Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-11-15
do Capt. Phelps anil his wife cncour

therefore, imagine either OF them dong
anything that is not eminently proper j..
Major" said the judge. Slowly. Il am
i'll no condition to consider mere etiquette.
For nineteen years l have lived and w.rl-
cd solely for my daughter. In my hours
OF trouble and fatigue her presence, or
the thought OF her, has nervcd me On. l
have not been bind to the fact that one
day she might love some one better than
me~not better, perhaps, but in Il differ
cnt way. DO you understand meg
Very clearly, my dear judge
III this Colin Morton were IL citizen in
stead OF !; private soldier, and, in a,idi-
zion. the purest. bcst ami braves, man
in the world. ! could not permit him 10
marry my daughter. Colin Mortons
father is. | rn.crsiand. connected with
you by his second mafriage-'
II don't care for that" interrupted the
major.
Il was going to say that Morton's faith
or is II distant l.insman of mine. and that
he did ne Il wrong which | can never for
=ive--a wrong that has changed, if it has
not blasted. my whole life
II know but little of the man, said
the major: but | do not think it is wise
10 rake up the past"
"Pel'haps not. Major: hut when men
reach the age of fifty they begin to 1.-Two
in the past. y provision OF nature. no
!onbt, designed to blind us to the incv-
liable death"
Il cannot blame YOU" said the major.
We remember our hates as intensely as
we do our lovcs-more so, perhaps. But
am Il hopeful man"
"When docs the court martial come
OFF, asked the judge, abruptly.
"Thc day after to-lnorrow."
And you know all the evidence against
this man?"
Il think So"
is it strong?'
II do not like to say in ADVANCE
But, Major, yon can give me your
private op%inion:'
"ics, L can do that. Well. Judge, to
he frank. do not see a loophole through
which Morton can escape
"Hon think he is guilty?'
II can only judge by the evidence that
has been gathered
very well; / will try to he patient.
Now. L must see my daughter said the
judge. rising.
His love Tor Florence WAS IL magnet
that at once drew and repealed. AT the
Very time when h tried to harden his
heart against her the past rose up before
him, and he found himself bowling before
his beautiful heart idol. 1t depends On
The heart in which hate and love do battle
as to which shall win the contest.
The judge went To Capt. Phelps house
and met his daughter just returning from
the hospital. She ran with cxtcnded
hands and raised face TO kiss him. hut
he drew back and said:
No, Florence; YOU have forfeited my
love; YOU have disobeycd my orders: You
have brought on me Il sore disgrace. My
heart ycarns for your return, but, until
YOU come back humble and penitcnt, you
are no daughter of NINE
He turned to leave her, but she ran
after him and called out:
FEATHER. father. hear me-
Hear You defend Your conduct" he
sncercd.
lit needs no defense. Hear me explain
IT."
1T explains itself. Speak no word to
me in defense OF your disobcliencc. You
have chosen to sever yourself from me, to
run after Il stranger" said the judge,
hoarsSely.
He turned contemptuously and walked
away: and FLORENCE t~oticrcd into the
house. and fell f%ainting on the floor.
Nj stated times, courts martial are held
Mt the different forts md posts to try
o~ifenses against the regulations, the Of
tenders being usually private soldiers.
III court martial is always presided over
by Il superior officer, who is not connect
ed with the post. n judge advocate rep-
Iesents the prosecution, ana the presiding
officer selects some officer to defend the
accused. The court martial was con
vcned ut Fort Clark. Tn minor o~ffcnscs
were taken up and soon disposed of. The
all-important case was that of Private
Colin Morton. charged with the murder
of Lieut.. Reynolds of the Twcnty-ifth
infantry. The day for the trial came.
The court room was crowded. Jennie
Ford had como in with the Indian. Scion
She sat beside Florence. and Florence
sat beside the accused man. .Julse I.or
ing was there. and he and the major car
ried on 4 whispered conversation. Rob
crt Brncebridgc was there as a witness.
called by the prosecution. The ci,arga
and specifications We're read. and Colin
Morton was ASKED:
How do YOU ~plead-guilty or not gull
.y:'
Not guilty. replied Colin. in a strong
clear voice.
Nj the evidence was purely circum
stantial. yet it was of the most over.
whelming nature. 1t could rot he re.
futed; it could not be explained away.
No theory that did not involve the guilt
of the accused could account for the in.
eliminating articles found in his posses.
SION.
The trial closed Mt noon of the second
day. At p. IN. the prisoner WAS brought
in to hear the '%'inlings' of the Court
The room was crowded. Florence was
beside him. Tie was told to stand up.
and he did so, without a tremor.
Colin Norton" said the president of
the court, with-a %solennity that was not
assumed, I'VE find You guilty of all the
charges and specifications alleged; and
the sentence of this court is that yon
shall suffer death at such time and III
such place as the President of the United
States shall command"
CTo he %continued.),