Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-31

10 under charges"
There was no answer from the strong
soldier standing observant at his elbow.
But when the chief would have moved
Armstrong detained him. "One more
question, general. In case you were
away and wanted something you had
left in this tent, you would send an aide
or orderly, or-would an order signed
BY one OF your sta:n be sutfieisnt?"
Him, wel-ysa, suppose it would"
said the general.
CHAPTER XII.
Opinion was divided at Camp Merritt
as to whether Billy Gray should or
should not stand trial. Confident a.
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 a carriage had come
and that carriage with four men, ap-
parently soldiers, had driven rapidly
downward along Point Lobos avenue.
1t was seen by half dozen policemen
as it shot under the electric light or gus
lamp. Then there was the bundle inside
his rolled oyercoat that Gray had per-
sonally handed Morton when prison
sr. Everybody agreed he should have
sent it by orderly-everybody, that is,
except some scores Of young soldiers in
the ranks. who could see no harm in
it having been done that way, especially
two Delta Sigs" in the-teenth. Then
there were the long conferences in the
dark. What did they neanf All things
considered, the elder and wiser heads
saw that, - the lieutenant could or
would make Ne satisfactory explana-
ton Of these 10 his colonel, he should
to court-sr take the consequences.
you've made mess Of the thing and
an ass Of yourself, Billy" was Gordon's
comprehensive II not eonsolatory sum-
mary Of the matter, "and 90 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 to prove that he isn't the only
fool in the business. You'd better en-
ploy good counsel and prepare for
fight"
Cant afford It," said Billy, briefly,
"and I'm blowed If I'll ask my dear old
dad to come to the rescue. He's had
to cough up (shame on your slang,
Billy far too much already. tell you,
Gordon, I'm so fixed that can't ex.
plain these things unless I'm actually
brought to trial. It's--it's-well, you
have no secret societies at the Point as
we do at college, SO you can't fathom
it. I'm no more afraid of standing
trial than am of Squeers-and be
ID to him!"
Good Lawd, youngster-you, you
aren't quite such an ass as to suppose
court is going to regard any schoolboy
obligation as paramount to that which
your oath of office demands. Look
hyuh, Billy, your heads just added!
can't work on you, but somebody
nust!"
And Gordon went away very low in
his mind. He liked that boy. He loved
keen. alert, snappy soldier on drill,
and Billy had no superior in the bat
talon when 1t came to handling squad
or company. The adjutant plainly saw
tho 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-messingw with them,
in fact, when he was not dancing at
tendance on Miss Prime-heard all this
camp talk and told her. Thus it 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.. aray's broth
er officers really consider him in dan
ger of dismissal?"
miss Lawrence, grieve to say that
not one has any other opinion now"
There could be no doubt of 1t. Amy
Lawrence turned very pale and her
beautiful eyes filed.
ut l. q shame!" she said, after a
moments struggle to conquer the
trembling Of her lips. "Has-is there
no ons-influential enough-or with
brains enough (this with returning
eolor) 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. A group of regimental Of
fcers, four in number, stood, apparent
ly 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
jutant were still there and promptly
Joined them.
Long weeks afterward that morning
lived in Stanley Armstrong; memory.
II 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
tho 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 to Amy's
aide. Her gaze was upon him before
the carriage stopped, and irresistibly
drew him. The man of mature years,
the hero of sharp combats and stirring
with fierce and savage foe,
the commander of hundreds of eager
and gallant men, obeyed without
thought of demur the unspoken sum
mons of girl We in her teens. There
was new light in her clear and beau
tiful eyes, flush upon her soft and
cheek, little flutter, possibly,
in her kind and loyal heart. Heaven
knows his heart beat high with all emo