Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-08-18


to his colonel ever since Holden ap-
peared upon the scene. Personally
Holden had never met Rolfe before the
arrival of the regiment at Pawnee, but
except certain dog1natism of manner
in discussions over points in tactics,
politics, law or whist, he had decidedly
liked everything about him, and told the
youngsters as much when he found that
they did not
Amy man with half an eye can see
that Rolfe wants to make the very best
kind of an impression on DR.. and Mrs.
Holden" said Randolph. 'sThey are
Miss Guthrie's nearest friends and rela-
tives-at least the nearest whom he
knows. But Holden also liked Brews.
ter, liked him well, and could not be-
lieve all that Rolfe was 50 strenuously
urging upon the colonel, first, that Ellis
was thief and an outcast, and second,
that Brewster had known it all along and
concealed it. The more positively and
unfinchingly Rolfe asserted himself the
more did Holden resent it.
Finally Rolfe had burst out with:
''Well, Colonel Farquhar, I'm acting
in this manner for the honor of the regi-
nent to which I've been attached
through thick and thin for nearly quar-
ter of a century. heard you were just
sending forward a report highly com
mending these two men, and | believed
it my duty to inform you of their char
acter. As you seem reluctant to accept
my statements, | request as matter of
justice to me that you refer my report tc
Major Berrien at once, and he win cor
roborate my opinion"
Then and not till then did Farauhar
firmly and almost sternly call his sub
ordinate to order, and when Rolfe had
been reduced to enforced silence the col
onel turned to Holden, and Holden had
given prompt voice to his utter objec-
ton to their disturbing the wounded
major with any such matter. ssBut
will send for Mr.. Brewster, Captain
Rolfe, and question him in your pres
ence," said Farquhar. And Brewster,
who had just been enjoying hearty
handshake and pleasant words with sew
eral officers of the Eleventh who, despite
the rising gale, had ridden over to con
gratulate him, went blithely and briskly
to answer the colonel's summons. War
ren had given him ''the tip as to the
letter being prepared for Farquhar's sig
nature. 1t was joy to know that his
name was to be sent forward with the
praise of his soldierly and honored chief.
1t was almost rapture to conjecture what
Winifred Berrien would think of him
when she heard that his vigilance and
dash had saved her fathers life.
He looked therefore the very picture
Of stalwart, soldierly, brave eyed man
hood as he stepped quickly into the col
onels tent and stood erect before the ST.
lent trio there assembled. He came with
heart beating high with anticipation;
but one glance at Rolfe's somber and
half averted face, the first words in Far
quhar's grave. though courteous tones,
banished all pleasurable thought and
put him on his guard.
Mr.. Brewster, if l remember Alright,
it was you who presented Sergeant Ellis
for enlistment when we were in the
Hills. Am right?1
'sYes, SIR
1ou knew him before his joining us.
lid you not:"
a short time, sizs yes.
Where had you known him and how
longsv
AT Deadwood, sir: 1 met him there
OH two occasions before he decided to
tnlist'
Two occasions And how long be-
{ore he came to us?r
Perhaps a week, sir"
And you had never known him or Of
him beforey
Il had seen him, but cannot say that
| had ever known him.
Mr.. Brewster" burst in Captain
Rolfe at this juncture, before he could
be checked, .do you mean to tell me
you were not well acquainted with this
so called Ellis long before you met him
in the Hills:''
Captain Rolfe, was the instant an
swer, and the flush leaped to Brewster's
cheeks, an angry light to his eyes. II
mean to tell you nothing whatever.
am answering Colonel Farquhar."
"Permit me to conduct this matter,
Captain Rolfe, said Farquhar, stretch
ing forth a restraining hand and check
ing the captain as lie rose with another
question on his lips. Rolfe with almost
any other man might possibly have per
sisted. He knew Farquhar, however,
and knew that however gentle and
courteous might be his manner he could
come down hard upon those who crossed
him. 50, with evident effort. lie held
his tongue, but remained standing. BE
good enough to resume your seat, cap
tain." continued The colonel, all grave
politeness; and Rolfe slowly and reluct-
antly subsidized
You went to Helena once some five
years ago as witness before a court, and
the train was held up by road agents,
Mr.. Brewster. Did you not meet this
man about that timer
'Yes, colonel, ! saw him, but l did
not know him from Adam
sYou conversed with him, did You
not, and were at the same hotel at Hele-
ma with hiln:"
II did; yes, sir; and was at the same
hotel for thirty-six hours. But he was
a total stranger to me. His dress was
that Of a gentleman, 50 was his manner,
and almost everybody in our car got to
talking with him. He was the only one
who really saw the train robbers-it
was all done so quickly, while a were
in our berths; but he had got aboard at
some station just before the thing oc-
CURED
did you not know when he enlisted
that he gave AN assumed manner?
mo, colonel, did not. For all
know Ellis is his own name"
'.Yet you knew him as Ralph Enroll
at Helena" burst in Rolfe again.
Captain Rolfe,1 said the colonel,
with marked emphasis, II will ask you
to withdraw; but, except by DR.. Hol-
den's permission. you will not speak of
this matter to Major BeIrien. | desire
TO see Mr.. Brewster for myself. No.
Holden, you remain"
There was no help for it now, lsolfe
had to 90; and go he did, without
word. Then Farquhar, in his courteous
tones, repeated his question and received
prompt reply:
He certainly gave his name as Enroll
in Helena and as Ellis when he enlisted,
colonel, but which is rirht or that