Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-06-03
10 bear wok COMPARABLE to this. rive

to bear wax comparable to this. give
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, tail, 1
slender and athletic, sprang q young
fellow with the warning cry: Mother! .
not another word"
She strove TO check him as he pushed /
his impetuous way past her. With
wall OF anguish .unspeakable she threw {
aside 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 done?' she :
moaned, and bowed her gray head upon
the broad young shoulder.
And then, with just touch of the
melodramatic in his bearing, the youth /
folded his arms and stood erect before /,
the astonished group of officials.
Il reckon, gentlemen, I'm the man
you want"
Close looked at him in bewilderment
then turned to Parmelee, whose face,
whether through fear or excitement,
was twitching nervously, and who
stood staring blanlty at the stranger.
From the hallway came creeping hur-
riedly forth girlish form, misery in
the streaming eyes and disheveled hair,
and Katherine Walton threw herself
upon her brothers arm, sobbing con-
vulsiyely. 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 10 claim him, Officers and men,
the nocturnal visitors looked blanllly 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:
"I say, sub, | reckon you've come
for me. I'm 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 a world of sup
pressed wrath in his deep tones, growled
forth:
you've got no warrant for this gen.
! tleman. I never s~w him before in my
| life, and never herd of him as being
mixed up in any trouble. This Is young
Mr.. Walton, isn't it?' he suddenly in
| quired of the stranger, over whose pale
face 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, suh-
Floyd Walton.
"You say" she continued tremulous-
| ", "you have no warrant, no cause
| for his arrest. Then in Gods name go,
and leave us in peace. | am not well;
and on my word of honor, no other
man is hidden"
''Motherl Hush!"
A 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.
| heavy football resounded through the
| hall light streamed forth from the
open room, and woman's wailing,
| shuddering cry followed the tall power
full form that came striding TO 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? You?" was Mrs. Wal
tons gasping cry. "And in-that
room?"
'Motherl" walled the elder daughter,
| throwing herself upon her knees be-
fore the fa:nting 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 swoon-
| ing, till they caught and bore her with
in the open doorway.
WELL" said Close, a moment later,
what do you want done with your
man-Walton Scroggs? Ones enough
| for this night, / suppose"
zones enough for me, as things have
turned out. Now, what are you going
| to do with the other?"
leave him here, with his mother,
where he ought to be, of course. You've
| got no cause to arrest him"
But you have, anyhow"
81! What, I'd like to knowP"
because he's q deserter from the
United States army"