Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-01-23
CHAPTER XIV.-CONTINUED

Were you looking for anyone, Mrs.
Fletcher? I thought you were in your
ROOM"
For Mr.. Folsom, please, when he is
at leisure" was the answer, in I'M
ruf1ed tones. II believe it easier to
take active part in the preparations
than to lie there thinking"
At one the girls were to lunch at
the fort, as has been said, and it was
time for them to dress. There were
other matters on which Elinor much
wished to talk with her father and,
with more> reluctance than she had
yet experienced, she left him to hear
what Mrs. Fletcher might have to say.
The conference was brief enough,
whatever it's nature, for presently his
voice was heard at the foot of the
stairs.
I'm going over to the depot few
minutes, Daught. [ wish to see Bur-
leigh. Don't wait for me. Start when
ever you are ready. Where do the
boys meet you?"
Here, daddy, at half-past twelve"
1t was high noon now, and the ruddy-
faced old fellow grew redder as the
summer sun beat down on his gray
head, but he strobe sturdily down the
broad avenue that led to the heart of
the busting new town, turned to the
right at the first cross street beyond
lis own big block, and ten minutes
brisk tramp brought him to the gate
way of Burleigh's stockaded Enclosure.
Two or three employees lounging about
the gate were gazing curiously within.
Silently they let him pass them by,
but sound of angry voices rose upon
the heated air. Just within the gate
stood the orderly trumpeter holding
two horses by the reins, one of them
Marshall Deans, and a sudden idea
occurred to Folsom as he glanced at
the open windows of the Office build
ing. There was no installing the
speaker within. It was Burleigh.
leave my office instantly, SIR or I'll
prefer charges that will stick"
Not till I've said what I came to
say, Maj. Burleigh. I've abundant evil
dence of what you've been saying at
my expense. You asserted that [ lost
my nerve the day we met Red Clouds
band-you who never dared get out
of the ambulance until the danger was
over. It's common talk in the troop.
At Frayne, at Reno, and here at Emory
you have maligned me just as you did
in the cars to ny friend here, Mr.
LOOMS, and in hearing of my sister.
I will not accept your denial nor will
] leave your office till you swallow
your words"
''Then, by God, I'll have you thrown
out, you young whipsnapper!"
And then Folsom, with fear at his
heart, ran around to the doorway to
interpose. He came too late. There
was a sound of furious scuffle within,
rafting of chairs, crunching of
feet on sanded floor, and as he sprang
up the steps he saw Dean easily squirm-
ing out from the grasp of some men,
Der Of the clerical force, who, at his
masters bidding, had thrown himself
upon the young officer, who then deft-
ly tripped his heels from under him
and dropped him on the floor, while
LOOMS confronted the others who
would have made some show Of obeying
orders. And then there was the whirr
of a whip lash, a crack and snap and
swish, and a red welt shot across Bur-
leigh's livid face as he himself stag
gered back 10 his desk. With raging
tongue and frantic oath he leaped out
again, leveled pistol in his hand, but
even before he could pull trigger, or
Folsom interpose, LOOMS stick came
down like flash on the outstretched
wrist, and the pistol clattered to the
floor.
Good God, boys! what are you do
ing?' cried the trader, as he hurled
himself between them. "Stop this in
stantly. Sit down, Burleigh. Come
out, Dean-come out at once! And
you, too, Looms.''
I'm entirely ready-now, said the
cavalry lieutenant, though his eyes
were flaming and his lips were rigid
"Kut whenever Maj. Burleigh wants
to finish this he can find me,' and
with these words he backed slowly to
the door. face to the pactiug aRd dis
ordered toe