Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-12-16

But kept it there, gave shrug and
said nothing. What use could further
wrangling be? But the silence was
an ILL move. l. only angered him
further, and he threw at me an IN
suit which was mole than human
man could endure.
'sDo You think you will again feel
inclined to use those powers or yours
tomorrow, Eugene. Or had [ better
have you handcufred to some steady
old soldier?"
A dozen Of the other officers sprang
tn their feet at this CHASTITY taunt,
for when such a thing as this was said
to onetof their number, it touched
all. The old Major was their spokes-
man.
Colonel, we make all allowances,
but you are going too far with the
youngster."
The Colonel scowled round tight
Tipped for minute, and then said:
81 am quite capable of command
ing this regiment Of lost sheep with
out I'm asked for advice from SUBJ
ordinates, Major. Lieutenant Ra-
maid, you heard my question, | pre-
sumo? Please have the civilitY to
answer"
During the minutes respite [ had
been thinking and acting-that is,
writing. / got up and handed the
Colonel slip Of paper. On it were
the words:
1 acknowledge that I. E. Ramard. Lieu
tenant of the twenty -second -, am
coward.
(Signed) EUGENE RAMARD.
He read it.
"There, SIR" I said, ''kindly add
the date, as have forgotten what it
is, and please leave that behind with
the baggage when We march to-mor-
row. If do not do better WORK for
France than any man in the regi-
ment it is my wish that this paper be
published" The Colonel nodded
grimly and then frowned.
Have / your permission now, sir,
to withdraw from this room?"
A refusal was framing itself could
see. but the lowering faces around
made him curb his passion, and he
nodded again, but reluctantly.
IL
In the dark, wet air outside and
not before, did I realize fully what I
had done. The screed on the slip Of
paper had been the spasm Of the in
slant. 1t seemed to me now the out
come of a moments insanity. l had
had no plan, no trace of scheme in
my head while / was scribbling. The
words and the pledge were an empty
boast, made in the wild hops that l
could hold them good. But how
could such a thing be done? The
most furious, desperate courage, by
itself, would avail nothing. There
would be /, 900 men around, each to
the full as brave as I-for no one can
do "better work for France" than
any of them! All, no, the thing was
impossible. With them l should fall,
and among all of them I alone should
be branded infamous. The paper
would be brought to light; the curt,
bald confession would be read with no
explanation of how or why it was
written; and men would form their
own opinions-all hostile, all against
me.
To leave behind nothing but the
name of a self avowed coward! Oh,
agony, bitter agony!
I wandered wherever my blind feet
led me. wrenched by torrents that
God alone knew the strength Of. and
from which there seemed no human
means of escape. The heavy rain
squalls moaned down the village
streets. The place, with its armed
tenantry, slept. Only the dripping
sentries we're open eyed. These, TAX
ing me for an officer on ordinary
rounds, saluted with silent respect.
No soul interferred with me- Not
even dog barked.
The thought came. You die ouly
to gain wreath Of craven plumes
Why not pass away from heroes
cape-desert-vanlSh-be known no
more-and yet live? No one with
holds from you new life and new
country. France alone of all the
world is utterly hopeless for you.
The thought gained. say it freely
now, for the dead, dull blackness Of
my prospect then showed no spot of
relief. in my walkings to and fro I
gradually verged nearer and nearer
to the outer Gordon. AS an officer [
new the words for the night, sign and
countersign both. 1 could pass the
pickets.
Farther and farther toward the
scattered outskirts of the hamlet did
my doubling feet lead me. In one
more patrol up and down I think my
mind would have been made up, and
after that whatever deluge the Fates
desired. But sound fell on my ears
faint and not unmusical. I was duly
conscious Of some new scheme begin
ming to frame ITSELF l changed my
path and walked faster.
Presently the cause of the sound
disclosed itself. A field forge, an an
vii and a couple of grimy farriers,
! and half dozen troopers with horses.
The cavalrymen were resting on the
ground, watering bride in hand.
awaiting their turns The smiths
were Shaving, sweating. swearing, do
4 = -