Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-04-13
made him the object of the lady's atten-


ton.
ellie still, suh," she said, low and
sternly. "You have broken mob glass
now, sub, than youh captain can re-
place. Lie still whuh you are until my
suhvants lift you out-Henry!" she
called.
"Ye-assum," was the answer, as one
of the negroes came reluctantly for
ward, humbly twirling battered hat
in his hands.
''Go fetch your barrow"
Indeed, Mrs. Walton" interposcd
Lambert, "you need not trouble your
self. The guard shall carry these two
scoundrels to camp, and prison life at
Ship island or Tortugas will put stop
to their prowling. It is on your ac-
count I am distressed. We have no
surgeon at hand; will send at once for
q doctor in town.
She raised a slender white hand, re-
linquishing her grasp upon the cane,
which now went gathering upon the
gravel Of the walk. 1t was a sign to
check him, and respectfully he broke
off in his hurried words. Then again
she turned to the negro, who stood with
twitching face, irresolute, beside her.
"Did you hear me, Henry? Co."
Again Riggs began to groan and
stretch forth feeble hands. Burns
looked appealingly to his young officer,
then as appealingly to the lady. Clear
ly, she was mistress of the situation.
Lambert had quickly stopped and
picked up the cane, but she did not
see, apparently, that he wished to re-
store it to her. In the light of the Ian
terms the mark of Riggs clutch was
plainly visible at her white and rounded
throat.
1.-TWO of you lift this fellow" said
Burns to the corporal; and between
them Riggs was heaved to his sprawl
ing feet. Get him over to camp now
and battle his head. Put a bayonet
through him if he tries to bolt. I'll be
there presently"
And of Riggs, her assailant, and of
Riggs removal under guard, the lady
of the Walton homestead took no note
whatever. Rebuffed, yet sympathetic,
Lambert again essayed to speak, but
the rattle of the barrow was heard and
Henry once more doomed up within the
Zone of lantern light.
Lift -puhson-out," she said
And when Burns would have lent a
helping hand she interposed: mo,
beg you. My suhvants will attend to
this And neither Lambert nor his
sergeant made further effort. Murphy,
lifted from the wreck of the ruined hot
bed, abject and crestfallen, scratched
and bruised and bleeding, yet neither
so deadened by drink nor so stunned
by the rain of blows which he had suf-
fered as not to appreciate the humilia-
ton of bis position, was squatted in the
barrow. At an imperious gesture from
Nine. Walton Henry started to wheel
him away, the corporal of the guard
in close attendance.
And then, with calm dignity and re-
covered breath, the lady turned to the
boy officer:
II have not thanked you yet
ooh, Mrs. Walton, I beg you not to
speak of thanks. If you knew how
how ashamed I am, and that my regi-
ment will be-that any of our men
could have dared" The very intensity
of the young fellows Indignation
cholzed him and gave her the floor.
'Once before this they came, and
then 1 warned. This time, having no
men to call up" (negroes, it seems,
could not be counted as such), II was
compelled myself to chastise. May I
ask the safe return of our barrow-it is
the only vehicle the war has left us
and that we may now be permitted to
retire." And she swept stately cour-
tesy.
"But, madam" began Lambert, ut
terly chagrined at the attitude of cold
and determined avoidance in which she
persisted, 'you have been brutally
handled; I insist on sending for our
contract doctor; it is the best we can
offer tonight
Neither tonight, nor at any other
time, would his suhvices be acceptable,
sub. I need no doctoh. We learned
we had to learn-how to do without
luNuries of every kind during the war;
and DR.. Hand-I think that is the name
of the physician you refer to-would
be too much of luxury at any time.
[ regret that your men should need his
suhvices, but they brought it on them
Selves
*'They will need him more before
the captain gets through with 'em.
ma'am," said Sergt. Burns, seeing that
his young superior was at loss what
to say. AS he spoke, the tall, dark
haired girl once more appeared, and
swiftly, noisclessly stepped to her
mothers side. '"There'd be no need
of a court-martial or of your having to
testify, if Capt. Close could settle this
or let us do it,
mother, come in-please do-and let
these gentlemen co. said the girl. elm
deed, we are very much obliged to YOU"
she continued, addressing Lambert,
'for coming SO quickly. That one, who
seemed intoxicated, might. have killed
mother, who is far from strong. They
had opened the cellar. door, you see.'
And she pointed to where the broad
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