Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-09-11
Dead silence for a moment, solemn

right, unable TO face such majesty Of
confidence and conviction, unable tc
say the words that could sound only
like insult intensified. TWAS i'armclce
whose sense Of duty rose superior te
exalted sentiment.
Madam" he began, stepping for
ward, "thcse papers IRE full warrant
for my action. ! know two men u be
sccreted here. !, too, saw one ut that
window, and the law must take its
course"
"Stop!" she cried. II have said that
was my daughters room. Ono 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 to be searched
for-oh, my God! nothing we have lad
TO bear was comparable TO this. j rive
you my word of honor no such man IL
or has been"
But she got no further. Out from the
dark hallway, with bounding step, tall
slender and athletic, sprang a young
fellow with the warning cry: Mother!
not another word"
She strove to check him rs he pushed
his impctuous way past her. With a
wall of anguish unspeakable she threw
inside her cane and seized him by the
arm. Down went the candle sputtcr'
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 n touch OF the
melodramatic in his bearing. the youth
folded his arms and stood erect before
the astonishcd group of officials.
II reckon, gentlemen, I'm the man
you want"
Close looked at him in bewildermcnt,
then turned to Parmclec, whose face,
whether through fear or excitement,
was twitching ncrvously, and who
stood staring blankly ut the stranger
From the hallway came creeping hur'
riedly forth a girlish form, misery in
the streaming eyes and disheveled hair
and Katherine Walton threw herself
upon her brothers arm, sobbing con-
vulsively. Flush, Kate" he whispered
in almost stern reproach. flush. child
Go back 10 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 nj
one another. ut the stricken group upon
the threshold. and were silent. Then
with sudden gesture, us 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:
II say. sub. I 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 ut the cmbar'
raised officer. Lambert gave vent TO m
audible gasp of delight, for Close, turl''
ing slowly upon the silent and aston
ished deputy. and with world OF sup
pressed wrath in his deep tones, growlcd
forth:
you've get no warrant for this gen.
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 it?" he suddenly in
ouired of the stranger, over whose pale
face a look of bewildermcnt WINS creep
ing. and who for moment seemed un'
able to reply. 1t was Nine. Walton
who, with quivcring, ashcn lips ana
with hope, fear, yearning, anguish In
her eyes. found voice to say:
"This Is my youngest son, sub
Floyd Walton.
"You say" she continued tremulous'
Is, "you have no warrant, no cause
for his arrest. Then in Gods name 60
and leave us in peace. am not well;
and on my word of honor, no other
man is hidden"
"Mother! Hush!"
4 door hastily opened within-the
door leading to the room to the left
Of the entrance, the room at whose
window Close and Parmalcc couldswear
they saw the dim figure of n man peer
ing forth rs they entered the gate. A
heavy football resounded through the
hall. A light streamed forth from the
open room, and n womnn's wniling,
shuddering cry followed the tall power
full form that came striding 10 the
front. With n 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 glarins
NJ the neNCOHlcI, W NhoSc SAuS nv"
sprang Esther, her long black hair
streaming down the white wrapper in
which her tall figure was encyclopedias
Their, who strovc to drag the stranger
back from before her mothers eyes.
"You here? You?" was Mrs. Wal
tons gasping cry. sand in-that
room?"
'AIother!" walled the elder daughter,
throwing herself upon her knees be-
fore the fa;nting form-"mother, lis
ten. Oh, make her hear me, Floyd
Mother, nm Walton's wife,"
But the words fell on senseless ears,
The lady OF Walton hall slipped swoon-
ing, till they caught and bore her with
in the open doorway.
"Well," said Close, n moment later
"whnt do you want done with yonr
MANIPULATION Scroggs? Ones enough
for this night, suppose"
"One's enough for me, rs things have