Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-10-05

me; propose IN make that examination
myself"
"You have the option to do so, OF 20 or
der it done," replied the captain, ms
heart failing him, as he saw through the
majors object.
1T is not only that the time is pro-
pitious,'' said the major, but | need a
relief, a change from garrison duty IN
this internal country
"Of course" muttered the captain.
81 will publish an order that on and at
ter tomorrow you will take command,
and will be obeyed and respected accord
ingly."
THAT is the ,egular form, Major"
''You will have no trouble. Everything
is in good shape. l received a letter this
morning from the quartermaster at San
Francisco, saying that he had shipped
supplies to Fort Clark per the ship Ar
row, Captain Ford commanding. l pre-
sumo this is our old friend of the wreck,
and that he has bought another ship and
given her the same name
at looks that way, sir. 1t you seem
to have overlooked a case of the greatest
Importance"
What is that?" asked the major, With
well-assumed surprise.
The case Of private Colin Morton"
What of that?
1.-THE warrant ordering his execution
may arrive by the next MALL
'Well, if it does, you, as commandment
of this post, will know how to act
''If the warrant ordering the execution
of Colin Morton comes, do you expect me
to execute it," asked Capt. Phelps, ris
ing.
Il certainly do; I believe soldiers are
not permitted to choose their own work.
Eyes, they are. Every man and officer
has the Unborn right to refuse"
with the certainty of being tried and
punished" sneered the major.
''There is not a man in the service,
retorted the captain, ''who would not
endure any punishment short of death
rather than become a murderer
what do you mean, sir? demanded
the major
Exactly what say, sir. But as you
persist in not comprehending me, and
you have forced me into position that
lays me subject to court martial, l Will
be plain, Germon, and l will tell you
what l think. Sit down, sir, or | VIII
force you, for l am talking to you now
as man to man. and with the fullest ap-
probation of the consequences OF my
acts"
The captain who was the younger and
by far the more powerful man, forced
| the major into the seat from which ne
| had risen.
'Take off your hands, SIR" roared the
major cor shall call in the guard!'
'Do so and l will denounce you before
| them But you are too prudent. Germon,
| it is my firm belief that you have brought
about this young mans conviction, and
| that having decreed him to murder, you
want to fly till the final act in the tragedy
is over. Do not shake your head.
know that | am open to dismissal from
| the service and punishment. | am will
| ing to submit to both, for the day l am
| freed from my obligation as a soldier and
| become a free citizen again, will bring
| you to your knees
| go to your quarters, sir"' shouted the
major. $50 to your quarters under ar
rest, and 1 will send for your sword. l
will make you regret this. Ho! Jean
Maratw
Here, sar-r-r," said the factotum,
| springing into the room.
| "Did you hear Capt. Phelps"
Eyes, Major" grinned Marat.
81 obey, Major, for l would rather be
under arrest than free to perfect the
murder you have planned"
Capt. Phelps was now not only cool,
but happy looking. He had accomplish
ed his purpose; and when he went to
his quarters and told his wife what he
had DONE the dear little woman threw
her arms about his neck and kissed him
and cried by turns.
Il tink,'' said Jean Marat when Capt.
Phelps had left, ''dat he is a deevil"
"Marat, have you ever told any person
what you told me?'
mo, no, sar-r-r," protested Marat.
"And don't you know, Marat, that all
these plans, plots and so on, have been
yours?"
Eyes, sar-r-r. Yes, Major"
81 know nothing about them"
ooh, nozzing, nozzing," grinned Marat.
| Mr.. Selden, the acting adjutant Of Fort
| Clark, was the ranking officer under
| Capt. Phelps, and in the absence of his
two superiors the command would de-
volve upon him.
| (To be continued)