The Irish standard., 1901-01-19

before I had been furnished with
mass of information that should have
been sent to me BEFORE"
''Well, what fault is that of his?
See here, man, you don't mean to say
it is because he didn't get here three
days ago? That's no crime, and I
haven't knocked around with the
army the last 40 years not to know
the regulations in such matters. Do
you mean without ever hearing what
kept him and what splendid, spirited
service he rendered there along the
Laramie, that you've Inundated that
fine young fellow and put him in ar
rest?"
Pecksnif whirled around in his
chair. "Really now, Mr.. Folsom, I
can't permit you to instruct me in my
military duties. You have no concep-
ton of the way in which I've been ig-
nored and misled in this matter.
There are collateral circumstances
brought about, er-forced on me in
fact, by injudicious friends of this
young man, and he-he must blame
them-he must blame them, not me.
Now if you'll permit me to glance
over this mass of matter, can the
sooner do justice in the premises"
And over his goggles the colonel
looked pleadingly up into his visitors
irate features.
"Read all you like, but be quick
about IT," was the angry rejoinder. II
want to take that boy back with me
to town and confront him with one
of his accusers this very day - the
man 1 believe, by the ghost of Jim
Bridger, is at the bottom of the whole
business!" and Folsom Topped heav-
lily and disgustedly into chair, at
sound of a rap at the door, which
opened an inch and the adiutant's
nose became visible at the crack.
"Maj. Burleigh, sir, would like to
see you"
"And I'd like to see Maj. Burleigh!"
storIncd Folsom, springing to his feet.
Commanding officers of the Stevens
stamp had no terrors for him. He
had known his man too long.
Gentlemen, gentlemen" cried Peck
sniff, 81 can have no disturbance now
over this unfortunate matter. Real
ly, Mr.. Folsom, cannot permit my
Office to be the scene of any-of any"
But his words wandered aimlessly
away into space as he discovered he
had no listener. Folsom, finding that
the major had apparently changed his
mind and was not coming in, had
changed his plan and was going out.
He overlook Burleigh on the board
walk in front and went straight to
the point.
"Maj. Burleigh, you told me short
time ago that you had nothing to do
with the allegations against this
young gentleman who was placed in
arrest here this afternoon, yet learn
from my own daughter that you
spoke of him to brother officer of
his in terms of disparagement the day
you got aboard the car at Sidney. Mr..
LOOMS corroborates it and SO does
Miss Dean. I've heard of two other
instances of your speaking sneeringly
of him. Now l ask you as man to
man what it is you have to tell? He
has saved the lives of my son, his
wife and child and the people of the
ranch, and by the Eternal I'm his
friend and mean to see justice done
him!"
Burleigh listened with solemn face
and with no attempt to interrupt. He
waited patiently until Folsom came to
full stop before he spoke at all.
Then his voice was eloquent of UNI
deserved rebuke-of infinite sympathy.
mfr. Folsom" lie said, sit would be use
less for me to deny that before knew
your charming daughter or her-ah-
very interesting friend did speak in
their presence-ah-inca per-
haps, of Mr.. Dean, but it was in con-
tinuance of conversation begun be-
fore we boarded the car, and what ]
said was more in sorrow than in criti-
cism. The young gentleman had at
tracted my attention-my favorable
ah-opinion on the trip to the Big
Horn, and 1 was-ah-simply disap-
pointed in his conduct on the way back.
1t was perhaps due to-ah-inexperi-
cnce only, and my whole object in COM
ing here in haste this afternoon was
to bear testimony to his ability and
zeal as troop commander, and to urge
-uh-Col. Stevens to reconsider his ac-
ton and restore him at once to duty.
I had hoped, sir, to be here-ah-ahcad
of you and to have driven him in my
buggy-ah-to meet you, but am dis
appointed-I am disappointed in more
ways than one.''
Folsom stood and wiped his stream
ing face and looked the speaker square
in the eye. and Burleigh stood the
scrutiny with unlooked-for nerve.
Long years ut the polser-table had
given him command of his features,
and the faculty of appearing the per-
sonifcation of serene confidence in his
"hand," when the twitching of a nerve
might cost thousand dollars. Folsom
was no match for him in such game.
Little by little the anger and suspicion
faded from his eyes, and Il shame-faced
look crept into them. Had he really
so misjudged, so wronged this gentle
man? Certainly there was every ap-
pearance of genuine sympathy and
feeling in Burleigh's benevolent fea-
lures. Certainly he was here almost as
soon as he himself had come, and very
possibly for the same purpose. 1t was
all that old fool Pecksnitf's doing after
all. Folsom had known him for years
and always as more or less of an ass
~f s,,I~ lok