Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-05-04
CHAPTER VII.

Billy Gray was indeed in close ar
rest and the grim prophecy was full
filled-Col. Canker was proving any
thing but guardian angel TO him." The
whole regiment, officers and men, bar
ring only the commander, was practi-
cally in mourning with sorrow for him
and chagrin over its own discontinue.
Not only one important prisoner was
gone, but two; not only two, but four.
No man in authority WAS able to say
just when or how it happened, for it
was Canker's own order that the pris-
oners should not be paraded when the
guard fell in at night. They were here
at tattoo and at taps all right. The Of
ficer of the guard, said several soldiers,
had quite a long talk with one Of the
fredericksburg Morton-just after
tattoo, at which time the entire guard
had been inspected by the commanding
officer. But at reveille four most i'm
portant prisoners were gone, and such
was Canker's wrath that not only was
Gray in arrest, but the sergeant Of the
guard also. while the three luckless
men who were successfully posted as
sentries during the night at the back of
the wooden shell that served as a guard
house-were now in close confinement
in the place Of the escaped quartette.
Yet those three were men who had
hitherto been above suspicion. and
there were few soldiers in the regiment
who would accept the theory that any
one of the three had conniyed at the es-
cape. As for the sergeant - he had
served four cnlistmentS i'm the -tecnth,
and without a flaw in his record beyond
an occasional alteration in the now
distant past, due to the potency Of the
potcen distilled by certain IIiberniaH
experts not far from an old-time plains
fort, where the regiment had rested on
its march cross continent. As for the
Otlicers-but who would suppose an
officer guilty of anything of the kind
a fragrant military crime? And yet
men got TO asking each other if il were
so that Bug,er Curran had carried a
note from the prisoner. Morton. to Mr.
Gray about $3.50 that afternoon? And
what was this about Gray's having
urged Brooke TO swap tours with him
an hour later, and what was that story
the headquarters clerks were telling
about Mr.. Gray's coming to the adju-
tant and begging 10 be allowed TO
"march on" that evening instead Of
Brooke? IL wasn't long before these
rumors, somehow, got to Canker's ears.
and Canker seemed to grow as big
again; he fairly swelled with indigna-
ton at thought of such turpitude on
part Of an officer. Then he sent for Gray
1T was the afternoon following the
sailing of the ships with the big brigade
and with pain and bewilderment and
Indignation in his brave blue eyes the
youngster came and stood before his
stern superior. Gordon, who sent the
message, and who had heard Canker's
ienunciatory remarks, had found time
10 scribble word or two: admit
nothing; say nothing; do nothing but
lold your tongue and temper. If {.
insists on answers say YOU decline ex-
'ept in presence of your legal adviser"
so there was a scene in the command
4 morning
lad not been without its joys. Along
about ten o'clock as Gray sat writing |
% his father in his little canvas home. |
re heard a voice that sent the blood /
Gaping through his veins and filled his /
yes with light. Springing from his
and capsizing it as he did .
o, he poked his curly head from
Hrsu.r r Il
here she was - only a dozen feet
way - Maj. Lane in courteous at
enhance, Mr.. Prime sadly following,
nd Miss Prime quite content with the
evotions Of Capt. Schuyler. Only
Oxen feet away and coming straight TO
i'm, with frank smiles and sympathy
her kind and winsome face-with
and outstretched the moment she
aught sight of him. 1--WE wanted TO
ONE when we heard of it yesterday,
lr. Gray" said Amy Lawrence, but
was dark when we got back from see
~ the fleet off, and uncle was too tired
! the evening. Indeed, we are all very,
cry sorry" And poor Billy never
card or cared what the others said, so I
bsorbed was he in drinking in her gen
e words and gazing into her soft, dark ,
yes. No wonder he found il difficult
} release her hand. That brief visit,
led with sweetness and sunshine, I
lght 10 have been a blessing TO him I
i day long, but Canker caught sight I
the damsels as they walked away 5
] the arms Of the attendant cavaliers G
ISIS Lawrence more than once smiling I
lck at the incarcerated Billy-and (
lnker demanded TO be informed who
icy were and where they had been, and 1
ordon answered they were Miss Law o
nee, of Santa Anita, and Miss Prime, \
New York-and he "reckoned" they i
ust have been in TO condole with Mr.. |
Canker snarled that o
,ople ought TO know better than to
sit officers in arrest--it was tanta- il
cunt to disrespect to the commander. I,
was marvellous how many things in
mixers eyes were disrespectful. s,
So he heard these stories with eager k
rs and sent for Gray, and thought to
Illy him into an admission or confes- %