The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-16

"Thdt's the brGyest thing you ever dtd
Winn," said he.
the hands thrown hopelessly forward
palms appraised, were as expressive a
any words could have been. There wa
silence moment. Then he spoke again
"And, after all, what matters it now
With this court martial hanging owe
me I've nothing but dismissal to lool
forward to in any event"
"And what if there should be NJ
trial, Winn?" said the major, after &
reflective pause. ut is true that yor
have made an awful-break, but as YET
you are your only accuser, and Mrs
Winn is the only witness, for Barclay
is dumb"
But VIM shook his head. IT 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 l was, he might
settle it ont 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 device by which physical cour-
age is made substitute for other viz.
tues that may be lacking. Barclay oc-
cupies 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 sneer at him, in this
garrison at least and, if ho prefer no
charge against you, who is to do it?
This trouble can be Strengthened ont,
Winn," said the major soothingly, "if
only You could fix-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 q 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, q 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 60 much, but that
her treasures would bring so little
The fourth day Of his arrest was well
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 tho sheet. It was ad.
dressed to Captain Barclay:
I'm the last four days l have done
nothing but think of the great wrong !
did you. have tried to find words in
which to tell you my distress and self
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 ii was asked before he ten.
lered an apology that might be consid-
sred stopper to challenge. But I
will not wait. At the risk of anything
my man may say or think l write this
70 tell you that deplore my conduct
md with all my heart to beg your par
1on."
Collabone went through it twice with
eyes. "That's the bravest
hing you ever did, Vim" said he az
le laid it carefully down. "That ought
o stop court martial proceedings |,
THAT" answered Vim, sis n diff.
erent matter. don't ask any mercy. ]
would have been better off this minute
+ he or Brayton had shot me on the
pot"
There was silence moment as he
urned away and presently seated him.
elf at the little table, his head drop.
ing forward ON his arms. Then Cola. I
one stepped up and placed hand upon
lis shoulder.
"Winn, my boy, should lie il l said
on ought not to feel this, but there's
uch q thing as brooding too much.
'ou'll harm yourself if you 60 on like
his. You Here, let me take that in
, Barclay. Let him speak for me. I'm
ID IL it isn't too much for me. "
But WINS head was never lifted ~
ne doctor went his way. .
Later that night the post adjutant ;
ropped in. He and VIM had never !.
ZEN on cordial terms, but the staff !
iicer was shocked and troubled at tho :
lcrsasing ravages in the once proud |.
nd handsome face Of the cavalryman. !.
VIM" he said In courteous tone, !,
the colonel directs extension Of your :
mits to include the. parade, and-and
, visit Captain Barclay, who wants TO :,
. yGu thu evening. II you feel able :
70 oaly nsxt d9sr. you know. :" hs add