Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-03-25

MAJOR Burlelgh mas been an OBJECT or
distrust for over month. While he
was away on this trip to Warrior Gap
matters were brought to my attention
that were of a grave nature. Investiga
tions have been made Major Bruce, at
Reno, says you seemed struck by the
superscription on the envelope of the
letter he received there that threw him
into such panic. Would you know
the handwriting, do you Think"
eyes, general"
Silently the chief Of staff held forth
a note which Loring took and closely
examined. It read: "Captain NewhalI
begs to assure the adjutant general, de-
partment of the Platte, that he meant
no discourtesy in failing to register.
He was unaware Of the rule existing at
department headquarters had come
here on personal business connected
with certain real estate in which he
has an interest, is on two months leave
from his station, New Orleans, and
will register the moment the Office opens
in the morning, unless he should be
compelled to leave for st. Joe tonight"
Loring looked up, puzzled. The
handwriting was familiar, so was
form that he had seen vanishing in
the distance one evening a week before,
and something in the voice had had
familiar ring, but this name was new.
''To explain all this said the adju-
tant general. "there was a dashing
looking young fellow here for two or
three days, drinking a good deal, down
about the depot, on the flats and around
the quartermaster's corrals He said he
was Captain Newhall of the Thirty
ninth infantry, and the general finally
told me to send an aid to look him up
and remind him it was his duty to call
at headquarters and account for his
presence. Between that night and the
next morning he disappeared and at
last accounts was hobnobbing with
Burleigh at Gate City. You know of
him, [ see?''
"Possibly."
''Then, general" said the chief of
staff, with prompt decision, "the quick
est way to get at the root of the matter
would be to send Loring ateonce to Gate
City"
The general thought for a moment.
"How soon could you go?''
''First train, sir. -
It was then too late for the single
passenger express that daily went cIank
ing over the prairies toward Cheyenne,
but that afternoon was held long con-
ference at department. headquarters
which caused some wonderment among
the officers not included, Stone especial
ly, and there were many eyes on Lor-
i've 60 H.
from the generals room and without
word of explanation went straight to
his own.
wonder what he IS been doing" said
\ man from the garrison who had hap
pened in in search of news.
Stone shrugged his shoulders, offered
no explanation, but looked volumes.
An aid-de-camp should never reveal
what he knows of other officers affairs,
much less that he knows nothing
The night came on warm and Sitting
almost as tha day. The window of Lor-
ing's room opened on the crude wooden
gallery that ran the length Of the hotel,
and he kept it open from the bottom for
such air as could be obtained. A note
lay on the mantelshelf when he return
ed from the Office late in the afternoon.
This he had taken down stairs, Enclosed
it, unopened, in one of the coarse hotel
envelopes, addressed and sent it by
messenger to Mrs. Burton's. At 10
o'clock at night, in his shirt sleeves, he
was packing a valise, when at the open
window on the. gallery without there
appeared suddenly slender. graceful,
girlish form; fair face gazed appeal
ingly, imploringly, in, and a soft voice
pronounced his name.
Starting up, he stepped quickly to-
ward the apparition. One instant the
lovely face lighted with hope, joy, tri-