Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-09-06

utterly on the latter, the verdict of
the academic board went dead
against him. and stout old soldiers
thereon cast their votes with griev-
ing hearts, for BILLY Rays boy" was
a lad they hated to let go, but West
Point rules are MEMORABLE.
It was hard to reconcile the lad
at first. The major set him up as
young ranchman in a lovely valley
in the Big Horn range, and there he
went sturdily to work, but before the
winter was fairly on the country was
rousing to the appeals of Cuba, and
before IL was gone the E.aine had
sunk, a riddled hulk, and the spring
came on with call to arms.
Together with some 200 young fell
lows all over the land, Sanford Ray
went up for examination for the va
cant second ieutenancies in thearmy,
and he who had failed in analytical
and calculus passed without grave
trouble the more practical ordeal de-
manded by the war department., was
speedily commissioned in the artil-
lery, and, to his glory and delight.
promptly transferred to the cavalry.
Then came the first general break
up the family had really known, for
the major hurried away to Ken
lucky to assume command of the reg
iment of volunteers of which he had
been made colonel. Billy, Jr., a lad
of barely II, enlisted at Lexington as
bugler in his fathers regiment,
and swore he'd shoot himself if they
didn't let him serve. The Kentuck
ians were ordered to Chickamauga,
the young regular to the Preside at
San Francisco, and Mrs. Ray, after
seeing her husband and youngest son
started for the south, returned to
Leavenworth, where they had just
settled down week before the war
began, packed and stored the house
hold furniture, then, taking "Maidie"
with her, hurried westward to see the
last of her boy, whose squadron was
destined for service at Manila.
The lieutenant, as they delighted
in calling him, joined them at Den
yer, looking perfectly at home in his
field uniform and perfectly happy.
They left Maidie to spend "a week
with old army friends at Fort Doug
las, and as soon as Sandy was settled
in his new duties and the loving
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 burly 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 braio OF 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. I 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 man named Murray"
I'VE have such 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
! carshot."
| Not very WELL" answered Stuy-
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 IS
time for a cocktail, and with a court
eous salute the aide-de-camp has
tened away.
| In five minutes he was back with a
penciled scrawl from kress to the eff
feet that Lieut.. Stuyvesant was to
be permitted to interview the prison
er 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
n dozen yards away into the mist.
minute later out came the
sergeant, marshalling Murray after