Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-18
discipline and gross insubordinatim at


He fastened on. you mustn't Judge
me hastily. 1t came on my return aft
er furlough. That's the time when the
routine and discipline pinch hardest
OH the men. After two years of grind
that hated l had visit home-a de-
liciOus free time-and to get back into
school, back into those cold gray bar
racks, was like going into a strait
jacket. The first few weeks after the
vacation are times of disorder, a period
of boyish deviltry, and l took my share
in it. My breach of discipline was
nothing more than boys frolic.
should have been punished for 1t, and
that would have ended 1t, but hated
one of the officers, the disciplinarian,
and when he rounded me up he rasped
me till lost my head. Being a quick
tempered youth, answered him. He
abused Inc shamefully, and struck
him in the face, and that ended my
stay at West Point"
"Oh, how foolish! How wrongv
mo, it was not wrong. would do
1t again. The small sneak used a tone
III aSAdA SSoliiS5 NhiSh AO Auul udS II
right to use to another. You wouldn't
suppose tone could hurt, but it did.
1t cut like lash. Well, that ended
my career as soldier. My home was
on the Ohio river, not far from Cincin-
natl, and my family still lives there.
Our whole country is rich in traditions
of General Grant, and my father had
so l,tr
the soldier Of his family. You know
how some men try to map their sons
careers. Don't you see, couldn't 80
home?"
"Yes, can see it was hard for your
father. Was your mother living?"
Eyes, she's living yet. write her
every week, but not one word has
passed between my father and me
since my dismissal. Naturally enough,
l drifted west and into cattle ranching.
l liked the excitement of it, and I'd
been trained to ride and to shoot.
gradually became COW boss and fore
man, and SO you found me, with a few
thousand dollars saved up. Your com
ing changed every current in my life.
l became ambitious to do something,
to be rich. came here bought this
mine, and there shines my gold" He
held it toward her again. Now l can
go home. My court martial becomes a
joke. Don't you see? My father is
human. He would not receive me poor
and disgraced. With big mine behind
me the case will be different"
"Are we all purchasable with gold"
she asked.
His high mood sank little. Don't
misjudge me. It's not so clear in my
mind US when met you at the door,
Money does help-you know it does.
1t extends a mans power; it makes
him effective for good, if good is in
him. l was Il rancher when you met
me; we stood in different relation
from that which we occupy now. Isn't
that true?'
YES" she slowly answered, but it
isn't because of your mine"
what is it because OFF,"
at is because you have been kind
and considerate of my brother"
He looked disappointed. us that all?
hoped you liked me for myself"
II do-like you," she answered.
Can you not love me?'
"Do not press me-" She spoke sharp
| ly, flash of resentment i'll her eyes.
81 didn't intend to do so,' he humbly
replied. II fear I've made mess Of it,
Just as 1 have with all the rest of my
life. But this morning when we I'M
covered that vein it seemed as though
I had chance to recover my place In
the world. I've wasted ten years OF
my life masquerading here and there,
but that is finished. Since l saw you
life began to be serious business with
me. You smile, but you know what !
mean, and if you would only give me
time would make you proud of me-"
He paused and looked about him. The
mist seemed tightening, us if.intiltrated
with golden vapor. 1t was in motion
also, and far to the westward small
tarily. at is clearing" lie said il, q
quiet voice, though his eyes were wet
1.-THE west wind is setting in"
The beauty of the girl as she faced
him there in the mist was shining, al
conquering in its pulse and glow. 81
love you, and want you to know it
Some time l will ask you to be my
wife"
"You must not do that" she cried
out. "You will only lead up to disap
pointment. Don't you see how impos
sible it is? You are of the west, an
city dweller. l am not fitted to helI
; you. My whole life and training have
been such that 1 am totally untitled FOL
the life you would lead. Please do no
misread me. 1t is not question o.
your wealth or your poverty. It's m!
own way Of life, my own mind.
don't want to hurt you, but must tel
; you that it is impossible to think Of
quite impossiblew and she turned ava.
toward the cabin, now half disclosed.
, The door was open and Kelly ant
the two lads We're on the floor pickin,
at a small sack or ore. Mrs. Kell.
, looked up at Ann, laughing, with tear
: on her cheeks. 81 don't believe it, no
one word of it! And If it's true, Rob
want you to keep it for U.S."
YES" said Kelly, 1--WE been of US
to you in finding it; now do you be o
use to me in keeping it."
II will, Matt" said Raymond, an.
the two men shook hands on new
compact. Both Matt and Nora wer
too engrossed with their new foun,
riches to observe the deep sadness o
Raymond's face.
"Now," said Kelly, "watch out 70
. Currnn. He'll bate us out of it If h
can. l depend on you to stand off tn
, lawyers and the gamblers"
'"rhe mist Is rising" called AM
from the, doorway.
AS she spoke n tremendous repor
arose from the obscurity where the To-
!, still chung.
Nov, what was thatY quericd Matt
: and all stood transfixed with surpris
and vague apprehension.
Another and duller report followed
: one that shook the ground. Kelly rusll