The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-10
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him SlU a week, ana gave MIN go thcn anu
! there. But now. for more than q month
! said be, not a cent had come, and he
| heard that Mr.. Loring was trying 10 get
4 away east The man told his story re-
! luctantly and with some palpapie
| breaks" when he found he was being
| questioned by an officer. but Petty posted
| back 10 Frisco without delay. convinced
| that there was something with which TO
| confront and confound that cool. super
| cilious snob. Then he could take fresh
start for Yuma and get more. one can al
ways get something when the object OF
the story is away. and, like the seaman
story OF his interview with Loring Pet
tvs version of the seaman's interview
with him waxed as he fastened 10 MS
general and had assumed the proportions
OF magnificent scandal by the time ne
told II 10 that much ruffied brigader.
Even Strain. had he heard the ac-
count. would have riddled it-Captain
Moreland's evidence was conclusive on
that point--and while Loring. In pity ana
compassion, might have left money with
the man for comfort in his convales-
cence, IL was incredible that he shoulu
have rendered payment as brioe Tor 81
|, lence Strains exaggerated self esteem
was deeply wounded by the engineer
evident lack OF appreciation of his great
ness. and he would be glad Indeed 10
bring him TO heel and convince him ne
would be wise in future TO do homage ~,
stead OF slight and what made Lorlng
Indifference so exasperating was ina.
Strain himself was forced TO see that
Loring was not only no fool, as ne au
mitted. but man OF brains, courage ana
ability which he would not conceoe
aloud, Strain, sent for at o'clock by the
department commander 10 lister 10 'ne
aids rathful account OF the interview
with Loring, fumed and hgeted ana
strove TO ask some questions 10 maxi
matters clear, but Petty was aireaoy on
the defensive and did not mean 70 pe
questioned. and the general Kept inter-
posing al,
LET him tell his, tale his own way col
onel Let him give you the whole story,
Monterey and ALL" And Strain, VINO hau
hoped TO spend the evening with MIS- cry
nies at the club and whist. was compeh
ed to sit till long after and near the ue-
tails of Pettys asininity. =,
Stripped of unnecessary explanation, ~
seems that the general and Strain mas
decided that their dignity and preroga-
tive had been invaded by the SUMMARY
orders from Washington. which were AT
once n criticism OF their action In not
relieving Loring. and demand lo' a"
Immediate explanation as well as an ii
piled threat that unless that report was
entirely satisfactory Loring must De al
hour or more In the preparation OF the
telegram. which finally caught the wires
~ & o'clock; presented their view or the
case represented that II Loring leit IL
would be under cloud. and that ne
should not be allowed to leave because
of the fact that his having resorted 10
forbidden and insubordinate means 10
nrocure hie release was In itself Vir-
tual admission that he feared TO stay
and face the constantly recurring accusa-
tions.
II was very adroitly and fmpressiveiy
worded but still the general and chiei
of staff felt nervous and Ill at ease DoWh
I'm their hearts both realized that nothing
had been proved against Loring, ana tiat
the chances were ten to one that nothihs
ever could or would be. What was more,
| both were beginning to realize that Loring
| had been badly and sha@oi treated.
| Yet this conviction only made them the
| more ready TO listen TO any story-grasp
| at any straw-that lent an atom OF weisht
| 10 the case against him. Dinner had
| brought no comfort to either. ana Petty
\ preposterous story, swallowed wnoie oy
| the chief while still bristling with the
nervous strain OF the concoction OF tha'
| telegram OF explanation, had further up
| set his digestive powers. The aid mad
4 been sent forthwith to notify Mr.. Loring
l OF the new story at his expense and 10
| demand his version thereof. Petty was
| nj no time a diplomatic man, and at this
| time did not mean to be. Both In IAN
| guage and manner he contrived 20 make
! his mission as offensive as he dared, for
| I,oring had braved him so exasperat'
lngly on previous occasions that, now
that he had him safe In arrest. he meant
| TO taunt and did II, but his sneerins
slings broke harmless on the polished
| armor of the engineers placid disdain
The madder Petty got the cooler was Lor
ing. and when Dennis dropped In Just a
the close of the interview a worse Whipped
man was never seen than the aid. wh'
ratified back TO his general. thinking o
what he ought to have said, his wits
like his brevet TO the double bar, comint
| TO him long after the war was over.
HE treated me and the generals or
| ders with perfect contempt, said Pett!
| finally. and the general looked into TIT
face OF his senior stan officer, hopeful
| that Strain would seem properly i'm
| pressed. But Strain did not. IL was on
| thing for Loring to ignore him, but quilt
| different when that officer failed 10 stan'
| and deliver at the demand OF Petty
| strain treated him with scant respec
| himself when the general wasn't aroun
| and had been heard to say that general
who allowed their wealthy relatives Z
dictate who should be their aids wer
/ fOisting heavy loauS upon ihc SciNiN''
was nearly 10 o'clock; his evening wa
spoiled. lie was Grabbed. therefore, an
| ne spoke accordingly.
mir. Petty--I-mean Captain Petit
(strain who didn't get one. said Marcf
| 1867. brevet was OF no earthly accoun
and he for one proposed to Ignore them
may | ask what were your words whe
you--you have given US Mr. Loring =
were communicating the generals mes
sage TO him7 Were they, for exampl'
carefully chosen7 Did you observe coul
tesy OF manner, avoiding all that coul
irritate, or
"Of course l did You never saw
man 30 contemptuously. insultingly COZ
| In yotr life lie just
But Strain held up his hand. Il shoul
| like TO know first what you said. tt
general. has told me the message yo
Y were 20 give. Now-w, how did yo
give it7'
D But that was something. Colon
strain was destined not 10 know 4
: many a year. II indeed he ever hear
e There came knock at the door.
n servant entered with a card. The lad
z air, begs to see the general at once.
Z only for five minutes"
o The general frowned as he took q