The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-10-01
ChPThIN CLOSE
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
Copyright, 1894, by J. B. Lppincott Col
X.-CoNTINUED.

Lambert stood speeches. one instant.
Then, simply raising his forage cap, he
whirled about and left.
The boy was thinking of his own
mother when he tripped so lightly up
that worn old gravel path on his way
to inquire how he could be of service
to one whose dignity and sorrow and
suffering had SO impressed him. He had
donned his best uniform for the mis-
sion, and little dreamed how in so do
ing he had rendered himself much the
more persona non grata. He, who could
not war upon women and children IN
der any circumstances, had not begun
to learn how bitterly the recent war
had borne upon the women of the south,
or how, even so long after, they suffered
from it's effects. He had gone to offer
Line aid and protection of loyal heart
and a strong arm, and had not realized
that it was the very last succor "a Walton
would seek, SO long as both Eeart and
arm were draped by the union blue.
Not ten minutes after his return, dis
comfited and dismayed, there rode up
the muddy, red bridlepath-fcr it was
little more-a broad-faced young fellow
who was attired in the clumsiest of
'store clothing" and whose lean and
long-necked steed looked de e ction it
self as his vigorous rider disnounted,
slung the reins over the gate post, and,
after one sharp and warning survey of
the silent negroes still lowering about.
swung cheerily up the walk. To him
the old doors opened wide without a
summons, and eager hands were thrust
forth in welcome.
Lambert, hearing the. first hcaTy
drops come humping on his canvas
roof, thought it was the rain that SO
quickly thinned the group of darkics
on the road. He could hear the mule
hoofs suffering away through the mud
as the rain came quicker and faster. but
not until several hours later did furt her
explanation dawn upon him. Then he
heard Burns and Watts in conversation
at the first sergeant's tent.
Ibid you see how the niggcrs kind o
lit out when he cameo" asked Burns.
81 haven't seen him around here since
August. Reckon he knows captains
away. He hates him like poison ever
since cap interfered in that row he had
with Parmelee."
'Looks like a pleasant enough fellow.
Id rather back him than Parmelee my
day, IS far as looks go. What's he doing
here?"
Hes some kin to the old lady-they'rc
all related hereabouts-and she's sent
for him to come, probably, after last
nights row."
But they're talking all over the COM
pany about Murphy's yarn--about
there being some relative there-some
man-last night. You heard it when
he talked to the lieutenant"
ooh, YES" answered Burns, evasively,
81 heard what he had to say, but Riggs
shut him up short as soon as he was
sober enough to know what Murphy
was saying. Wait till Riggs tells his
side of the story to the lieutenant. Then
perhaps We'll know what brought Mr..
Barton Potts over here"
Lambert was up and at the door of his
tent in n minute. did you say that
Mr.. Barton Potts was at the Walton
place now, sergeant?'
eyes, SIR answered Burns. whirling
about in the mud and promptly salut-
ing.
Then have some man let me know
when he comes out. 1 wish to speak
to him. And if Riggs is sober enough
now, send him here"
Presently, looking moist, blear-eyed,
and detected, the eX-trooper and ser
geant was marched up through the pat
tering rain, and, with the big drops
trickling down from the visor of his
old war-pattern forage cap, stood sui
lenly at the tent of his young COM
mander. The guarding sentry, after the
fashion prevailing among some of the
regular infantry at the time, allowed
his rifle to topple forward from the
carry" into the grasp of the left hand,
foot or so III front of the right breast,
and with this well-intended effort at
the rifle salute of the SOS, Private
Mulligan reported
Prisoner Riggs, sorr; to spake to
the lieutenant"
It was the first time Lambert had con-
Quoted an investigation of the kind, and
he had no precedent to guide him.
Briggs" said he, murphy tells me
your going to town last night was at
the instance of some relative of Mrs.
Walton's, who asked you to do them
a service. Was that true?''
1T was. sir"
"Then he will doubtless be glad to
come forward and eXonerate you, o. at
least explain your conduct in the early
evening. Your later conduct only a
court-martia! can properly consider.
Where is this gentleman"
II don't know, sir"
What is his name?"
"I-can't tell, sir"
You know it, do you not?"
Il suppose 1 do, sir, butt can't tell
It,"
: "In the event of your trial he is The
only man who can help you, and the re-
port l have to make of your miscon-
duct is most serious. Drunkenness
only aggravates housebreaking and at
tempted robbery, as well as assault"
Il broke no houses, sir, and attempted
no robbery. AS for assault, the lady her
, self will say meant no harm"
, But your own comrade admits he
found you in the cellar entrance at the
foot of the steps, on premises you were
forbidden to enter. to all appearances
stealing wine, and he was striving q
get you away when the noise brought
Mrs. Walton upon you. The case is