Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-03-21
CHAPTER XIV.-CoNrINuED.
Copyright. 1893. by ]. B. Lippincott Co.


A buggy drove up in front of the of
flee, and some of the men nudged one
another. 1t was the sheriff who alight-
Led, followed by Col. Rand. Behind
them came another, and deputy or
two in the saddle. d troop, standing
at ease along the gallery in front of the
administration building and from there
to the walk leading to the gate, ex-
changed remarks in an undertone as to
the cause of this sudden and suspicious
arrival, but no one within the building
apparently took notice thereof. A long
hall ran through the building from
east to west. The men entered the
room by the door at the east end, and,
receiving their pay, passed out through
the other, and so to the rear of the
porch. The paymaster and his clerk
sat facing the door at the eastward end
of the big room, with their backs to
the northern windows, and so took no
note of party passing around
.on that side of the building.
Several officers, clerks, ETC., were
grouped about the room west
of the payable, and these were
presently reinforced by the new ar
-rivals-Rand entering, followed by the
sheriff and others, but signaling to the
officers WHO greeted him to make no
unnecessary TODD. By this time Nor
gan had read down among the names
of his cohporals. Rand, quietly suppress
ing the greetings accorded him, made
1T known that he wished to listen a
moment. Corporal Treacy had just
picked up his money, faced to his left,
and made room for the next man.
Corporal Hugo V. Schramm," called
the captain, and, straight as an arrow,
quick, 1.-THE, soldier all over, in stepped
the man of Slaughter cove, hand at
visor in salute as he halted. Lacy
glanced quickly, curiously up, and stud
led the clear-cut face an instant with
his steely blue eyes, then as quickly
dropped them. Graves, too, looked up
in mingled interest and embarrass-
.ment. Here stood the soldier virtually
branded by him and his as robber,
yet pronounced by officers and com
rades hero. Graves felt that his first
impulse was to hold forth his hand, but
1T occurred to him that that would
hardly be in accordance with military
propriety and etiquette. ST should
like to see you, corporal, after we fin
ish,'' said he, in a most conciliatory
tone Schramm thrust his money into
the left-hand palm of his glove, saluted
precisely, and, merely saying eyes,
asir," strobe away to the west door, but
there his name was called in low tone
land he halted. An officer beckoned to
him to wait, and, wondering not lit
tie, he stopped, then turned to vacant
corner behind Rand.
Rapidly the list was finished, the last
man paid. The paymaster stretched
this arms and legs and looked around
for some one to suggest an adjourn
ment to the clubroom, and the first
thing he saw was Rand, with the sher-
Tiff in his trail, and Graves eyes began
to dilate. Lacy was repacking coin
land paper money at the instant and
bending over leather satehel which
he had placed on his chair. A strange
and sudden silence had fallen upon the
crowded room. Old Tintop from his
office across the hall, with faithful
Gray at his elbow, came lounging tc
the door, and, catching sight of the
civilian garb, stopped short and giared
Lacy, just swapping the clasp OF his
bag, felt the sudden fall of a muscular
hand on his shoulder, and, with a per
sceptibly violent start. looked up The
bearded face of Col. Rand was close al
his side, the dark eyes sternly fixed
upon him, and Lacy turned ashen and
his lips began to tremble and culver
despite his fercest effort, for there CON