Daily camera., 1899-11-28

ed hlm by mounted orderly who had
galloped fast.
One OF your irreproachables, Arm
strong said one of the staff, with
something half sneer. half taunt, as he
too read and then passed the paper to
the judge advocate of the division.
Armstrong turned with his usual de-
Liberation. There was ever abou, him
a quiet dignity Of manner that was the
delight Of his friends and despair of his
foes.
What is his name ?" he calmly asked.
THAT young fellow at Canker's head
quarters you took so much interest in
a day or so ago." was the reply.
That does not give his name-nor
identify him as one Of my men," said
Armstrong, coolly.
"Oh, well, didn't say he belonged to
your command" was the staff officers
response. You devoted a good deal
OF time to him. that's all. Possibly you
suspected him"
IF you mean the young soldier in
Gordon's office, -teenth infantry, 1
would be slow TO suspec, him Of any
crime" said Armstrong, with some
thing almost like drawl, SO slow and
deliberate was his manner, and now the
steel gray eyes and the fair, clear-cut
face were turned straight upon the
swapping black eyes and dark features
OF the other. There was no love lost
there. One could tell without so much
as seeing.
"iou're off, then! That commissary
sergeant gave him away the very even
ing you were looking him over-he got
wind of i, and skipped. and to-day came
back in handcufYx''
"All of which may be as you say, and
still not warrant your reference TO him
as one Of my irreproAcbAbles," an
swered Armstrong. and II will take
more than the evidence you refer to
TO make me believe him guilty"
BY this time much OF the crowd and
most of the vehicles had driven away.
The generals still sat in saddles chat.
ting earnestly together. while then
staff officers listened in some impa
tience TO the conversation just record
ed. Eyeryb body knew the fault was not
Armstrong;, bu, il was jarring TO have
10 sit and hearken to the controversy
Don't ever twit or try funny business
with Armstrong" once said n req
mental sage. He had no sense OF la,
mor-of that kind. Those who bes,
knew him knew iha, Armstrong never
tolerated unjust accusations, great or
small. In his desire TO say an irri,at-
ing thing TO n man he both envied and
respected. the stan officer had not con-
fined himself 10 the fncls. and it proved
boomerang. II was true that two
days before. calling al Gordon's official
tent while several other officers were
present al an investigation then going
on, Armstrong was seen TO be greatly
interested in the appearance and testi-
mony Of Gordon's young. dark-eyed
clerk. and after the conference asked
many questions about and finally asked
to speak with him. Then young Nor
ton was again missing when he was
wanted and the next heard OF him he
was either absent without leave-or a
deserter.
And now once again Armstrong;
eyes had lighted on that boy. Seated
opposite Miss Lawrence as the carriage
whirled across Point Lobos avenue. and
watching her unobtrusiveiy, he saw the
sudden light Of alarm and excitement
in her expressive face, heard the faint
exclamation as her gloved hand grasped
the rail .. the seat, fel, the quick sway
of the vehicle rs the horses SHE'D in
fright AT some object beyond his vision.
Then as they dashed on he had seen
the running guard and, just vanishing
within the portals of the corner build
ing, the slim figure of the escaping pris-
oner. He saw the quivcring hands
tearing at their fastenings. He knew
he had seen that figure before now.
He turned to the driver and badc him
stop minute. but it took so yards of
effort before the spirited horses could
be calmcd and brough, 10 halt at the
curb. To the startled inquiries OF Mr.
Prime and his daughter as TO the cause
OF the excitement and the running and
shouting he answered simply: "a pris-
oner escaped, think" and sent n pass
ing corporal to inquire the result. The
man came back in minute.
"They got him easy, sir. He had no
show. His hands were tied behind his
back and he couldn't climb" was the
brief report.
"They have not hurt him, I hops"
said Armstrong.
mo. sig. He hurt them-one of 'em,
At least, before he'd surrender when
they nabbcd him in town. This time he
submitted nll right--said he only ran in
for glass OF beer. and WAS laughing
like when got there"
"Very well. Thatll do. Go on, driver.
We haven't a minute to lose II we are to
see the review" he continued, as he
stepped lightly TO his sent. II saw
nothing OF this affair" said Miss Prime.
"Whnt was II NIL about?"
"Nor could I see." added her father.
II heard shouts and after we passed saw