The Iola register., 1900-02-23
CHAPTER V
tcopyrIRh,, 1890. by F. tr.nnyson Neely.I

III Niit NdlliB VI llt II IL III PAL dNt IL
gade, and a row in the tents of the reg.
ulars. Up to within Il fortnight such
a state of affairs would have been con-
sidered abnormal, for the papers would
have it that the former were on the
verge of dissolution through plague,
pestilence and famine due to the neg
leCt of officials vaguely referred to as
''the military authorities" or "the
staff while up to the coming of Can
Ger to command sweet accord he'd
reigned in the regular brigade, and the
volunteers looked on with envy. But
now n great martial magnate had
praised the stalwart citizen sold!ery
whom he had passed in review early in
the day, and set them to shouting by
the announcement that, as reward for
their hard work and assiduous drill,
they should have their hearts desire
and be shipped across the seas to far
Manila. 1t had all been settled before
hand at headquarters. The "chief" had
known for four days that that partic-
ular command would be selected for
the next expedition, but IL tickled "the
boys" to have it put that way, and the
home papers would make so much Of
it. So there was singing and triumph
and rejoicing all along the eestern
verge of a rocky, roughly paved cross
street, and rank blasphemy across the
way. To the scandal and sorrow Of the
-teenth infantry some Of the recent
robberies had been traced 90 their very
doors. A commissary sergeant had
weakened" a cartman had squealed,
and one OF the most popular and at
tractive young soldiers In the whole
command was now a prisoner in the
guardhouse charged with criminal
knowledge Of the whole affair, and Of
being a large recipient of the ill-gotten
money-Morton, OF the adjutant's Of
fee, private in company X.
What made IL worse was the auega-
ton that several others, non-commis-
stoned officers and special duty men,"
were mixed up in the matter, and Can
ker had rasped the whole commissioned
force present for duty in his lecture
upon the subject and had almost inti-
mated that officers were conniving at
the concealment of the guilt of their
sergeants rather than have it leak out
that the felony was committed in a
company of their commanding.
He and Gordon had had what was
described as a "red-hot" roe, 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. Canker said
such language was n reflection on him
self, as he had personally investigated
the case, was convinced Morton's guilt
could be established, and had so report
ed to the brigade commander in recon-
mendirg trial by general court-martial
Indeed ne had made out a case against
the lad even before lac was arrested and
returned to camp. Gordon asked If he
had seen the boy and heard his story.
Canke- reddencG 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 10 camp toward Zine
o'clock, and was greatly impressed with
his s;ory-as would anyone else be
who heard il. Cankar redeemed stnl
more and said he wouldn't allow Of
ticers to interview prisoners without
his authority. 'l'lI prefer charges
against The next that does it," said he.
and not three hours later, Mr.. Billy
Gray, spraWing on bis camp cot, str,y-
ing to forget the sorrow of tie earlier
morning, and to mcmorize a page Of
OF army regulations, was
suddenly accosted by an orderly who
stood al the font Of the teat, scratch
ing at the tent nap-the camp substi-
tute for a ring at the bell.
"a note for the lieutenant said ne,
darting In and then darting out. pos
sibiy fearful Of question. 1t was a
queer note:
81 am total stranger 20 you, but wore
In brighter days the badge OF the same So |
ciety that was yours at the university
Three OF the fraternity are In my com
pany-one is on guard and he urged me to
write at once to YOU. They know me to be "A |
brother Delt, even though / dare not tel |
my real name What have to say is that |
the charge against me Is utterly false, aa |
can convince you, but could not con. |
vince court. l am confined al the mo- |
htHA VI All otHtTS III my llIe Nnen il Is most !
vitality important that ! should be free. |
Grant me ten minutes interview this aft |
ernoon and II do not prove myself guilt
less | will ask no GavoC-but whenI do con-
vince you, do as you would be done by.
Yours in 4 = X,
GEORGE MORTON"
well, I'll be blessed" said Mr.. Gray,
as he rolled out of his gray blanket.
Here's state of thingsl Listen to
this, captain" he called to his company
in the adjoining tent.
Here's Morton, back from As hours
absence without leave, brought back
oy armed guard after sharp resist
lnce, charged with Lord knows what
III, wants to tell me his story and prove
MS Innocence"
"You let him alone" growled his
enior. Remember what Can&er said,
,r youll go in arrest. What call has