The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-04-20
Copyright, iOa. By c. W. Dillingham; 90.
CHAPTER xxI.-CoSrrSuEp.

OAlkAE -N-AAs-AONIlNlE
Well, we'll" said the colonel, they
have been prompt! You can get to
Acqula by noon. can't your"
Not If he goes back by way of Old
Scoffer's," remarked a field officer,
though fully. Fred, don't you imagine
the chief wants to smooth things bit
before you tell Stanton all about it?"
Don't go back, Benton. Just let
him sweat TIN make him more civil
another time" began an impetuous
comrade, but stopped short at sight
of the cloud In Benton's eyes, the anx-
ious look in the colonels fine, clearcut,
soldierly face. II was the latter who
spoke again, and without interruption.
for already ne had won the faith of
even such martial iconoclasts as the
Black Hats. This means something
more than a mere difference due to IN
temper" said he. you are wanted
for a purpose, Benton. II is--about
Ladue, do you think?"
Fred had already risen. Il shouldn't
be surprised" he answered, thinking
uncontrOilably of the words of his
Washington informant, God help the
man that has TO bump up against Stan
ton just nowi"
Yet he rode back 10 headquarters
and, surely enough, found his chief
there. chafing and suspicious. What's
Stanton want OF you?" he blurred out
You haven't-You didn't-make 3
row about what said Monday night,
did you? We were all cross-grsined
then. and didn't happen to think you
had to look me up and so-got lost"
Il have certainly written to a friend
at Washington asking for other duty,
sir" said Benton firmly, though his an
ger had vanished and given place
10 sadness and anxiety. Il did not
get lost, however. / obeyed orders,
and under similar circumstances should
do so again"
I've told you l didn't understand
the matter at the time or I shouldn't
have said, perhaps. what l did" broke
ia Old Scoffcr, both hurt and troubled.
IF you're going to start in on your
army career with the idea that you're
never going to get hauled over the
Goals. you've mistaken your profess
sion" Scoffer knew he had been
ia the wrong. lie 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 Sconer's vehement assertion, en-
: larged, of course, In transit, that he
"had more friends in the south than
fr Ao foI he
following day at the war department,
and was shown into the presence Of the
gngering secretary.
For a moment each studied the other,
and the menace In StantOn's 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 il he is war secretary"
was the question uppermost in the
Badgers mind His father. the squire,
had once trounced brother-in-law for
less. The bump Of insubordination 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 was kept waiting
an hour outside, sir"
Stantons veins seemed to swell to
thrice their natural size, and his strong
face. fringed by the iron-gray beard,
turned almost purple.
you viii be wise TO keep your tenn
per, young sir, if you wish 10 keep your
commission. You owe your escape
from rebel hands, am told, to certain
members of DR.. Chiltons family, OF
Charlottesville"
No answer.
1T is so. Is II nct?"
"One member only SIR"
Lieut.. Ladue was your intimate
II end at home. I believe" Stanton
vas tapping tue desk with a long
r':ier-an ominous sign, said they who
knew him.
"He was sir"
WAS It 10 square accounts with the
Cniltops you sought 70 shield him?"