Pittston Gazette

              - fi r . • Oldest id the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 18ti0. A WeeKly Local and Family Journal. THE DESERTER. I nayne a quarters, ana pointed to the parlor window. Two shadows were there now—one easily recognizable as that of the young officer in his 6nugly fitting undress uniform, the other slender, graceful, feminine. "What do you make that other shadow to be, corporal?" ho whispered, hoarsely and hurriedly. "Look!"' And with that . n shadowed ami seemed to encircle the slender form, tne image to bend low and mingle with the outlined luxuriance of tress that decked the other's head, and then, together, with clasping arms, the shadows moved from view. "What was the other, corporal?" he repeated. "Well, sir, I should say it was a young woman." aeavor to bring tne conversation back to a natural channel. It was a struggle; but he had grown accustomed to struggles. He could not imagine that a girl whom he had met only once or twice should have for him anything more than the vagy€st and most casual interest. He well knew by this time how deep and vehement was the interest she had aroufied in his heart; but it would never rta.to betray himself so soon. He strove to interest her in reference to the music she would hear, and to learn from her where they were going. This she answered. They would go no further east than St. Louis or Chicago. They might go south as far as Nashville until mid-May. As for the summer it would depend on the captain and his leave of absence. It was all vague and unset-' tied. Mrs Rayner was so wretched that her husband was convinced that she ought to leave for the states as soon as possible, and of course "she" must go " You!" exclaimed otners or tne group, in evident astonishment and dismay. Rayner alone looked unchanged. It was no news to him, while to every other man in the party it was a shock. Up to that instant the prevailing belief had been with Ross that Buxton had found some garrison gossip and was building an edilice thereon. His positive statement, however, was too much for the most incredulous. concerned our leading characters, and one and all they were put to the right about by the events of the following day. and the first warm breeze from the south came sighing about the casements, and one by one the lights appeared along officers' row, there was no light in Nellie Travers' window. The little note lay in ashes on the hearth, and she, with burning, shame stricken cheeks,with a black, scorching, gnawing pain at her heart, was hiding her face in her pillow. ing beside tiimj, chafiag his hands, imploring him to speak—to look at her— unmindful of tho fact that her feet were bare and that only a loose wrapper was thrown over her white night dress; Capt. Rayner was seated in a chair, deathly white, and striving to stanch the blood that flowed from a deep gash in his temple and forehead; he seemed still stunned as by the force of the blow that had felled him, and Buxton, speechless with amaze and heaven only knows what other emotions, was glaring at a tall, athletic stranger who, in stocking feet, undershirt and trousers, held by three frightened looking soldiers and covered by the carbine of a fourth, was hurling defiance and denunciation at the commanding officer. A revolver lay upon the floor at the feet of a corporal of the guard, who was groaning in pain. A thin veil of powder smoke floated through the room. As Blake leaped in—his cavalry shoulder knots and helmet cords gleaming in the light—a flash of recognition shot into the stranger's eyes, and he curbed his fearful excitement and stopped short in his wrath. as though they followed him and his fortunes like a curse. He sat silent, stunned, awe stricken at the force of the calamity that had befallen him. them back in abundant time to catch the westward train in the morning. He could not come in, because that involved the necessity of asking his captain's permission, and they knew his relations with that captain. The colonel, with his gruff second in command, Maj. Stannard, had been un- How could he ever induce an officer and a gentleman to believe that he was no instigator in this matter?—that it was all Buxton's doing, Buxton's iow imagination that had conceived the possibility of such a crime on the part of Mr. Hayne, and Buxton's blundering, bull headed abuse of authority that had capped the fatal climax? It was some time lDefore his wife could get him to speak :it all. She was hysterically bemoaning the fate that had brought them into contact with such peopi", and from time to time giving vent to tho comforting assertion that never had there been a cloud on their domestic or regimental sky until that wretch had been assigned to the Kiflers. She knew from the hurried and guarded explanations of Dr. Grimes and one or two young officers who helped Rayner home that the fracas had occurred at Mr. Havne'8—that there had been a mistake for which her husband was not responsible, but that Capt. Buxton was entirely to blame. But her husband's ashen face told her a story of something far deeper; she knew that now he was involved in fearful trouble, and, whatever may have been her innermost thoughts, it was the first and irresistible impulse to throw all the blame upon her scapegoat. Miss Travers, almost as pale and quite as silent as the captain, was busying herself in helping her sister; but she could with difficulty restrain her longing to Ind her be Silent. She, too, had endeavoied to learn from her escort on their hurried homeward rusii across the parade What the nature of the disturbance bad been. She, too, had suggested Clancy, but the officer by her side set his teeth as he replied that he wished it had been Clancy. She had beard, too, the message brought by a cavalry trumpeter from Mr. Blake. He wanted Capt. Ray to come to Mr. Hayne's as soon as he had seen Mrs. Ray safely home, and would he please ask Mrs. Stannard to come with him at the u ime time? Why should Mr. Blake want Mrs. Stannard at Mr. Hayne's? She saw Mr. Foster run up and speak a few words to Mrs. Waldrou and heard that lady reply. "Certainly; I will go with you now." What could it mean? At hist, as she was returning to her sister's room after a moment's absence, she heard a question at which her heart stood still. It was Mrs. Rayner who asked: By Oapt. OHABLES ma, D.U Author of "Dunraven Ranch," "The CotoneTs Daughter" "Marions Faith,' £io., ite. It was her shadow Buxton had seen on the window screen; and as none of Buxton's acquaintances had ever mentioned that Hayne had any relations, and as Hayne, in fact, had had no one tor years to talk to about his personal affairs, nobody but himself and the telegraph operator at the post really knew of their sudden visit. Buxton, being an unmitigated cad, had put the worst interpretation on his discovery, and, in his eagerness to clinch the evidence of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman upon Mr. Hayne, had taken no wise head into his confidence. Never dreaming that the shadow could be that of a blood relation, never doubting that a fair, frail companion from the frontier town was the explanation of Mr. Hayne's preference for that out of the way house and late hours, he stated his discovery to Rayner as a positive fact, going so far as to say that his sentries had recognized her as she drove away in the carriage. If he had not been an ass as well as a cad, he would have interviewed the driver of the carriage; but he had jumped at his theory, and his sudden elevation to the command of the post him opportunity to carry out his virtuous determination that no such goings on should disgrace his administration.And yet it was a jolly evening after all—that is, for some hours and for some people. As Mrs. Rnyner and her sister were so soon to go, probably by the morrow's train if their section could be secured, the garrison had decided to have an informal dance as a suitable farewell. Their announcement of impending departure had come so suddenly and unexpectedly that there was no time to prepare anything elSborate, such a3 a german with favors, etc.; but good music and an extemporized supper could be had without trouble. The colonel's wife and most of the cavalry ladies, on consultation, had decided that it wa? the very thing to do, and tho young officers took hold with a will: they were, always ready for a dance. "Now what have you to say?" he asked, in rude triumph. [Copyright, br J. B. Lipplacott Company, Phtla- published by special arrangement There was no answer for a moment; then Ross spoke: (COHTIMUKD.) "Of course, Capt. Buxton, I withdraw any expression of doubt. It never occurred to mo that you could have seen it. May I ask when and how?" CHAPTER XIIL "The last time I was officer of the day, sir; and Capt. Rayner is my witness as to the time. Others, whom I need not mention, saw it with me. There is no mistake, sir. The woman was there." And Buxton stood enjoying the effect. Buxton could hardly wait until morning to see Rayner. When lia passed the latter's quarters half an hour later all was darkness, though, had he but known it, Rayner was not asleep. He was at the house before guard mounting and had a confidential and evidently exciting talk with the captain; and when he went, just as the trumpets were sounding, these words were heard at the front door: "She never left until after daylight, when the same rig drove her back to town. There was a stranger with her then." That morning both Rayner and Buxton looked liard at Mr. Hayne when he came in to the matinee; but he. was just as calm and quiet as ever, and having saluted the commanding officer took a seat by Capt. Gregg and was soon occupied Jn conversation with him. Not a word was said by the officer of the day about the mysterious visitor to the garrison the Erevious night. With Capt. Rayner, owever, he was again in conversation much of the day, and to him, not to his successor as officer of the day, did he communicate all the details of the previous night's adventure and his theories thereanent. Late that night, having occasion to step to lils front door, convinced that he heard stealthy footsteps on his piazza, Mr. Hayne could see nobody in the darknecs, l»ut found liis front gate open. Ho walked around his little house, but not The driver caught sight of Lieut. Hayne waving his hand. der orders for several days to proceed oil this particular date to a large town a day's journey eastward by rail. A court martial composed mainly of field officers was ordered there to assemble for the trial of an old captain of cavalry whose propensity it was not so much to get drunk as never to get drunk without concomitant publicity and discovery. It was a rare thing for the old war dog to take so much as a glass of wine; he went for months without it; but the instant lie began to drink he was moved to do or say something disreputable, and that was the trouble now. He was an unlucky old trooper, who had risen from the lowest grades, fought with credit, and even, at times, commanded his regiment during the war; but war records could not save him when he wouldn't save himself, and he had to go. The court was ordered, and the result was a foregone conclusion. The colonel, his adjutant and Maj. Stannard were to drive to town during the afternoon and take the east bound traiii, leaving Maj. Waldron in command of the post; but before guard mounting a telegram was received, which was sent from department headquarters the evening before, announcing that one of the officers detailed for the court was seriously ill and directing Maj. Waldron to take his place. So it resulted in the post being left to the command of the senior captain present for duty, and that man was Capt. Buxton. Ue had never had so big a command before in all his life. with her. All the gladdess, brightness, vivacity he had seen and heard of as her marked characteristics seemed gone; and yet she wanted to speak with him— wanted to be with him. What could be wrong? he asked himself. It was not until Mrs. Waldron's step was heard returning that she nerved herself to sudden, almost desperate effort. SHe startled him with her vehemence: Ross looked white and dazed. He turned slowly away, hesitated, looked back, then exclaimed: "You are sure it was—it was not some one that had a right to bo there?" Now that Mrs. Rayner was really going, the quar-.el should be ignored, and the ladies would all be as pleasant to her as though nothing had happened, provided, of course, 6he dropped her absurd airs of injured womanhood and behaved "What devil's work is this?" demanded Blake, glaring intuitively at Buxton. "Those people resisted my guards, and had to take the consequences," said Buxton, with surly—yet shaken—dignity. "How could it be?" said Buxton, gruffly. "You know h i has not an acquaintance in town, or here, who could be with him tliero at night." "Does the commanding officer knowof" it?" asked Mr. Royce, after a moment's "What were the guards doing here? What, in God's name, are you doing here?" demanded Blake, forgetful of all consideration of rank and command in tho face of such evident catastrophe. "Mr. Hayne, there is (something I must tell you before I go. If no opportunity occur, I'll write it." "*4th courtesy. The colonel had had a brief talk with his better half before starting for the train, and suggested that it was very probable that Sirs. Rayner had seen the folly of her ways by that time—the captain certainly had been behaving as though ho regretted the estrangement—and if encouraged by a "let's-drop-the-whole-thing" sort of manner she would be glad to reciprocate. He felt far less anxiety herein than he did in leaving the post to the command of Capt. Buxton. So scrupulously had he been courteous to that intractable veteran that Buxton had no doubt in his own mind that the colonel looked upon him as tho model officer of the regiment. It was singularly unfortunate that he should have to bo left in command, but his one or two seniors among the captains were away on long leave, and there was no help for it. The colonel, seriously disquieted, had a few words of earnest talk with him before leaving the post, cautioning him bo particularly not to interfere with any of the established details and customs that Buxton got very much annoVed. and showed it. silence, And those were the words that had been haunting him all the evening, for they were not again alone, and he had no chance to ask a question. What could she mean? For years he had beein living a life of steriAelf denial; but long before his promotion the last penny of the obligation that, justly or otherwise, had been laid upon his shoulders was paid with interest. He was a man free and self respecting, strong, resolute, and possessed of an independence that never would have been his had his life run on in the same easy, trusting, happy-golucky style in which he had spent the first two years of his army career. But in his isolation he had allowed himself no thought of anything that could for a moment distract him from the stern purpose to which he had devoted every energy. He would win back, command, compel, the respect of his comrades— would bring to confusion those who had sought to pull him down; and until that stood accomplished he would know no other claim. In the exile of the mountain station he 6aw no women but the wives of his senior officers; and they merely bowed when they happened to meet him; some did not even do that. Now at last he had met and yielded to the first of two conquerors before whom even the bravest and the strongest go down infallibly—Love and Death. "I am the commanding officer, Mr. Royce," said Buxton, with majestic dignity—"at least I will be after 12 o'clock; 'and you may depend upon it, gentlemen, this thing will not occur while I am in command without its receiving the exact treatment it deserves. Remember, now, not a word of tliistoanybodv. You are as much interested as I am la bringing to justice a man who will disgrace his uniform and his regiment and insult every lady in the garrison by such an act. Tliis sort of thing of course will run him out of the service for good and all. We simply have to be sure of our ground and make the evidence conclusive. Leave that to me the next time it happens. I repeat, say nothing of this to any one." "I ordered them here—to enter and search." He gave instructions to certain soldiei clerks and "daily duty" men employed in the quartermaster, commissary and ordnance offices along Prairie avenue tc keep their eyes open and let him know of any visitors coming out to Hayne's by night, and if a lady came in a carriage he was to be called at once. Mr. Hurley promised that on their return from Salt Lake they would come back by way of Warrener and spend two days with Hayne, since only an hour or two had they enjoyed of his company on their way west; and the very day that the officers went off to the court came the telegram saying the Hurleys would arrive that evening. Hayne had already talked over their prospective visit with Maj. Waldron, and the latter had told his wife; but all intercourse of a friendly character was at an end between them and the Rayners and Buxtons; there were no more gossipy chats among the ladies. Indeed, it so happened that only to one or two people had Mrs. Waldron had time to mention that Mr. Hayne's sister was coming, and neither the Rayners nor Buxtons had heard of it; neither had Nellie Travers, for it was after the evening of her last visit" that Mrs. Waldron was told. Hayne ran with his telegram to the major, and the latter had introduced himself and Maj. Stannary to Mrs. Hurley, when, after a weajhp wait of some hours, the train arrived!' Bl«-* too, was there, on the lookout fr friends, and he was Hurley while her husbana ing to some matter- The train went on the field officers wi\ go with his friends and Mr. and Mrs. F mer had attended to seen some railway the hotel, took the carriage before and drove c wnere .Private Set lady rapturously w Hayne and escorted ii Mr. Hurley remained driver out in the darkness. "searcn wnatr wnac iorf "For—a woman I had reason to believe he had bronght out here from town." A pause. "Well, sir, I should it teas a young "Wliat? You infernal idiot? Why, she's his own sister, and thia gentleman's wife!" woman.'' Two nights after this, as Capt. Buxton was sulkily going the rounds of the sentries, he made a discovery which greatly enlivened an otherwise uneventful tour as officer of the day. It had been his general custom on such occasions to take the shortest way across the parade to the guard house, make brief and perfunctory inspection there, then go on down the bill to the creek valley and successively visit the sentries around the stables. If the night were wet or cold, he went back the same way, ignoring the sentries at the coal and store sheds along Prairie avenue. This was a sharply cold night and very dark, but equally atilL It was between 12 and 1 o'clock—nearer 1 tlJhn 13—as ho climbed the hill on his homeward way, and, instead of taking the short cut, turned northward and struck for the gloomy mass of sheds dimly discernible some forty yards from the crest. He had heard other officers speak of the fact that Mr. Hayne's lights were burning until long after midnight, and that dropping in there, they had found him seated at his desk with a green shade over his eyes, studying by the aid of two student lumps; "boning to be a general, probably," was the comment of captains of Buxton's caliber, who, having grown old in the service and in their own ignorance, were fiercely intolerant of lieutenants who strove to improve in professional reading instead of spending their time making out the company muster rolls and clothing accounts, as they Should do. The silence, broken only by the hard breathing of some of the excited men and the moaning cry of the woman, was for a moment intense. "Isn't this Mr. Hurley?" asked Blake, suddenly, as though to make sure, and turning one instant from liis furious glare at his superior officer. The stranger, still held, though no longer struggling, replied between his set teeth: But Rayner had already told his wife. a man was visible. His heart was full of a new and strange excitement that night, and, as before, he threw on his overcoat and furs and took a rapid walk around the garrison, gazing up into the 6tarry heavens and drinking in great draughts of the pure, bracing air. Returning, be came down along the front of officers' row, and as he approached Rayner's quarters his eyes rested longingly upon the window he knew to be hers now; but all was darkness. As he rapidly neared the house, however, he became aware of two bulky figures at the gate, and, as he walked briskly past, recognized the overcoats as those of officers. One man was doubtless Rayner, the other he could not tell; for both, the instant they recognized his step, seemed to avert their heads. Once home again, he soon sought his room and pillow; but, long before he could sleep, again and again a sweet vision seemed to come to him; he could not shut out the thought of Nellie Travers—of how she looked and what she said that very afternoon.Just as Maj. Waldron was driving off to the station that bright April afternoon, and his carnage was whirling through thp east gate, the driver caught eight of Lieut. Hayue running up Prairie avenue, waving his hand and shouting to him. He reigned in his spirited bay3 with some difficulty, and Hayne finally caught up with them. "Certainly. I've told him so." "By heaven, Buxton, is there no limit to your asininity? What fearful work will you do next?" Maj. Waldron of course had to go home and make his preparations. Mr. Hayne, therefore, had brief opportunity to speak with him. It was seen, however, that they had a short talk together on the mnWs pinzza. and that when thev parted tbe major snook mm warmly and cordially by the hand. Rayner, Buxton, Ross and some juniors happened to be coming down along the walk at the moment, and, seeing them, as though with pointed meaning the major called out, so that all could hear: '*111 arrest you, sir, if you speak another disrespectful word!" thundered Buxton, recovering consciousness that as commanding officer he could defend himself against Blake's assault. "If your evidence were not imperatively necessary before this court I declare I believe I'd leave you behind," said the colonel to his adjutant. "There is no telling what mischief Capt. Buxton won't do if left to himself." "But the creature was there, was she not?" "What is it, Hayne?" asked Waldron, with kindly interest, leaning out of his carriage. "Do it and be—you know what I would say if a lady were not present. Do it if you think you can stand having this thing ventilated by the court. Pah! I can't waste words on you. Who's gone for the doctor? Here, you men, let go of Mr. Hurley now. Help me, Mr. Hurley, please. Get your wife back to her room. Bring me some water, one of you." And with teat ho was bending over Ilayne and unbuttoning the fatigue uniform in which he was still dressed. Another moment and the doctor had come in, and with him half the young officers of the garrison. Rayner was led away to his own quarters. Buxton, dazed and frightened now, ordered the guards back to their post, and stood pondering over the enormity of his blunder. No one spoke to him or paid the faintest attention other than to elbow him out of the way occasionally. The doctor never so much as noticed him. Blake had briefly recounted the catastrophe to those who first arrived, and as the story went from mouth to mouth it grew no better for Buxton. Once he turned short on Mr. Foster, and in aggrieved and sullen tone remarked: The answer sounded more like a moan of anguish: "The creature was his sister. It was her husband who"  "They will be back to-night, sir. Here is a telegram that has just reached me." It must have been near midnight, and the hop was going along beautifully, and Capt. Rayner, who was officer of the day, was just escorting his wife into supper, and Nellie, although looking a trifle tired and pale, was chatting brightly with a knot of young officers, when a corporal of the guard came to the door: "The commanding officer's compliments, and ho desires to Bee tho officer of the day at once." But, as" Capt. Rayner buried his battered face in his hands at this juncture, the rest of the sentence was inaudible. Miss Travers had heard quite enough, however. She stood there one moment, appalled, dropped upon the floor the bandage she had been making, turned and sought her room, and was seen no more that night. Suddenly, but irresistibly, the sweet face and thrilling tones of that young girl had seized and filled his heart, to the utter exclusion of every other passion; and just in proportion to the emptiness and yearning of his life before their meeting was the intensity of the love and longing that possessed him now. It was useless to try and analyze the suddenness and subtilty of its approach; the power of love had overmastered him. He could only realize that it was here and he must obey. Late into the morning hours he lay there, his brain whirling with its varied and bewildering emotions. Win her he must, or the blackness and desolation of the past five years would be as nothing compared with the misery of the years to come. Woo her he would, and not without hope, if ever woman's eyes gave proof of sympathy and trust. But now at last he realized that the time had come when for her sake—not for his —he must adopt a new course. Hitherto he had scorned and repelled all overtures that were not prefaced by an expression of belief in his utter innocence in the past. Hitherto had cho3en to live the life of an anchorite, and had abjured the society of women. Hitherto he had refused the half extended proffers of comrades who had sought to continue the investigation of a chain of circumstances that, complete, might have proved him a wronged and defrauded man. "I can't tell you how sorry I am not to be hero to welcome them; but Mrs. Waldron will be delighted, and she will come to call the moment you let her know. Keep them till I get back, if you possibly can." "By the way, HaynerI wish you would drop in occasionally while I'm gone and take Mrs. Waldron out for a walk or drive; my horses are always at your service. And—a—I'll write to you about that matter the moment I've had a chance to talk with the colonel—to-morrow, probably.And Hayne touched his cap in parting salute, and went blithely off with brightened eye and rising color. _ —— *T~"y presented to Mrs. iband was attendiboutthe baggage, eastward, carrying h it. Blake had to back to the post, nrley, after the for-3ome business and associates of his at „ they had had at to the frarrison, veinuopt saw tne 'corned by Lieut, o the house, while settling with the It was not "Ay, ay, sir. Good-by." "Good-by, Hayne. God bless you, and —good luck!" A little later that afternoon Mra. Rayner had occasion to go into her sister's room. It was almost 6unset, and Nellie had been summoned downstairs to see visitors. Both the ladies were busy with their packing, Mrs. Rayner, as became an invalid, superintending, and Miss Travers, as became the junior, doing all the work. It was rather trying to pack all the trunks and receive visitors of both sexes at odd hours. Some of her There was a general laugh. "Isn't that Buxton all over? The colonel would never think of sending for an officer in the dead of night, ftxeept for a fire or alarm; but old Bux. begins putting on frills tho moment Ikj gets a chance. Thanh God, I'm not on guard to-night!" said Mr. Royce. Over the day or two that followed this affair the veil of silence may best be drawn, in order to give time for the sediment of truth to settle through the whirlpool of stories in violent circulation. The colonel came back on the first train after the adjournment of the court, and could hardly wait for that formality. Contrary to his custom of "sleeping on" a question, lie was in his office within half an hour after his return to the post, and from that time until near tattoo was Wusily occupied taking the statements of the active participants in the affair. This was tiiree days after its occurrence; and Capt. Rayner, though up and able to be about, had not left his quarters. Mrs. Rayner had abandoned her trip to the east, for the present at least. He had gone to call at Mrs. Waldron's soon after dark. He was at the piano, playing for her, when he became conscious that another lady had entered the room, and, turning, saw Nellie Travers. He rose and bowed to her, extending his hand as he did so, and knowing that his heart was thumping and his color rising as he felt the soft, warm touch of her slender fingers in his grasp. She, too, had flushed—any one could see it, though the lamps were not turned high, nor was the firelight strong. Buxton wanted to see for himself wkat the night lights meant, and was plunging heavily ahead through the darkness, Buxton glowered after him a moment, and conversation suddenly ceased in their party. Finally he blurted out: "Strikes me your major might do a good deal better by himself and his regiment by standing up for its morale and discipline than by openly flaunting his favoritism for convicts in our faces. If I were in your regiment I'd cut him." "What can lie want with you?" asked Mrs. Rayner, pettishly. "The idea of one captain ordering another around like this!" when suddenly brought to a stand by the sharp challenge of the sentry at the coal shed. He whispered the mystic countersign over the leveled I® onet of the infantryman, swearing to himself at the regulation which puts an officer in such a "stand-and-deliver" attitude for the time being, and then, by way of getting square with the soldier for the sharply military way in which his duty as sentry had been performed, the captain proceeded to catechise him as to his orders. The soldier had been well taught, and knew all his "responses" by rote—far better than Buxton, for that matter, as the latter was anything but an exemplar of perfection in tactics or sentry duty; but this did not prevent Buxton's snappishly telling him he was wrong in several points and contemptuously inquiring where he had learned such trash. The -soldier promptly but respectfully responded that those were the exact instructions he had received at the adjutant's school, and Buxton knew from experience that he was getting on dangerous ground. He would have stuck, to kis point, however, in default of something else to find fault with, but that the crack of a whip, the crunching of hoofs and a rattle of wheels out in the darkness quickly diverted fiis attention. garrison acquaintances would have been glad to come and help, but those whom 6he would have welcomed were not agreeable to the lady of the house, and those the lady of the house would have choscn were not agreeable to her. The relations between the sisters were somewhat strained and unnatural, and had been growing more and more so for several days past. Mrs. Rayner's desk was already packed away. She wanted to send a note, and bethought her of her Bister's nortfolio. ong before the commanding officer pro em. was called from the hop room, * vhere the dance was going on delightedly, and notified that the mysterious risitor had again appeared, with evilent intention of spending the night, ar ;he carriage had returned to town. "Why, certainly reasoned Buxton. 'It's the very night he woulcl choose, lince everybody will be at the hop; no Dne will be apt to interfere, and everybody will be unusually drowsy and less nclined to take notice in the morning." Sere was ample opportunity for a brillant stroke of work. He would, first satisfy himself she was there, then surround the house with sentries so that she ;ould not escape, while he, with the officer of the day and the corporal of the juard, entered the house and confronted iim and her. That would wind up Mr., Hayne's career beyond question; nothing short of dismissal would result. Over be went, full of his project, listened at Hayne's like the eavesdropping sneak he was, saw again the shadow of the graceful -form and heard the silvery, happy laugh, and then it wa3 he sent for Rayner. It was near midnight when he led his forces to the attack. A light was now burning in the second story, which he thought must be Sam's; but the lights had been turned low in the parlor and the occupants had disappeared from sight and hearing. By inquiry he had ascertained that Hayne's bedroom was just back of the parlor. A man was stationed at the back door, others at the sides, with orders to arrest any one who attempted to escape; then softly he stepped to the front door, telling Rayner to follow him, and the corporal of the guard to follow both. To his surprise, the door was unlocked, and a light was burning in the hall. Never knocking, ho stepped in, marched through the hall into tho parlor, which - was empty, and, signaling "Come on" to his followers, crossed tht, parlor and seized the knob of the bedroom door. It was locked. Rayner, looking white and j worried, stood just behind him, and the / corporal but a step farther back. Before Buxton could knock and demand admission,which was his intention, quick foot- ' steps came flying down the stairs from the second story, and the trio wheeled "I'll be back in five minutes," said Rayner, as lie picked up his sword and disappeared. "You wouldn't have to," muttered one of the group to his neighbor; "the cut would have been on the other side long ago.-'. And the speaker was Buxton's own subaltern. But ten minutes—fifteen—passed, and he came not. Mrs. Rayner grew worried and Mr. Blake led her out on the rude piazza to sec what they could see, and Several others strolled out at the same time. The music had ceased, and the night air was nbt too cold. Not a soul was in sight out on the starlit parade. Not an unusual sound was heard. There was nothing to indicate the faintest trouble; and yet Capt. Buxton, the commanding officer, had been called out by his "striker"' or soldier servant before 11 o'clock, had not returned at all, and in little over half an hour had sent for the officer of the day. What did it mean? Questioning and talking thus among themselves, somebody said, "Hark!" and held up a warning hand. "I thought you fellows in the Riflers said he had no relations." "Miss Travers has come to take tea very quietly with me, Mr. Hayne—she is so soon to return to the east—and now I want you to stay and join us. No one will be here but the major; and we will have a lovely time with our music. You will, won't you?" Rayner said nothing. His eyes were troubled and anxious, and he looked 'after Hayne with an expression far more wearied than vindictive. "We weren't apt to be invited to meet them if he had; but I don't know that anybody was in position to know anything about it. What's that got to do with this affair, I'd like to hear?" Mr. Hayne still lay weak and prostrate in liis darkened room, attended hourly by Dr. Pease, who feared brain fever, and nursed assiduously by Mrs. Hurley, for whom Mrs. Waldron, Mrs. Stannard, and many other ladies \a- the garrison could not do enough to content themselves. Mr. Hurley's wrist was badly snrained and in a slincr: but the colonel went purposely to call upon him and to shake his other hand, and he begged to lie permitted to see Mrs. Hurley, who came in pale and soft eyed, and with a gentle demeanor that touched the colonel more than he could tell. Her check flushed for a moment as he bent low over her hand, and told her how bitterly he regretted that his absence from the post had resulted in so grievous an experience; it was not the welcome he and his regiment w.Du!J have given her had they known of her intended visit. To Mr. Hurley he briefly said that he need not f$ar but that full justice would be meted out to the instigator or instigators of the assault; but, as a something to make partial amends for their suffering, ha said that nothing now could check Of turn of the tide i:i their brother's favor. All the cavalry officers except Buxton, all the infantry officers except Rayner, had already been to call upon him since the night of the 'XT:irrence,and had striven to show how distressed, they were over the outrageous blunders of their temporary commander. "The major is fond of music, captain,"' said Mr. Ross, with mischievous intent. "He hasn't been to the club since the night you sang 'Eileen Alanna.' That was about the time Hayne's piano came." At last somebody took him home. Mrs. Waldron, meantime, had arrived and been admitted to Mrs. Hurley's room. The doctor refused to go to Capt. Rayner's, even when a messenger came from Mrs. Rayner herself. He referred her to his assistant, Dr. Grimes. Hayne had regained consciousness, but was sorely shaken. He had been floored by a blow from the butt of a musket; but the report that ho was shot proved happily untrue. Ilis right hand still lay near the hilt of his light sword; there was little question that he had raised his weapon against a superior officer, and would have used it with telling effect* VSo soon to return to the east!" How harsh, how strange and unwelcome the words sounded I How they seemed to oppress him and prevent his reply! He stood a moment dazed and vaguely worried; he could not explain it. He looked from Mrs. Waldron's kind face to the sweet, flushed, lovely features there so near him, and something told him that he could never let them go and find even hope or content in life again. How, why had she so strangely come into his lonely life, radiant, beautiful, bewildering as some suddenly blazing star in the darkest corner of the heavens? Whence had come this strange power that enthralled him? He gazed iuto her sweet face, with its downcast, troubled eyes, and then, in bewilderment, turned to Mrs. Waldron: Opening it she drew out some paper and envelopes, and with the latter came an envelope sealed and directed. One glance at its superscription sent the blood to her cheek and fire to her eye. Was it possible? Was it credible? Her pet, her baby sister, her pride and delight—until she found her stronger in will—her proud spirited, truthful Nell was beyond question corresponding with Lieut. Hayne! Here was a note addressed to him. How many more might not have been exchanged! Ruthlessly now she explored the desk, searching for something from him, but her scrutiny was vain. Oh, what could sho say, what could she do, xne missing unics were not beyond recovery in skillful hands; but in the shock and horror which he felt on realizing that it was not only possible but certain that a jury of his comrade officers could deem liim guilty of a low crime, he hid his face and turned from all. Now the time had come to reopen the case. He well knew that a revulsion of feeling had set in which nothing but his own stubbornness held in check. He knew that he bad friends and sympathizers among officers high in rank. He had only a few days before heard from Maj. Waldron's lips a strong intimation that it was his duty to "come out of his shell" and reassert himself. "You must remember this, Hayne," said he, "you had been only two years in service when tried by court martial. You were an utter stranger to every member of that court. There was nothing but the evidence to go upon, and that was all against you. The court was made up of officers from other regiments, and was at least impartial. The evidence was almost all from your own, and was presumably well founded. You would call no witnesses for defense. You made your almost defiant statement; refused counsel; refused advice; and what could the court do but convict and "Yes," put in Foster, "Mrs. Waldron isavs he goes and owls Hayne now night after night Just to hear him play." "It would be well for him, then, if he kept a better guard on Mr. Hayne's other jvisitors," said Buxton, with a black jscowl. "I don't know how you gentlemen in the Riflers look upon such matters, but in the —th the man who dared Ito introduce a woman of the town into his quarters would be kicked out in short order." Faint, far, muffled, there sounded on the night air a ghot, then a woman's scream; then all was still. « "Mrs. Clancy again!" said one. "That was not Mrs. Clancy, 'twas a far different voice," answered Blake, and tore away across the parade as fast as his long legs would carry him. Few people slept that night along officers' row. Never had Warrener heard of such excitement. Buxton knew not what to do. He paced the floor in agony of mind, for he well understood that there was no shirking the responsibility. From beginning to end he was the cause of the whole catastrophe. He had gone so far as to order his corporal to fire, and he knew it could be proved against him. Thank God, the perplexed corporal had shot high, and the other men, barring the one who had saved Rayner from a furious lunge of the lieutenant's sword, had used their weapons as gingerly and reluctantly as possible. At the very least, he knew, an investigation and fearful scandal must come of it. Night though it was, he spnt for the acting adjutant and several of his brother captains, and, setting refreshments before them, besought their advice. He was still commanding officer de jure, but he had lost all stomach for its functions. Ho would have been glad to send for Blake and beg his pardon for submitting to his insubordinate and abusive language, if that course could have stopped inquiry; but he well knew that the whole thing would be noised abroad in less than no time. "You don't mean to say that anybody accuses Hayne of that, do you?" asked Ross, in amaze. to convey to her erring fiister an adequate sense of the extent of her displeasure? How could she bring her to realize the shame, the guilt, the scandal of her course? She, Nellie Travers, the betrothed wife of Steven Van Antwerp, corresponding secretly with this—this scour.drel, whose past, crime laden as it had been, was as nothing compared to the present with its degradation of vice! Ah! she had it! What would ever move her as that could and must? "What's that, sentry?" he sharply inquired."A carriage, sir. Leastwise, I think it must be." "I—I had no idea Miss Travers was going east again just now. It seems only a few days since she came." • "I do—just that. Only, I say this to you, it has but just come to light, and only one or two know it. To prove it positively he's got to bo allowed more rope; for he got her out of the way last time before we could clinch the matter. If he suspects it is known he won't repeat it; if kept to ourselves he will probably try it again—and be caught. Now I charge you all to regard this as confidential." "Look! The guard are running too!' cried Mrs. Waldron. "What can it be?" And, sure enough, the gleam of the rifles could be seen as the men ran rapidly away in the direction of the east gate. Mrs. Rayner had grown ghastly, and was looking at Miss Travers, who with white lips and clinched hands stood leaning on one of the wooden posts and gazing with all her eyes across the dim level. Others came hurrying out from the hall. Other young officers ran in pursuit of the first starters. "What's the matter? What's happened?" were the questions that flew from lip to lip. "Why don't you know, sir? It must have been on your post." "It is over a month; but all the same this is a sudden decision. I knew nothing of it until yesterday. You said Mrs. Rayner was better today, Nellie?" "No, sir; it was 'way off my post. It drove up to Lieut. Haync's about half an hour ago." "Where'd it come from from?" asked captain, eagerly. "Yes, a little; but she is far from well. I think the captain will go, too, just as soon as he can arrange for leave of absence," was the low toned answer. He had released, or rather she had withdrawn, her hand, and he still stood there, fascinated. His eyes could not quit their gaze. She going away?—She? Oh, it could not be! What—what would life become without the sight of that radiant face, that slender, graceful,girlish form? "Is not this very unexpected?" he struggled to say. "I thought—I heard you were to spend several months here." "From town, sir, I suppose." And, leaving the sentry to his own reflections, which, on the whole, were not complimentary to his superior officer, Capt. Buxton strode rapidly through the darkness to Lieut. Hayne's quarters. Bright lights were still burning within, both on the ground floor and in a room above. The sentries were just beginning the call of 1 o'clock when he reached the gate and halted, gazing inquisitively at the house front. Then he turned and listened to the rattle of wheels growing faint in the distance as the team drove away towards the prairie town. If Hayne had gone to town at that hour of the night it was a most unusual proceeding, and he had not the colonel's permission .to absent himself from the post; of that the officer of the day was certain. Then, again, he would not have gone and left all his lights burning. No; that vehicle, whatever it was, had brought somebody out to see him—somebody who proposed to remain several iiours; otherwise the carriage would not have driven away. When the trumpets rang out their sunset call and the boom of the evening gun 6hook the windows in Fort Warrener and Nellie Travers came running upstairs again to her room, she started at the sight that met her eyes. There stood Mrs. Rayner, like Juno in wrath inflexible, glaring at her from the commanding height of which she was so proud, and pointing in speechless indignation at the little note that lay upon the opan portfolio."But, Capt. Buxton," said Ross, "this is so serious a matter that I don't like to believe it. Who can prove such a story?" Buxton had written a note expressive of a desire to see him and "explain," but was informed that explanations from liirn simply aggravated the injury; and Rayner, crushed and humiliated, was fairly in hiding in his room, too sick at is-art to want to see anybody, and waiting for the action of the authorities in the confident expectation that nothing loss than court martial and disgrace would be his sliaiv '.f the outcome. He would gladly have rtv,i ted and gone at once, but that would haw been resigning under virtual charges; lie had to stay, and his wife had to stay with him, and Nellie with her. By this time Nellio Travers did not want to go. She had but one thought now—to make amends to Mr. Hayne for the wrong her thoughts had done him. It was time for Mr. Van Antwerp to come to the wide west and look after his interests, but Mrs. Rayner had ceased to urge, while he continued to implore her to bring Nellie east at once. Almost any man as rich and independent as Steven Van Antwerp would have gone to the scene and settled matters for himself. Singularly enough, this ono solution of the problem seemed never to occur to him as feasible. •'Of course not, Mr. Ross. You are quite ready to treat a man as a thief, but can't believe he'll do any other that is disreputable. That is characteristic of your style of reasoning," said Buxton, with biting sarcasm. "I—I must go home," faltered Mrs. Rayner. "Come, Nellie!" "Oh, don't go, Mrs. Rayner. It can't bo anything serious." sentence? Had I been a member of the court I would have voted just as was done by the court; and yet I believe you now an utterly innocent man." But, even as they urged, a man came running towards them. So, apparently, did the colonel regard him. So, too, did several of the officers of the cavalry. So, too, would most of the youngsters of his own regiment if he would only give them half a chance. In any event, the score was wiped out now; he could afford to take a wife if a woman learned to love him, and what wealth of tenderness and devotion was he not ready to lavish on one who would! But he would offer no one a tarnished name. First and foremost he must now stand up and fight that calumny—"come out of his shell," as Waldron had said, and give people a chance to see what manner of man he was. God helping him, he would, and that without delay. "You can't wither me with contempt, Capt. Buxton. I have a right to my opinion, and I have known Mr. Hayne for years, and if I did believe him guilty of one crime five years ago I'm not so ready to believe him guilty of another now. This isn't—isn't like Hayne." "Is the doctor here?" he panted, "It was so intended, Mr. nayne; but my sister's health requires speedy change. Slip lin« bo-n \vnr» rror we came, and she will not get well here." For a jnoment neither spoke. Then Miss Travers, who had turned verywhite, but whose blue eyes never flinched and whose lip3 were set and whose little foot was tapping the carpet ominously, thus began: "Yes. What's the trouble?" asked Dr. Pease, as he squeezed his burly form through tho crowded doorway. "You're wanted, sir. Loot'nant Hayne's shot; an' Capt. Rayner he's hurt too, sir." "And when do you go?"' he asked, blanklv. "Just as soon as we can pack; though we may wait two or three days for a— for a telegram." "No, of course not, as I said before. Now, will you tell me, Mr. Ross, just why Mr. Hayne chose that ramshackle old shanty out on the prairie, stll by himself, unle?s it was to be where he could have his chosen companions with him at night, and 110 one be the wiser?" about in surprise to find Mr. Hayne, dressed in his fatigue uniform, standing at the threshold and staring at them with mingled astonishment, incredulity and#indignation. A sudden light seemed to dawn upon him as he glanced from one to the other. With a leap like a cat he threw himself upon Buxton, hurled him back, and stood at the closed door confronting them with blazing eyes and clinching fists. "Kate, I do not recognize your right to overhaul my desk or supervise my correspondence."CHAPTER XV. At nrst ne tnougnt to give orders against the telegraph operator's sending any messages concerning the matter; but that would have been only a temporary hinderance: he could not control the instruments and operators in town, only three miles away. He almost wished he had been knocked down, shot or stabbed in the melee; but he had kept in the rear when the skirmish began, and Ravner and the corporal were the sufferers. They had been knocked "endwise" by Mr. Hurley's practiced flsts after Hayne was struck down by the corporal's musket. It was the universal sentiment among the officers of the —th as they scattered to their homes that Buxton had "wound himself up this time, anyhow;" and no one hail any sympathy for him— not one. The very best light in which he could tell tho story only showed the affair as a flagrant and inexcusable outrage.There was a complete break in the conversation for a full quarter of a minute —not such a long time in itself, but unconventionally long under such circumstances. Then Mrs. Waldron suddenly and remarkably arose: "Understand this first. Cornelia," said Mrs. Ravner, who liated the baptismal name as much as did her sister, and used it only when she desired to be especially and desperately impressive: "I found it by accident. I never dreamed of such a possibility as this. I never, even after what I have 6een and heard, could have believed you guilty of this; but, now that I have found it, I have the right to ask, what are its contents?" "I don't pretend to fathom lib motives, sir; but I don't believe it was for any eucli purpose as you seem to think." In confirmation of this theory he heard voices, cheery voices, in laughing talk, and one of them made liim prick up his ears. He heard the piano crisply trilling a response to light, skillful fingers. He longed for a peep within, and regretted that he had dropped Mr. Ilayne from the | list of his acquaintance. He recognized Hayne's shadow presently thrown by the lamp upon the curtained window, - and wished that his visitor would come similarly into view. He heard the clink , of glasses and saw the shadow raise a | wine glass to the lips, and Sam's Mon- I golian shape flitted across the screen, ' bearing a tray with similar suggestive •objects. What meant this unheard of ►conviviality on the part of the ascetic, *he hermit, the midnight oil burner, the scholarly recluse of the garrison? Bux-' Son stared with all his eyes and listened with all his ears, starting guiltily when lie uioiu a luoibiep coiumg quickly up! the path, and faced the intruder rather unsteadily. It was only the corporal of the guard, and he glanced at his superior, brought his fur gauntleted hand in salute to the rifle on his shoul-J «?r and nassed on. ilie next moment Buxton fairly gasped with amaze; he stared an Instant at the window a. though transfixed, then ran •fter the corporal, called to him in low, Wealthy tone to come back noiselessly, dyew him by the sleeve to the front of ( "I'll leave you to entertain Mr. Hayne a few moments, Nellie. I am the Blave of my cCDok, and she knows nothing of Mr. Hayne's being here to tea with us; so I must tell her and avert disaster." And with this barefaced—statement on her lips and conscience, where it rested with equal lightness, that exemplary lady quitted the room. In the sanctity of the connubial chamber that evening, aome hours later, she thus explained her action to her silent spouse: "In other words, you think I'm circulating baseless scandal do you?" CHAPTER XIV. "Open that door, sir!" cried Buxton. "You have a woman hidden there. Open, or stand aside." "The best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley." Mrs. Rayner, ill in mind and body, had yielded to her lord's entreaties and determined to start eastward with her sister without delay. Packing was already begup. Miss Travers had promised herself that she would within thirty-six hours put Mr. Hayne in possession of certain facts or theories which in her opinion bore strongly upon the "clearing up" of the case against him; Mr. Hayne had determined that he would see Maj. Waldron on the coming day and begin active efforts towards the restoration of his social rights; the doctor had about decided on a new project for inducing Clancy to unbosom himself of what he knew; Gapt. Rayner, tired of the long struggle, was almost ready to welcome anything which should establish his subaltern's innocence, and was on the point of asking for six months' leave just as soon as he had arranged for Clancy's final discharge from service; be had reasons for staying at the post until that Hibernian household was fairly and squarely removed; and Mrs. Clancy's plan was to take Mike to the distant east, "where she had frinds." There were other schemes And projects, no doubt, but these mainly "I have said nothing of the kind; and I protest against your putting words into my mouth I never used." "You intimated as much, anyhow, and you plainly don't believe it." "I decline to tell you." "You hounds! I'll kill the first man who dares enter!" was the furious answer; and Ilayne had snatched from the his long infantry sword and flashed the blade in the lamplight. Rayner made a step forward, half irresolute. Hayne leaped at him like a tiger. "Fire! Quick!" shouted Buxton, in wild excitement. Bang! went the carbine, and the bullet crashed through the plaster overhead, and, seeing the gleaming steel at his superior'8 throat, the corporal had sent the heavy butt crashing upon the lieutenant's skull only just in time; there would have been murder in another second. The next instant he was standing on his own head in the corner, seeing a multitude of twinkling, whirling stars, from the midst of which Capt. Rayner was reeling backward over a chair and a number of soldiers were rushing upon a powerful picture of furious manhood—a stranger in shirtsleeves, who had leaped from the bedroom. "Do you deny my right to inquire?" Meantime the colonel had patiently unraveled the threads and had brought to light the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It made a singularly simple story, after all; but that was so much the worse for Buxton. The only near relation Mr. Huyne had in the world was, this one younger sister, who six years before had married a manly, energetic fellow, a civil engineer in the employ of an eastern railway. During Hayne's "mountain station" exile Hurley had brought his wife to Denver, where far better prospects awaited him. He won promotion in his profession, and was now one of the principal engineers ?m-oloyed by a road running new linos through the Colorado Rockies. Journeying to Salt Lake, he came around by way of Warrener, so that his wife and he might have a look at the brother she had not seen in years. Their train was due there early in the afternoon, but was blocked by drifts and did not reach the station until late at night. There they found a note from him begging them to take a carriage they weuld find waiting for them and come right out and spend the nizht at his Quarters; he would send "Well, I don't believe—that is, I don't see how it could happen." "I will not discuss that question now. The other is far graver. I will not tell you, Kate, except this: there is no word there that an engaged girl should not "Couldn't the woman drive out from town after dark, send the carriage back, and have it call for her again in the morning?" asked Buxton. write." "Right or wrong, I meant that those two young people should have a chance to know each other. I have been convinced for three weeks that she is being forced into this New York match, and for the last week that she is wretchedly unhappy. You say you believe him a wronged and injured man, only you can't prove it, and you have said that nothing could be too good for him in this life as a reward for all his bravery and fortitude under fearful trials. Then Nellie Travers isn't too good for him, sweet as she is, and I don't care who calls me a matchmaker." •'Of that I mean to catisfy myself, or rather"  "Possibly. Still, it isn't a proved fact that a woman spent the night at Ilayne's, even if a carriage was seen coming out You've got hold of some Sudsville gossip, probably," replied Ross. Capt. Rayner. too, was in fearful plight. Ho had siuiply obeyed orders; but all the old story of his persecution of Havne would nowb3revived; all men would sec in his participation in the affair only additional reason to adjudge him cruelly persistent in his hatred of the young oiiicer, and, in view of the utter ruthlciiuess and wrong of this assault, would be more than ever confident of the falsity of his position in the original case. As he was slowly led up stairs to his room and his tearful wife and silent sister-in-law bathed and cleansed his wound, he saw with frightful clearness how tho crush of circumstances was now upon him an 1 his good name. Great heaven! how those words of Hayne's five years before rang, throbbed, burned, beat like trip hammers through his whirling brain! It beamed "You will not open it, Kate. Nol Put that letter down! You have never known me to prevaricate in the faintest degree, and you have no excuse for doubling. I will furnish a copy of that for Mr. Van Antwerp at any time; but vou cannot see it." "I have, have I? By God, sir, Pll teach you better manners before we get through with this question. Do you know who saw the carriage, and who saw the woman, both at Ilayne's quarters?""T11 kill the first man who (lares entcrP' "You still persist in your wicked and unnatural intimacy with that man, even after all that I have told you. Now for the last time hear me; I have striven not to tell you this; I have striven not to sully your thoughts by such a revelation; but, since nothing else will check you, tell it I must, and what I tell you my husband told me in sacred confidence, though soon enough it will be a scandal to the whole garrison." Straight as an arrow Mr. Blake had sped across the parade, darted through the east gate, and, turning, had arrived breathless at the wooden porch of Hayne's quarters. Two bewildered looking members of the guard were at the door. Blake pushed his way through the little hallway and into the dimly lighted parlor, where a strange scene met lii8 eyes; Lieut. Hayne lay senseless and white upon the lounge across the room; a young and pretty woman, singularly like him in feature and in the color of her abundant tresaea» waa kneel- "Certainly I don't! What I don't understand is how you should have been made the recipient of the story." But with Mrs. Waldron away the two appeared to have made but halting progress towards friendship. With all her outspoken pluck at school and at home, Miss Travers was strangely ill at ease and embarrassed now. Mr. Hayne was the first to gain self control and to en- m "Mr. Ross, just govern your tongue, sir, and remember you are speaking to your superior officer, and don't venture to treat my statement with disrespect hereafter. I saw it myself!" Told as it was—as it had to be—all over the department, there seemed to be but one thing to say, and that referred to Buxton: "Well! isn't he a phenome- Wttl OaoV "You!" gulped Ross, while amaze and i■u.T«iuiity shot across his startled face. And when darkness settled down on Fort Warrener that starlit April evening (TO Bg CONTINUED.)