Pittston Gazette

              Establ'ahed 1#™. (. VOL. XL VIII No. OO ( Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1898. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. J01.OO • Tau in Ad vu.ce. ~1 "Reinhardt and Monahan, first relief; Blair and Scully, second; Duffy and Hunter, third, sir. All good in en, sir." Mainwarlng. " wno s nurtr gladly have recalled bis rash ennstmeut, but that being impossible grit and pride asserted themselves aiid bade bini stand to bis gnus and give do sigu. Barring tbo inquisitive proddings of the nien, he bad bud no active annoyances after tbe first few days. Would be tormentors respected a man who was so free with his fists—and his money. His officers, except Main waring, had treated him with grave aud distant oourtesy, for of Brady he had seen nothing at all until this day. News from home and abroad he bad had none and wanted none. It was his purpose to shut himnnt from the old world for Rood and all. Pareuts he had lost in early boyhood. Brothers and sisters ho had none. Sweethearts—two, One—the first—his senior by at least four years, and now a staid wife aud mother. The second might or might not be wearing a coronet by this time. His grace of Lancaster was on his last legs, and his eldest hope, Lord Lunemouth, on his last lung, when Gray left Switzerland in April. That "Amy, shallow hearted," bad wedded Rokeby by this time was possible, if not probable. There were New York papers in the post library, but Hunter had seen none, would see none. the sound of footfalls—Blake or Brady, aud the sergeant, too, might be along again. He prayed indeed they might be, for robbery had been committed before his very eyes. He had heard rumors of the disappearance of forage. He had heard the men talk of the exposed situation of the brick magazine out there on the prairie, southeast of the post. Only on bright moonlit nights could tbe sentry see it from the east gate, while from the south gate it was hidden entirely. Ho knew that most of the ammunition—pistol, carbine and cannon—was kept there aud at one time quite a lot of small arms. The ordnance sergeant slept in the garrison, his keys in a strong box under his bed, yet thieves had plundered both the magazine and the stables, and hidden their booty underneath the big haystack, awaiting opportunity to run it away to some reliable customer in town. That they were members of the garrison was evident from that very fact. Townsfolk would have come with wagons in tbe first place. face and bands, an unrecognizable bundle of baudages, lay Trooper Hunter, over whose head, unseen, unknown, there was hanging a sword. than Atberton bad some of bis best omoers scouring tbe prairie for traces. They found bricks, bullets and unexploded boxes of cartridges all over tbe neighborhood, but not one of tbe 40 revolvers and only 20 of tbe 80 boxes of carbine, rifle and revolver cartridges tbat should have been there. Of the barrel of rifle powder and half barrel of cannon cartridges not a vestige, of course, remained. All this was brought out by the board, and, the board's findings having been sent to department headquarters, Atberton, as has been said, had gone off on leave; so had Stannard, and tiiia left Mainwaring in oommand. litne, sinewy, nard marcblng, bard1 fighting doughboys, too—and loved him for tbe love he bore them. With all h« was a student of his trade and gloried in it, but most be gloried tbat he was a soldier. He looked it, lived it, deserved it and everything the name implied, but he had one weakness, if weakneM honest glory in one's profession oould be called. "I've been a soldier 20 yeara of my life. I've won the brevets of major and lieutenant colonel on the j RAYS RECRUIT j "I don't know, sir. Nobody's hurt that I know of, bnt there's a patrol out." "Hunter's our uew man," said the colonel, eying sharply the officer of the guard. "Have you given him personally his orders?" "After some drunken man of Kay's troop—that's all," said Mainwaring, "and Blake don't want to put him under guard. See if it ain't. Come," he said, tendering an arm to bis wife. For some days and nights concussion of the brain was feared. The magazine had been blown into a thousand fragments, and how many of these, beams or bricks, had felled him, no one ever knew. He was hauled out of the stream, feet first, like poor Fat Shea, bleeding, burned and senseless. He began to mend in a few days, however, and by the 8th of December was occasionally sitting up in an invalid chair, hia eyes and obeeks still under oover. But from tbe time his convalescence began Trooper Hunter had spent two hours each morning listening to tbe voioe of the charmer who charmed so wisely, and there came a day when she bent over his coach and laid her oool soft white hand on his forehead and asked him if there were nothing she could do, no friends or relatives to whom he would like her to write, and he murmured that he couldn't think of any just then, but might if she'd come again to ask him "N-not his night orders as yet, sir," said Brady, well knowing he had questioned hint as to none of them, day or night. But Mrs. Blake knew her own mind, and without a word of reply started straight across the road in tbe direction taken by Ray. AUTHOR OF 'THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER TROH THE RANK5," ETC- "Well, sir," said Atberton, "yon cannot he too vigilant tonight. Make frequent inspections and see that your nonconjmissioned officers do likewise." Then, as once more he got out into the wind, he bent his head to avoid the blast. "Have you cautioned him, Blake? He looks anything but alert." "Oh, don't go, Mrs. Blake." "Don'* go, Nannie." "I'm sure it's nothing serious," were the various cries that followed her, bnt she never faltered. "Good night," she oried. "I'm going to Gerald." Reluctantly the doctor oalled after her: COPyR/GHT. /fi90. By S3 LlPP/A/COTT CO. "Not a word, not a hint to that fellow until I tell yon," said Mainwaring to the post surgeon, who, an older man and a major senior in rank by several years, was nevertheless his inferior in the eyes of military law and regulation, be being debarred from assuming command. And so, as Hunter grew stronger every day and watched with eagerness for the coming each morning of the young devotee, there dawned upon him no ray of suspicion of the toils that were surrounding him, for Miss Leroy, who used to talk at home of her pupil patients, had become silent as to one at least and uncommunicative as to all, for Mrs. Mainwaring of late had expressed her disapprobation in no measured terms, and there was no longer that sweet accord which should obtain between aunt and nieoe. tne bleak prairie, wblie still rartber along, under the "bench," the big haystacks beyond the corral seemed stripping in the gale, and the biggest of all was that which projected half way CHAPTER IX. "I don't think he's been drinking much today, sir. He seems to realize that he can take no chances. I'll keep an eye on him." "Ob, wait, Mrs. Blake, go, I'll—I'll escort you." If you must Conway, convalescing, had been bundled back to town, leaving blessings on the head of his fair nurse and reader. Corporal Shannon, kicked by a mule in the quartermaster's corral, was installed In hiB place. The daily reading was going on in the hospital despite social duties that grew more exacting as Miss Leroy became better known and more appreciated. Over in the sorrel troop's quarters Hunter, despite inflexible reserve as to his past, had won the good will of most of the men. Quin, a garrison bully, pitehing upon a smaller comrade for a fancied affront, had been himself pitched into a snowdrift and •when he rushed at his antagonist was floored flat by as neat a swing on the jaw as ever the —th had beard of. It was a new blow, in fact, to the regiment, and the story went from barrack to barrack that the sorrels bad got a ■well boxer as well as rider. Curiosity ■s to Hunter's antecedents burst all bounds. Major Mainwaring's assertion that be had seen the fellow somewhere before and knew be must be a deserter was sufficient to make the recruit an object of interest in garrison society, even if be had not won distinction as trainer of Mrs. Ray's beautiful mare, whose delicate mouth and eastern schooling made her somewhat too sensitive for ordinary cavalry handling. "Yes," said Miss Leroy firmly, "and take me too." Saying which, she started ber escort almost on a run. There was a joyous little gathering at Rays' that night. The Mainwarings, Truscotts and Blakes, with devoted Dr. Jayne on Miss Leroy's account, had dined there; a number of post people had dropped in later, and Miss Leroy, "looking uncommonly well, if not absolutely pretty," said a lady friend, was being made much of by everybody, despite a slight propensity on the part of some to be facetious about the daily Bible class, for that artful maiden and daughter of the church, after getting her auditors interested in tales of flood and field, bad gradually led on to the introduction of holier themes. By the end of the first week the New Testament was slipped in among her books, and selected chapters were explained in very different style from anything her soldier patients had ever heard before, and these had become part of the lesson of the day. Blake declared that Father Keepe of Butte was getting jealous, but Miss Leroy was serenely superior to any and all allusions or reflections. She would stoop to neither controversy nor defense. It was her faith, and tbat was enough. The quartermaster had laughingly suggested that be thought of getting sent to hospital so as to become one of the elect, and Miss Leroy had studied his face one moment with those clear, beautiful eyes of hers and gravely replied that it might be necessary for him to go to even greater lengths before he could be considered worthy. Then Mainwaring had jocosely asked why she didn't start a missionary boom among the officers, whereat Miss Leroy flushed just a little auil then smilingly replied that it was not because they did not need it more than the men she had met, but she had no surplus energy to waste. n!1 "Pet—Kate—indeed I protest. Indeed you most not go!" called Mrs. Mainwaring loudly. Fifteen minutes at least had he still to wait and suffer, possibly mor" ff »•« officer of the guard chanced ti / right after 12, or if tbe corporai ouuuid be aluw running to ascertain why the 12:80 call was not repeated. Fifteen minutes, and already he was enduring torment. Then came sudden hope—the Bound of a swift, light footfall—then a woman's voice. "Aw, Kate, don't be so idiotio," shouted the major, but all to no purpose. "Pet" and her obedient  lapins were already in swift pursuit and, if not out of hearing, out of sight. 'he morrow. She came, and on the and the next day, too, marveling not a little at the voioe, the intelligence, the langnage of this particular patient She strove to stqdy his features, but without success, for when tbe doctor thought to remove the bandages tbe patient declared tbe morning light was altogether too much for bis weakened eyes. He would be bandaged in the morning, though tbe afternoon sunshine was really more brilliant, and he didn't seem to mind it then. Miss Leroy took to sitting by Hunter's bedside as much as 10 minntes at first; then the 10 began to lengthen to 15 and even 20, and other patients waxed impatient and said things about Hunter and thought things about ber that proved how jealous is tbe human heart, even when it beats beneath a flannel shirt. Tbe surgeon said Hunter conld soon return to his troop, as far as his health was oonoerned, but there were reasons to fear his health might suffer after he got there, for Major Mainwaring, now in temporary command of tbe post, was making frequent and impetuoaa inquiries. Colonel and Mrs. Atherton had gone east on two months' leave; Major and Mrs. Stannard had gone to Russell for a fortnight to visit old friends in another regiment, and here, to bis huge delight, was Mainwaring in command of an eight company post. Then the surgeon asked why Mainwaring was so anxious to have the patient out, and learned something that proved a painful shook. Iu his stern renunciation of the world, the flesh and the devil of bis old life Trooper Hunter would admit no interest in tbe doings of Gotbam. Tbe one thing that bound him to tbe oiu me was tne xnowieage mat up to October at least bis fond old unole was still in the land of the living. A stroke of some kind had prostrated him before Gray's return from abroad. Pbysioians had prescribed a long sea voyage. Mr. aud Mrs. Darcy Hunter had sailed for North Cape—had gone thence to some German spa. His health was shattered, bis mind almost a blank. She was still in the prime of life. He, said the last news Darcy bad of bim before starting for the wide west, hardly recognized bis attendants. She bore ber sorrows with the patient resignation of the Christian who knows there's life for her beyond the grave—of a departed husband. And then, all of a sudden, tbe eastward gable ends of tbe barracks, the east side of tbe guardhouse tower, tbe topmast of the tall white flagstaff, were all for one brief instant flashed on tbe night in a lurid glare and as suddenly died out of sight Away over beyond tbe edge of tbe bluff a dull, smothered, booming sound smote tbe wintry air, and something shook tbe windows and caused tbe earth to trembla Then a carbine craoked and a sentry yelled, half stifled; then oame a distant sound of crackling, like pistol shots; a trumpet pealed and sounds of rush and scurry followed. There was only one explanatio—the magazine. "May I speak one moment with, the colonel tn private f" battlefield aud oolooel for the war, but never have I been called or oan I look to be called anything bat doctor. Here are your paymasters, comiaibiauioa. "Dan, Danny, where are you? Come home quick, for God's sake. They're hunting for you now." No answer. One bright morning the doctor bade Hnnter lay aside the shrouding bandages entirely and wear only a green shade over the eyes. Orders were orders, bat when Miss Leroy entered and, as usual, spoke to him a dainty handkerchief was pressed to his face. The light, he said, was still too dazzling. Again the plaintive cry was repeated. A woman's slender form sped swiftly by, turned tbe corner of the huge stack, aud then, as though recoiling at sight of danger, darted back, shuddering, stumbled over his prostrate body, and only with difficulty saved itself from falling. Quick as thought the woman whirled upon him, one half stifled, nei*ous cry escaping from her lips. beard a hostile ballet whistle or saw the smoke of battle—lots of 'em. Yon call them captain or major, as thoqgh they were soldiers, bnt yon snub, by God, the one staff oorps that new leaves the fighting line when the fighting begins. " — fellows that never "But 70a are much better," said she in her clear tones. "The doctor says 70a can soon return to light doty, probably before Christmas." Now, the surgeon had come but lately to Ransom. He bad served bnt a few weeks with the —th, yet Trnsoott and Bay had disoovered bis sensitiveness and gladly bailed him as colonel. Blake promptly followed suit, bnt when Mainwaring heard it Mainwaring bristled) "What right's a d d doctor to expect to be called anything bnt doctor?" he asked, explosively, and he no more meant to be offensive or thought he could be considered offensive in his language than did the doctor in claiming recognition as a soldier. And then, as Mainwaring prided himself on "never saying behind a fellow's back what he wouldn't say to his faoe," and the Lord only knew what be hadn't said to people's faoes—what did the major do, only that very day, but, in attempted jocularity, pitch into the poet surgeon at the morning gathering of the offloen and try to chaff him about wanting to be called colonel 1 It stung the honest old soldier surgeon to the quick. It hurt him sore, and be left tbe room disgusted.Then as she took her seat to read, her side face toward him, be slipped the kerobief a little to one side that he might gaze undisturbed. Brady had Uiktn a suffer brace for fear CHAPTER X. "Scully, you beast! Why are you lying tbere? You are not druuk. The liquor be gave you wouldn't do this. Whore's be gone? Answer, I say. Ah-b!" And the cold bands that bad seized and shaken him fell away in fright at touch of the gag. Quickly she recovered herself, fumbled in her pocket, found a pair of scissors and slashed the bands that were strangling him. "What fool work is this?" she whimpered. "Sure Dan shouldn't have gagged you, Scully. Who was with him? Who did it? Answer," she implored, shaking him vehemently. "Get up, Scully, quick! For the love of God find him. They've been to the house already —the guard. Somebody's peacbed. Somebody— Wbo tied this lariat? It's knotted like— Wait till 1 get a knife. Lie still, Scully." And away she sped, leaving him to wonder, bound as be was, bow be could lie otherwise. She was back in a moment, panting, breathless. She sawed at tbe thick cordage until it snapped, theu stared wildly one instant as the tall figure straightened up, then with a cry of horror started back. "Scully— No! What—you? Hunter? Oh, blessed saints, have mercy." of eorwetptcnces. It was 11:30 that night when Corporal Judkius, posting bis relief, came stumbling along the rough ground below tbe "bench" and turned into tbe flat between the quartermaster's baystacks and tbe stables. No. 5 he had posteB at tbe east gate and picked up tbe shivering sentry wbo for two mortal hours bad been swearing and trotting up and down in vain effort to keep warm. No. 6, down among the shadows of tbe stacks and stables, was not so easy to And. Wben at last bis challenge was heard, be leaped from tbe shelter of tbe very stack that bad oalled fortb tbe colonel's condemnation that evening at stables, and, between oold and excitement—or something, was incoherent in his formula for receiving relief, and across tbe open space in front of the line of gable ends and just opposite that of Ray's troop. At tattoo tbe gale was almost a blizzard, and Atberton, ever on the defensive against fires, bade tbe troop officers look well to their company kitchens and see that all tbe ranges and stoves were securely banked, then went over to the guardhouse iu person and held brief consultation with Blake, who was officer of the day, and his offioer of the guard, who, as ill luck would have it, was Lieutenant Brady, at whom Atberton looked with scant favor. He was a young uuau whom Blake described as "one of the detriments of the service.'' He had been fairly well educated somewhere, had enlisted when it was too evident lie was in no condition to make a living otherwise, but tbat was in the summer of 1876, when 2,500 men were suddenly raised by congress to fill the gaps in the regiments eugaged in tbe Sioux war and the riffraff of the Atlantic cities was rushed to tbe frontier. Of tbe remnant of bis fortnne Gray had still a few thousand dollars banked where it would be safe until sorely needed. Under an humble roof within tbe limits of Butte were stored certain trunks containing civilian clothing and things he valued. Here at barracks be had only bis soldier outfit of uniform, with the addition of better underwear and shoes than were issued by Uncle Sam. One poor fellow and his suffering wife at least were tbe better for the strange coming of this eccentric. The starving tramp who boarded the train that night at Willow Springs bad now a roof over his bead aud hers, and food, fire and clothing. She was sufficiently recovered to take in washing, for Chinamen were unpopular if not unprofitable servants just then in Wyoming, and he, the starveling of that nigbt on tbe train, was once more a carpenter, his tools out of pawn and be no longer out of work. That man's actual misery and suffering, all for tbe lack of a few dollars, no more than he, Hunter Gray, bad been accustomed to throw away on cigars or sundries in tbe oourse of a month, had opened the eyes of tbe world weary traveler and given him food for thought and spur to action. Tbe men had asked that she should give 16 minutes at least to tbe leading events of the day, and a Chicago paper was selected for their edifioation. From this she chose such items as she thought might prove «f interest, and to these Hunter listened in spite of himself. First she read of the political news; then the doinga of great dignitaries, foreign and domestic, and then came accidents by flood and field and another railway hold up on a small scale. To all these he lent bnt languid ear. He was watching with eager eyes tbe movements of those soft, sensitive, curved red lips. He hardly paid even faint attention to what she was saying until something in tbe names struck him as familiar. All the-foremost part of the paragraph had passed unheard, unheeded, but now—now only by strong effort could be restrain himself from sitting bolt upright in bed and reaching out and seizing the paper and reading for himself, for what she read, when once again he became oonsoious of her words, was this: Ray, once tbe light rider of tbe regiment, could have coached her beautifully. bat Ray was growing bulky with years, and an old bullet wound in tbe thigh received during a Sioux campaign years before was troubling him as winter wore on. What no one understood was bow Ray came to select Hunter, for Ray declared be bad no previous knowledge of him whatever, which was true. Truscott, wheu appealed to for his opinion, smiled gravely, as was his wont, and said Ray bad as unerring an eye for a horseman as he bad for a horse. Bat it was in Sndstown, wbere dwelt the wives and daughters of the aoldiery, tbat Trooper Hunter's goings and comings, doings and Bayiugs, were becoming matters of sach absorbing interest. He was credited with being fabulously wealthy, among other things, for be certainly had money at his command. He also bad friends and acquaintances—some said a wife and family, or at least a ladylove—somewhere in town, for he bad twice asked for passes, and more than once was believed to have gone tbitber without that formality. Mrs. Merriweather, who held her bead so high above tbe other women, was accused of "setting her cap" for the stranger, and she laid herself open to calumny by declaring to one or two envious dames tbat Mr. Hunter was a frequent caller, only Dau didn't like it and had warned bim off. "Indeed, he got to coming too often for his own good," said she, which meant worlds of helpless regret on her part. "Has no surplus seed to sow on barren ground, major," interposed Blake. "You remember tbe parable of the hare and the tortoise." Which helped Mainwaring no wbit, and only evoked a reproachful glance from Miss Leroy, seeing which Blake whispered so tbat several beard, "I'd wear sackcloth and asbes a week if Mainwaring could prove be knew tbe difference between Jacob's Ladder and Jack aud tbe Beanstalk." "Well, major," said he after a solemn silence, "of course you're commanding officer, but I find it mighty bard to believe that story, and I protest against its being made known to him until he is strong enough to bear it, which be isn't now." Tbere had been much talk at the hospital among tbe stewards and attendants and patients wbo could talk at all as to the result of the board of survey promptly convened at Colonel Atherton'a request to ascertain the cause of tbe mysterious explosion which had wreaked tbe magazine and ruined its contents, and it did not take long for such keen scouts and trailers as Ray, Blake and old Wilkins to make up their minds. Coupled with what had ooourred at the south gate that night, just a little while before the explosion, there was no doubt that an extensive robbery had taken place and that the object of tbe destruction of tbe magazine was the obliteration with it of evidences of tbe crime. And so, when from the lips of this tall trooper came the title he valued, the poet surgeon fairly blushed, for he had been thinking intently over the events of the morning, and, if the truth must be told, was wondering how he oould get square with Major Mainwaring and here was a possible opportunity. Obedient to his superior's nod, the hospital steward went out, closing tSe door behind him. "Blake," remonstrated Truscott a moment later, when he got bim to one side, "you must be more prudent, not to say considerate. Mainwaring is too good a soldier to be treated with derision, and you'll make an enemy I should bate to see you have if you continue." Blake had had other warnings. His dear beaded young wife- had already seen in Mrs. Muinwaring's somewhat studied courtesy of greeting that something was amiss aud bad little doubt that the major bad carried home bis version of the Three Uuardsmen episode in tbe courtroom, which was indeed the case, though fortunately for Blake Mainwaring couldn't remember tbe strange names so glibly given bim. Mrs. Blake had sought by every gentle, tactful way in her power to make amends for her beloved Gerald's uncanny propensity to ridicule, but tbe wound was deeper with Mrs. Mainwaring than with the doughty major. She refused to be mollified, while he, ever tempting somebody by bis irrepressible habit of launching impetuous comment or oriticism at anybody whose methods differed from his own, was as constantly inviting reprisals. Relation* were strained, therefore, and Blake should have been more guarded. They bad even come to such a pass that Mrs. Mainwaring was finding serious fault with her niece because of a growing intiiqpcy between her and Nannie Blake, and mattors were destined to oome to a climax i« more than one garrison affair, and rrime to it this very night. He won a company clerkship in three months, which was considered immense good luck, and lost it within tbe year, which was supposed to be luok as bad, but turned out to be tbe stepping stone to fortune in the soldier's eyes. He was one of an escort attacked by road agents, aud, iu fighting desperately for bis own life, bad saved that of the paymaster. Tbe sergeant aud corporal with tbeiu were killed. Brady was "lanced" on tbe spot aud came home a hero, tbe subject of a panegyric from tbe pen of the paymaster, whose uncle was a senator of much wealth and much knowledge of rainiug, but little of men. He was on tbe paymaster's bond for a big sum, aud the next thing tbe —th knew a stranger to their ranks appeared* with a commission as second lieutenant, a glib tongue and a convivial turn, plenty of money to start with aud a letter of introduction to Atberton from a famous war general, which letter was susceptible of two interpretations and was written, there was little doubt, at tbe instance of tbe senator in question, a prominent member of the committee on military affairs. "This will be banded you by Lieutenant Brady," said the letter, "who so distinguished himself in tbe affair on the Jtlimbres last year. The department thought best to assign bim to tbe —th, aud I have assured his friends that iu consigning him to you I have placed bim in tbe best bands possible." Senator Sivright was thoroughly satisfied, his nephew, the paymaster, a bit perplexed, but too wise just then to dissect any other man's motives or letters, lest his own should become objects of scrutiny. Brady proved a jolly acquisition at first, could sing a good song, tell a good story aud was "smart" in many ways and lavish iu all. There was a story (put iu circulation by a soldier whose reward for tbat Mimbres affair bad been a discbarge and not a commission) to tbe effect tbat when tbey were suddenly attacked by those desperadoes tbe paymaster had crawled under tbe wagon aud oried, aud Brady "allowed" when iu his cups that be could tell tbiugs aud would if not "properly persuaded." Certain it is tbat for tbe first year of bis service Brady spent aud drunk more than a second lieutenant's share. Then the senator failed of re-election, owing possibly to some shortcomings in bis mines; bis nephew, tbe paymaster, succeeded in planniug a robbery that worked better, and this opened tbe stagnant Mow of promotion in tbe pay corps, and left Brady without a protector. But tbe instant he was released and had gained hiB feet, unarmed though he was and half numbed, the tall, athletic soldier sprang away into tbe darkness aud ran like a deer across the open space and on past the stables toward the stream, shouting as be ran at tbe full strength of bia powerful lungs: "Corporal of the guard, No. 6! Corporal of the guard, No. fi!" "The overturned yacht now lies in 40 feet of water, her taper masts and upper rigging all that remain visible. Mr. Hunter is doing well, oarefully attended by Dr. Lambert at the Hotel des Ambassadenrs. The bodies of Mrs. Hunter and her unfortunate friends will doubtless be recovered this morning. Tbe ladioa warn nauuht in the rahin whan tha Amorlta was struck, and escape waa Impossible. She "went to the bottom like a shot. English and American residents are in deep grief. The ballroom at the Casino last night was almost deserted. Many New York and Philadelphia families are at Nioe for the winter, and the tragic fate of Mrs. Hunter has oast a gloom over tbe oommunity. Mr. Hunter bad greatly improved in health, but it is feared this bereavement may again prostrate him. They have no ohildren." One anxiety had oppressed him ainoe bis voluntary entrance upon the task of training'Stella, a duty which need have occupied but a few days had it not been for that untoward mishap. She fought shy of the bar for several lessons thereafter, connecting it and the flapping blanket unerringly with ber violent fall. Hunter's anxiety was that any afternoon when so occupied he might find Mrs. Maiuwaring aud her niece among the lookers on. aud he shrank from reoognitiou. He had even sought to get bis captain to change tbe hour to morning, but there bad beeu flue, open weather, and Atberton lost no opportunities for battalion drills. Huuter took to these, despite the crowdiug and squeezing when in line, like a duck to the water, but all tbe same he would have preferred giving Stella ber lesson when he knew Miss Leroy to be engaged at the hospital, for the fame of that benevolent young lady's work bad spread throughout tbe barracks as well as the quarters. "What is it, Hunter?" asked the Burgeon kindly. "I have come to ask, air, if it wonld be possible for me to return to my troop tonight, and if the oolonel could aid me in any way to get a furlough of 23 or 80 daya" Out on tbe low bank across the narrow stream be could see, outlined against tbe sky, two dark, shadowy figures go sourrying swiftly by, running from tbe direction of tbe old magazine. It stood only a few yards beyond tbe orest. Again be set up bis powerful shout, "Corporal of the guard, No. 61" and away off to tbe nortbeaat, although farther tban himself from tbe guardbouse, Duffy on Mo. 5 at east gate, sure that something was dreadfully amiss, was repeating tbe cry. Hardly knowing what be should do if be overtook them. Hunter dashed into the shallow stream, in hopes of reaching tbe opposito bank and overhauling the marauders, but the broken, slippery ice trapped and threw him again. Down he went splash into the chilling waters; up be scrambled, only to slip and go down a second time; then staggered to bis feet, breathless, almost exhausted now; tumbled up the opposite  clambered on all fours to the crest; gazed hurriedly about in search of friend or foe; peered into the darkness to the south aud southwest, but tbe runners bad disappeared; then gazed to the east and sprang to his feet, startled. Mot 20 yards away loomed the black bulk of the old brick magazine, and, biasing aud sputtering, a fiery serpent seemed dancing in front. It bounded to the doorway, now in the ruddy light dimly seen to be open, disappeared within a little cloud of sulphur smoke, and then the beavens lit up with an awful glare. He felt himself horled violently backward. For one instant be seemed to see a million stars crisscrossing through the skies. His ears were stunned aud deafened by a thunderous roar. The air was filled with fiying bricks and beams and sheets of flame that scorched and seared and blinded bim. Then something crashed upon his skull, and be toppled over tbe bank and went plunging down to the icy flood be- lt seemed that shortly before 11:80 that night two veteran sergeants of Truscott's troop returning from fiutte on pass became aware of a wagon driving ahead of tbem as they left town and soon disappearing out on tbe prairie east of tbe road. Mow, there was not a ranch or bouse to which it oould have gone. Everything of that kind lay farther down the stream, where it swept Men sought tbe confidence of the new soldier, bat gave it np in ignorance as deep as tbat with which tbey came to bim. Some be laughed at, some he snabbed, none be gratified. It was fortunate be knew bow to fight, for there were evil spirits that would have mauled bim otherwise on general principles, but Ray kept a sharp lookout for his protege. He at least should have fair play, despite tbe hints of the first sergeant tbat Conway conld tell something about bim, and bad even asked him. Sergeant Fellows, where be conld find Hanter tbe night be came out with a warrant and was knifed by Healy. Ray rode to town and demanded of Conway what be knew or suspected, aud Conway said, "Nothing, at least nothing tbat I ooald prove." . Colonel Connell looked up, perplexed, even troubled. Both requests were unusual from old soldiers and never heard of from recruits. "I fear not, Hunter. You see, there are reasons why you ought not to attempt to return to duty yet, and what can yon allege as reason for a furlough so soon after enlistment?" He began patrolling hit lonely pott, kad to be sharply prompted by tbe oorporal in turning over his orders. " What's the matter with you, Scully?" snarled the oorporal. " You talk as if you'd been asleep. Turn over your orders, man, and don't keep as shivering here." The Amorita? That yacht was owned by a wealthy English admirer of his unole's wife. For more reasons than one Hunter Gray bad never fanoied bim, and even his easy going uncle seemed to hold aloof. But Mrs. Hunter, so muoh her husband's junior in years, loved sooiety, adored yaohting, and what was more necessary for her beloved invalid's recovery than the soft sea breezes of the Biviera and the idyllio dolce far niente days and nights under those incomparable Mediterranean skies and on the Amorita's dainty deck? There was a late supper going on one joyous night aboard, just as she was coming in from a day's dancing over the blue waters. There was misunderstanding between her skipper and that of a steamer over the right of way—signals or Qod knows what—for when the Amorita rounded to the cruel black prow struck her amidships and ground her underneath the iron keel. Through the devotion of the crew Mr. Hunter and one or two friends with him were rescued. They were on deck. But nothing could save the hapless banqueters still below. Darcy Hunter had survived the wreck of his business, the wreck of the Amorita—had survived even his young, light hearted wife, with whose remains, said the paper, he would return to America at once. . jj "Urgent personal affairs, sir," was the answer, a half smile twitohing at the corners of the handsome month. "Even a trooper may have them, joa know." Tbe tall soldier who was to relieve him stood patiently, with his carbine at port. Sileutly he listened to tbe mumbled words: "Allow no one to approach tbe stables or stacks with lighted pipe or cigar. Allow no vehioles to be driven to or from the stables or horses taken ont except in presence of a commissioned officer, stable sergeant or noncommissioned offioer of tbe guard. Be on tbe alert for fires aud keep special lookout for the sparks from laundresses' quarters when they start their fires in tbe morning"— And then Judkins put him short "Hunter," said the surgeon after a moment's pause, "be advised by me. Don't think of going back to duty for two or three days yet and don't let any one know you wish to leave Ransom on any account just now." And it was of her and that odd introduction he was thinking now, as he briskly tramped up and down, peering amoug tbe haystacks and stables. Just before tbe midnight call his post had been visited by tbe sergeant of tbe guard, who inquired as to his orders and bade bim look out any moment for Captain Blake or Lieutenant Brady. The midnight call of tbe sentries went round iu rather slipshod fashion, thanks to tbe wind, but no sooner had Hunter shouted the prolonged "All's well" than he wished he could recall it. Mot a suspicious sight or sound had he noted after the bergeaut went his way, but now, before he could realize or dodge, something came spinning through midair, over his head, settled down on his shoulders with a jerk; then a blauket was whirled about bis face, and, with his breath fairly choked out of bim, with only time for one startled, stifled ory, the loop of a lariat was suddenly drawn taut, hurling him violently to the frozeu ground, aud in another secpnd two or three men had thrown themselves furiously upon him. Despite mad struggles he was Donna, gagged aud kioked behind the haystack. His carbine was whisked away. He lay there, helpless aud half strangled, but tbey had removed tbe blanket, so that be at least could breathe aud see. Aud theu from beyoud the stable of bis troop came two more men with a oart. Into this was swil'tly loaded box after box of some weighty substance, tbe boxes being dragged from underneath the very stack that bad caused the colonel's oensure—the stack that interposed between Bay's stable and the little domicile of Bergeaut Merriweatber under the low bluff. Loaded with all it oould safely carry, the cart was swiftly trundled off into tbe darkness, three burly forms propelling, two remaining close at hand. Mot a word was spoken that Hunter could hear. Tbe cart came back for another load in less than five minutes, and this time, in addition to heavy little boxes which ho could almost swear contained ammunition and possibly revolvers, tbey dragged sacks of oats from uuderueath the stack and loaded them, too, upon tbe cart. Three trips were made in all; then every man vanished, aud he was utterly alone. Ray bad flouted the idea of Hunter's being connected in any way with the train robbers—indeed, it was donbtfnl if the leaders would ever be caught. They were lost to all search, deep in tbe bills, and tbeir luckless accomplices were still beld awaiting tbe action of aome federal oflioial yet to arrive. Stannard and Mainwaring bad bad almost an open rupture all on account of Hunter, who, daily exercising and training Mrs. Ray's pretty Stella, was, nevertheless, performing all other duties witb his troop. Mainwaring, noting how sucoessful Hunter had been witb Stella, concluded that he should like to have him try his hand on Velvet, Mrs. Mainwaring's saddler, who bad never been known to jump, and was confounded when the trooper most respectfully but positively begged to be excused. Atherton was away, summoued to meet the department commander at Pawnee. Stannard was in temporary command. Mainwaring asked that tbe trooper ■bonld be directed to perform duty for him, for which he was perfectly willing to pay, or else be ordered to cease doing it for Ray. Stannard said no soldier could be compelled to perform menial •ervioe for any officer if be didn't wish to, and if he did not wish to train Mrs. Mainwaring's borse he should not be made to. Mainwaring declared training horses could not be menial service in tbe eyes of a true cavalryman, and Stannard said that it was if a man thought so. Mainwaring got very wroth and ■wore that between tbem, Stannard and Blake and Ray, they were bound to spoil a man who gave promise of being a good soldier,despite bis shadowy antecedents, and again demanded that he be ordered to cease handling Stella for Ray. Stannard said be only did it for tbe love of tbe thing, for practice and recreation and not for emolument, and he should not be denied. Then Atherton oame back; Mainwaring appealed to him from Stannard's decision, and Atherton said he'd investigate and decide next morning. For a moment there was silence. The soldier still remained respeotfully at attention) standing close to the door. The surgeon had spoken impressively, earnestly, significantly, and Hunter oould not but notioe it, oould not but realize that behind it there was some urgent meaning or reason, yet he persisted. Mrs. Ray bad been in ignorance of any serious difference between tbe Malnwarings and Blake. Indeed, sbe often said Bhe did not see how anybody could take Blake seriously. But during the dinner it had become apparent more than once. Not in Mainwaring. He, as Bluke put it, was as maifnerless as ever. Mainwaring talked as much and as loudly to Blake as be did to his hostess, an whose right he sat. There were few topics that could be discussed, outside 3f horseshoeing, grooming and company kitchens, in which Mainwaring could be considered authority, but in one aud all was be disputatious, challenging tbe speaker to prove the words, even, as sometimes happened, when the challenged party was a woman and entitled to assert no stronger reason than "because.""You've got 'em twisted, but you know them all, don't you, Hnnter?" "I hope the colonel will pardon me," be said. "I will not refer to the furlough again until I can explain more fully, which will be possible after I have talked with Captain Ray, but, as to returning to the troop, I beg that I may not be detained here through—another morning." "Among these lay Trooper Hunter." in bold curve, first to the south, then eastward again. Rumors of forage stealing they had heard, and therefore decided to find where tbe wagon went, but after searobing awhile in the gale and tbe darkness tbey gave it up, yet warned tbe sergeaut of the guard as they alighted at the south gate, and their hack driver returned with his rig to town. The tall reoruit nodded. "Take your post," said the oorporal. "Fall in, Scully. Darned lot of use you'd be tonight. You smell as if you'd been drinking." "I wish I bad, bed ad," shivered Ma 2. "Go on, oorporal, or we'll never get thawed." And in a moment more the tramp of tbe footsteps died away aud Hunter was alone. The surgeon was seated in a wioker bottom office chair, which he twisted round, and so squarely faced his visitor, looking keenly yet not unkindly into the pale, handsome faoe. It was a moment before he spoke. He was warmly olad, for in addition to tbe fur oap and gauntlets heavy overshoes had been added to tbe Boldier's equipment for winter duty dismounted, and as there was every indication of snow tbe guard bad been ordered to wear them this night. Then in Bay's troop they had a knack of keeping hot coffee in tbe kitchen on the bitter winter nights for tbe benefit of their guards, and though it reminded him but feebly of the fragrant Mooba of other days and climes it bad cheered bim not a little, and he felt alert aud vigorous and independent as be began patrolling bis lonely post. Along the bluff to tbe westward the black bulk of tbe barracks loomed up against the starry sky. Between bim and them were close at band tbe huge haystacks, and then tbe scattered huts and oottages of tbe married men. Iu one or two of these faint night lights were glowing. Several children bad been ailing, and there were anxious hearts among the lowly. But there were no little ones at Merriweatber's, yet a dim light shone from the southward window. Captain Blake was notified, and a patrol was ordered out to soour the right bank of the little stream that flowed back of the stables. Tbey hadn't gone 60 yards before tbey stirred up a squad of troopers that scattered at their approach, but one was captured—Bay's rapscallion of a trumpeter, tbe Kid— and the Kid refused flatly and characteristically to say who tbe others were. A privileged character was tl\e Kid. He had been ten years or more in the regiment and ten dozen times in scrapes. A better little soldier on campaign or a worse one in garrison oouldn't be found iu all tbe —th, and as tbe regiment had spent more of those ten years in the field than in the fort the Kid bad still a small balance to bis credit. He had a medal of honor from congress for heroism in fierce, savage battle and a record for deviltry of every oonoeivable kind. Ray was tbe only man, except Atberton, he either feared or loved. Griuning from ear to ear, he told Blake that there wasn't any officer in the regiment smart enough to scare him into giving away a fellow soldier, and Blake sent for Ray. Something told him there was mischief afoot, aud Ray and the explosion came almost together. CHAPTER XII. "I thought you greatly appreciated those morning readings," said he at last "I'm sure the young lady has done very mnch to make hospital life bearable."Mainwaring carried a conversational* chip on his shoulder even at dinner parties, and tonight it had been more than ordinarily iu evidence. It was after dinner aud before visitors oame dropping iu, and the five ladies were chatting in tbe parlor, that Mrs. Mainwaring's constraint toward Mrs. Blake became marked, as well as her frequent efforts at breakiug in upon the cordial, friendly talk between that lady aud her niece. That evening when the surgeon was making his visit to the hospital the steward told him Trooper Hunter desired to speak with him, and, halting somewhat in his gait and looking very pallid still, but otherwise little the worse for wear, th6 tall soldier was ushered into the dispensary. neath. It was Hunter's turn to oolor, but before he could speak he had to spring aside Into the outer ball came banging a burly form enwrapped in cavalry circular. "Where'sDr. Connell?" brusquely demanded a loud, unmodulated voice. Then, slap bang, with all his characteristic impetuosity, Mainwaring burst into tbe room. CHAPTER XI. Bat he held a life office if he behaved himself, ami being a bachelor in a regiment that spent most of its days in the inexpensive luxuries of field service he bad managed to pay his debts, and ho lung as he let whisky alone keep oat of rerious trouble. But Brady anil John Barleycorn never "oonnected" that the former did not, as Blake said, make an ass of himself, and his asiuinity took shape in a peculiar form of mania that afflicts the bibulous Hibernian—that of imagining, believing and telling tales of deep and bloody mystery at the expense of his fellow men iu higher social esteem than himself. Friends Brady had few, enemies none worse than binself. He felt the isolation of his lot, wanted to marry and was refused by the girls be wanted, which made him gloomier, but campaign work saved him from the solace he would have sought, and Brady bad been doing fairly well, for bim, when Rawscn returned from leave and gave him a crony and an excuse for a start. Atherton whisked the orony off, as has been said, before much mischief was done, but he could not banish the whisky, and Brady marched on guard the morning of this eventful day looking much the worse for three weeks' wear and tear and little the bet ter for two strong cocktails. November bad given way to a still more wintry month, and December, cold, clear, snow white and sparkling, chained the streams in icy fetters and spread abroad its fleecy blanket. The holidays were drawing nigh, and garrison children were reveling in hope and whispered rumors of the great tiuies to come. There was to be a Christmas tree in the post hall, with presents for all the little ones. Misa Leroy was managing everything, and what Miss Leroy undertook weut with a dash. The afternoons now were given up to all miiniier of sewing and stitching and contriving, dressing dolls and filling cornucopias and parceling out gifts so that no child Bhould be overlooked or forgotten, but never once did Miss Leroy neglect her morning Bible class, for such it bad beoome, and into the fold were gladly drawn not only convalescent patients in hospital, but volunteers from barracks and quarters who had no bodily ills, but who rejoiced in souls in Deed of saving. Ransom had no chaplain in those days, or sectarian piety might have taken alarm at the rapid increase in Miss Lerny.'s weekday Hunday school. Two of the 111 out devout and regular attendants of late were Sergeant and Mrs. Merriweather. Drills were suspended, it being now too cold and snowy, and Miss Leroy's hospital services began regularly at 10. She would enter, bright, smiling, happy faced, go at once to her little desk and open the ball. Now, the Scriptures came first— there was no longer doubt as to the main object of her charitable enterprise —but when the lessons of the day were disposed of and a brief sermon read from the collection of some famous divine the barrack squad and Sudstown people would retire, and she oould then devote another hour to lighter reading for the benefit of her patients exclusively, some of whom were still in the ward with the graver cases. The junior medical officer, for reasons the senior ooald not quite fathom, had on several occasions recently asked the senior if be did not think Hunter fit to return to light duty and gave his opinion that be was getting soft and lazy there. The post surgeon, for reasons the junior oould not fathom at all, replied that he thought it might be several days before be should permit Hunter to return to his troop. This in nowise added to Jayne's good will toward his gentlemanly and attractive patient. Hunter was fortunate in having won the sympathy of the senior. Tonight be won something more. Finally, just after midnight, when it was time for all to be going to their homes, Blake, whose duty as officer of tbe day bad twice called him away, again was missing. Ray promptly threw his cape over his shoulders to escort Mrs. Blake, although sbe lived close at baud, aud with merry ohat aud laughter the various ladies and their escorts were trooping forth into the keen night air, when Mrs. Truscott, who was foremost, held up her hand aud said, "Hush! I hear something," and ber face took on an instant expression of alarm. Direct as ever, nevtD* noting or caring who was present, he went straight to the point "Hello, doc!" said be, loud, gruff, yet hearty. "Just the man I'm looking for. Say, Truscott tells me I hurt your feelings this morning, and I've come to 'pologize. I didn't mean \ d d thing. It's all right. If yon want to be called oolonel, why, colonel it shall be. I'll issue orders calling the attention of the whole command to it, if you like." What manner of man was Merriweatber anyway? pondered the sentry, as, pacing briskly up the open space before the stables, be went over in mind the adventure now nearly two weeks gone by. Never ouce, by word or act, had the sergeant shown the faintest intention to seek satisfaction for the blow that had floored him. Trne, he never spoke to Hunter, never seemed to see him, and the aocident to Stella and himself might, despite all the sergeant's protests to his captain, have been the result of his design. Onoe, twice, Hunter had seen Mrs. Merri weather, but at suoh a distance that speech with her was out of the question, even bad he sought it. But she had seen him and looked long and meaningly at him, and he could not but know it For some reason Merriweatber saw fit to hide the facts connected with bis absenoe from tattoo that night, and, so long as no one in authority questioned, it was not Hunter's province to explain. Standing bolt upright at the door, be said: And then for the first time he became aware of the tall soldier, now trying to ■lip quietly behind him so as to leave Continued on page 4. The wind was no longer violent, but it blew with steady force across the parade, and sounds from the direction of the guardhouse near the' south gate or the stables along the east front were carried out to the waste of prairie stretching away toward the far, pine crested heights of the Elk range. Yet it was toward the guardhouse, whose twinkling lights could be plainly seen, that Mrs. Truscott was gazing. Mainwaring was, as usual, talking loudest of the party and was the last to oease. "Nonsense, Mrs. Truscott, yon can't hear the baby crying," he almost derisively exclaimed, whereat the lady stamped a shapely foot and spoke as her father, their old oolonel, would have spoken when his wife was not present, anil this time with effect. "May I speak one moment with the colonel in private?" But it was decided for him that night Only two men in all Fort Ransom, however, were found to have anything to explain as to their whereabouts that night. First, Sergeant Merriweather, whom the sergeant of the guard had Inquired for just after visiting sentries, and solely because a light was burning so late in his window. The second waB the new trooper, Hunter, found nearly 800 yards away from his proper post, blinded, senseless, bleeding and half drowned. The Kid had told the plausible tale that "him and three other fellers was sneaking off to town for a lark" when detected. Merriweather declared that he had heard horses stamping and snorting in the stables and bad considered it his duty, though no longer stable sergeant, to go and investigate, and that he saw no sentry on No. 0, but buuted up and down for him, wondering where he could be, and was so occupied when the explosion oocurred. But Hunter hud not yet been approached. There were reasons why it waB deemed best to let him suppose no suspicion attached to him. The surgeon almost blushed aa he whirled toward the speaker. All through tbe war of the rebellion be bad served, a gallant, skillful, devoted offioer, ever seeking duty at tbe front, ever ready aight or day to brave peril, hardship or fatigue to go with bis regiment into action. Time and again he had dashed with them into battle. More than ouce be had cheered tbem in headlong charge until recalled to himself and duties that bade him sheathe the sword for tbe scalpel. Scorning to leave bis wounded, be had fallen with tbem into tbe bands of the enemy and bad starved with tbem at Andersonville. Once he bad been seriously wounded as he knelt beside a stricken comrade on the battle WKr of tfw Globe for I MKUhALQIA and similar Complaints, I and prepared under the stringent L GERMAN MEDICAL LAWS,^ proonWd by eminent phyiloiani" Km &dr. mcHT«-- "Ray," said he at evening stables, "whoever set that huge haystack so close to the stables bad no idea of prudence. If it were to catch fire, your premises would go. I shall order it removed tomorrow." Ruging at his plight, powerless to help himself in any way, and suffering •ot a little from the sharpness of his cords and the brutal manner in which he had been gagged, Hunter managed to keep cool and think. At the utmost be probably would not be left there more than 30 minutes. When the call was passed at 12:30, his voice \yould be missed. The corporal would have to come down and, not finding him on his post, would institute search; then he would be released and conld tell his story. Sergeant Merriweatber, stable sergeant of the troop up to a week before, beard these words, and so did Sergeant Conro, to whom be was pointing out certain defects in the mechanism of a grain shoot from the loft above their heads. It was storming, and grooming was being conducted inside. Merriweatber stopped short in his explanation, stared at the colonel as though the words bad dazed bim iu some way, and then bad to he reminded of the subject which he was discussing. Still he was not incapable of performing bis duty by any means, though eyes and nose held out their dauger signals. Blake had given him a sharp reminder at retreat, and Brady bad taken a stiller brace for fear of oonsequences. He was feeling sbakv when the colonel strode into the ill lighted room of the officer of the guard, Blake at bis heels, and thus addressed him: "Mr. Brady, I waut you to keep a special watch against fire tonight. Order your sentries about the stacks and stables to allow no one to approach them with pipe or cigar. Who are sentries on No& 5 and CD?" Even as he lay there he oould swear he heard the sound as of hoofs and heavy laden wheels crashing through the ice on the little shallow stream beyond the stables. Presently the bitter cold of the frozen ground seemed to penetrate through his heavy clothing, and he began to suffer keenly. The wind blew but lightly where he lay in the lee of the stack, and, though he knew it was not time for the Men tries to off. b« rtrsiiwd him mm to —*-•»- Some one, panting, came running across the parade, it was the corporal of the guard. line. Twice he had been offered ho pital duty at Annapolis and Wasbi ton and declined. From one end r' war to tbe other he bad been among the men as tbe fightir and tbe fame bad followed D far frontier, where in on fierce campaign against t bad spared himself no bar* humblest soldier had to •D cavalry *wot» kj him- "Captain Ray," be cried, "(Japtain Blake says please come to him quick at the south gate." The wind that had banked the snow olouds in the southeast during the day veered toward nightfall and blew strong from the southwest At tattoo it was Whisking the hay from the quartermasiv'iMtal and wading il streaming Keeping vigilant lookont on every side as he paeed up and down, the soldier gave bia thoughts free rein. He was glad to be alone to think and plan. There was bo glamour about soldiering M be had found It, and it was useless tonjing eten to feunaeit that be would Ray went like a shot. The corporal started to follow, but Mrs. Blake, alarmed and trembling, begged him to stop. Beady looked appealingly at the aernaat who quickly produced his lists. For, no sooner waa it lightenough to ■ee, the nouting aftea the explosion, "What'# happened?" demanded And among these latter, with band aged eves and burned and bltftered