Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-17

way. To the scandal and sorrow OF the -
teenth infantry some OF the recent robberies
had been traced to their very doors. A
commissary sergeant had weakened" q
cartman had 'squealed,' and one Of the
most popular and attractive young soldiers
In the whole command was now a prisoner
In the guardhouse charged with criminal
knowledge of the whole affair and of being
a large recipient of the i'll money
Morton Of the adjutant's ONCE, a private In
Company X.
What made It worse was the allegation
that several others, non-commissioned Of
fcers and special duty men," were mixed
up in the matter, and Canker had rasped
the whole commissioned force present for
duty, in his lecture upon the subject, and
had almost intimated that officers were con-
niying at the concealment of the guilt OF
their sergeants rather than have 1t leak out
that the felony was committed in a company
Of their commanding.
He and Gordon had had what was de-
scribed as a red hot row, all because Cor
don fatty declared that while something was
queer about the case of the young clerk who
had money to burn" as the men said, he'd
bet his bottom dollar he wasn't a thief. Can
ker said such language was a reflection on
himself, as he had personally investigated
the case, was convinced Morton's guilt could
be established, and had 30 reported to the
brigade commander in recommending trial
by general court martial. Indeed he had
made out a case against the lad even before
he was arrested and returned to camp. Cor
don asked il he had seen the boy and heard
his story. Canker Redeemed and said he
| hadn't, and he didn't mean to and didn't
have to. Gordon said he had-he had talked
with the lad fully and freely on his being
brought to camp toward 9 o'clock, and was
greatly impressed with his story-as would
any one else be who heard 1t. Canker red
| dened still more and said he wouldn't allow
\ officers to interview prisoners without his
authority. "Ill prefer charges against the
next that does it," said he.
And not three hours later, Mr.. Billy Gray,
sprawling on his camp cot, striving to for
get the sorrow of the earlier morning. and to
memorize a page Of paragraphs of army reg
u~lations, was suddenly accosted by an or
derby who stood at the front Of the tent,
scratching at the tent fap-the camp substi-
tute for a ring at the bell.
"a note for the lieutenant said he, dart
ing in and then darting out. possibly fearful
Of question. 1t was a queer note:
81 am a total stranger to you, but I wore
in brighter days the badge OF the sam So
ciety that was yours at the university.
LIN &C Va biIO IL ~ "a al NY
one is ON guard and he urged me to write
at once to you. They know me TO be a
Brother Delt, even though I dare not tell
my real name. What I have to say is that
the charge against me Is utterly false, as
I can convince you, but could not convince
a court. I am confined at the moment Of
all others In my life when 1t is most vitality
important that / should be free. Grant me
ten minutes interview this afternoon, and
IL 1 do not prove myself g~uiltless 1 will ask
no favor-but when I do convince you, do as
you would be done by. Yours in A e x,
GEORGE NORTON"
"Well, I'll be blessed!" said Mr.. Gray, as
he rolled out Of his gray blanket. Here's
a state of thingsi Listen to this, captain
he called to his company commander in the
adjoining tent. Here's Morton, back from
forty eight hours absence without leave,
brought back by armed guard after sharp
resistance, charged with Lord knows what
all, wants to tell me his STORY and prove his
innocence"
"You let him alone" growled his senior.
Remember what Canker said, or you'll 20
in arrest. What call has Morton on you,
I'd like to know"
The lad flushed. Fraternity was a very
sacred thing In the A e x. 1t was 1.-The most
exclusive crowd at the varsity" Its men,
bership was pledged to one another by
unusual ties. 1t was the hardest society for
a fellow to get into In any one Of the seven
colleges wheaeat 1t lourished, and it's mys-
tic bonds were not shaken off with the silken
gown and mortar board" of undergradu-
ate days. but followed Its membership
through many a maturer year. It
was a society most college men might ask
TO join In vain. Money, social station, in
nuence were powerlees. Not until a student
had been under observation two whole
years and was thoroughly known could he
hope for a IBID" to become a Delta Sig"
Not until another six months OF probation
could he sport Its colors, and not until he
formally withdrew from its fold. in post
graduation years, could he consider himself
absolved from Its mild obligations. But the
boast of the Delta Sig' had ever been that
no one of its membership had ever turned
a deaf ear to a fellow in need of aid. Who
OF its originators ever dreamed of such a
thing as the drifting Into and becomin a
factor In the affairs of the regular army?
No wonder Gray stood for a moment, the
paper still in his hands, irresolute, even dis
turbed. Not to answer the appeal meant
TO run counter to all the tenets of his
fraternity. To answer might mean court
martial for deliberate disobedience Of or
ders. Canker had no more mercy than an
Indian. 1t was barely forty eight hours
since he had been publicly warned by an
experienced old captain that he would find
no guardian angel in Squeers. II would
seriously mar his prospects to start now
with Squeers down on him." and as that
lynx-eyed commander was ever on watch
for infractions OF orders. Billy we'll knew
that he could not hope to see and talk with
the prisoner and Canker not hear of It. To
ask permission OF Canker would only make
matters worse-he was sure to refuse and
then ~re-emphasize his orders and redouble