Pittston Gazette

              K»tabli*hfHt 185A. t rOL. XLVIII No. UK I Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. \ *1 OO a Year in A«1 vaui e. winte—linu the better of it. in point ot logic; it depends upon the point of view. ; that was why Mr. Maynard, although he was now almost able to take the ■ Held, did not do so, bat having secured i bin sister's homeward bound ticket had planned to escort her .to the station 011 the following day despite Mrs. Turner's plea that she wait just a few days longer until the troops came home, and Mrs. Turner needed friends and allies now, for war bad been declared by Mrs. Gregg. "Somebody," said Mrs. Turner, "has been mean enough to tell her something." "4V ARMY Qj by her excited visitor Nathalie stole, sobbing, from the room. When Mrs. Turner would have questioned her, the girl was gone. remarked that she had always supposed Mrs. Turner was older than Mrs. Gregg, which stopped the flow of Mrs. Turner's tears and turned on a flood of rebuke, which Miss Maynard interrupted by saying, "You are surely as old as I ani, Mrs. Turner; if not you must have been married before yon were 12." Miss Maynard, it lie remembered, was herself eugaued to be parried in the war days and could not be fooled 011 chronology. Warner, bad inspected the wagon tracks and footprints, had culled on Mesdames Gregg and Freeman, had heard Hogun's statement, had questioned Mr. Maynurd about the burly "tough" whom he hud unseated and rumbled the day in town and had finally on the second morning after the robberies been closeted with the local chief of police. What happened in that conversation can best be judged by what followed. Leaving him at the office, (,'uptuin Walters stumped down the line, knocked at Mrs. Turner's door and disturbed that innocent matron at breakfast, but begged a few words none the less. Then he tramped back and asked for Miss Maynard at Stannard's door, and both Maynard and his sister came forth, and with some embarrassment the captain managed to say it was Miss Maynard with whom he desired a word in private. It was a white, scared facewkh which she confronted her brother when the brief interview was over, but vouchsafing no explanation she ran hurriedly up the stairs. est creature I ever had about the bouse despite her apparent weight. Thank you evtr so much, Mrs. Stuunard. I suppose tbere is uo use in our writing to our respective majors again. They reach Laramie today, do they uot, Mr. Maynard?" No woudor she asked herself as Maynard limped away how it was possible a raw. inexperienced subaltern could discover anything when the police officials had done their best aud failed. I They had searched and ransacked every 1 doubtful resort, every suspected house, shop or saloon in town, and not a vestige had been found of the stolen property, nor a trace of the perpetrators beyond the wagon tracks, lost all too soou in the general rut of traffic in the busy frontier town. \ Slowly the chief arose aud striding forward once more essayed to speak, but the old colonel, waving him back us he turned impatiently away, said: "I'll listen to no more. I've said my sav." And this the interpreter did uot have to explain. But Yellow Wolf was not lightly to be shaken off. "It is too late tonight," he pleaded. "See, the sun has dipped below the mountains. The night draws over the earth. " It was as though he was spreading a blanket over the prairie sod. "We are poor. We have no lights. Tomorrow— tomorrow when the sun is one hour high we will come forth with onr guns and horses—all we have—and lay them at the feet of the great father. Let me go back and bid our women cease their grumbling, our children hush their cries, for the white chief promises that bis soldiers shall not harm them this night. Yellow Wolf and his warriors will go where the white chief may say. We will fight no more. " Even in the excitement aud shock consequent upon the discovery of her own losses Mrs. Barry had noticed Nathalie's extreme agitation and her escape from the room. When, therefore, Mrs. Turner's eyes dilated with eager curiosity and she began rapid queries as to the cause of Nathalie's sudden exit, the lady was quite prepared to parry. 'Nathalie has only been able to leave ber bed within the last two days, Mrs. Turner. You know she's been wretchedly ill, and she is still so weak and nervous that Bridget's sudden and exciting Announcement shocked her greatly." "1 think so," was theanswer. "Isn't tbere a map of Nebraska in the major's den? I can show you just how they are marching in. The doctor and 1 Mgured it out on his map this morning bijfore— before we heard of this." And again he glanced at Nathalie's bowed head. But Miss Maynard was to have started on Thursday, and all preparations I had been made, but when Thursday morning came there were dismay and consternation on every face along officers' row. Three sets of quarters bad been robbed some time between midnight and reveille, and there was not a | clew to the perpetrators. Take it altogether, Fanny Turner had been having hard lines for a w hole week. She was really glad to hear Miss Maynard was going home. There had sprung up a coolness, due partially to the difference as to their respective ages, but duo even more to tbe consciousness thut between them uuother deep wrong hud been done in tbat garrison, and each wished to lay the blame upon the other, even while conscience dinned "Thou art the woman" into her own unwilling ears. It was but a short distance to the adjutant's office, and there Maynard found Captain Walters pacing impatiently the floor of the long room in the old headquarters buildftig. He turned sharply as'the young officer's halting step was heard and spoke impetuously: "It's hanging there on the east wall, between the windows," said Mrs. Barry, and rising and stepping quickly across the hall Maynard entered the narrow apartment in the "lean to" which Barry used as his study, office, library and general loafing place. It opened into Mrs. Barry's bedroom, as did also the little hall. A pair of heavy Navajo blankets hung in the connecting doorway, the floor was covered with a thick carpe- ' *•; were several thicknesses 01 newspaper—the universal expedient of the old frontier days for keeping out the Wyoming gales. The windows still wore their winter battens of cotton, aud the narrow d' n was as snug and secure from drafts as any house at Russell could be made, and yet something had occurred to disturb those Navajo curtains within five seconds, for one of them was swinging back as though it had just been blown in by a puff of wind. Maynard looked at it in some surprise, but the heavy folds quickly settled to rest. He did not consider it his province to search for the cause in Mrs. Barry's room. The rear window might be open, or the kitchen door which stood beyond the arched entrance to the dining room. Lifting the map from its hook, he turned to retrace his steps, and right at the foot of the stairs met Nathalie. With bowed head and averted eyes she brushed by him and hastened □p to her room. fepyrj^d, red men and knew their tricks and their mannera "Next thing yon know he'll stipulate for a peace smoka Can't talk until after smoke, and he'll smoke half an hoar before he'll say a word." Stanuard glared disgustedly around at the silent officers, as much as to say: "Yon know this as well as I do, gentlemen. Why don't yon warn the colonel? Why didn't you do it?" Bnt they were silent or tnrned away in visible embarrassment. Some of them had warned the colonel and even argned with him. The old fellow looked vexed and badgered in good earnest now. He seemed to have known Stannard many a year, as was indeed the case, and so would listen to far more from him than he would from his own people. CHAPTER XI. "The poor child!" cried Mrs. Turner. "Do let me go up to her and see if 1 cannot do something for her." A week rolled by, uneventful enough at Russell, but full of mischief in the leld. Hemmed in among the sand bills aud feeling the toils closing about him with fatal pressure by the second day, Yellow Wolf had had recourse to diplomacy—and the aborigine is a past master of the art, a man to whom Metternich and Talleyrand might have bowed in envious contemplation. "Mr. Maynard, I'm told you have had some knowledge of this man they call Boston besides the affair in town the day you tumbled him off your horse." Opportunities for theft in garrison are or were illimitable. People never thought of bolting their doors by day, and, as to money, silverware, jewelry and the like, women who possessed sach property rarely placed it under lock and key. Once in a long while some servant was caught peculating and was escorted beyond the limits of the military reservation and forbidden to return. But never before in the history nf tne cavalry had the officers' quarters ueen entered Dy protessionai Durgiars, aud there was no question that professionals only oould have done the deed with the neatness and dispatch evident in this case. CHAPTER XII, "Better not," answered Mrs. Barry. 'I've found Nathalie always more rap- Idly recovers when left to herself. You 3an do something for me, though," she aurried on, anxious to silenoe further questioning aud to rid herself of au importunate guest who wa* very much in the way. "Will you ask Captain Walters to come to see me this morning aud Mrs. btannard to join me as soon as she In leading Nathalie Baird to believe that Maynard was virtually bound to Gertrude Bonner, Grace Maynard felt few qualms of conscience. She was a religious woman. She believed herself to be a model of truth and propriety and justice. She had persuaded herself that in course of time Ronald's eyes would be open to Gertrude's rural graces and domestic virtues and that then he would see his duty clear and propose marriage forthwith. She had always intended that they should marry, and, that being her intention, she had readily persuaded herself that it was also theirs; if not, it ought to be. Gertrude certainly would think of no other man. Poor child, she had never seen anything of the world outside of her native county, and Ronald was to her the most delectable young man she aver dreamed of, but Ronald had seen many and many a girl far prettier and brighter, more attractive in every way than Gertrude, VikI his liking for her was due to that least complimentary of ientiments. where woman is concerned —old Acquaintance's sake. This he had flatly told his sister when it was settled that she should return to her distant home and resume the care of their invalid father, and still her heart was set and determined. She had told Nathalie Baird in so many words that her brother was engaged to or in love with Gertrude Bonner, and she believed that in maintaining this statement and using every meaiis in her power to bring that match about and wean her brother from the fascinations of this pink cheeked New England girl she was doing a praiseworthy and proper thiug. Maynard on entering had instiuctive; ly assumed the position of a soldier and stood there in the presence of the temporary post commander erect aud holding bis cane and forage cap in his hand. The instant the captain began to speak the faint color faded from Maynard'9 face. In a moment be was pale as , death. Looking straight at bis commander, he uttered not a word. This, too, was promptly interpreted, and the oolonel wavered. He looked to Captain Lee, his trusted adviser, and Lee shook his head. "It's taking chances," said he. The colonel glanced about the circle of grave faces in the gathering twilight. The little cook fires on the slopes burned redder. Some faces were doubtful, some appealing. At least it meant no attack on a desperate hand in a strong position. At least it meant that there would be no ghastly list of killed and wounded to send by courier to the station. This seemed to weigh with the old soldier, so heavy had been the losses of the troops within the two years gone by, and at last he whirled about. Then the captain rang at Barry's and was shown into the pretty purlor where Mrs. Barry reclined, with Mrs. Stannard and Miss Baird hovering about her, and here his embarrassment became something painful. He answered their polite greetings in most awkward fashion and refused the chair that was tendered him. At last he blurted forth what be had to say, aud almost at his first words Mrs. Stannard threw her arm around Nathalie's waist and drew her tight to her side. Sending a squaw to the nearest picket post of the enemy, which happened to be on the north side, the Indian chief asked for a talk, aud later that day, in solemn dignity and all the panoply of war paint and feathers, be appeared with a retinue of sububiefs, and, gravely dismounting in the circle of officers and soldiers drawn up to meet him, be strode forward, erect and proud and powerful still, a splendid specimen of the plains bred warrior, then baited in front of the commanding officer, as though bidding bim step forward and come the rest of the way. Atherton was not there. He, with bis two battalions, Barry and Stannard, was carefully, closely watching the Indian position from the south and east. It might all only be a trick, a blind, under cover of which the wily chief would attempt to run off his village through the mazes of the sand hills and, favored by the rapidly descending wings of night, slip away around the right flank of the cavalry and infantry from the White River agencies and be off aud away to join the northern Cheyennes. If he oould make his quarrel theirs, with their nnited warriors they could laugh at the combined forces in the field. Dan?" "Why, of course, Mrs. Barry—anyhing you wish. But I haven't begun to ;ell you about the robbery yet. Just hiuk of it! All Mrs. Gregg's silver ia ;one as well as all her lovely rings and ;liingB. It seems like a judgment cm her 'or being so careless. I'm sure Captain Jregg has warned her a dozen times lot to leave her valuables about. Don't fou tbiuk so?" "Why don't you answer?" snapped Walters, glancing irritably at the subaltern. "I've had enough worry over this matter to drive a man distracted. Either you have or you haven't. Now which is it?" All the time this excited talk was going on some little distance to one side tbe baker's dozen of Indians were squatted on the ground busily plying fingers and spoons, only occasionally casting furtive glances at the group. Around them, in bigger, broader semicircle, nearly 800 troops—infantry and cavalry—stood resting on their arms, watching tbe scene and occasionally indulging in rough frontier chat and chaff. But the interpreter knew Stannard of old, marked every word that be said, and in a low tone warned his chief, who glanced at Stannard's sturdy figure and snapping eyes with no little concern in his face, then helped himself to more of tbe bacon. Yet what was there to prevent it? The garrison proper was far afield. Gne attenuated company of infantry was all that was left to do duty at Russell. Only two sentries were posted on each telief. Seven privates constituted the daily gnard, and even then the men were growling because they "only had three and sometimes two nights abed." One of these sentries was stationed at the guardhouse, where quite a number of prisoners were confined. The other paced the long east front of the post, trying to keep an eye on the coal piles, the ordnance, quartermaster's and commissary storehouses, the post generally, .which he couldn't see, and the front gate. All the north side of the post back of the hospital and surgeon's quarters and all the northwest and southwest aides of the lozenge shaped inclosure lay open to marauders, for there were not two back gates along officers' row that would readily close or that, being closed, could not readily be forced. It was perfectly practicable for any parties intent on pillage to drive out from town and, keeping well away over the level prairie, to make a wide circuit and approach the post from the north or northwest. They could then be beyond eight or bearing of any sentry, could run their wagons back of the quarters to be entered, load up with their booty and be off again with no fear of capture and little of interruption. Even should some of the women or childreu be aroused there were not five bouses where menservants or "strikers" slept, and they knew, did these shrewd professionals, how to manage suddenly awakened women. "Mrs. Barry, I have a most painful duty to perform, but I cannot shirk it. The police have positive proof of what they say, aud they tell me that there is one person here at the post who not only can tell who the robbers are, but where they are, aud that is—this unfortunate young lady—Miss—a—Miss Baird." And still for another moment there was silence, and then Maynard spoke. "Tbat it was a judgment on her, Mrs. Turner? Well, if upon her why not upan me?" j "You don't know? Why, that's rot, Mr. Maynard! You must know whether | you have ever encountered that man be- I fore. Men of his strength and size are ! not easily mistaken." "I do not know, sir." "Oh, but you didn't lose half what she did ! Besides, you're very different. W hat did they take from you? Not those heavenly sapphires, I'm glad to see." And Mrs. Turner's pretty, empty head was twisting in every direction in her eagerness to appraise the loss. CHAPTER XIII. Again a pause before the answer came: "And yet, captain, I cannot say. I am telling you just as I would have to answer before a court. The only time I ever saw his face was that day in town —the day he headed the gang that took oar horses." The east bound train that day left without one of its promised passengers —Miss Maynard. She was needed, said the civil authorities, as a possible witness in the robbery case. Wild, stirring, marvelous was the rumor that went from house to house before 11 o'clock that Mrs. Barry's companion and protegee, the lovely New England girl, had been accused by the police of guilty knowledge of, if not complicity in, the burglaries and that, though not arrested and taken to town, she was under surveillance and confined to the house. One man when he heard it boiled over with wrath and misery. That was Ronald Maynard. Scorning his sister's arguments and entreaties, he had limped across the piazza, rung at the Barrys' door and begged to be admitted. He found Mrs. Stannard tearful, but calm and collected, Mrs. Barry reclining on her couch, her white bands gently toying with the glossy, wavy blond masses of hair that rippled all down over poor Nathalie's back and shoulders as she knelt there, her face buried in Mrs. Barry's bosom, abandoned to her grief. She did not even hear or heed the bell, did not know who had come or that any one had come, until she heard these words: "She was so agitated and distressed/ Mr. Maynard," explained his hostess, as the young fellow returned to the par-| lor, " that I had to let her go to bathe I Her face. Shell De down again before long." "No, not my rings, but a basket of diver that we valued for old times' «ke and some loose trinkets from the bureau. I fear it's gone for good," said the ' kind hearted woman, with a sigh, "yet hnw much greater is Mra Gregg's loss! I'm so sorry for her!" Just as Stannard prophesied, more than an hour was taken up by the feast. By that time every scrap was eaten, and Yellow Wolf bade his interpreter petition for more, and again be began, " We are poor and hungry," and pleaded for renewed supplies, but this time the colonel bade the infautry captain speak for him, and speak he did in no uncertain tone. Not another mouthful u£Dtil the talk was over, then they'd see about it. Another conference followed between Wolf and bis interpreter, conducted with vast gesticulation, for, like tbe Arapahoe, the Cheyenne language is one so guttural and uncouth that it is said two Indians of the same tribe cannot understand each other in the dark. They must have recourse to gestures. The commanding officer sharply turned and struck the bell on bis table, and almost instantly a young lieutenant of infantry appeared at the room. It was Warner, the temporary adjutant of the post. But thiB proved delusive. Mrs. Stanuard remained a few moments to look over the map while Maynard pointed out where the battalion had been engaged with the Cheyennes, the line of flight of tjie latter to the northern agencies and the probable homeward course of the regiment, and then she took her departure. "Oh, so am 1, and not a man here of our regiment to help in any way except Mr. Mayuard, and he's half invalid yet md a mere boy!" Disparagement of Maynard in Mrs. Turner's liquid drawl bad followed speedily upon hia defection. Finally, finding that Nathalie wouldn't come down so long as site remained and that Mrs. Barry would not ancourage her to go up, Mrs. "Turner hastened away in hopes of breaking the uews elsewhere. She looked wistfully into Mrs. Gregg's open doorway as she Hastened down the row and longed to snter and to ascertain what was really the extent of her loss and whether she bad heard anybody and had any suspicions. One of lady visitors was at the door at the moment, chatting with Mr. Maynard, who, leaning on a stout cane and looking rather white and solemn, had evidently juBt some out from a conference. To him Mrs. Turner bowed ooquettisbly and Save a forgiving glance at the girl, but the latter returned only an embarrassed uod and did not speak. Everybody knew that there had been a dreadful row between the ladies withhi the week gone by. They had met at the Raymonds', where Mrs. Gregg flushed angrily at tight of her former friend and rival and refused the outstretched band. Mrs. Turner had demanded, with a world of injured innocence in her tones, instant explanation of such unsisterly, not to *»y rude and unjustifiable, conduct, *nd, nothing loath, Mrs. Gregg gave it to her. She bad heard from exoellent tuthority that Mrs. Turner had satft that sbe ( Mrs. Gregg) was living most extravagantly and far beyond her husband's means; that all manner of tradesmen were bombarding her with bills, bills, bills, and nothing but Colonel Atbertou's interposition had saved her husband, Captain Gregg, from being ordered before a court for nonpayment of debts that Mrs. Gregg bad contracted. But oat there on the rolling slopes to tbe north, with the broad valley-of the Niobrara stretching miles away toward the horizon, tbe scene was picturesque and even barbaric. Dismounted from their gayly caparisoned ponies, Yellow Wolf and his principal warriors, fearless and bearing themselves even now «• conquerors, towered in a feathered, painted, brilliant group, the center of a somber ring of soldiery. The chief himself stood a few paoes advanced from his followers, and his glance, haughty and almost defiant, was fixed on tbe gray haired, mottle faced officer whom long years of rather inconspicuous service had lifted to the command. Tbe oolonel knew little of Indians or of Indian character. Fate bad found him at tbe agencies when the order was telegraphed to "hustle out" every available officer and man and bead off those southern Cheyennes. He was surrounded by bis subordinates, most of whom had spent long years among tbe Indians and were far better calculated to deal with them, and to one of these, a keen featured captain of infantry, be turned and whispered."Mr. Warner, bring Mr. Cook in here," said Walters sharply, "and you uome too." i/r, v$T "We arc pour and hungry. We have no The lieutenant beckoned to some one who was evidently in readiness for the summons. A powerfully built, gray eyed, impassive sort of man in a loose fitting business suit appeared at the doorway and silently awaited the captain's words. But, on the contrary, she was tormented by the thought that in speaking of Nathalie to her brother she had asserted that which she did not know and did not believe to be a fact—that the ruffianly stranger who had given them all so much trouble before finally vanishing was actually Nathalie Baird's lover. She strove to stifle the still, small voice by saying to herself that Mrs. Turner believed as she did, but Mrs. Tnrner did not believe it or think of it until Miss Maynard told her of the mysterious meetings on the prairie and down at the end of the row and of Maloney's clamorous call at reveille. Mary, the maid, presently came in with tea and was told to take it up to Miss Baird, which she did, and on her return was asked if Bridget was up stairs as had been reported, and Mary, with a puzzled face, said, "No; neither was she in her own room back of the kitchen." But a minute later, after the maid had retired, Bridget's voice was heard in the kitchen, and speedily she herself approached the parlor door, but stood respectfully and modestly back in the dining room and inquired with great deference of manner was Mrs. Barry needing anything? tobacco." "All right. So be it," be said. "Tomorrow, then, wben tbe ran is one hoar high—all arms and ponies. Meantime, Yellow Wolf, yon and yonr people are to stay just where yon are.'' "I've called yon in here, Mr. Cook, and you, Mr. Warner, to hear what explanation this officer can give of the matter that has been brought to my eara You persist in saying, Mr. Maynard, that you never saw this fellow Boston except that day in town?" And then, just as Stannard said, the wily old fencer for time came up with a proposition for a smoke. No conference could be held withont one. But again: "We are poor and hungry. We have no tobacco." "Will the great chief give us food for our people?" a?ked the interpreter in accents that were almost Hibernian in their flattery. Tbe colonel hesitated. He was a merciful man, but Lee spoke promptly. "Tell him they shall have abundance—a feast for all hands tomorrow morning, colonel, but not a morsel tonight They're not suffering—any of them." "I have never made that statement, captain," answered Maynard, flushing painfully now, for the position inwhioh he was placed was awkward enough without any misrepresentation of bis words. At a nod from the captain Mr. Warner and the stranger had taken chairs, but Maynard, the invalid, was still kept standing attention. Warner was several years his senior, but the young fellow had "taken to him," as the army expression went, from the day Warner first called to see him as he lay fretting at the Stannards. Even now the Matter could not resist the impulse that prompted him to look to Warner for strength and sympathy, and the brown eyes answered the mute appeal and said, if ever eyes could speak: "Standfast. I'm with you." They had their pipes, however, and these were speedily filled, lighted, and with deep guttural "Ughs!" and sighs of contentment the squatting warriors drew deep clouds of the fragrant vapor into tbe lungs apparently and exhaled tbe smoke in long blue jets. Yellow Wolf insisting on a far greater ceremony and passing bis beautifully ornamented pipe from lip to lip of those nearest bim. Half an hour was consumed in this way, and the sun was growing redder and sinking lower, and the old oolonel was waxing wroth and fidgeting here and there, and then, and not till then, wben the great orb was barely half an hour high, did Yellow Wolf motion the throng to fail back and give bim room, and not until the soldiers returned to their places and the warriors iquatted at a respectful distance from1 their chief and the colonel and his oftl-( sera took their stand faoing the Indian I leader did that savage dignitary advance' • step or two and begin. He dropped bis blanket from his shoulders with a superb gesture, and then, clad only in breech clopt, moocasins, paint and barbario necklace, armlets, leglets and magnificent war bonnet of eagles' feathers, proudly swaying both arms in the wild grace of his savage oratory, Yellow Wolf began. Every 40 or 50 words be would pause, and the interpreter would do his best. fiut bow did they know just what bouses to rob and jnst where to find tbe valuables in each case? Tbe tracks showed that a two horse wagon had been used and that two men besides the driver were engaged in tbe work. Everybody in town was aware of the fact that tbe well to do or fairly wealthy officers at Russell were Colonel Atherton, Major Barry, Captains Freeman, Gregg, Truscott and Ray, the latter having married an heiress. But the marauders uever disturbed tbe colonel's bouse. All tbe silver had gone to tbe bank in town and her ladyship to Chicago, and there, besides, Mrs. Atherton's coachman and two other servants slept, and, furthermore, the band quarters were but a short pistol shot away. "Not now, Bridget," was the an swer. "I needed yon a few moments ago to make some tea for Miss Baird." These had Mrs. Turner lost no time in peddling about the garrison, so that poor Nathalie, with her big, pleading dyes and patbetio, white face, was just beginning to move around again after ber illness only to find herself shunned by more than half the women at Russell. Sbe bad almost determined to ask that Mrs. Stannard should advocate her being sent home when the burglary took plaoe and drove ber almost frantic with fear and grief and shame back to ber room again. "Mrs. Stannard—Mrs. Barry—I've beard this most cruel accusation, and I've come to say I don't believe a word of it, and I won't rest until I've got at the truth." And at this, without another word, with slow, cumbrous dignity. Yellow Wolf mounted, and, followed by his subcbiefs, rode slowly and solemnly away. Long before they bad reached the little butte from whose shelter they had emerged more than two hours before, only as dim, shadowy, specterlike forms did they appear against the southward slopes of tbe rolling earth waves. "I'm so sorry, mum," said the invisible domestio. "I bad just stepped over to Mrs. Gregg's a moment after coming in to see if anything was wanted. Isn't there something I can do now, ma'am?" The servant after admitting him still' ■tood at the parlor door, looking doubtfully after the young offioer and glano- Ing inquiringly at Mrs. stannard as though to ask if she had done right or wrong. Mrs. Barry, without turning or disturbing Nathalie, held out her thin white hand, a smile of welcome and pleasure on ber face, and as Maynard stepped forward and eagerly clasped the proffered band he bowed low over it and over the beautiful, rippling tresses of the girl's humbled head. His eyes, olonded with distress and sympathy, gazed one moment into those of the invalid and then sought the kneeling form. No woman that ever lived, unbereft of the faculties God has given her, oould have failed to read the infinite yearning in the brave young face, the love and tenderness and longing that shone in his fine, truthful eyes. Mrs. Barry read and saw unerringly, and her heart went out to braD as she'drew the sobbing girl closer to her side. Nathalie, too, seemed conscious of his nearer presence. Sbe was striving to check the violence of her emotion and had instinctively moved a little, though to make room for him or possibly to draw a trifle away. His knee was almost at her shoulder. "What's the old rip waiting for?" "Noth4ng, thank you, Bridget, unless you'll step up to Miss Baird and see if you cannot suggest something to coax her appetite." Whereupon Bridget's footsteps were heard passing through the bedroom into the hall and so on up the stairs, the goddess of the kitchen thereby coyly defeating the possibility ot being seen in the garb of her servitude as well as avoiding the parlor as a thoroughfare—not so easy a matter to teach to frontier "help." "Yon must step forward—meet him balf way—shake bauds," was the whispered answer. Rather sheepishly, a marked contcast to the savage chief in bearing and demeanor, the colonel, with his thnmbs stock in his waist belt, lounged forward and, assuming an affable grin, stopped when he 11 eared Yellow Wolf and, slowly withdrawing the right hand from bis belt, shifted his quid of tobaoco to the other cheek, blnsbed as though be knew be were making a mess of it and held forth his hand. That night Atherton was ordered to extend his lines as far to tbe west as possible and have patrols scouring the oouiitry west of the Indian position, while the cavalry from the north threw out similar parties from its right flank. But long before 10 o'clock word came in that the couutry was all cut up by deep ravines or gulches, with precipitous sides. It was dark and moonless. They couldn't communicate. Venturesome troopers, who dismounted and slid into those apparently bottomless depths, reported that the opposite wall was just as steep. Even if they got down into them there was no getting out on the opposite side, and no telling how many more there were just like them. There she was two days later kneeling by ber little white bed, deaf to Walters slowly lowered himself into his chair, glaring the while impressively at the troubled face of the young soldier. It had again turned white. They steered clear of Truscott's, where Baby Jack was teething and keeping his anxious and devoted mother awake long hours each night and where by her lied side hang a crafty little Smith & Wesson she knew well bow to use. They steered clear of her devoted friends and next door neighbors, the Kays, for there slept a doughty ex-trooper, Hogan by name, now their coachman and mau of all work, in his little arsenal of a room back of the kitchen. Bnt they had dared to enter, throngb a rear window apparently, the qujyters of Major Barry, where a night light burned dimly all through the hours of darkness, and bad carried away the basket of household silver secreted under Mrs. Barry's bed and the jewelry from ber toilet stand. They must have looked with covetous eyes on the beautiful rings that adorned ber slender fingers, but thought best not to attempt that—or did they even dare make that essay? Mrs. Barry wan aroused from unusually deep slumber by the sensation that some one had lifted her band from the counterpane, found herself in darkness, her night lamp smoking as thongh recently extinguished, beard the bourds creaking in the parlor or ball and bad asked, "Is that yon, Nathalie?" and receiving no response believed it all imagination, and, wondering what made her so drowsy, bad slept heavily until aroused by the servant in the morning with the startling announcement that the silver and ber jewelry were gone. Then Nathalie came rushing down the stairs wide eyed and deathly white, had glanced almost in horror at the empty basket which the cook had bronght in from the back yard and had then thrown herself upon her knees at the foot of the bed and burst into an agony of tears. "A most excellent, faithful oreature," said Mrs. Barry to her visitor, 'and so good tempered! She's worth six of her predecessors." "Why, Mr. Maynard, not three minutes ago you said right here you never saw him exoept that day in town"— Wolf glanced first at the extended band and then at the soldier's perturbed face, something almost contemptuous •hooting across his own swarthy features. Then slowly raising his right hand be as coolly brought the fingers of the left close to the finger tips of the other and began in excellent pantomime the motion of pulling off a glove and casting it aside. The whole action was significant. Turning redder yet, the colonel hastily jerked his gauntlet from his knotty digits and again held forth bis hand. This time the warrior condescended. Striding forward, erect and dignified as ever, bo seized the colonel's paw and gave it a wrench that made the veteran wince, whereat some of the younger Indians nearly laughed aloud and there was an audible titter among the acldiers. This formality conclnded the colonel proceeded to shake hands with each of the warriors in the suit of Yellow Wolf, saying, as be bad heard brother officers greet the Ogalalla braves at the fort, "How, Colah?". which wasn't Cheyenne at all, but Sioux, or a colloquial modification thereof. However, it seemed to pass muster among the visitoft, with whom certain others of the officers shook hands and exchanged cordial greetings. Tbey were old acquaintances."I hope she will prevail on Miss Baird to eat 6C#nething," said Maynard anxiously. "She seems to have been so ill for days and weeks." "Pardon me, captain. I said the only time I ever saw his face was that day in town." Fanny Turner was promptly, properly and virtuously indignant in ber denial jf the story. Never bad tibe said to a living soul what she was represented aa baving said. Sbe bad never presumed to criticise Mrs. Gregg. All abe said was that sbe beard tbat Mrs. Gregg's means were greatly straitened since ,the failure of their bank, and sbe wondered people should be so inconsiderate is to send in tbeir bills at sacb a time, wben, if tbey would only wait, Captain Glregg would see tbat tbey were all set:led. Everybody knew be was as bonest is be could be, and all sbe ever said ibout court martial was tbat tbere bad been cages wbere officers were brought to trial for not paying their bills, and jlDe knew bow dreadfully Mrs. Gregg would feel, etc. It was all very glib and plausible, and the moistened eyes and flushed cheeks of the fair speaker might have pleaded for her, too, but unluckily ihe and Mrs. Gregg bad had tbeir little lay of devoted intimacy and unbounded sonlidences in the past. Mrs. Gregg l:new bow she could talk, had beard troni one oT ber lady friends of Mrs. Turner's theories and statements regarding the receipted bills, and bad been referred to others who also bad heard, whereat, bristling witli indignation, Mrs. Gregg investigated and dragged the truth to light. Over the scene of upbraiding, denials, recriminations and counter accretions that occurred at Mrs. Raymond's that afternoon let us iraw a veil. All poor Turner's forebodings were amply justified. Tbe ladies parted with the determination of never speaking to each other again, and, what really was serious, Mrs. Gregg wrote a long, long letter to ber husband, setting forth all tbe hateful, abominable Things Fanny Turner bad said, and, just *s Turner had predicted, another old comrade and friend with whom be had jampaigned all over the country, marched and scouted, skirmished and starved, shared his last drop or crust or blanket many and many a time, now coldly avoided him, and Turner's sad, sallow face grew sadder still as the two battalions came jogging homeward. Tbere wag no need to ask what was the matter, no use in trying to explain or condone. "It is all my fault," was the burden of his song. "1 should have corrected that tendency long years ago. It is too late now. " "Then you admit having seen his form if not his face—admit having seen him all the same." "Poor child, yes," was the answer, "and she has had enough to drive a girl iistractedl Of course, Mr. Maynard, you must have heard something of her singular adventures of late." "No, sir, I do not even admit that. Once or twice I saw a form that resembled his very strongly. That's all I can say." "Long years ago," said Wolf, "this beantifnl land teemed with buffalo, elk and deer, and their fathers led them (the Indians) to the chase. The white man was unknown. Their young men were brave, their maideus pure and beantifnl, their people strong and prosperous, and happy. Their foeaitn trembled before them and fled at their coming. They were lords of #ie soil and knew no master bnt the Great Spirit. Then came the white man, tempting them with gifts, drugging them with fire water, stealing away their maidens, slaying their young men. We could have slayed the despoiler, but we would not, for we bad welcomed the white man and loved him as a brother. Then oame lying paper chiefs—not warriors —who told us to sign papers and we would have cattle and horse9, wagons and meat and flour and coffee and sugar like the white man, and then they told ns we bad sold our lands and must go. Go where? They led us far away from the wild hills and haunts of our fathers. They drove us down among the buffalo soldiers—the negro Indians—the no warrior nations of the south, where onr young men sickened and died, where onr maidens were poisoned, where the great father's agent starved and cheated us, and when we appealed to him put our chiefs in prison and threatened our young men. At last he brought soldier? to shoot and kill, and then we sought the plains, poor and starving as we were —sought onr kindred here at tbe north, at tbe old, old bunting grounds, and we are trailed and followed and fought Our young men are shot again, and oui old men are dying of weakness and famine. We are helpless, we are wronged Look at me," he said, with magnificent gesture, "I am poor and naked. Why are these soldiers here? Why are we threatened and fought and killed, we who have done no wrong?" And Wolf looked grandly about him. "I have done," be said, and bis followers gutturally grunted their applause, and all eyes reverted to the colonel, just as the red rim of the sun reached tbe horizon and turned bis mottled face to fire as he confronted it. Both oommands felt out toward the west as far as they could and strove to close the nearly mile wide gap on that side, but to very little purpose. One daring young corporal, striving to find a way in tbe blackness of the night, was suddenly plunged forward by tbe misstep of his snorting horse, and be and that luckless charger rolled over tbe edge of the cliff and were fonnd by comrades who ventured down afoot with lights crushed to death on the rocks below. Not until long after midnight did Atherton and Stunnard turn in, and then it was with a shake of tbe head that augured ill for tbe success of tbe plan "I have both seen and heard something, Mrs. Barry," was the prompt reply, "and I'll stake my all it's—it's to her credit, not to her discredit, if anything. Sorely that man must be some kin of her people. It cannot be my thing else." "Where was it?" Another painful pause. Maynard was young and inexperienced. He did not know how far he might be justified in declining to answer a cross examination that must drag from him the whole truth that he had so religiously kept to himself rather than reveal what he had seen and heard and suffered and thereby probably surround her dear name with renewed shame and suspicion. From the spirit and letter of the truth he could not deviate a hairbreadth. Neither on the night of that strange adventure in front of Barry's quarters nor the miserable afternoon when he saw the huge bulk of this objectionable stranger bending over that slender form away down the row had he seen a single feature of the stranger's face. Now it seemed as though the commanding officer was bent on dragging from him everything he knew, and vaguely he felt that this was not that officer's prerogative and that so long as he held such sublime faith in Nathalie Baird's innocence of all complicity in or knowledge of the recent robbery it was not only a right but a duty to refuse to reveal anything that might involve her in deeper trouble.Mrs. Stannard half turned. "It is all right, "she said in a low tone to the still lingering servant. "You may go," and slowly and almost reluctantly the maid withdrew. They heard ber voice the next moment in the dining room as though answering a question. "Lieutenant Maynard," she said, "to see Mrs. Barry," whereat Mrs. Stannard looked in some surprise into the room beyond, but no one was then in sight. "Fou are *urely as old at I am, Mrs. Turner." earthly sound, dumb with speechless misery, when Mrs. Stannard herself climbed the stairs and knelt and took her in ber arms. He was glad of a chance to champion her oause, glad to show Mrs. Barry the lepth of his faith ami trust in her, and yet there was that in his tone which told her he h:ul been harshly tried and hat he longed for the support of her )pinion. "Nathalie, child," she murmured, "you must not give way to such dread. I know whom you suspect of having had a hand in the robberies. Even if it were ■o, dear, you would be blameless"— "That is iuy conviction, too, Mr. Maynard," she said, "but the poor girl will not even admit that. Tnere is some "It was the cook, I fancy," said Mrs. Barry. "She usually comes to me about this time each day to get her orders, and being a very particular, not to say superior, person, she did not wish in her kitchen attire to come into the presence of gentlemen. Bridget is quite a swell when she goes to town. Do sit down awhile, Mr. Maynard. We are all glad to see you," and again her arm seemed more closely to encircle Nathalie. "It is good to hear your voice again, especially when you say such good words." The night went by in silence, broken only by the yelping of tbe coyotes far out on tbe prairie and the occasional snorting of horses and braying of pack mules. The dawn came slow and chill, and at tbe first flush of day tbe troopers were huddling about the cook fires, eager for their mug of coffee. Brighter grew the skies. One by one the stars to the west faded from view, and just before the sun came peeping over the low, distant hillocks at the east old Sergeant Donnelly came riding up to Colonel Atherton's tent with gloom in his eyes. "Mrs. Stannard — Mrs. Stannard," wailed tbe girl as she threw herself upon her bosom, "what else can I believe? And to think that I should bring such incessant trouble to those who have been so good to me!" And then at a word from Yellow Wolf his followers seated themselves in the arc of a circle, all save one, an Indian as thoroughbred looking as the chief, who remained tbe latter'» side, who bent attentive ear to the words spoken in low voioe by his leader and then addressed himself in excellent English to the colonel: "Hush, Nathalie!" was the loving answer as the girl's sobbing broke forth afresh. "Mrs. Barry needs you sadly this morning. She the cause of your distress, and she begs you to come to her. Let uie help you dress now, and then you must try to eat something. Let me tell you. Hogan, Mrs. Ray's coachman, followed the trail into town tbat same morning and saw the marshal there or somebody. Captain Walters drives in again right after guard mounting today, and the police feel sure they can recapture the silver even if they do not get the thieves and tbe jewelry. Two strange men were at the Railroad House that morning, and neither of them was the one they call Boston." Only too willingly Maynard found a chair and drew it. toward the couch. Nathalie made an effort to rise, but Mrs. Barry held ber lirnily, murmuring some encouraging words in her ear. Then Mrs. Stannard came forward ugain. "What is it, sergeant?" asked Atherton as the veteran trooper dismounted. And before visiting the Harrys' the professionals bad called at Gregg's and Freeman's, carrying off a watch, some silver and many trinkets from each and never even disturbing the healthful slumbers of the occupants. Captain Gregg's desk was forced and about f 100 in treasury notes had disappeared, but most of Mrs. Freeman's silver and money were safe in the bank. SShe never "entertained" when her lord was in the field, and this proved her salvation. But the gentle little woman was sorely grieved over the loss of her Leautiful watch, which always lay at on the little stand by the head of her bed. As for Mrs. Gregg, her grief was almost tragic. Two young ladies from town were her guests at the time. They were sleeping together in the room adjoining hers. Nothing of theirs was disturbed, while her wateb, rings; bracelets, locket, pins and heaven knows how much frumpery, together with every ounce of the household silver, had been spirited off. The foolish matron had not thought of such a possibility as this. She loved display, and even their recent reverses had taught no lesson of permanent value. "Yellow Wolf has come to talk with tbe commander of the white soldiers. Bat we have no meat. We are poor and hungry. Our children cry for food." "Nothiiir sir, but that I've just come in from the extreme left, and it's my belief tbe whole outfit sneaked away through one of them d—d ruts last night and is half way to the N iobrara by tbis time." Whether right or wrong in this belief, Mavnard bad made up his mind. Captain Walters should find out nothing new at her expense if a stubborn stand on his part could prevent it. Of the meeting between her and the big stranger down by the end set of quarters known as No. 1 everybody at the post apparently was informed. But so far as he knew not a soul in tbe garrison but himself bad any knowledge of bis meeting with that burly and muscular prowler under Nathalie's window the night of the bop. All this flashed through his mind and determined hia action before he finally answered : "Order dinner for the dozen, colonel, " whispered the captain, coming to his side. "There can be no talk till you do." And over an hour was consumed while the chief and his friends were being fed and comforted, * proceeding that took three times the amount of bason and bard tack, coffee and sngar that would have satisfied the stomachs of many a hungry white man. Meantime the sun was sinking toward the horizon, and old titannard, with Atherton's permission, came spurring up from the southeast to inquire, as be did in terse language, what the devil was the matter and why in the devil's abiding place they were wasting so much valuable time. Being informed that Yellow Wolf had declared himself poor and hungry and had begged for food as preliminary to the council, Htannard ripped out au explosive protest "The old sooundrel is only playing yon," said be to the colonel. "He's sparring for wind and time, don't you see? He knows we're right in on top of him now, by dint of two days' siege work, and that we could attack now with every prospect of giving them a thrashing. He's just standing you off until sunset, colonel. For God's sake send him to the right about Tell him the talk is over and that we mean to attack at once. If you don't, he'll slip out somewhere tonight sure." "I think I will go over home awhile now and look after matters there. Then I'll come to you agaiu, Mrs. Barry. Mr. Maynard will have a chance to talk with you while I'm gone." Tt teas the orderly, with the commanding officer's compliments. ;ie or obligation, but what I cannot imigiue. It is all powerful. She seems to have pledged her word to silence about him. I'm praying for the major's return, for then I shall have some one to idvise us both. Ob, what did Miss Baird say. Bridget?" And this proved to be true. When the sun was an hour high, tbe White Uiver command was in full chase northwestward for the arms and ponies that were not delivered at that boar, while philosophic Barry and hard swearing Stannard were riding along with their silent chief, following the general movement. Again Mrs. Barry held out ber band. "You have been ever so good to us, and we'll be glad indeed when you can come back, both of us. Would you mind telling cook to make a little tea now for Nathalie?" The kneeling girl shook her head in protest, but unavailingly. Mrs. Stannard disappeared through the dining room door and went to the kitchen just beyond. She returned in a moment. But the girl seemed past comfort Passively she allowed herself to be aided to dress, bathing her swollen eyelids and doing what she could to banish the signs of her excessive grief. Humbly she waited upon her loving friend as the latter lay upon the couch sipping her tea and nibbling at the dainty breakfast prepared for her, and this was her occupation when Captain Walters, tho infantry officer temporarily in command of the fort, was unnounced and was shown into the little parlor. And from the ball came tbe reply of che still invisible messenger. "Miss Saird thinks she would rather not try 0 eat anything just now. She is lying lowu, ma'am, but by and by she will, 1 feel sure. I'll just broil her some hickeu, ma'am." And this was tbe news that reached Russell the fifth day of the week referred to, followed next day by the tidings that General Crook had corralled Yellow Wolf at tbe northern reservation ; that Atherton, Barry and Stannard were marching homeward, and all would be there within another seven days, and "I saw a man of that general descrip- Contin»ed on page 4. "Bridget isn't there, but I told Mary, islie thinks Bridget may have gone up stairs a moment. She left her in the dining room. Mary will make tho tea." Ul NAT,Sjg^(g| ■r of tbe Globe for [rheumatism! NEUSALHA and similar Complaints, J and prepared under the stringent jH MEDICAL LAWS,^ preeonM by emine* t physicians ■SI) OR. RICHTER'S tWji wr ANCHOR " D9 ■PAIN EXPELLERl I World renowned! Remarkably successful I H ■Onlv genuine with Trade Mark " Anchor," ■ 14. BfckterJK K, 215 PearlSt., New York. ■ 1 31 HlfiNEST AWARDS. D1 13 Bcaaoh Houses. Own Glassworks. ■ A 25 St SiAi** indorsed A recommended bj A Q C Gliek, SON. Ma'nS,.: J H Houok, 4 N. Main St.: wirrer C& Pnck. 3 Luz. Av„ Pittston morrcR'*  I "ANCHOR" STOMACHAL beet fori 8tPmB » 1 And then abruptly Bridget broke off, for a quick, soldierly step was heard ou rhecreaking boards without, and Bridget hastened through the hall before the clang of the doorbell resounded. •'That's one thing Bridget will notdo," explained Mrs. Barry, with a quiet smile. "She insists that Mary must attend door. She'd walk the length of the back yards of the garrison to find her rather than tend door herself. There goes Mary." "Yellow Wolf," said he, "your ideas of right and wrong and ours don't agree. I don't know anything about your row with the agent I do know that when you broke away your people killed him and half a dozen white men at the reservation and killed and subbed the schoolmistress who had never been anything but kind to your children. Then you started on your raid, and you've made a trail of blood every inch of the way from the territory toi the sand hills. Now we've got you, and our orders &re to take you back to the Indian Territory, and we're going to do it My advice to you is to surrender your arms and ponies and go back peacefully. If you don't, we'll lick h—1 out of you. and that's all there is about it. Now go get your guns and horses and band them over. That's all I've got to nay." Accustomed as she was to spats of this character, however, Mrs. Turner still sorely missed the close companionship of some garrison friend and intimate this electric day. Even Mrs. Raymond, slighted and snubbedjfor the new found friend, now refused toSe cajoled back to b semblance uf the old relations. She was almost as icy as Mrs. Gregg had been volcanic. There was no longer for Mrs. Turner the rapture of the first bloom of her fellowship with Miss Maynard. That Mohawk maiden had failed to warmly champion her cause when she tied to her in tears after the battle at the Kaymonds' and told her side of the story. Mrs. Turner had sobbed out something to the effect that, being so much younger and less experienced than Mrs. Gregg, she bad incautiously confided certuin statements (o Mrs. Raymond and one or two ladies whom she supposed trustworthy, and they bad betrayed her. Miss Maynard innoceutly "I didn't hear her go up, " said Mrs. Barry, "but it may be. tehe's the quiet- He was a man of some 50 years, grizzled, worn and somewhat soured in service. He had seen younger men plucking the plums of promotion over his head, and be could not forgive it in fate that he should still be only a captain, with every prospect of there remaining for ten years longer, when men years bis junior were his superior officers. His one lieutenant, they said, led a dog's life of it. His wife was, hapj ily for her, translated to realms where promotion cometh not from the east nor from r.ie west, nor is supposed to be a matter of consequence to any one. Captain Walters had been aroused before sick call on the eventful morning by the news of the robberies and was properly scandalized at such things occurring under his command. He had held brief consultation with the noncommissioned officers of his guard, with the doctor Mid others, especially his adjutant, Mr. Hardly bad Mm. Barry Iweu told of ber loss—she was still iu a half bewildered state, pawing her baud over ber beavy eyelids and striving to rouse herself from the stupor tbut seemed to overcome her—when there came a violent bang at the front door, aud Mrs. Turner bouuced into the ball. Catching sight of Nathalie at the foot of the bed, she plunged impetuously into the room. "Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Barry! Have you heard the news?" she cried. "Mrs. Gregg aud Mrs. Freeman have been robbed of every earthly thing they own. Why, what's the matter—you too? Aud Miss Baird? Oh, I'm so sorry! And you heard nothing—you suspect nobody?" And under cover of the volley of questions addressed to the lady of the boutw It was the orderly, with the commanding officer's compliments, and he desired to see Lieutenant Maynard at once, and in sore disappointment Mavuard had to rise and go. "Remember what I say, Mrs. Barry," be repeated as he again bowed over her extended hand. "I shan't rest until I find out the truth about this robbery business and clear her utterly. It can be done and it shall be done." But the colonel felt his honor involved. He couldn't in good faith send them bock now. He'd bear what the chief bad to propose, and if it wasn't satisfactory send him back to bis sand holes aud pitch in. "Yon can't," said Stannard again, bad had years of dealiags wi& tba "€ 4 ' v# C1 W{; ■Vi1 ' X' "I hope so," came the answer, with u sigh. "I hope so, yet everything seems n dark for her just now, and how can wu uet at tbe truth?" _  In point of oratory there was no anoation which—the re4 iuui or the Old Sergeant Donnelly came riding up to Colonel Atherton't tent. i "Mri. Stannard—Mrs. Barry—I've heard thin cr-uel accusation."