Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-04-02

"Au wasted, Miss Marshall; they
could not see it"
''No, colonel, and particularly want
ed one of them at least to do so. Now,
that's part Of the army that decidedly
like"
who are they, may ask2T
''Mr. Wallace and his especial friend
Mr.. Hearn.s
''And is it possible that you find such
young men to your taste? / gave you
credit for having rather higher stand
ard
'sBut it is their standard that / SO
much admire, Col Lawler. I don't sup
pose anything would tempt either of
those young men to say or do mean or
cowardly thing"
''No,' said the colonel, with superior
smile; "and yet, do you know, I'm ready
to stake my professional reputation that
one of them at least is quite unworthy
your trust or confidence"
Now, are you not trife prejudiced,
colonel? I thought the law presumed a
man innocent until proven guilty"
Theoretically, yes; practically, men
who have studied human nature through
the courts, as l have had to, get to see
through the veneering of high tone that
these youngsters are so apt to assume -
"And SO you are probably quite ready
to agree with the correspondent of The
Palladium, colonel, that most officers
are frauds, especially the second ieuten-
ants?"
my experience has certainly not given
me high opinion of the young men,
Miss Marshall
"And now, do you know, colonel, my
intuition is very much in their favor"
'But is your intuition as well founded,
do you think, as long legal experience"
'tWell, your experience has been con
fined to the limited few that have come
before courts martial, has it not: My
intuition covers the great array Of their
number-the ninety-and-nine. Now,
haven't any especial knowledge Of the
matter you seem to be investigating,
Col Lawler, but fancy that evidence
such as Mr.. Schonberg might give would
have little weight before a court of intel
igent men,"
"You will change your mind when
you come to see the books, young lady. =
'.Have you changed yours
''No; they simply confirmed my judg-
ment."
"Then my intuition was right, colo
nell"
'sHow so, may / ask?n
''It told me that you had prejudged
the case"
At this moment the officers came saun-
tering out into the open air, joining the
group Of ladies, who had fed back to
the western end Of the piazza as soon as
they saw their obnoxious visitor safely
anchored by Miss Marshall's side.
where's Lawler?" queried Morris in
no pleasant tone. s'Has he gone off with
those fellows?1
mo; I'm here, colonel, getting les
son in law which this young lady is so
good as to give me-" Miss Marshall
flushed at the discourtesy in his tone,
but gave no other sign. II shall ex-
pect to see you appearing in the role Of
counselor yet, Miss Marshall"
Every well, colonel; if it ever comes
to that l shall fall back on my intui-
ton"
Miss Marshall's cheeks were still flush
ed and her eyes had dangerous gleam
under their dark and fringing lashes
when she stepped moment after into
the lately desecrated parlor.
You appear to have had quite a tilt
with our friend the judge advocate, said
Lane, who had comefn for more cigars
for his guests. II think once told you
! would not care to be cross-examined by
you, Miss Marshall and it looks as though
he were not little nett1ed."
II hope haven't been rude to guest
Of yours, Capt. Lane; but that gentle
man makes me wish over and over again
that were man. Did you know who
his callers were?"
Il have just heard, said Lane.
There was sudden lull in the converse
ton on the piazza without, then the
colonel spoke quickly:
Il wonder what that can be. That
fellow yells in earnest, doesn't her
what is it?7 asked Lane, stepping to
the door.
'.No. yelling for the corporal Of the
guard. Yonder they 60
Capt. Cross, who was officer Of the
day, had quietly picked up his sword
and hurried out Of the southwest gate,
while down the roadway could be heard
the sound of rapid footballs. The call,
however, was not repeated. Converse
ton soon became brisk and general, and
in five minutes Cross came back.
what was the matter?" asked Col.
Morris.
ssSome civilians, sir, and one Of our men
in buggy, who said they came out by
order Of the general commanding the di-
vision, and had been detained here until
after taps
Certainly; that's all right. Those
were doubtless the witnesses Col. Law
Ter sent for. Why wasn't the corporal
Of the guard sent down with them to
pass them out:"
'sTheir buggy was tied the other side
of the store, sir, and no one at the guard
house could see them start"
''Well, the sentry ought to have let
them go anyhow as soon as he saw who
they We're. We have no authority to
hold civilians here
1T wasn't the civilians the sentry was
after, sir; lie was perfectly willing they
should go; but they had an enlisted man
with them"
'Who?'' asked Morris, with uncom-
Portable premonition Of the answer.
Private Welsh, sir, Of G troop"