon the unaccustomc amount of room. His master had l?ec restricted to two rooms and a kitche during the two years he had served hin Now they had a house to themselve and more rooms than they knew win to do with. The quartermaster ha sent a detail of men to put up the stove and move out the rubbish left by ti tailors; "Sam" had worked vigorousl with soft soap, hot water and a big mc in sprucing up the rooms: the adjutar had sent a little note during the mon ing, saying that the colonel would lx.'gla to order him any men he needed to pi the quarters in proper shape, and tl?: Capt. Rayner had expressed his read ness to send a detail from the compan to unload and unpack his box^s, ete., t which Mr. Ilayne replied in person th? he thanked the commanding officer fe his thoughtfulness, but tiiat he had ver little to unpack, and needed no assisi ance beyond that already afforded by th quartermasters men. Mr. Billings coul not help noting that he made no aliusio: to that part of the letter which sjx>ke o Capt. Rayner's offer. It increased hi respect for Mr. Ilayne's percept! v powers. While every officer of the infantry bat talion was ready to admit that Mr. Hayn had rendered valuable service to theme] of the cavalry regiment, they were no so unanimous in their opinion as to hov it should be acknowledged and requiter by its officers. No one was prepared fo the announcement that the colonel ha< asked him to dinner and that Blake an? Billings were to meet him. Some fev of their number thought it going too far but no one quite coincided with the ve liement declaration of Mrs. Rayner tba it was an outrage and an affront ahue< at the regiment in general and at Capt Rayner in particular. She was an oner getic woman when aroused, and then was no doubt of her being very mucl aroused as she sped from house to hous< to see what the other ladies thought o: it. Rayner's wealth and Mrs. Rayner'! qualities had made her an undoubtec though not always popular leader in al social matters in the Riflers. She wai xii authority, so to speak, and one wh< knew it. Already th re had been som? [X)ints on which she had differed will; ;he colonel's wife, and it was plain to all that it was a difiicult thing for her tc ionic down from being the authority the leader of the social element of a gar? rison - and from the position of second [>r third importance which she had been accorded when first assigned to tho sta? tion. There were many, indeed, who assert? ed that it was because she found her new position unbearable that she decided on lier long visit to the east, and departed thither before the Killers had i>eeu at War? rener-a. month. The colonel's wife had greeted her and her lovely sister with .harming graceon their arrival two days previous to the stirring event of the din? ner, and every one was looking forward to a probable series of pleasant entertain? ments hy the two households, even while ivondering how long the entente cordiale iv ou ld last-when the colonel's invitation :o Mr. Hay ne brought on an immediate crisis. It is safe to say that Mrs. Rayner was madder than the captain her hus? band, who hardly knew how to take it. [Ie was by no means the best liked oiTiccr in his regiment, nor the ".deepest** and /est informed, but he had a native shrewdness which helped him. He noted ?ven be fore his wife would speak of it to lim the gradual dying out of the bitter feeling that had once existed at ilayne's expense. He felt, though it hurt him ierioudy to make inquiries, that t he man whom lie had practically crushed anti ruined ia the long ago was slowly but surely gaining sirength, even where he would not make friends. Worse than hil, he was beginning to lou bi the evidence of his own senses ar he years receded, and unknown to any ;oul on earth, even his wife, there was growing up deep down in his heart a mawing, insidious, ever festering fear .hat after all. after all. he might have >3en mistaken. And yet on the sacred >ith cf a soldier and a gentleman, against :he most searching cross-ex a m i n;U ion. igain and again had ho most confidently md positively declared that he had both seen and heard the fatal interview on which the whole case hinged And as to the exact language employed, he alone t)f those wilina earshot had lived to tes ify for or against the accused: of the [ive soldiers who stood in that now cele bruted group, three were shot to death within the hour, ile was growing ner? vous, irritable, haggard: he w:is getting to hate the mere mention of the case The promotion of ? layne to his own com? pany thrilled him with an almost super >t it ions dismay. Were his words com? ing true? Was it the judgment of an >f*fended (h>d that ins hideous pride, o'o >tiuaev and old time hatred of this officer were now to be revenged by daily, hour? ly contact with the victim of his criminal persecution? Ile had grown morbidly sensitive to any remarks as to Hayne's having "lived down" the toils in which lie had been encircled. Might he not "live down" tlie ensnarer? ile dreaded to see him-though Rayner w;is no ;oward- and he feared ?lay by day to lear of his restoration to fellowship in ;he regiment, and yet would have given lia If his wealth to bring it about, could it but have been accomplished without thc dreadful admission. "1 was wrong. I was uttei ly wrong." He had grown lavish tn hospitality; he iad heeome almost aggrcssivelv open j landed to his comrades, and had sought j ;o press money ti pori men who in no wise tuvded it. lie w:is as eager to lend i is some are to borrow, and his brothel . )il?cers ??ubUnl him "Midas." not because everything he touched would turn to ?old. but because he would intrude his ;old upen them at every turn. There vere some who borrowed: and these he I struggled not to let repay lie seemed 0 have an in>aiie idea that if he could ?u! get his regimental friend? bound to i sim (nvumarily he could control their j >pinio!is and actions. It was making ! lim sick at heart, and it made him in j secret doubly vindictive and bitter ? 1 ga inst the man he had doomed lo years I ?f sutiering. This showed out that very j noni ing Mrs. Rayner had begun lo j alk, and lie turned liercely ii|K>n her: "Not a woi\l on that subject. Kate, if ,0:1 love me!-not even tho mention of I iis nanu?' 1 must have |>oacc in my own j rouse, lt is enough to have to talk of it j elsewhere.*' fTe BK CONTINUED ] ? Cleanable Refrigerators-Dumm & Belitzer. i New style Flower Pots-Durant & Belitzer. Gel E. E Uenibert ?te Co. to quote priers in I nytlung y ou need tn their line before buy-: ng eire? here. --mm^~ - - - Dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, distress I fter eating, ran be cured and prevented by nkinf? Dr..1. H McLean's Liver and Kidney ?illets (little piils.) vlap * No need to take those big cathartic pills; 1 int; of Dr. J. H. McLean's hiver and Kidney I 'diets is quite sufficient and more agreeable. ' J. R???EIH k ? AND STOCK. PROFUSE WITH NOVELTIES, GREAT JJV AS?SRTMEVI1, And Unapproachable in Price. We have the Goods. We have the Quantity. We have the Quality, We have the Variety, All the Leading; and Representative Styles for Spring and Summer, Our Aim-To keep the Best. Our Principle-Fair Dealing. Our Ambition-To please our trade. Our Price-The Lowest. OUR DRESS GOODS AND TRIMMING DEPARTMENT. This department is a very striking feature of our stock. We have desired to make our season's display of Dress Goods a notable one and if the large variety of fabrics, unlimited choice in patterns, dainty designs and fine finish can make a display notable, then ours must easily bear off the palm. But our goods, it will be found, not only appeal to the eye, and to-the good taste of buyers, but also to their good judgment. For we havejaid special stress upon quality in our purchases. As to Price, we invite comparisons ia this and all other de? partments In White Goods and Wash Fabrics the seasons patterns are very attractive, and we are showing a line of these goods in every way representative of all that is novel in style or pattern. An immense line of Laces, Embroideries, Hosiery, Gloves, Kneitings and Handkerchiefs, Parasols and Fans. We give buyers a wide range of choice and of price. In our Domestic Department we shall win the praise of skill? ful housekeepers and experienced buyers by a very extra line of goods which are veritable bargains. CLOTHING, UATS AND FURNISHING DEPARTMENTS. 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