The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-14
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Think he'd pan out well in an Indian
hght?"
You're an optimist. Loring." said
Stone. who was ever seeking yet never
| succeeding in the effort TO penetrate the
| armor OF Loring's reserve. II believe
you think even Burleign would fight at
| a pinch"
| I'm sure he would" said Loring us
he walked thoughtfully away
That's the dash. dashest man / ever
met said Stone In terms he never
| knowingly used in the hearing OF his
commander. What he'd say to a man
can only guess from a letter Skinny
wrote from Alcatraz after that row they
had at Frisco. OF man you cant get
him to speak"
we may have to-" said the adjutant
general TO himself as he turned back to
his desk and TO a packet Of papers and
dispatches from Gate City.
IL was day OF perturbation. Not ten
minutes later the engineer was callel
To conference with the department COM
mander and found him closeted with his
chief OF stan. You were not favorably
impressed with Major Burleigh." said he
after moment OF silent study OF the
young officers face. "Will you tell me
why?"
Loring stood and colored. He had
spoken no word OF Bureigh. except In
answer to direct question. Stone must
have seen his aversion and had possibly
told of II.
You dislike TO. see." said the general
kindly. Let me remove your scrupes.
Major Burleigh has been absent from his
post without leave at a time when his
services were urgently needed His af-
fairs are In good deal OF tangle Ii
is believed that he has been making use
OF government funds. I tell you this in
strict confidence. Do you know what
caused his panic there at Reno and made
him insist on being taken right on to
Fort Frayne?"
Loring thought n moment. then said
mo. sir"
Mr.. Loring." said the general Ma
jor Burleigh has been an object OF dis
trust for over month. While he was
away on this trip TO Warrior Gap matters
were brought to my attention that were
OF grave nature. Investigations have
been made. Major Bruce at Reno. says
you seemed struck by the superscription
-eH-the- envelope the fetter-he-
ceived there that threw him into such |
panic. Would you know the handwrit- |
ing. do you think?"
Yes. general"
Silently the chief OF staff held forth |
a note which Loring took and closely ex- |
amined. IL read: Captain Newhall |
begs TO assure the adjutant general. de- !
no discourtesy In failing 10 register. He |
was unaware Of the rule existing at de-
partment headquarters had come here |
on personal business connected with GER
tain real estate In which he has an In
terest, Is on two months leave from his
station. New Orleans. and will register
the moment the Office opens In the morn
ing. unless he should be compelled to
leave for ST. Joe tonight"
Loring looked up, puzzled. The hand
writing was familiar so was a form that
he had seen vanishing in the distance one
evening a week before. and something In
the voice had had q familiar ring but
this name was new.
ITO explain all this" said the adju-
tant general. there was n dashing look
Ing young fellow here for two or three |
days drinking a good deal. down about |
the depot. on the flats and around the |
quartermaster's corrals. He said he was |
Captain Newhall OF the Thirty ninth in |
fantry. and the general finally told me TO |
send an aid to look him up and remind |
him IL was his duty to call at headquar-
ters and account for his presence Be
tween that night and the next morning
he disappeared and at last accounts was
with Burleigh at Gate city.
You know OF him. I seer"
Possibly"
Then. general said the chief Of
STAFF. with prompt decision. the quick
est way TO get ut the root OF the matter
would be TO send Loring at once TO Gate
City"
The general thought for a moment
How soon could you go?"
First train. sir"
II was then too late for the single
passenger express that daily went clank-
Ing over the prairies toward Cheyenne.
but that afternoon was held long con-
ference at department headquarters
Which caused some wondermeTt among
the officers not included. Stones especial
ly. and there were many eyes on Loring's
grave face as he finally came forth from