Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-02-17

never gong to get hauled over the
Goals, you've mistaken your profess
sien-'' Scoffer knew he had been
in the wrong. He wanted to undo
the wrong. He simply didn't know
how, and Benton wouldn't help him.
And SO they parted enemies, if any
thing, and, preceded by the story of
Old Scoffer's vehement assertion, en-
larged, of course. in transit, that he
had more friends in the south than
in the army" Benton reported the
following day at the war department,
and was shown into the presence of the
angering secretary.
1t was a dull December morning
1t followed close on the heels of dire
disaster; and, with the stories rush
ing in upon him of contention, dis
loyalty, and disruption at the front,
the Iron Secretary was stung and
goaded by the evidences of triumphant
plot and treason all about him and
among the cities safeguarded at the
rear. Two prominent households with
in easy rif1e-shot of his desk were now
shown to have been in constant cor
respondence with leaders of the rebel
cause at Richmond The heart of the
secretary was hot within him and
hardened against this young staff off1c-
er of a fighting corps, who, ushered
into the severe and repellent presence,
stood silently at guard.
For moment each studied the other,
and the menace in Stantons frown
reused the spirit of fight in Benton's
not too pacific temperament. What
business has man to look at me as
though he thought ought to be hang
ed, no matter if he is war secretary?"
was the question uppermost in the
Badgers mind. His father, the squire,
had once trounced a brother-in-law for
less. The bump of INSTRUMENTATION was
rising even before the secretary's first
question.
How came you so late, Sir?"
And the bump was in his throat, as,
flushing to the brows, the Badger an
swered:
Possibly because 1 was kept waiting
an hour outside. sir
Stanton's veins seemed to swell to
thrice their natural size, and his strong
face, fringed by the iron-gray beard,
turned almost purple.
''You will be wise to keep your tenn
per, young sir, if you wish to keep your
commission. You owe your escape
from rebel hands, am told. to certain
members of DR.. Chilton's family, of
Charlottesville" "
NO answer.
''It is so. is it not?"
Zone member only, SIR
Lieut.. Ladue was your intimate
friend at home, I believe" Stanton
was tapping the desk with a long
ruler-an ominous sign, said they who
knew him.
''He was, SIR
''Was it to square accounts with the
Chiltons you sought to shield him?"
81 have had to shield him in no way,
sir. He had been brought here before
l could see him again
Stanton actually smiled, but the
smile was grim as ANY scowl.
Then it was by helping young Chill
ton, was it?" And the professional
cross-examiner tapped more swiftly
on the table, and his eyes fairly
blazed through the spectacles.
Benton was boiling over now.
81 never heard until an hour ago
that he had got away, SIR I'm -"
"Glad, 1 dare say" said the secre-
tary, with sarcastic force. I'VE heard
as much of you-and more" Then,
sudden as a steel trap, What did you
do with the papers you received from
Ladue?"
This time there was no installing
Benton's start of amaze. He was kneel-
ing by poor Paul's side in the hospital
tent, when with feeble, nerveless hand
the boy had passed little packet
to him and family whispered his re-
quest
What did you do with them?" de-
manded Stanton, and now the officers
standing at the side of the room seemed
to hold their breath.
Nothing, as yet,' was the unlocked
for reply.
'"Then you still have those papers?"
and Stanton seemed rising from his
chair
Eyes, sir" and Benton seemed ready
to spring to meet him, with fight in
every line of his face.
"Here?" and Stanton had dropped
the ruler and gripped the arm of his
chair.
Here and Benton had the touch
f-you-dare" look of a bulldog watch
ing a bone.
you may deliver them to Maj.
Thorpe" said Stanton, as though the
matter were settled, and the major
accordingly, but uncertainty, advanced
a step or two. He was fifty years of
age, and Benton was barely half his
years, but the elder little liked the
look of the younger's eyes.
ST may not, Mr.. Secretary" and de-
spite his wrath, something almost like
a smile Of amusement played about the
corners Of Benton's firm set lips.
Those letters concern only two people