Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-04-22
CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTISUED.

Something had happened. On one OF
the passenger trains blockaded beyond
Clmarron was q Chicago lawyer OF
most active mind and being, a Chicago
an OF no little experience with scenes OF
the kind, and this gentleman had fired
message after message to Lieut.. Ran
dolph Merriam, at Sedgwick. and finally
demanded reason for that officers ST.
lence.
"What'll / do with this here, sir?"
said McGrath, coming finally into the
adjutant's office. There's three mes
sages here for Mr.. Merriam, urgent
ones, too, and finally the sender asks
why he don't reply"
"Say that Mr.. Merriam is still away
after Mexican murderers and We ex-
pect him any minute. Ask II any other
officer will do? Hello! What's that,
orderly 2" he broke off, at the sound OF
hoof beats and excited voices without.
A trooper entered, dust covered and
weary, to make his brief report. Capt.
Grafton darting in just in time for the
news.
Lieut.. Merriam's wounded, sir, an
his horse killed. and can the doctor 60
back with me?"
"My God!" thought Grafton ere he
spoke aloud. as there to be no end to
the calamities Of this day?" Repress-
ing his own eagerness, he waited In
stern self-discip.ine while the adjutant
went quickly into details, as was his
business, in striving 10 learn the extent
and nature Of Merriam's wounds; then,
the colonel being over home, turned for
advice to Grafton.
"0nly our contract doctor left" he
said. 1.-THE others are of with the
Riflers or-in chase Hurriedly he
wrote q few lines to Buxton and then
turned TO McGrath.
Tell Capt. Grafton about these mes
sages for Mr.. Merriam, will you?" said
he, "and captain, will you please at
tend to that while look to Randy's re-
lief? Thank God they didn't kill him"
he added rs he went nolsily out. what
in heavens name did Buxton expect
him to do, anyhow"
"IIave you O right to say what Is
wanted Of Mr.. Merriam and whom these
are from?" asked Grafton of the opera
tor.
81 couldn't say q word, sir, ordi-
narlly, but believe they'll never blame
me now. It's Mr.. Edward Parry and
he begs Mr.. Merriam, who can get
through, TO come up beyond Cimarron
to him on important business-his
trains Llockaded by strikers"
"Give me q blank" said Grafton,
quickly. II think I partially under
stand the case," and these were the
words that were wired ut one o'clock to
the eager lawyer on the waiting train:
Merriam wounded In affair with ban
dts this mornlng-mlles from post Mrs.
McLane Is still under my roof. Command
my services.
GEORGE GRAFTON. Captain"
Then Grafton followed the trail Of the
adjutant-went straightway to Buxton,
who WINS taking his MONDAY siesta and
hated to be disturbed ut such a time
and was crusty. as could be expected.
when asked permission by Capt. Graf
ton to ride out and meet the wounded
officer. He few into tantrum.
MY God, sirl No, sir. Am to scat
ter my medical staff to the four winds.
with Brady and Corcorun past praying
for here, and then have my troop lead
ers scattering tool The Lord only
knows what's going to happen before
we get through with this day, and now
Merrinm's shot and otherwise injured,
and ali on account OF those beggarly
greaserh No, siri Not another man
goes out TIL we've rounded up those al
ready nfield."
Capt. Grafton turned without word
Of remonstrance. with his usual grave
salute. From there he went to see that
Mcrriam's home was In readiness, and
then to his wife, who read tidings Of
new disaster in his troubled eyes.
ooh. 0eorgel" she cried. "Will this
dreadful day never end? The servants
say Merriam's shot and mortally
wounded, and that the Riders are
wrecked ct Calnmas Gorge
Merriam Il shot and not MORALLY
wounded. dear. and the Rlhsrs refused