Audubon County journal., December 01, 1898, Image 5

About Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993

Image provided by: State Historical Society of Iowa

                
CHAPTER XIII.
The east bound train that day left
without one of its promised passengers
—Miss Maynard. She was needed, said
the civil authorities, as a possible wit
ness in the robbery case. Wild, stirring,
marvelous was the rumor that went
from house to house before 11 o'clock
that Mrs. Barry's companion and pro
tegee, the lovely New England girl, had
been accused by the police of guilty
knowledge of, if not complicity in, the
burglaries and that, though not arrested
and taken to town, she was under sur
veillance and confined to the house. One
man when he heard it boiled over with
wrath and misery. That was Ronald
Maynard. Scorning his sister's argu
ments and entreaties, he had limped
across the piazza, rung at tho BarrjV
door and begged to bo admitted.' He
found Mrs. Stannard tearful, but calm
and collected, Mrs. Barry reclining on
her couch, her white hand.,- gently toy
ing with the glossy, wavy blond masses
of hair that rippled all down over pool
Nathalie's back and shoulders as she
knelt there, her face buried in Mrs.
Barry's bosom, abandoned to her grief.
She did not even hear or heed the bell,
did not know who had come or that any
one had come, until she heard these
words:
"Mrs. Staunard—Mrs. Barry—I've
heard this most cruel accusation, and
I've come to say I don't believe a word
of it, and I won't rest until I've got at
the truth.''
The servant after admitting him still
stood at the parlor door, looking doubt
fully after the young officer and danc
ing Inquiringly at Mrs. Stannard as
though to ask if she had done right or
wrong. Mrs. Barry, without turning or
disturbing Nathalie, held out her thin
white hand, a smile of welcome and
pleasure on her face, and as Maynard
stepped forward and eagerly clasped the
proffered hand ho bowed low over it and
over the beautiful, rippling tresses of
the girl's humbled head. His eyes,
clouded with distress and sympathy,
gazed one moment into those of the in
valid and then sought the kneeling
form. No woman that ever lived, unbe
reft of tho faculties God has given her,
could have failed to read the infinite
yearning in the brave young face, the
love and tenderness and longing that
shone in his fine, truthful eyes. Mrs.
Barry read and saw unerringly, and her
heart went out to him as she drew the
sobbing girl closer to her side. Natha
lie, too, seemed conscious of his nearer
presence. She was striving to check the
violence of her emotion and had in
stinctively moved a little, as though to
make room for him or possibly to draw
a trifle away. His knee was almost at
her shoulder.
Mrs. Stannard half turned. "It is all
right," she said in a low tone to the
still lingering servant. "You may go,"
and slowly and almost reluctantly the
maid withdrew. They heard her voice
the next moment in the dining room
as though answering a question. Lieu
tenant Maynard," she said, "to see
Mrs. Barry," whereat Mrs. Staunard
looked in some surprise into the room
beyond, but no one was then in sight.
"It was the cook, I fancy," said Mrs.
Barry. "She usually comes to me about
this time each day to get her orders, and
being a very particular, not to say su
perior, person, sho did not wish in her
kitchen attire to come into tho presence
of gentlemen. Bridget is quite a swell
when she goes to town. Do sit down
awhile, Mr. Maynard. We are all glad
to see you," and again her arm seemed
more closely to encircle Nathalie. "It
is good to hear your voice again, espe
cially when you say such good words."
Only too willingly Maynard found a
chair and drew it toward the couch.
Nathalie mado an effort to rise, but
Mrs. Barry held her firmly, murmuring
some encouraging words in her ear.
Then Mrs. Stannard came forward
again.
"I think I will go over home awhilo
now and look after matters there. Then
I'll come to you again, Mrs. Barry. Mr.
Maynard will have a chance to talk
with you while I'm gone.
Again Mrs. Barry held out her hand.
"You have been ever so good to us, and
we'll be glad indeed when you can come
back, both of us. Would you mind tell
ing cook to make a little tea now for
Nathalie?" The kneeling girl shook her
head, in protest, but unavailingly. Mrs.
Stannard disappeared through the din
ing room door and went to the kitchen
just beyond. Sho returned in a moment.
"Bridget isn't thero, but I told Mary.
She thinks Bridget may have gone up
stairs a moment. She left her in tho
dining room. Mary will make the tea.''
"I didn't hear her go up," said Mrs.
Barry, "but it may be. She's the quiet-
"Mrs. Stannard—Mrs. Barry—I've hcura
this crucl accusation."
est creature I ever had about the house
despite her apparent weight. Thank
you ever so much, Mrs. Stannard. I
suppose there is no use in our writing
to our respective majors again. They
reach Laramie today, do they not, Mr.
Mavnard?"
By CAPT. CHAS. KINO, U. S. Army
"I think so," was the answer, "isn't
there a map of Nebraska in the mr.jor's
den? I can show you just how they are
marching in. The doctor and I figured
it out on his map this morning before—
before we heard of this." And again he
glanced at Nathalie's bowed head.
"It's hanging there on the east wall,
between the windows," said Mrs.
Barry, and rising and stepping quickly
across tho hall Maynard entered the
narrow apartment in the "lean to"
whioh Barry used as his study, office,
library and general loafing place. It
opened into Mrs. Barry's bedroom, as
did also the little hall. A pair of heavy
Navajo blankets hung in the connect
ing doorway, tho floor was covered with
a thick carpet, underneath which were
several thicknesses of newspaper—the
universal expedient of the old frontier
days for keeping out the Wyoming
gales. Tho windows still wore their
winter battens of cotton, and the nar
row den was as snug and secure from
drafts as any house at Russell could
be made, and yet something had occur
red to disturb those Navajo curtains
within fivo seconds, for one of them
was swinging back as though it had
just been blown in by a puff of wind.
Maynard looked at it in some surprise,
but the heavy folds quickly settled to
rest. He did not consider it his prov
ince to search for the cause in Mrs.
Barry's room. The rear window might
be open, or the kitchen door which stood
beyond the arched entrance to the diu
ing room. Lifting the map from its
hook, he turned to retrace his steps, and
right at the foot of the stairs met Nath
alie. With bowed head and averted
eyes she brushed by him and hastened
up to her room.
"She was so agitated and distressed,
Mr. Maynard," explained his hostess,
as the young fellow returned to the par
lor. "that I had to let her go to bathe
tier face. She'll be down again before
long."
But this proved delusive. Mrs. Stan
nard remained a few moments to look
over the map while Maynard pointed
out where the battalion had been en
gaged with the Cheyennes, the line of
flight of the latter to the northern
agencies and the probablo homeward
course of the regiment, and then she
took her departure.
Mary, the maid, presently came in
with tea and was told to take it up to
Miss Baird, which she did, and on her
return was asked if Bridget was up
stairs as had been reported, and Mary,
with a puzzled face, said, "No neither
was she in her own room back of the
kitchen." But a minute later, after the
maid had retired, Bridget's voice was
heard in the kitchen, and speedily she
herself approached the parlor door, but
stood respectfully and modestly back in
the dining room and inquired with
great deference of manner was Mrs.
Barry needing auything?
"Not now, Bridget," was the an
swer. "I needed you a few moments
ago to make some tea for Miss Baird."
"I'm so sorry, mum," said the invis
ible domestic. "I had just stepped over
to Mrs. Gregg's a moment after coming
in to see if anything was wanted. Isn't
there something I can do now, ma'am?"
"Nothing, thank you, Bridget, unless
you'll stop up to Miss Baird and see if
you cannot suggest something to coax
her appetite." Whereupon Bridget's
footsteps were heard passing through
the bedroom into tho hall and so on up
the stairs, the goddess of the kitchen
thereby coyly defeating the possibility
of being seen in the garb of her servi
tude as well as avoiding the parlor as a
thoroughfare—not so easy a matter to
teach to frontier "help,"
"A most excellent, faithful crea
ture," said Mrs. Barry to her visitor,
"and so good tempered! She's worth
six of her predecessors.''
"I hope she will prevail on Miss
Baird to eat something," said Maynard
anxiously. "She seems to have been so
ill for days and weeks."
"Poor child, yes," was the answer,
"and she has had enough to drive a girl
distraoted! Of course, Mr. Maynard,
you must have heard something of her
singular adventures of late."
"I have both sqen and heard some
thing, Mrs. Barry,"was the prompt
reply, "and I'll stake my all it's—it's
to her credit, not to her discredit, if
anything. Surely that man must be
some kin of her people. It cannot be
anything else.''
Ho was glad of a chance to champion
her causo, glad to show Mrs. Barry the
depth of his faith and trust in her, aud
yet there was that in his tone which
told her be had been harshly tried and
that ho longed for the support of her
opinion.
"That is my conviction, too, Mr.
Maynard," eho said, "but the poor girl
will not oven admit that. There is some
tie or obligation, but what cannot im
agine. It i3 all powerful. She seems to
have pledged her word to silence about
him. I'm praying for the major's re
turn, for then I shall havo some one to
advise us* bolli. Oh, what did Miss
Baird say, Bridget?"
And from the hall came tbo reply nf
the still invisible me:se""ir. "ili:-:
(Baird thinks sho would ..iier not
to eat anything just now. bho is i::g
down, ma'am, but by r.n.1 by sho will.
I feel sure. I'll just broil her some
chicken, ma'am."
I And then abruptly Bridget broke 0.7,
for a quick, soldierly step v.as heard 0:1
the creaking boards without, aud Brid'jr
jet hastened through tho hail before I
the clang of the doorbell resounded,
"That's one thing 12ridr et will not do,
I explained Mrs. Barry, with a quiet
I smile. "She insists that Mary must at
tend door. She'd walk tho length of tho
back yards of the aarrison to find her
rather than tend door herself. Thero
goes Mary."
It was the orderly, with tho 001:1-
mantling officer's compliments,' ana ne
desired to see Lieutenant Maynard at
once, and in sore disappointment May
nard had to rise and go. "Remember
what I say, Mrs. Barry," he repeated
as he again bowed over her extended
hand. "I shan't rest until I find out
the truth about this robbery business
and clear her utterly. It can be done
and it shall be done."
"I hope so,,." came the answer, with
a sigh. "I hope so, yet everything seems
so dark for her just now, and how can
we get at the truth?"
No wouder she asked herself as May
nard limped away how it was possible
a raw, inexperienced subaltern could
discover anything when the police
officials had done their best and failed.
They had searched and ransacked every
doubtful resort, every suspected house,
shop or saloon in town, and not a
tige had been found of the stolen prop
erty, nor a trace of the perpetrators be
yond tho wagon tracks, lost all too soon
in the general rut of traffic in the busy
frontier town.
It was but a short distance to the ad
jutant's office, and there Maynard found
Captain Walters pacing impatiently the
floor of tho long room in the old head
quarters building. Ho turned sharply
as the young officer's halting step was
heard and spoko impetuously:
"Mr. Maynard, I'm told" you have
It was the orderly, with tho commanding
ofliccr'x compliments.
had some knowledge of this man they
call Boston besides the affair in town
the day you tumbled him off your
horsp."
Mayuard on entering had instinctive
ly assumed the position of a soldier and
stood there in the presence of the tem
porary post commander erect and hold
ing his cane and forage cap in his hand.
The instant the captain began to speak
the faint color faded from Maynard's
face. In a moment he was pale as
death. Looking straight at his com
mander, he uttered not a word.
"Why don't you answer?" snapped
Walters, glancing irritably at the sub
altern. "I've had enough worry over
this matter to drive a man distracted.
Either you have or you haven't. Now
whioh is it?"
And still for another moment there
was silence, and then Maynard spoke.
"I do not know, sir."
"You don't know? Why, that's rot,
Mr. Maynard! You must know whether
you havo ever encountered that man be
fore. Men of his strength and size are
not easily mistaken.''
Again a pause before the answer
came: "And yet, captain, I cannot say.
I am telling you just as I would have to
answer before a court. The only time I
ever saw his face was that day in town
—the day he headed the gang that took
our horses."
The commanding officer sharply turn
ed and struck the bell on his table, am'
almost instantly a young lieutenant ot
infantry appeared at the room. It was
Warner, the temporary adjutant of the
post.
"Mr. Warner, bring Mr. Cook in
here," said Walters sharply, "and you
come too."
The lieutenant beckoned to somo one
who was evidently in readiness for (he
summons. A powerfully built, gray
eyed, impassive sort of man in a loose
fitting business suit appeared at the
doorway and silently awaited the cap
tain's words.
"I've called you in here, Mr. Cook,
and you, Mr. Warner, to hear what ex
planation this officer can give of the
matter that has been brought to my
ears. You persist in saying, Mr. May
nard, that you never saw this fellow
Boston except that day in town?"
"I have never made that statement,
captain," answered Maynard, flushing
painfully now, for the position in which
he was placed was awkward enough
without any misrepresentation of his
words. At a nod from the captain Mr.
Warner and the stranger had taken
chairs, but Maynard, tho invalid, was
still kept standing attention. Warner
was several years his senior, but the
young fellow had "taken to him," as
the army expression went, from the day
Warner first called to see him as he lay
fretting at the Stannards. Even now
the latter could not resist the impulse
that prompted him to look to Warner
for strength and sympathy, and the
brown eyes answered the mute appeal
and said, if ever eyes could speak
"Standfast. I'm with you."
Walters slowly lowered himself into
his chair, glaring the while impressive
ly at tho troubled face of tho young sol
dier. It had again turned1white.
"Why, Mr. Maynard, not three min
utes ago you said right here you never
saw him except that day in town"—
"Pardon me, captain. I said tho only
time I over saw his face was that day
in town."
"Then you admit having seen his
form if not his face—admit having seen
him all the same.''
"No, sir, I do not even admit that.
Once or twice I saw a form that resem
bled his very strongly. That's all I can
say.''
Where was it?"
Another painful pause. Maynard was
young and inexperienced. He did not
know how far he might be justified in
declining to answer across examination
that must drag from him the whole
truth that be had so religiously kept to
himself rather than reveal what he had
seen and heard and suffered and thereby
probably surround her dear name witn
renewed shame and suspioion. From the
spirit and letter of the truth he could
not deviate a hairbreadth. Neither on
tbo night of that strange adventure in
front of Barry's quarters nor the miser
able afternoon when he saw the huge
bnlk of this objectionable fetranger bend
ing over that slender form away down
the row had he seen a single feature of
the stranger's face. Now it seemed as
though the commanding officer was
bent on dragging from him everything
he knew, and vaguely he felt that this
was not that officer's prerogative and
that so long as he held such sublime
faith in Nathalie Baird's innocence of
all complicity in or knowledge of the
recent robbery it was not only a right
but a duty to refuse to reveal anything
that might involve her in deeper trou
ble.
Whether right or wrong in this be
lief. Maynard had made up his mind.
Captain Walters should find out noth
ing new at fcer expense if a stubborn
stand on his part could prevent it. Of
the meeting between her and the big
stranger down by the end set of quar
ters known as No. 1 everybody at the
post apparently was informed. But so
far as he knew not a soul in the garrison
but himself had any knowledge of his
meeting with that burly and muscular
prowler under Nathalie's window the
night of the hop. All this flashed
through his mind and determined his
action before ho finally answered:
"I saw a man of that general descrip
tion one afternoon down by No. 1, but I
was sitting on Major Stannard's piazza
away at this end of the row."
"Yes, sir, we know all about that.
A dozen people saw him talkfng with
Miss Baird. Aud he resembled the man
called Boston, did he?"
"In figure aud in general build, yes,
sir."
"And now the other occasion, when,
as reported to me, you met him face to
face. How about that?"
Silence again for a moment, and again
Maynard glauced at Warner for sup
port, and again the deep brown eyes
seemed to say. "Stand your ground."
Maynard really knew nothing about the
matter aud that it was useless to ques
tion further, the energetic and now
thoroughly aroused lady decided that
she must go, and go at once. So, despite
her cherished friend's remonstrances,
she bade her adieu, declaring she had
faithfully promised to be at Mrs. Ray's
20 minutes ago, and so hastened to the
door, only to be there confronted by a
sight that gave her pause. Mr. Warner,
the acting adjutant, accompanied by a
stout party in gray business suit, had
just entered the gate and met her face
to face.
Warner politely raised his cap and
smilingly asked if they could see Mrs.
Stannard a moment. Mrs. Turner didn't
know, but would inquire. So she re-
Miss Maynard herself opened the Stan
nards' door to let her in.
turned and asked Miss Maynard, and
Miss Maynard went into the dining
room and tapped at Mrs. Stannard's
door. No answer. She peeped in. No
one was there. An appeal to the servanc
resulted in the information that Mrs.
Stannard had stepped out through the
kitchen and gone around to Mrs. Bar
ry's, thereby, as was at once apparent,
dodging Mrs. Turner and her inevitable
questionings, and a flush that extended
beyond the customary limits was on
that injured lady's faco as she commu
nicated to Mr. Warner the information
that they would probably find Mrs.
Staunard at Mrs. Barry's, next door.
Should she go and call her? Warner
said no, thanks, they had also to seo
Mr. Mavnard, aud they would go
right up to his room. And go they did,
leaving her aud Miss Maynard gazing
after them up the narrow stairway aud
listening for the colloquy that would
follow the knock at the young officer's
door. They heard him say almost
heartily: "Ob, come right in, Warner!
I'm so glad you're here," and then,
with certain coldness and hesitation:
"Why, certainly, if you say so! Come
in, Mr. Cook Then the door closed,
and the sound of voioes became an in
audible murmur.
[TO BE CONTINUED.
1
ltltmco Sails For Spain.
HAVANA, NOV. 30.—Marshal Blanco
went 011 hoard the steamer Villa Verde
shortly before midnight aud the steamer
left for Spain early this morning. He
finished dinner at 8 o'clock and then,
accompanied by his aides, Major Duzell
and Captain Panzan, went on foot to
pay a farewell visit to the family of
Senor Lainbillo, with whom he has been
for many years on terms of intimate
friendship.
ludustrial Conmilnaion Keiusewbles.
WASHIXUTOX, NOV. 80.—The United
States industrial commission has reas
sembled after a recess of about ten days.
The session of the commission was de
voted to consideration of the reports of
tho several sub-commissions which are
to be acted upon by the full commission
before being promulgated.
1
Dr. John Riley,
Physician and Surgeon,
Oftice, first door east of drug store, up stairs
I3xira. Iowa.
W. R. COPELANI),
ATTORNBY-AT-LJAW.
EXIRA, IOWA.
H. F. ANDREWS,
Attorney-at-Law
Has thirty years of experienced. Will practice
ui all courts of the State. Does a general Law
Business. Hive him a call.
•vvii-a. Iowa.
J. C. NEWLONi
Physician and Surgeon.
•Ulice in Haulier's Arils' store.
EXIRA, IOWA.
//£.
.V. P. uritxen.
PHYSICIAN & SURGEON.
overJ. F. McAninch's Grocery Store.
CEO. F. KAPP,
Affomey-AMoiv,*^
Conducts a general Law and Insurance
Business. Office with John Kendleman,
North Side of the Square.
EXIRA, IOWA.
Amlustnal Commission KeuMxembles,
WASHINGTON, NOV. 80.—'The United
States industrial commission has rea- I
sembled after a recess of abouc ten days.
The session of the commission was .e
voted to consideration of the reports of
the several sub-commissions which are
to be acted upon by the full commission
before being promulgated.
.• VVV /wvw
Advice to
Consumptives
There are three great reme
dies that every person with
weak lungs, or with consump
tion itself, should understand,
These remedies will cure
about every case in its first
stages and many of those
more advanced. It is only
the most advanced that are
I hopeless. Even these are
wonderfully relieved and life
I itself greatly prolonged.
What are these remedies
Fresh air, proper food and
Scon's Emulsion
I of Cod-Liver Oil zcitk Hypo
phosphites. Be afraid of
draughts but not of fresh air.
Eat nutritious food and drink
plenty of milk. Do not forget
that Scott's Emulsion is the
oldest, the most thoroughly
tested and the highest en
dorsed of all remedies for
weak throats, weak lungs and
consumption in all its stages.
50c. and $100 all druggists.
SCOTT & BOWNK, Chemists, New York.
Batt!eA^£
PLUG
What a fool I've bee» not to try it before!
Remember the name
when you buy again.
Square Meal For Soldier*.
SAVANNAH, NOV. 26.—Every man and
officer of the Seventh army corps sings
the praises of the women of Savannah.
Yesterday was a holiday in the camp
and a season of feasting and thanksgiv
ing. The larder of every household in
the city has been at the disposal of the
troops. All drills were suspended by
the order of Major General Fitzhugh
Lee and the troops were given a day of
rest. The churches of Savannah,through
committees consisting of women, had the
entertainment of the troops on hand.
They set the tables for the men in tho
company mess halls and waited on them
personally. The Third Nebraska regi
ment was particularly fortunate. Every
member of the regiment had a big piece
of tuntey and a supply of cranberry
sauce. The tables in the severil com
pany streets were filled with edibles.
The fund of $300 sent from Nebraska
or the troons was well
OXD
ended.
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V/!!! be Paid to any Man or Woman*
It remains for the
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We agree to treat any person afflicted with any
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This otfer is plain, and there is no catch to it
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PorfecMy safe because wu are financial/ retiLon
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Dr. Hathaway & Co.'8
experience during the
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seases, such as
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1
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and private diseases ol all kinds, rheumatism,
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havo the best of financial and professional refer
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frauds, but think it is best in the end to be hon
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We have carefully prepared Symptom Blanks
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DK. HATHAWAY & CO.,
Cor. 4th and Nebraska Sts.. Sioux Citv, Iowa
VI"iution this paper.
WAXTKK—SKVERAT.
TKT'STWOKTII
SONS this State to manage our bu
siness in their own and nearbv count ies.
It is mainly office work, conducted at
home. Salary straight a vi ar anil
expenses—definite, bonatide, 110" more no
less salary. Monthly, $7".u). K'eferences.
Enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope
Herbert fc. President, Department
1.
Chicago-Mess,
SUCCESSFUL PHYSICIANS
We heartily recommend Dr. Hathaway & Co
corner Fourth aud Nebraska Streets,' Sioux
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Our readers if in need of medical help, should
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