The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-09-14

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"That's the braUcst thing you cuer did,
Winn," said he.
the hands thrown hopelessly forward,
palms appraised, were as expressive as
any words could have been. There was
silence a moment. Then he spoke again.
"And, after all, what matters it now?
With this court martial hanging over
me I've nothing but dismissal to look
forward to in any event.
'And what if there should be no
trial, Winn?" said the major, after q
reflective pause. ''It is true that you
have made an awful-break, but as yet
you are your only accuser, and Mrs.
VIM is the only witness, for Barclay
is dumb.''
But VIM shook his head. II know
enough of army matters to know that
this thing is all over the post and will
soon be all over Texas. If Captain Bar
clay was of-the old army-if he had
been brought up as was, he might
settle it out of court. My father used
to say that there could be no other rep.
aration for blow What would my
apologies be worth? They would not re-
establish him.
"Sometimes l Think said Brooks
after another reflective pause, "that men
OF Barclays stamp need not appeal to
the code to set them right. That is
only a device by which physical cour-
age is made substitute for other vir-
tues that may be lacking. Barclay &C.
cupies a plane above it. In view of his
record in the Platte country and in this
recent chase after the outlaws it would
take bold man to sheer at him, in this
garrison at least, and, if he prefer no
charge against you, who is to do it:
This trouble can be Strengthened out,
Winn,'' said the major soothingly, elf
only you could fx-that other.
But how, said they to each other as
they went gloomily away, was that
other to be "fxed?" How was poor
fellow with nothing but his pay, bur-
dened by an extravaganza and helpless
wife, little child and number of
debts, to hope to raise $4,000 to pre-
vent the almost total stoppage of his
stipend? That evening when Mrs.
Faulkner left her invalid friend the lat
ter asked her to say to Harry that she
begged him to come and speak with
her. Harry went but there was no
spring. no gladness, in the slow and
hating feet that climbed the narrow
stair. There was no hope in the care
worn face that came forth again in half
an hour. Laura wished him to take her
watch, her diamond earrings, a locket
he had given her in bygone days and
other pretty trinkets, sell them and pay
their debts. She was amazed to hear,
not that they owed SO much, but that
her treasures would bring so little.
The fourth day Of his arrest was we'll
nigh gone. Collabone had reported Bar
clay quite himself again and sitting up,
though none too strong, and then he
saw that VIM at last had been writ
ing. "Read that,' said Harry briefly,
and handed him the sheet. It was ad-
dressed to Captain Barclay:
''In the last four days l have done
nothing but think Of the great wrong I
did you. have tried to find words in
which to tell you my distress and self
reproach, but they fail me. There was
no shadow of justification for my sus-
picion, and therefore no excuse for my
blow. Had you desired reparation you
would have demanded it, and the rule
used to be for man in my plight to
wait until it was asked before he ten
dered an apology that might be consid-
cred a stopper to a challenge. But I
will not wait. At the risk of anything
any man may say or think write this
to tell you that deplore my conduct
and with all my heart to beg your par
don.'
Collabone went through it twice with
blinking eyes. '"That's the bravest
thing you ever did, Winn," said he as
he laid it carefully down. ''That ought
to stop court martial proceedings"
THAT answered VIM, lis diff
ferent matter. don't ask any mercy. 1
would have been better off this minute
If he or Brayton had shot me on the
spot.''
There was silence moment as he
turned away and presently seated him
self at the little table, his head drop
ping forward on his arms. Then Cola.
bone stepped up and placed hand upon
his shoulder.
"Winn, my boy, should lie if I said
you ought not to feel this, but there's
such thing as brooding too much.
You'll harm yourself if you go on like
this. YOU Here, let me take that in
to Barclay. Let him speak for me. I'm
id if it isn't too much for me-"
|. But Winn's head was never lifted as
the doctor went his way.