Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-03-16
CHAPTER TX.

HC CllC Oiu
| generals eyes from the guarded line to
the obstacle in his path, surprise now
| replacing the thoughtful pity in them.
But before he could speak the girl was
at his stirrup, her own eyes downcast,
her voice quiet but beSeeching, as she
said:
Pardon such boldness in lady, and
a stranger to you, Gen. Baldwin. 1 am
Miss Bessie Westchester-''
Relation of Howard Westchester,
formerly of the artillery" the old sol
der asked, quickly.
Eyes, sir; his youngest child,' Miss
Bessie replied, with meel1ness of bud
| ding saint.
eve were tent-mates in Mexico, my
child" the veteran returned, warmly.
1--WE rode into the Belen gate side by
| side
II am so glad!'' the girl cried, frankly.
''That eInboldens me; though your I'M
failing courtesy and kindness are too
well known to prevent any Baltimore
| girl asking favor at your hands,
''Any favor, my dear young lady,"
the general began, warmly, checking
himself suddenly, to add: ''that is, any
| in reason
The girl raised to his large, lustrous
eyes, humid with piteous observation
as she said:
mot in reason, but in common hui
manity, I ask this one, Gen. Baldwin,
Never before had the petted belle
striven to throw so much of glamour
into her glance on favored partner in
the dance, or best parti at watering
place, as now was given that gray
haired old soldier.
''Well, miss, think you may safely
| ask" he answered, with kindly smile
and lifting his plumed hat. s'You do
not look as if you could ask anything
| very dreadful
''Then can we not have permission to
give these poor fellows bread and
| coffee during their halt?" Spite of her
| trained tact. the woman's lips trembled
| with anxiety as they formed the plea.
Gum! There should be no commune
| cation between prisoners and citizens
the soldier answered, gravely. ''Leni-
| ency has been so often abused of late,
| that issued very strict orders
''But you can stretch them a little,
just this once" she pleaded, eagerly.
''My dear young lady," the answer
came seriously, almost sternly-''who
can tell but the simple kindness might
be abused again? I fear must
''But were your daughter, instead of
your old comrades" she urged, quick
ly. ''If you had a son-there!''
81 had one son." the veteran said,
| slowly, but his lips trembled-'sa gallant
boy, who sleeps at Cemetery Hill
He turned his face aside; but the
chance shot had gone to his heart.
Turning calmly to the girl, he added,
gently:
For his memory-for that of Mexico
Il will grant your request. Lieuten-
ant. order the captain of the guard
he is here, sir" The junior passed
| to the rear as the captain halted,
saluting grimly. with scowl with any,
| thing but kindliness in it towards his
| charges, as the general said:
Captain, instruct your guard detail
to permit the 1adies-only the ladies'
to serve food to the prisoners during the
halt
MY orders are very strict, general, %
| the officer demurred, ''from my colonel.
in writing"
''Let me see them, SIR Very differ
| ent was the tone from that the veteran
had used to the girl. (Which is your
regiment, STRIP
Col. Funlitt," the captain answered,
extending paper drawn from his belt
Casting his eye over it, the general
muttered to himself:
..'Ah! thought SO; never been to the
| fronti-Um! my own ORDERS Then he
hastily penciled across the paper: ''Ab-
rogated for thirty minutes, at Baltimore
only, at a. ~, December 8, 1861
Baldwin, major general, commanding -
Handing it back without a word to
the guard commander, he turned again
| to the GIRL with lifted hat:
| 81 grant your request, Miss Westches-
ter-for memory's sake and your own.
Thirty minutes will be allowed, to the
ladies only"
''Oh. thank youi thank you so much,
] general" the girl cried; and the little
hand went up warmly to the tall sol
dier's. He tore off his right gauntlet
and took it gently in his own, as he
stopped from the saddle. and added,
| lower: