Then they had seemed to
hold aloof, to greet him only with courtesy, and to eye him with
unspoken reproach. The woman at Fort Frayne to whom he most looked up
was Mrs. Dade, and now Mrs. Dade seemed alienated utterly. She had been
to inquire for him frequently, said his attendant, when he was so racked
with fever. So had others, and they sent him now jellies and similar
delicacies, but came no more in person--just yet at least--but he did
not know the doctor so desired. Field knew that his father, after the
long, long journey from the distant South, was now close at hand,--would
be with him within a few hours, and even with Ray's warm words of praise
still ringing in his ears, the young soldier was looking to that
father's coming almost with distress. It was through God's mercy and
the wisdom of the old surgeon that no word, as yet, had been whispered
to him of the discovery made when the money packages were opened--of the
tragic fate that had, possibly, befallen Bill Hay and Miss Flower.
That a large sum of money was missing, and that Field was the
accountable officer, was already whispered about the garrison. The fact
that four officers and Mr. Hay were aware of it in the first place, and
the latter had told it to his wife, was fatal to entire secrecy.
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