Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-10-02
and implorinr them 10 save the bed.

through the blazing hallway. II was a'
this juncture that Close came laborinl
up the path. lie was slow, heavy, hat
longer distance to run, and was pant
ing hard, but he burst through Tho
squad already scrambling up the steps
sprang through the fire-fashing portal
and with the strength Of an OK heavet
Walton, grooming, upon his shoulders
tumblcd him out into the arms OF hi
men, then turned on gasping Esther
"Nhcre's your mothers room" Al
most tainting, she could only lean upor
the pillar for support and poin'
through the vista OF smoke and flame
Close lcapcd like tiger, with Gun
ningham and Murphy at his back. Al
instant, and these latter renppearcd
blind, staggering, their faces bidder
In their hands, and burst out into th'
open air. stumbling heedlessly down thu
steps. a groan went up from the men
their captain was gone. In vain Burnt
and Mcbride strove to rush In to thu
rescue. Mortal man could not stant
such heat. And then, In the midst o
the wild wailing Of the terrified ant
helpless women. came from around thu
north side of the house an exultnnt
cheer. Those men who had had senst
enough to strive to reach the side win
dows were rewarded by the sudder
thrusting open OF the shutters and the
appearance OF the well-known bur!y
form OF their captain with some
blankct-shrouded shape in his arms
The flames leaped forth from that very
easement but n second after Close and
his precious burden were lowered tc
the walk below.
And this was the story Of brave
mans deed be heard from every lip
said Lambert, later, Us he hastenet
back on receipt of the news; and this
was the response made by the brave
man himself, when his lieutenant bent
over his seniors scared and bandnged
face next day and rendered his soldierly
congratulations. Turning slowly over
on his side, Close pointed to the wreck
Of n pair Of uniform trousers, scorchet
and burned in dozen places and ir
retrievably ruined.
Look" said he, mournfully. "Then
was my best pants"
Then II WIS found that not only had
the strange old fellow lost his hair AND
beard, and not little Of the cuticle Of
his face and hands, us well us those
patched but precious "best pants" but
that his eyesight was threatened. The
good old doctor who had for so many
years attended the Waltons, and who
had come at once to renew his ministra'
tions under the humble roof in town
that was their temporary refuge, lis
tened to the story of Closes heroism
with quickened pulse and kindled eye
He and Mr.. Barton Potts, who had
FASTENED back from Quitman, came Out
to camp to see and thank the pr ostratt
soldier, Potts being ceremonious in hi:
expression of gratitude and admiration
and most earnest in his apology fol-
what he had said and thought OF Close
in the past. The doctor stayed longer
by the silent sufferers cot, carefully
studying his face rs far MS 1t could be
ceen. Professional etiquette prevented
his saying anything that might be q
reflection on the treatment and practice
Of the contract surgeon" yet it wal
plain to Lambert, and to Potts, too
that he was disturbed. Close, however
seemed to think less Of his own plight
than of that of the Waltons, who, ex'
cept the little patch of fields about the
ruined homestead, had lost everything
they owned i'll the world, and who were
now in sore anxiety and distress. The
terrible shock and exposure had beer
too much for one so fragile rs the lady
mother, and Mrs. Walton was sinking
fast. Walton Scroggs, too, was in des
perate case, though soothed by the
knowledge that all the row at Vernon
that is, the human cause OF 1t all
was already out of danger. Close begged
the doctor for full particulars not only
MS to how they were but how they ex
pected ito git along through the win
ter" and at last said he wished to speak
to him alone, whereat Potts and Lam
bert, wondering, left the tent.
1t was long before the doctor came
forth, and when he did he called thu
young officer aside, n culver in his voice
and n queer moisture about his spec
tacles. slave you no expert on the
eye and the car in the army?" he asked
1.-THE captain should have the benefit
of the best advice without delay"
Lambert said he would report the
matter ut once TO department head
quarters, and, while they were still talk
ing, two men came riding out from
town-"old man Potts." beyond oil
doubt, and with him Lambert's rail
way friend, the conductor, and these
gentlemen, TOO, had come to "surrcn'
der" Close could have had his fill OF
triumph and adulation that dull De-
cembcr evening, had he been so minded
and the doctor more complaisant; but
that practitioner said that, while he
was not In charge Of the case, he would
strenuously advise against further dis
turbance of the patient. When ut last
they were all gone and Lambert could
address himself to the little packet Of
mail stacked up on the Office desk, he was
rejoicing to think how the good in hi'
queer comrade was winning due recog'
milton at last. "He's n rough diamond
he said to himself, "but brave as q lion
and true Us stecl!"
and then MS he opened the first letter
from department headquarters, ad'
dressed to Brevet Capt. j. p. Close
First Lieutenant, -teenth infantry,
Lambert's face paled and his eyes d.
lated. It was u brief, curt official note
directing Capt. Close to turn over the
Of his company and post and