Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-08-17


las, and as soon as Sandy was settled
in his new duties and the loving
mother had satisfied herself the cav
airy would not be spirited away be-
fore July, she accepted the eager in
vitation of other old friends to visit
them at Sacramento, and there they
were, mother and daughter, again
united this very raw and foggy even
ing, when Mr.. Ray, as officer of the
guard, stood at the bend of the road
way east of the Preside guard-house,
gazing after the vanishing forms of
Capt. Kress and the bu-ly stranger in
civilian clothes, and wondering where
on earth it was he had seen the lat
ter before.
So engrossed was he in this that it
was only when second time adj
dressed that he whirled about and
found himself confronting a tall and
slender young officer, with frank,
handsome blue eyes and fine, clear
cut face, a man perhaps five years his
senior in age and one grade in rank,
for his overcoat bore the single loop
and braid of a first lieutenant.
He was in riding-boots and spurs,
as Ray noted at first glance, and there
behind him stood an orderly holding
the horses of both.
Pardon me. 1 am Lieut.. Stuyves-
ant, of Gen. Vinton's staff. This is
the officer. of the guard, I believe,
and 1 am sent to make some inquiry
of prisoner-a man named Murray"
'We have such a man." said Ray,
eying the newcomer with soldierly
appreciation of his general appear
ance and not without envy of his
inches. but he's just been locked in
a cell, and it will take an order from
the officer of the day to fetch him
out-unless you could see him in
there with other prisoners within
earshot."
Not very WE'LL" answered Stuy-
vesant. looking curiously into the
dark eyes of the youngster. ''Per-
haps I'd better see the officer of the
day at once
you'll find him at the club. He's
just gone in" said Ray, mindful of
the fact that this was the captain S
time for a cocktail, and with court
eous salute the aide-de-czmp has
tened away.
In five minutes he was back with a
penciled scrawl from hress to the eff
feet that Lieut.. Stuyvesant was to
be permitted to interview the prison
Ell Murray outside the guardhouse,
but sentries must be placed to pre-
vent escape.
Quickly young Ray called out the
corporal and two men, warned them
of the duty demanded. stationed them
up and down the road and opposite
the guardhouse, but just out of ear
shot, ordered the prisoner brought
forth, and then, leaving Stuyvesant
standing at the post of No. 1, stepped
a dozen yards away into the mist.
A minute later out came the
sergeant, marshalling Murray after
him, a sentry at his heels. Then in
the gathering darkness the tall Off
Ger and the short, thick-set soldier
met face to face, and the latter re-
coiled and began glancing quickly, fur
lively about him.
just how it all happened Ray could
never quite tell. The light was now
feeble, the lamps were only just be-
ginning to burn. There was a mo-
ment of low-toned talk between the
two, question twice repeated in
frmer tone, then a sudden, desperate
spring and dash for liberty.
Like a center rush-a charging bull
the prisoner came head on straight
to where young Ray was standing,
needless OF q yell to halt, and in less
time than it takes to tell it the 1.-THE
little athlete of West Points crack
football team had sprung and tackled
and downed him in his tracks. 40
Biting, cursing, strairing, the big
bully. lay in the mud, overpowered
now by the instant dash of the guard,
while their bantam officer, rising and
disgustedly contemplating the smear
of wet soil all over his new overcoat,
was presently aware of Stuyvesant,
bending forward, extending helping
hand and exclaiming:
by Jove, but that was a neat
tackle! You must have been a JOY
to your team. What was it?"
''West Point-last years.
"And may 1 ask-the name?"
My names Ray" said Sandy, with
beaming smile, showing a row OF
even, white teeth under the budding,
dark mustache, and Stuyvesant felt
the warm blood surging to his fore
head, just as it had before that day
in the generals tent.
II think | should have known that"
he presently stammered. sit was
Miss Ray who so skillfully treated
those poor fellows burned out on our
train. I suppose you heard of it?"
'sWel, yes answered the young
ster, again curiously studying the
face of his tall visitor. 'Then it was
weren't on duty. I'd be glad to have
you over at my quarters or the club"
81 wish so, too, and yet I'm lucky
in finding you here, since'-and here
Stuyvesant turned and looked re-
sentfully towards the bedraggled fig
ure of Murray, now being supported
back to the cells-''since that fellow
proved so churlish and ungrateful.
He's all wrath at being put behind
the bars and won't answer any ques-
tons"
"What else could he expect?" asked
Ray, bluntly. Hes a deserter.'
"a deserter!" exclaimed Stuyve-
SAINT, in surprise. ''Who says sop
Capt. Kress, officer Of the day, or
at least a cit who came with him to
identity him. They say he skipped
from the Seventh cavalry"
At this piece of information Mr..
Stuyvesant whirled about again in
added astonishment. "Why," said he,
ss.this upsets-one theory complete
ly.. / declare, if that's true we're all
at sea. beg pardon" he continued,
but now with marked hesitancy-
'.you know--y you've heard, 1 suppose.
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