The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-05-23
BROWN.
BY CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD.
CTEc POET SCOUT. j

Copyrighted ,Sqa. by CApTAlN JACK CRAWFORD.
Al Rights Reserved
Judgment, AL now he was in for it
and must suifcr the consequences.
What would Alice think of him?
Would she pass hasty Judgment on his
act before seeking the details? Would
she rot row regard him as quarrel
some bully, and deem him unworthy
of her friendship? The thought
troubled him, and as he paced back
and forth in the forbidding gloom of
the cell he was very miserable. His
gratitude toward the girl for taking so
kindly an interest in him had ripened
into love which seemed to consume
him. Although no word indicative of
his new feeling toward her had ever
been brcathed in her presence, he felt
that she must instinctively know that
he loved her, and her eyes had on moro
than one occasion told him that her
friendship toward him was gaining an
intensity which might some day devel-
op into a far more tender passion. In
his dreamy moments he had even dared
to picture a future wherein their mu-
tual love would light the path down
which they wandered hand in hand,
and now by one rash act he may have
blighted the bud of affection which
was swelling toward bursting in her
young heart-have blighted it so COM
pletely that even the sun of future vim
dication might fail to warm it into life
again.
In the midst of his gloomy reflections
the heavy cell door swung open, and
Capt. Colby entered.
Brown" he said, what was the
trouble between yourself and Lieut..
Vandever?"
Captain, have been guilty of a
most serious offense, and in the light of
calm reflection | do most deeply regret
it. was grossly insultcd, sir, and in
my rage lost sight of the officer and
saw only the man who was heaping in
dignities upon me. My position as a
soldier was forgotten, and | resented
the insult as would have done in civil
life-as any gentleman would have
done, sir"
will you tell me without any reser-
walton or pallinting coloring just what
occurred between you?"
Brown related all the details in a
truthful manner. While he felt that
in the eyes of anyone possessing a
sense of justice his blow would seem
justifable, he admitted that he had
been guilty of serious infraction of
army law, and averred that he would
humbly submit to any punishment a
court-martial might infict upon him.
II am sorry this occurred, Brown,
very sorry. Your conduct ever since
you joined my troop has been most ex-
emplary, and have hoped to soon be
able to offer you promotion. fear
that this matter will go hard with you.
Col. Sanford is most severe disci.
plinarian, and an assault by a private
soldier upon commissioned officer
will assume most grievous proportions
in his eyes. He will insist upon your
trial by court-martial, and his views
on this question are SO well known to
the officers of the post that those who
try you will, should you be convicted
feel that severe punishment must fol
low. can only hope the palliating
circumstances may bear due weight
with both the commander and the
members of the court"
He passed out, leaving Brown agar
alone with his bitter thoughts.
Lieut.. Vandever lost NO time in en-
deavoring to poison the minds of hi'
brother officers against his assailant
He pictured him as brawny bully o.
pugnacious nature, and loudly
averred that long term of years in {
military prison was the punishment he
richly deserved. His words bore little
weight, however, for the young lieu
tenant had become most thoroughly
disliked by every officer in the garri
son. While there was no outward dem
onstration to establish the fact, ther,
was not one of them but secretly re
joiced that he had been so promptly
chastised for his unofficerlike conduct
And what of Alice? That young lady
acted in most remarkable manner
when the details of the affair reached
her ears through Mrs. Colby. She die
not turn pale and weep and wiring hel
hands in inconsolable anguish in thu