The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-26
CHAPTER ".

the taih OF Ill tonBucs. 1cttah SNhioiS
were there, too frequently Of sanchos
place. but they were silent, obseryant
and unusually abstemious. To say that
Nevins had astonished everybody by an
exhibition OF feeling and an excess OF
conscience would be putting IL mildly.
But the fact was indisputable. He him
self, after adjournment, exhibited TO the
interrogative major two long letters, re-
Gently received from San Francisco. in
graceful feminine hand and signed,
"Your sad but devoted wife, Naomi.
One OF these referred to Lieutenant Lor-
ing, whom Geraldine met at West
Point and saw frequently the summer
and fall that followed his graduation"
There were members of the court who
sought 10 hear what Loring had TO say
on the subject but he proved unap-
proachable. All men noted the amaze
indeed, the shock--that resulted from
Nevins' public and somewhat abrupt
mention of the sisters name. The judge
advocate sat for a moment as though
stricken dumb, his eyes fixed and star
ing, his face pallid. the muscles OF his
compressed lips twitching perceptibly.
his hand clinched and bearing hard upon
the table.
There were few army women at Camp
Cooke i'm those days-ony two or three
veteran campagners and one misguided
there could hardly have been curiosity
more lively than was exhibited by most
OF the court all that long afternoon and
evening Conjecture, comment and sug-
gestion passed from lip to lip. One or
two men even went so far as 10 drop In
at the tent assigned to the lonely ac-
cused. and. after expressing interest and
sympathy and a desire 10 see that he got
"fair play and a fresh start" they ven
tured to inquire If Nevins knew why Mr.
Loring had been so much astonished IL
not overcome. by the mention OF the
name OF Nevins' sister in law.
Nevins didn't know, but at that mo-
ment ne would have given his hopes Of
mercy to find out. He was writing to
his wife when his visitors came. demand
ing explanation. He could think of sew
eral possibilities, any OF which In his un-
enlightened mind might give him a
claim even a hold. on the hitherto in
tractable West Pointer Why, why had
ne not heard or dreamed before this long
trial came TO its dramatic close that
there was some strong and mysterious
connection between him and Loring, be-
tween the prosecutor and accused? The
one plausible theory was that Loring
and Geraldine were or had been af-
fianced
From all his wife had told him in their
few days of moderate content and APP
parent bliss he knew Geraldine to be
beautiful. gifted and attractive to any
man despite her poverty. That she had
been petted and spoiled that she was
selfish to the core. grasping and ambi-
tious, he had never heard, yet might
have inferred from Naomrs faltering
pleas on her sisters behalf early in the
days of their welded life. In his eager
ness to learn something OF the truth ne
sent a messenger during the afternoon,
after the final adjournment, and begged
that MIR. Loring should come to see him
The reply was that Mr.. Loring would do
SO later Only two men succeeded In
seeing Loring that afternoon and eve
ning--the post commander. Major Staike,
at whose quarters he was housed ana
the veteran president OF the court. on
the plea OF being very busy writing the
record of the weeks session he had ex-
cused himself to everybody else.
There had been something OF a scene
before the adjournment that morning.
The court was ordered to try such other
prisoners as might properly be brought
before IT," and II was understood that
two deserters captured at Tucson. had
announced their intention of pleading
guilty and throwing themselves on the
mercy OF the court. Higgins had been
sent to Fort Yuma IL would take long
weeks to get the evidence In his case
from New Orleans. but the two victims
at Cooke knew well that their case was
clear. There was no use In lighting.
The sooner they were tried the shorter
terms would they serve as prisoners.
Nevins finished at 10 O'Clock. Loring
brief stupefacton was conquered not
without evident effort. Vouchsafing no
RESPONSE to the plea of the accused for
mercy. he announced that he submitted
the case without remark. and the presi-
dent nodded to Nevins the intimation
that he might retire. Nevins slowly
gained his feet. took n long look about
the silent array, hesitated. ana then
with his eyes on Loring said:
81 should like to be assured that the
fudge advocate accepts the trust IT
will be two or three months before the
orders In my case can get back from
Washington meantime my pay Is stop
ned and has been for three months back'
NV wife must have means TO live on
and that's all / have To offer. There is
no other way Of getting II TO her that
consider safe
Ioring's white hand was trembling
visiblv but his head was bowed as
though in painful thought. The presi-
dent had to speak. II presume you VIII
not refuse Mr.. LoringP
For another moment there was ST.
ience AT last slowly. the judge advocate
looked up. turned 10 the accused ana
said. write Mrs. Nevins' address on
that" holding forth as he did so a heavy
official envelope. Wrapping the pin ana
ring together in not paper. he slowed
them in smaller envelope. moistened the
summed flap closed II and slid IL within
the heavier ors which Nevins. later ad-
dressing laid before him. Then, turning
10 the president, Loring calmly bowed
and said 81 will accept. sir.
Five minutes later. cleared Of all per-
eons except the members and the Judge
advocate. who I'm those days did not with
draw during the deliberations OF the
court, this open air temple or military
Justice was given over TO the discussion
on the findings and the determination
OF the sentence In low, grave tones those
members who had opinions 10 express
gave utterance 20 their views The votes
on each specification ard to the various
charges were recorded. and finally the
sentence was arrived at BY ll:So the case
OF Brevet Captain Nevins was practically
concluded and the president eager as
were his associates 10 finish their work
after their long detention az this hot.
barren, vet not inhospitable post. looked
brisklv up at the silent. somber young
officer at the opposite end OF the long Ia