Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-02-07

He had been in service only a year, de-
spite his gray beard, and was the nom
inee of a man to whom neither exeeu-
tive nor senate could afford to say nay.
He simply leaned upon Lacy, who for
his part was unquestionably one of
the ablest and most accomplished assist
ants government official could expect
to have.
''What do you want?" said the sher
if, gruffiy. Nobody rang"
Don't want nawthin'," was the an
swer, as the boys eyes wandered past
the bulky form which was too familiar
to be of interest, and sought out the
party who had been ''held up"
There's a teller here askin' for
Graves he proceeded-the use of a
handle to mans name being regarded
in many far western communities at
that day as virtual admission of per-
sonal inferiority. The paymaster heard
his name and fastened to the door.
Rand, swinging coolly along the corri-
dor. reading his dispatches, glanced up,
gave no sign of recognition of the
sheriff, but held out his hand to Graves,
whose face lighted with relief and hope
at the sight of the staff officer.
Come right in, colonel" he ex-
claimed. I'm mighty glad to see you.
I've been hoping you'd come. My God!
did you ever hear of a more perfect
plant? Come in; want to talk with
you"
Had your breakfast" asked Rand,
briefly, and barely giancing at the
other occupants.
mot yet. Haven't much appetite
to speak of, and these gentlemen came
up to see me the first thing. Let me
present.
''Wen, come and take breakfast with
me, then. I'm hungry as a wolf, and 1
can't talk until later" interposed Rand.
''An right, colonel; I'll go with you
in minute. AS was saying, the sher-
itf and these gentlemen" again indi-
eating his friends.
Don't let me intrude now, Graves.
I'll order for two. Finish your bust
ness with your friends, and then join
me as soon as you can" And, before
the paymaster could present the sheriff
or introduce anybody else, Rand
whirled about and went striding slow
1y down the corridor, engrossed appar-
emily in another dispatch.
''Give me the old room. If you can, "
said he at the office, land order break
fast for two at once. Give US a little
table by ourselves; I'll be back here in
ten minutes
The colonel was not in sight when
Graves, still accompanied by the sher-
iff and correspondents, came down to
the Office. Nor did he reappear in the
hall. Graves, nervous, anxious, and
fretfu1, kept glancing at the main en-
trance, and finally led his faithful at
tendants to the porch without. Here
! they could command a view of the
street both ways. In fifteen minutes a
waiter came out to say that Maj.
| Graves breakfast was getting cold, and
the other gentleman was half through
! his'n; wanted to know if the ma Or's
friends wouldn't excuse him long
enough to let him come in and get a
| bite. The correspondents saw through
| the scheme and took it all laughingly.
| The sheriff said he'd go with him.
Rand looked neither surprised nor an
noyed when the big fellow came bulg-
ing in. He bowed civilly, but contin-
ued his engrossing work of tearing a
| territorial chicken to shreds, simply
saying they must excuse his apparent
haste, he had had no supper the night
before and a long days work was
| ahead and he was ravenOus. The sher-
if grimly watched the well-known of
ficer every town and settlement in the
department knew the generals right
hand adviser, RANDI, and twice essayed
to open talk on the subject of the rob
berry. Rand listened with every mani
festation of polite interest, but vouch-
safed not a word of his own. Sudden
~ pushing back his chair and tossing
his napkin thereon as he rose, he said:
''Now excuse me, major; finish your
breakfast, and I'll write a letter or two
Join me in the Office as soon as you're
ready"
Of course Graves was ready in three
| minutes, and the sheriff also. RAND
looked up, nodded cheerily, and went
on with his letters. These he presently
read over, folded, addressed, and
stamped, with easy deliberation, and
by this time the correspondents re
joined the major. Rand glanced at his
watch, picked up his letters and. took
them to the desk. Graves and party
| followed Then out came Rand's big
cigar case.
ITO BE Continued