Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-04-27

SAoi'' VI ba1S. 2AOuuSCks ldu 40 use 1Or
Loving. He never stopped to pass the
time of day or suggest a toddy, and
Lorlng had less use for them. Ten min
utes later the lieutenant found the office
in connection, clerks and orderlies has
tenins about with grave faces, Stone
and Stantcn with the general in his
room, the general himself pallid and
hopping his wet forehead.
"This ia horribly sudden" he said,
as he thrust an open dispatch into Lor-
ing's hand. 1t was the brief announce
ment that the general commanding the
department of California, the chief
Loring had go recently left, had dropped
dead at his desk the night before. Little
as he had liked him, the engineer was
shocked and grieved.
cit may make grave changes, " said
the adjutant general little later. sit
may send our kind and thoughtful chief
to the Pacific coast and give us-who?"
cit will make one at least said
Stone impetuously. "It'll send that ga
loot Petty back to his regiment right
here in Nebraska and give him a taste
Of service he will little like
why do you say back, Stone? Where
did Petty ever serve with it except when
it was in the garrison of Washington?"
asked the adjutant general. "You know
him, I believe, Loring?'
81 know him-yes"
"Think he'd pan out we'll in an In.
dian tight?'
''He might"
"Youre an optimist, Loring," said
Stone. who was ever seeking yet never
succeeding in the effort to penetrate the
armor of Loring's reserve. 81 believe
you think even Burleigh would fight at
pinch.
"I'm sure be would, said Loring as
be walked thoughtfulIy away.
"That's the dash, dashest man ever
met, said Stone in terms he never
knowingly used in the hearing of hia
commander. "What he'd say to man
I can only guess from a letter Skinny
wrote from Aloatraz after that row
they had at Frisco. OF man you can t
get him to speak,.
"We may have to- said the adju-
tant general to himself as he turned
back to his desk and to packet of pa
pers and dispatches from Gate City.
1t was day of perturbation. Not ten
minutes later the engineer was called
to conference with the department COM
mander and found him closeted with his
chief of staff. "You were not favorably
impressed with Major Burleigh, said
he after moment of silent study of the
young officers face. "Will you tell me
why?"
Loring stood and coIored. He had
spoken no word of Burleigh, except in
answer to direct question. Stone must
have seen his aversion and had possibly
told of it.
"You dislike to, see,'' said the gen.
eral kindly. "Let me remove your scru-
Piles. Major Bnrleigh has been absent
from his post without leave at a time
when his services were urgently needed.
His affairs are in good deal of tan
gle. 1t is believed that he has been
making use Of government funds. tell
you this in strict confidence. Do you
know what caused his panic there at
Reno and made him insist on being
taken right on to Fort Frayne?"
Loring thought moment, then said,
"No, sir.
Mr.. Loriug," said the general,
Major Burleigh has been an object of
distrust for over a month. While he
was away on this trip to Warrior Gap
matters were brought to my attention
that were of grave nature. Investiga-
tions have been made Major Bruce, at
Reno, says you seemed struck by the
superscription on the envelope of the
letter he received there that threw him
into such panic. Would you know
the handwriting, do you Think"
eyes, general. /"
Silently the chief of staff held forth
a note which Loring took and closely
examined. 1t read: Captain Newhall
begs to assure the adjutant general, de-
partment of the Platte, that he meant
no discourtesy in failing to register.
He was unaware of the rule existing at
department headquarters, had come
here on personal business connected
with certain real estate in which he
has an interest, is on two months leave
from his station, New Orleans, and
will register the moment the office opens
in the morning, unless he should be
compelled to leave for St. Joe tonight. -
Loring looked up, puzzled The
handwriting was familiar, SO was a
form that he had seen vanishing in
the distance one evening week before,
and something in the voice had had a
familiar ring, but this name was new.
TO explain all this" said the adju-
, tant general "there was a dashing
looking young fellow here for two or
three days, drinking good deal, down
about the depot, on the flats and around
the quartermaster' corrals. He said he
was Captain Newhall of the Thirty
ninth infantry, and the general finally
told me to send an aid to look him up
and remind him it was his duty to call
at headquarters and account for his
presence Between that night and the
next morning he disappeared and at
last accounts was hobnobbing, with
Burleigh at Gate City. You know Of
him, see?"
stposcihIy