The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-09-09

right, unable to face such majesty of
confidence and conviction, unable TO
say the words that could sound only
like insult intensified. TWAS i'armelce
whose sense of duty rose superior to
exalted sentiment.
Madam" he began, stepping for
ward, these papers are full warrant
for my action. | know two men IN be
secreted here. |, too, saw one at that
window. and the law must take its
course"
"Stop!" she cried II have said that
was my daughters room. One of your
party, at least, has the appearance OF
a gentleman. Lieut.. Lambert, is il
possible that you-that any graduate
of West Point-can stand here and per-
init such Outrage as this? Would you
allow your sisters room 90 be searched
for--oh, my God! nothing we have had
TO bear was comparable to this. rive
you my word of honor no such man is,
or has been"
But she got no further. Out from the
dark hallway, with bounding step, tall
slender and athletic. sprang young
not another word.v
She strove TO check him as he pushed
his impetuous way past her. With a
wall of anguish unspeakable she threw
aside her cane and seized him by the
arm. Down went the candle sputtor-
ing TO the floor "Floyd-Floyd! oh.
my boy, what have you donc?' she
moaned, and bowed her gray head upon
the broad young shoulder.
And then, with just a touch of the
melodramatic in his bearing, the youth
folded his arms and stood erect before
the astonished group of officials.
81 reckon, gentlemen, I'm the man
you want"
Close looked at him in bewiderment,
then turned to Parmelee, whose face,
whether through fear or excitement,
was twitching nervously, and who
stood staring blankly at the stranger.
From the hallway came creeping hur-
riedly forth a girlish form, misery i'm
| the streaming eyes and disheveled hair,
and Katherine Walton threw herself
upon her brothers arm. sobbing CON
vulsively. Hush, Kate" he whispered,
| in almost stern reproach. Hush, child.
! Go back to your ROOM" and though
now he EMBODIED his mother in the en-
brace of his left arm, he strove to free
the right. But Katherine would not go.
And still, though here apparently was
the sought-for prisoner, no man stepped
| forward TO claim him. Officers and men,
| the nocturnal visitors looked blankly at
one another. at the stricken group upon
the threshold. and were silent. Then
with sudden gesture, as though he
could no longer bear the strain. the
young man broke loose from Kath-
crimes clinging arms, and, gently un-
'clasping his mothers hands, once again
addressed himself TO Close:
ST say. sub, l reckon you've come
for me. Tn ready to go with you at
once"
And then, with wonder and relief in
| their faces. with sudden check to sobs
and tears, mother and sister lifted up
their heads and stared at the embar-
rassed officer. Lambert gave vent to an
audible gasp of delight, for Close, turn
| ing slowly upon the silent and aston
ished deputy, and with world of sup
pressed wrath i'm his deep tones, growled
forth:
(, you've got no warrant for this gen
4 tleman. / never saw him before in my
life, and never heard of him as being
mixed up in any trouble. This is young
Mr.. Walton, isn't dtg'' he suddenly in
quired of the stranger, over whose pale
face a look of bewilderment was creep
| ing, and who for moment seemed un-
able to reply. 1t was Nine. Walton
who, with quivcring, ashen lips and
with hope, fear, yearning, anguish in
her eyes, found voice TO say:
This is my youngest son, sub
Floyd Walton.
"You saw she continued tremulous-
ly, ''you have no warrant, no cause
for his arrest Then in Gods name go
and leave as in peace. / am not well;
and on my word of honor, no other
man is hidden"
Mother! Hush!7'
\ door hastily opened within-the
door leading to the room to the left
of the entrance, the room at whose
window Close and Parmalec could swear
they saw the dim figure of a man peer
ing forth as they entered the gate. 4
heavy football resounded through the
hall. A light streamed forth from the
open room, and woman's wailing.
shuddering cry followed the tall power
full form t'iat came striding 20 the
front. With look of horror in her
eyes, Mrs. Walton staggered, would
have fallen, but for the clasping arm
of her son, upon whose breast she now
leaned, painting for breath and glaring
at the newcomer, to whose side now
sprang Esther, her long black hair
streaming down the white wrapper in
which her tall figure was encyclopedias.
ther, who strove TO drag the stranger
back from before her mothers eyes.
/ "You here? Your was Mrs. Wal.
toms gasping cry. And in--that
room?"
Mother" walled the elder daughter.
throwing herself upon her knees be
fore the fd;Rting form-''mothcr, lis.
ten. Oh. make her hear me, Floyd!
Mother. am Walton's wife,
But the words fell on senseless ears.
The lady of Walton hall slipped swooT-
ing, till they caught and bore her with
in the open doorway.
"Weli," said Close, a moment later
"what do YOU want done with your
man-Walton Scroggs? Ones enough
| for this niOhf | SuDnOSen -