Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-06-08
CHAPTER MI


As 10 whether Billy Gray should or
should not stand trial. Confident as
were his friends of his innocence of all
completely in Morton's escape, there re-
manned the fact that he had telephoned
for carriage, that carriage had come
and that a carriage with four men, APP.
parently soldiers, had driven rapidly
downward along Point Lobos avenue.
1t was seen by half a dozen policemen
as il shot under the electric light or gas
lamp. Then there was the bundle inside
his rolled overcoat that Gray had per-
sonally handed Morton when prison
er. Everybody agreed he should have
sent il by orderly-everyb body, that is,
except some scores of young soldiers in
the ranks who could see no harm in
ii having been done that way, specially
two Delta Sigs" in the -teenth. Then
there were the long conferences in the
dark. What did they mean All things
considered, the older and wiser heads
saw that, as the lieutenant could or
would make no satisfactory eXplana-
ton of these 10 ais colonel. he should
you've made mess Of the thing and
an ass of yourself, Billy" was Gordon's
comprehensive if not consolatory sum-
mary Of the matter. land as Canker has
been raped for one thing or another
by camp, division and brigade COM
manders one after another, he feels that
he's got 10 prove that he isn't the only
IN. 10 y Il 1.f.#f
ploy good counsel and prepare for a
fight"
Cant afford IT." said Billy, briefly,
"and I'm blowed if I'll ask my dear old
dad to come TO the rescue. Hes had
10 cough up tsname on your sang,
Billy far TOO much already. tell you,
Gordon, I'm so fixed that I can't eX-
plain these things unless I'm actually
brought TO trial. t's-it's-well, you
have no secret societies at the Point as
we DO at college, SO YOU cant fathom
it. I'm no more afraid of standing
trial than 1 am of Squeers-and be
ID 10 him!"
"Good Lawd, youngster-you, you
aren't quite such an ass as TO suppose
obligation as paramount 10 that which
your oath of office demands. Look
hyuh, Billy, your heads just added!
l can't work on you, but somebody
must!"
And Gordon went away very low in
his mind. He liked that boy. He loved
a keen, alert, snappy soldier on drill,
and Billy had no superior in the bat
talon when il came TO handling squad
or company. The adjutant plainly saw
the peril of his position, and further
consultation with his brother officers
confirmed him in his fears. Schuyler.
the brigade commissary, being much
with the -teenth-messing with them
in fact, when he was not dancing at
tendance on Miss Prime-heard all this
camp talk and told her. Thus il hap
pened that the very next day when
he drove with the cousins (Mr. Prime
being the while in conference with the
detectives still securing the city for the
young deserter, who the father now felt
confident was his missing boy. Miss
Lawrence looked the captain full in
the face with her clear. searching eyes
and pumped at him the point-blank
question:
Capt. Schuyler. do Mr.. Gray's broth
er officers really consider him in dan
ger Of dismissal?"
Miss Lawrence, | grieye to say that
not one has any other opinion now
There could be no doubt of it. Amy
Lawrence turned very pale and her
beautiful eyes filed.
at is a shame!" she said, after
moments struggle TO conquer the
trembling Of her lips. "IIas-is there
no one-inhuential enough-or with
brains enough (this with returning
color to take up his case and clear
him?"
They were whirling through the
beautiful drive Of the Golden Gate
park. passing company after company
at drill. Even as Amy spoke Schuyler
lifted his cap and Miss Prime bowed
and smiled. \ group Of regimental Of
ficers. four in number, stood, apparent
" supervising the work, and as Miss
Lawrence quickly turned to see who
they might be, her eyes met those Of
Col. Armstrong. Five minutes later the
carriage returning drew up. as though
by some order from its occupants, at
that very spot. Armstrong and his adj
iutant were still there and promptly
joined them.
Long weeks afterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory.
1t was one of those rare August days
when the wind blew from the south
east. beat back the drenching Pacific
fogs and let the warm sun pour upon
the brilliant verdure of that wonderful
park. Earth and air, distant sea and
dazzling sky, all seemed clarifying their
Creator. Bright-hued birds flashed
through the foliage and thrilled the
ear with their caroling. The plash Of
fountain fell softly on the breeze. min
gled with the rustling of the luxuriant
growth Of leaf and flower close at hand.
1t was not chance that brought the
stalwart soldier instantly 10 Amy's