The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-05-23

swered Armstrong, "and 1t Will take
more than the evidence you refer tc
to make me believe him guilty"
By this time much of the crowd and
most of the vehicles had driven away
The generals still sat in saddles chat.
ting earnestly together, while their
staff officers listened in some impa-
thence to the conversation just record
ed. Everybody knew the fault was not
Armstrong;, but it was jarring to have
to sit and hearken to the controversy
Don't ever twit or try funny business
with Armstrong" once said regi-
mental sage. He had no sense of hui
mor-of that kind. Those who best
knew him knew that Armstrong never
tolerated unjust accusations, great or
small. In his desire to say an irritat-
ing thing to a man he both envied and
respected, the staff officer had not con-
fined himself to the facts, and it proved
boomerang. 1t was true that two
days before, calling at Gordon's official
tent while several other officers were
present at an investigation then going
on, Armstrong was seen to be greatly
interested in the appearance and testi-
mony of Gordon's young, dark-eyed
clerk, and after the conference asked
many questions about and finally asked
to speak with him. Then young Nor
ton was again missing when he was
wanted, and the next heard of him he
was either absent without leave-or a
deserter.
And now once again Armstrong;
eyes had lighted on that boy. Seated
opposite Miss Lawrence as the carriage
whirled across Point Lobos avenue, and
watching her unobtrusively, he saw the
sudden light of alarm and excitement
IN her expressive face, heard the faint
exclamation as her gloved hand grasped
the rail OF the seat, felt the quick sway
of the vehicle as the horses SHE'D in
fright at some object beyond his vision.
Then as they dashed on he had seen
the running guard and, just vanishing
within the portals of the corner build
ing, the slim figure of the escaping pris-
oner. lie saw the quivering hands
tearing at their fastenings He knew
he had seen that figure before now.
He turned to the driver and babe him
stop a minute, but 1t took so wards of
effort before the spirited horses could
be Gained and brought to a halt at the
curb. To the startled inquiries of Mr..
Prime and his daughter as to the cause
OF the excitement and the running and
shouting he answered simply: "a pris-
oner escaped, think" and sent a pass
ing corporal to inquire the result. The
man came back in minute.
They got him easy, sir. He had no
show. His hands were tied behind his
back and he couldn't climb" was the
brief report.
'They have not hurt him. I hone"
said Armstrong.
NO, sir. He hurt them-one of 'em.
at least, before he'd surrender when |
they nabbed him in town. This time he
submitted all right-said he only ran in
Tor glass of beer, and was laughing
like when got there"
Very well. That'll do. Go on, driver
we haven't a minute to lose if we are IN
see the review" he continued. as he
stepped lightly to his seat ST saw
nothing of this affair."" said Miss Prime.
What was it all about?"
Nor could | see," added her father
heard shouts and after we passed saw
the guard, but no fugitive"
1T is just as well-indeed, I'm glad
you didn't, uncle" answered Miss Law
renee, turning even as she spoke and
gazing wistfully back. HE looked so
young and seemed so desperate, and
mad such al don't know-hunted look
on his face-poor fellow"
And then the carriage reached the en-
trance to the reservation and the sub
]ect' and the second object of Miss Law
rences sympathies evoked that day
were for the time forgotten. Possibly
Mrs Garrison was partly responsible
or this, for hardly had they rounded
the bend in the road that brought them
1uii view, from the left, or southern
hank, OF the long line of masses in
which the brigade was formed, than
mere came cantering up to them, all
gay good humor, all smiles and saucy
'oquetry, their hostess of the evening at
me generals tent. She was mounted on
sorry-looking horse, but the "habit"
vas triumph of art, and it well beca ne
Ter petite, rounded figure.
NO one who really analyzed Mrs
frank Garrison's features could saw
nat she was pretty woman. No one
VINO looked merely at the general effect
Vhen she was out for conquest couId
'eny 1t. Col. Armstrong, placidly OBJ
ervant as usual, was quick to note the /
'iances that shot between the cousins {
N the rear seat as the little LADY came ,
alongside. He knew her. and y
aw that they were beginning to be as ,
Use as he, for the smiles with which
hey greeted her were but wintrv re-
lections of those that beamed unon her
aoiant face. Prime, paterfamilias
ent cordially forward in welcome. bnt U
er quick eyes had recognized the p
curtin occupant by this time, and there
vas little less of assurance in her
manner from that instant.
How perfectly deliciousi" she cried
feared from what you said Yesterday i
GU weren't coming, and so never or
ereo the carriage, but came out in sad