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

was presently aware OF Stuyvesant,
bending forward. extending helping
hand and exclaiming:
by Jove, but that was a neat
tackle! You must have been a joy
to your team. What was t?''
west Point-last years.
"And may ask-the name?"
'sMy names Ray" said Sandy, with
beaming smile, showing row of
even, white teeth under the budding,
dark mustache, and Stuyvesant felt
the warm blood surging to his fore
head, just as it had before that day
in the generals tent.
81 think should have known that"
he presently stammered. ct was
Miss Ray who so skillfully treated
those poor fellows burned out on our
train. I suppose you heard of it?''
@Well, yes" answered the young
ster. again curiously studying the
face of his tall visitor. ''Then it was
you she II heard about. Wish I
weren't on duty. I'd be glad to have
you over at my quarters or the club." "
81 wish SO, too, and yet I'm lucky
in finding you here, since"-and here
Stuyvesant turned and looked re-
sentfully towards the bedraggled fig
ure of Murray, now being supported
back to the cells-sssince that fellow
proved so churlish and ungrateful.
He's all wrath at being put behind
the bars and won't answer any ques-
TONS"
'sWhat else could he expect?" asked
Ray, bluntly. 'He's deserter.''
ga deserter!" exclaimed Stuyve-
SAINT. in surprise. "Who says sop
"Capt. 1ress, officer of the day, or
at least +. cit who came with him to
identify him. They say he skipped
from the Seventh cavalry
At this piece of information Mr..
Stuyvesant whirled about again in
added establishment. 'tWhy," said he,
'sthis upsets-one theory complete
ly. I declare, if that's true we're all
at sea. I beg pardon" he continued,
but now with marked hesitancy-
''you know-you've heard, suppose,
about-Foster?"
"What Foster?"
'sWhy, the recruit, you know, the
one we lost at Port Costa" and the
blue eyes were curiously and intently
studying the face of the younger sol
der, dimly visible now that the guard
house lamps were beginning to glow.
81 knew there was a recruit MISS
ing, and-seems to me that was the
name," answered Ray.
''And-didn't you know who he was
that it was-pardon me. the man
who-lived near you-had a ranch
Wally Foster! He enlisted and in
the cavalry! Well, I'm And
now Mr.. Rays merriment overcame
him. 81 never thought there was
that much to Wally. He was lack
adaisical sort of spook when saw
him. What possessed him to enlist?
He's no stuff for soldier
Stuyvesant hesitated. That letter of
old Col. Martindale's was shown him
in confidence. But Rays next impet-
uous outburst settled it.
"Oh, by Jove! I see tits
And here the white teeth cleaned
in the lamplight, for Mr.. Ray was
laughing heartily.
eyes? It's what?" smiled Stuyve-
SAINT, sympathetically.
Its my sister, reckon" laughed
BY. "She once said she wouldn't
marry outside of the army, and he
heard it,
"Oh-did she?" said stuyvesant, re-
hectively, and then he was silent.
CHAPTER VI.
When Vinton's hotilla drew out
into that wonderful bay, and the
crowded transports rode at anchor
on the tide, there came swarming
about them all manner of harbor
craft, some laden with comforts for
the departing soldiery, some with
curiosity seekers, some with contra
| band of war in the shape of fruits
| and fluids, but all were warned to
keep a cables length at least away.
The commanding general, with
| other officers of rank, was darling
from ship to ship in a swift steam
| launch, holding brief conference with
the colonel in command of each, and
finally repairing to his own-the flag
| ship-where the final adieux were ex-
changed.
The general and his aides nimbly
mounted the steep stairway to the
| bridge, the launch swung loose, and
then, up to the masthead few q lit
| tie bunch of bunting that broke as
it reached the truck, and there fut-
tered in the strong salt wind whis-
ting in from sea the eagerly awaited
signal to 'sup anchor and follow"
And then at the stern of the Van
guard the waves were churned into
| foam as the massive screw began its
spin, and slowly, steadily the flag
ship forged ahead to the accompani-
ment of a deafening din of steam
whistles and sirens all over the bay