The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-04-04
Yves, general. -

Silently the chief Of staff held forth
note which Loring took and closely
examined. It 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 lie 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 dashing
looking young fellow here for two or
three days, drinking good deal, down
about the depot, on the flats and around
the quartermaster' g 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:''
Possibly"
"Then, general" said the chief Of
staff, with prompt decision, .'the quick
est way to get at the root of the matter
would be- to send Loring at once to Gate
City,"
The general thought for a moment.
How soon could you go?'
First tram, sir. T"
1t was then too late for the single
passenger express that daily went alank-
ing over the prairies toward Cheyenne,
but that afternoon was held long con-
terence at department. headquarters
which caused some wonderment among
the officers not included, Stone especial
ly, and there were many eyes on Lor-
ing's grave face as he finally came forth
from the generals room and without q
word of explanation went straight to
his own.
Wonder what he's been doing, said
a man from the garrison who had hap
pened in in search Of news.
Stone shrugged his shoulders, offered
no explanation, but looked volumes.
An. aid-de-camp should never reveal
what he knows Of other officers affairs,
much less that he knows nothing.
The night came on warm and sitting
almost as the day. The window of Lor-
ing's room opened IN the crude wooden
gallery that ran the length of the hotel,
and he kept it open from the bottom for
such air as could be obtained. A note
lay on the mantelshelf when he return
ed from the Office late in the afternoon.
This he had taken down stairs, inclosed
it, unopened, in one of the coarse hotel
envelopes, addressed and sent it by a
messenger to Mrs. Burton's At 10
o'clock atnight, in his shirt sleeves, he
was packing a valise. when at the open
window OH the gallery without there
appeared suddenly a slender. graceful,
girlish form; a fair face gazed appeal.
ingly, imploringly, in, and soft voice
pronounced his name.
Starting up, he stepped quickly TO
ward the apparition. One instant the
lovely face lighted with hope, jsy, tri