The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-03-16
CHAPTER III.

The little party of visitors in the gen.
erals personal tent made striking
contrast to that assembled under the
official canvas. In the latter, seated
Oh camp stools and candle boxes or
braced against the tent poles, were near
1y q dozen officers, all in the somber
dark blue regulation uniform, several
in riding boots and spurs, some even
wearing the heavy, frogged overcoat;
all but two, juniors of the staff, men
who stood on the shady side of 40,
four of the number wearing on their
shoulders the silver stars of generals
of division or brigade, and among their
thinning crops of hair the silver
strands that told of years of service.
One man alone, the commanding gen
cral, was speaking; all the others lis
tened in respectful silence. In the
gloom of that late, fog-shrouded after
noon 4 lantern or two would have been
welcome, but the conference had be-
gun while it was still light enough for
the chief to read the memoranda on his
desk, and now he was talking without
notes. In the array of grave, thought
full faces, some actually somber and
severe in expression, smile would have
seemed out of place, yet, all on sud-
den, grim features relaxed, deep-set
eyes twinkled and glanced quickly
about in search of kindred sympathetic
spirits, and more than half the bearded
faces broadened into grin of merri-
ment, and as many heads were sudden
~ uplifted, for just as the gray-haired
chief ended an impressive period with
the words: cit will be no laughing
matter if I can lay hold of them" there
burst upon the surprised ears of the
group q peal of the merriest laughter
imaginable-the ripping. joyous, mu-
steal laughter of happy girlhood ming
ling with the hearty, wholesome, if
somewhat boyish, outburst of jollity
of healthful youth.
"Merciful powers!" exclaimed the
chief. II had forgotten all about those
people. They must have been here 20
minutes"
"Sixty-five, sir, by the watch" said a
saturnine-looking soldier, tall and stall
wart, and wearing the-shield okthe adj
jutant generals department on the col
lar of his sack coat.
They ought to go, them" was the
placid suggestion of a third officer,
man with keen eyes, thin, almost ascetic
face, but there twitched n quaint
humor about the lines of his lips.
THAT visits past the retiring age"
And then another peal of merriment
from I'll. adjoining tent put a stop to
conversation.
They don't lack for entertainers"
hazarded a staff officer Us soon as he
could make himself heard. THE SOL
emn-looking Gothamite who came with
them must have slipped out"
ut seems he knows Col. Armstrong;"
said the chief, thoughtfully. II sent for
him an hour ago, and he may be pilot
ing Mr.. Prime around camp, looking up
the runaway"
another case?" asked a brigade COM
mander, with a shrug of his shoulders.
Another case," answered the gener-
al, with a sigh. ut isn't always home
troubles that drive them to it. This
boy had everything a doting father
could give him. What on earth could
make him bolt and enlist for the warp"
No one answered for a moment. Then
the officer with The humorous twinkle
about the eyes and the twitch at the
lip corners bent forward, placed his
elbows on his knees, his fingers tip to