Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-04-13

ker had rasped the whole commissioned
force present for duty i'm his lecture
upon the subject and had almost iuti-
mated that officers MeEe clnniAiEg ct
the conccalment Of the guilt of their
sergeants rather than have il leak out
that the felony was committed in
company Of their commanding.
lie and Gordon had had what was
described as red hot" row, all be-
cause Gordon fatty declared that while
something was queer about the case Of
the young clerk, he'd bet his bottom
dollar he wasn't thief. Cauker said
such language was a reflection on him.
self, as he had personally investigated
the case, was convinced Mortou's guilt
could be established, and had Sc report-
ed TO the brigade commander in recon-
mending trial by general cOurt-martial
Indeed he had made out a case against
the lad even before he was arrested and
returned 10 camn. Gordon asked il ha
mad 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 nino
o'clock, and was greatly impressed with
his story-as would anyone else be
who heard il. Canker REDEEMED still
more and said he wouldn't allow Of
ficers TO interview prisoners without
his authority. I'll prefer charges
against the next that does it,, said he.
And not three hours later, Mr.. Billy
Gray, sprawling on his camp cot, striy-
ing TO forget the sorrow Of the earlier
morning. and to memorize page Of
paragraphs of army regulations, was
suddenly accosted by an orderly who
stood at the front OF the tent, scratch
ing at the tent fap-the camp substi-
tute for a ring at the bell.
~ note for the lieutenant" said pc,
darling in and then darting out, pos
sibly fearful Of question. 1t was a
queer note:
II am "A total stranger 10 you, b0t W jre
In brighter days the badge Of the anne So
ciety that was yours az the university.
Three OF the fraternity arr IN my COM
pauy-one is on guard and he urged M 20
write AZ once 20 YOU. They know mo % he
brother Deit, even though dare not tell
my real name. What hav, TO say U.s. .Aat
the charge against me Is utterly false. ass
l can convince you, but could NOT DIa-
vince "A court l am confined Mt the mo-
meGt OF all others IN my life when il Is most
vitality important that ] should Do free.
Grant me ten minutes interview this aft
ernoon and II | 90 not prove my-. guilt
less will ask no f3vor-hut WLcr Go con-
vince you. do as Yea would Doe done by
Yours in 4 : Y,
GEORGE MORTON"
"Won. III be blessed" said Mr. Gray,
as he rolled out Of his gray blanket
"Here's state of things! Listen TO
this, captain" he called to his company
commander in the adjoining tent.
Here's Morton, back from 4, hours
absence without leave, brought back
by armed guard after sharp resist
auce. charged with Lord knows what
all, wants to tell me Ms story and prove
his innocence
You let him alone" grow,,d his
senior. Remember what Caukor said,
or you'll go i'm arrest. What call has
Morton on YOU, I'd like. to know
The lad flushed. Fraternity was
very sacred thing in the 4 : Y 1t
was the most exclusive crowd at the
varsity It's membership was pledged
TO one another by unusual ties. 1t was
the hardest society for fellow TO get
into in any one Of the seven colleges
whereat it flourished, and its mystic
bonds were not shaken off with the
silken gown and mortar board" Of
undergraduate days, but followed its
membership through many maturer
year. 1t was a society most college men
might ask TO join in vain. Money, So
cial station, influence were powerless.
Not until a student had been under OBJ
servation two whole years and was
thoroughly known could he hope for a
bid" 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 con-
slider himself sbsolyed from its mild
obligations. But the boast Of the Del
Ia 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
thing as its drifting into and becoming
a factor in the affairs Of the regular
army?
No wonder Gray stood for a moment,
the paper still in lis hands, irreSolute,
even disturbed. Not to answer the app
peal meant to run counter to all the ten
cts Of his fraternity. To answer might
mean arrest and court-martial for de-
liberate disobedience Of orders. Canker
has no more mercy than an Indian. 1t
was barely IS hours since he had been
publicly warned by an experienced old
captain that he would find no guard
ian angel" in Squeers. 1t would Sc
riously 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 /.
well knew that he could not hope 10 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-
A. -,