Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-11-17
Copyright. 1909. by j. B. Lippincott
Company

didn't know me and asked Tor refer
ences, SO 1 sent my stories toto Mr..
Arnold and my aunt. She often wrote
for the papers,"
"Is that the way the Boston and
other papers came to publish those
scandals?"
"She made it worse than 1 de-
scribed''
"Er-let me explain. gentlemen" in
terposed Mr.. Arnold. "My sister liz Of
a very sympathetic nature, and her
heart has long been wrung by the in
justice to the Indian. When this un-
happy boy wrote those letters she had
no reason to doubt their entire truth"
II will ask you what was his final
explanation of his need for money!"
"He begged me to send him $780,
saying he would be disgraced il he
could not pay Lieutenant Lanier. who
had won it from him at cards"
''Mr. Lowndes," said Riggs, did
Lieutenant Lanier ever win a dollar
from your
"Never, STRIP
Riggs let him rest minute, then
went on. Now, then, in your own way
tell US what happened that night of
the 10Th"
For few seconds there was silence.
Then, suddenly uplifting his head and
looking at no one. Lowndes desperate
~ plunged into his narrative. IL
was mad, l suppose, with debt and
md TO I,i,,
don told me he must have the money.
My uncle had fatty refused to send
me more There was left me only one
way, and that was through my Cousin
Miriam. We'd almost been brought
up together. But | knew if l could
see her she would help me.
"Rawdon had changed into citizens
clothes in town, and l had pawned my
overcoat, so he lent me his cavalry
overcoat and a fur cap, drove me and
Cary out to the fort and left US at the
store. We were chilled from the ride
and drank more. Rafferty, told me
Mr.. Lanier was officer of the guard.
We filled Rafferty, up, for Cary had
made up his mind he was going to
Rawdon's wedding in cts instead Of
soldier clothes, and he was bent on
borrowing a suit of Lieutenant La
nier's. He swore he'd return them
the next day. and Rafferty, let him
have them. Then he and l went up
the rear fence and caught sight Of No.
5-Trooper Kelly. Cary went ahead
to fix things as he said Kelly was
suspicious. Cary to quiet him told him
he was Lieutenant Lanier; that we
were helping Rawdon get ready for his
wedding.
"He made Kelly drink to Rawdon's
happiness. and drink three or four
times, and finally left him with half
full flask up the row toward Major
STANDARDS. Then we went to Captain
Sumter's. Kelly told Cary the serv-
ants were in at Captain Snaffle's. The
door was open. Cary watched below
while l hunted for my cousins room.
l found it easily. | knew they had
sent her money and orders to come
home. Uncle had written me as much.
l found her desk. l knew it we'll Of
old, and then, to my horror. l heard
her voice, and in a second she was in
the room. She gave one awful scream,
though | tore off my cap and begged
her to know me, but she fell in a
faint. Others were coming. | broke
out of the back window and slid and
scrambled down the roof to the shed
and SO to the ground. | heard men
come running. so dived into the coal
shed, where the sergeant grabbed me
in the dark. and had to make him let
go and-said | was Lieutenant Lanier.
Later l crawled through a hole in the
fence and started for the store, scared
out of my wits. Right at the next gate
l crashed into two men. l picked my
self and cap up and ran again, caught
Cary at the store just jumping into a
sleigh, and we dashed those horses ev-
cry inch of the way, left them at a
ranch gate and ran to the station.
Rawdon presently came, and be took
me to Omaha. He, too. had to get
away or be thrown into the guard
house"
You have that overcoat with you
yet. l believe-that cavalry coat"
ITS all ! have had to wear, sir,"
was the answer as, rising. be took the
garment from the arm of his chair and
laid it upon the table, exposing a rent
or cash. whereupon Captain Sumter
took from an envelope a silver Of yell
low cloth and fitted it into the gap.
This" said be, Il found on the hook
Of the storm sash, and this" laying
beside it a rusty sheath knife, was
later found under the snow close I'M
der the dormer window" Then, turn
ing the overcoat inside out, he dis
played on the back lining in stencil the
name "Rawdon."
And now said Riggs. 1--WE will
hear the accused"
1T isn't necessary" began Button.
1T is necessary, Colonel Button. OF
course Mr.. Lanier is not obliged to