Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-05-08


sence, and thought that would end it,
but instead of that I'm a prisoner and
the man who should be here is stalking
! about camp, planning more robberies.
Yet I'd rather associate with the very
worst of deserters or dead beats in
side there" and the dark eyes glanced
, almost in horror-the' slender figure
shook with unmingled repulsion and
chlll--"than with that smooth-tongued
sneak and liar. There's no crime too
mean for him to commit, Mr.. Gray,
though the colonel won't. For Gods
sake get me out of this before morn
ing" And again the violent tremor
shok the lad from head to foot.
'Here-get inside!" said Gray, i'm
pulsively. ''I'll see the adjutant at once
and return to you in few minutes. If
you have to remain until the matter can
be investigated by the general it might
be"
1T would be" vehemently inter-
rupted Morton, then breaking off short
as though at loss for descriptiveness of
sufficient strength. He seemed to swell
with passion as he clinched his fists and
fairly stood upon his toes an instant, his
strong white teeth grinding together.
ut would be-simply helI.' he burst in
again, hoarse and quivering: 1t would
ruin everything! Can't the gen
eral give the order tonight" he
asked with intense eagerness, while
the young officer, taking him by the
arm, had led him again to the light of
the guardhouse lamps at the front. The
sergeant and group of soldiers
Strengthened up and faced them, listen
ing curiOusly.
ut may be even impossible to see the
general" answered Gray, doubtfully.
Take Morton into the guardroom till
| get back, sergeant and let him warm
Z himself thoroughly. Don't put him
with the prisoners till RETURN" and SO
saying he fastened away. Gordon, his
friend and adviser, had left camp and
gone visiting over in the other divi-
sion. The lights at general headquar
ters were turned low. Even now, after
having heard proofs of the innocence
of the accused soldier, Gray knew that
it was useless to appeal to the colonel.
He could not understand, however, the
feverIsh-almost insane impatience of
the lad for immediate release. Another
day ought not to make SO great diff
ference. What could be the reason
if it were not that, though innocent of
the robbery of the storehouse, or of
completely in the sale of stolen goods,
some other crime lay at his door which
the morrow might disclose? All the
loyalty of Delta Sig was stretched to
the swapping point as Gray paused ir-
resolute in front of the adjutunt's tent,
his quest there unsuccessful. The
sergeant major and soreIy badgered
clerk were working late over some
regimental papers-things that Nor
ton wrote out easily and accurately.
II suppose, sir, it's no use asking to
have the prisoner sent up here under
guard said that jewel of non-com-
missioned officer. Yet the colonel will
be savage if these papers amt ready.
1t will take us all night as things are
going"
Gray shook his curly head. "Go ask,
if you like, but-Morton's in no shape
to help YOU"
Has he been drinking, sir?" said the
sergeant major, in surprise. II never
knew him"
"Oh, it isn't that" said Gray, hastily,
"only hes-he's got-other matters Oh
his mind! Bring me his overcoat. He
said it was in HRS tent" and the young
officer jerked his head at the patch of
little "A" tents lined up in the rear of
those of the officers.
"Get Morton's overcoat and take it
to him at the guardhouse," snapped the
staff sergeant to the clerk. "Be spry
now, and no stopping on the way
back" he added, we'll aware how much
in need his assistant stood of creature
comfort of some surreptitious and for
hidden kind. The man was back in
moment, the coat rolled on his arm
''I'll take it," said. Gray, simply
You needn't come"
go on with it," ordered the ser
geant as the soldier hesitated. 'D'ye
the service has gone to the devil and
officers are runnin errands for enlist,
ed men? An get back inside two min
utes, too" he added, with portent in
his tone. The subaltern of hardly two
months service felt the implied rebuke
of the soldier of over 20 years and
meeky accepted the amendment, but
IA thought occurred to HIM: lie had
promised Morton paper, envelopes and
stamps and the days newspapers-the
lad seemed strangely eager to get al
the latter, and vaguely Billy rcmem
herd having heard that Canker consid