Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-09-13
CHAPTER vI.-CoSr1NUED.

Over at the Palace, where SO many
of the general officers and their stats
Swere quartered, he had dozens of
friends. Hero at this favorite old
resort of the regular service he stood
alone, and to his proud and sensitive
spirit it seemed as though there were
% barrier between him and these pro-
tcssfonai soldiers.
There was the whole secrr of his
trouble. Absurd and trivial as it may
seem, Stuyvesant shrank from the
enterprise, even at the very threshold
~-shrank even from sending his card
and asking for Lieut.. Ray, for no
other or better reason than that he
did not know how volunteer would
be welcomed.
And so for nearly half an hour he
Tlovered irres olute about the Office,
unconscious of many chances of in
terest and admiration from the keen
eyes of the officers gathered in laugh
ing groups about the marble floor.
Not one of their number was his
superior in form and feature, and his
npiform was the handiwork of Goth
AIMS best military tailor. They saw
that the instant he threw off his cape.
One of their number whispered that
ST was Mr.. Stuyyesant, Gen. Vinton's
aide, for everybody knew Vinton, and
,"ore than one would have been glad
10 take the aide-de-camp by the hand
and bid him welcome to their coterie,
but for that same odd shyness that,
once away from camp or garrison
and in the atmosphere of metropol-
stan life, seems to clog and hamper
tho kindlier impulses of the soldier.
7 Presently, as Stuyvesant stood at
t3ae desk looking over the register,
me heard himself accosted by name,
and turning quickly, hopefully, found
TO his disappointment only a stocky
little man in civilian dress. Yet the
face was familiar, and the trouble
fin the honest brown eyes looking up
TO him. as though for help and sym
patty. went right to his heart. Even
before the man could give his name
or tell his need, Stuyvesant knew him
end held out cordial hand:
.'.Why, you're our brakeman! I'm
glad to see you. What's wrong?"
I've lost me job, sir" was the an
swer, with a little choke. They let
snc out two days ago-for sayin' their
rotten old car caught fire from the
boxes, I reckon"
You don't tell mel" exclaimed
6tuyvesant in honest Indignation.
"Now, how can / help you? What
shall we do?"
Take me to Manila, sir. I don't
need this place. There's no one de-
pendent on mel can't soldier. They
wont list a fellow with only two
fingers he held up a manned hand
hx> ~ in FRO ;.rIf SI-
mp six years ago. But there's a rail
months. Then you'll want Yankee
4rain-hands. Can you do that much
for me. lieutenant?"
Come to me at the Palace at eight
: O'Clock in the morning." answered
Stuyvesant. III have had a chance
80 talk to my general by that time
acknowledgements with blush he be.
gan drawing forth his purse.
The brakeman smiled. ''l've got
money enough, sir. They paid me of
and had some put by. Thank you al
fbe same, Mr.. Stuyvesant-Oh. yes
sir, I'm ready" he broke off sudden
~ in addressing some other person
end Stuyvesant, turning quickly te
see, was confronted by Lieut.. Ray.
--Oh. how-de-do? Going to be here
fong?" promptly queried that young
gentleman. Haven't seen you since
fhe night at the Preside. 'Scuse me
will you, I've got to take-er-my sis
ter wants to see the brakeman, yor
know. With you the night of the
fire. And with that Mr.. Ray hoped
briskiy away to the elevator, the ex
trainman following. leaving Stuy
sesant standing enviously at the coun
ter.
Even a brakeman could go to hel
and hear her pleasant words and re
eeiye that beaming smile and perhaps