The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-13

Yes, sir"
AND you told me you never heard
OF his writing to newspapers"
Never SIR" answered Barker. 81
Delleve it impossible for him to have
had anything to do with those-inflam-
matory articles about the campaign"
You consider him absolutely square
above lie-or a trick of any kind"
Barker faltered just one minute.
What did the colonel mean by a trick?
Mischief there had been once or twice.
Tricks had been played, and one only
this last summer during the campaign
"a trick, too, that If truth were told
Lanier should have known about. At
least it had been played for his bene-
fit and had pulled the wool" over the
colonel's eyes.
Il consider him as square man as
l know and utterly above lie of
any kind" was the final answer.
"And yet you hesitate. You know
or have heard rumors," said Button
suspiciously.
81 have heard rumors and ISLANDERS,
Colonel Button" was Bankers prob
ably injudicious reply.
"Well, here" said Button impulsive-
ly-"here are you and Stannard and
Sumter, three Of the old liners as you
are called in your respective grades,
and see plainly enough you three are
tacitly condemning my attitude to-
ward Lanier. Now, I've had enough
Of this. There Is nothing that re-
quires commander to show his hand
to his subordinates, but as matters
stand in this regiment-oh, come in,
Major Stannard. sent for you pur-
pOsely, and Sumter as well, to meet
me here at tattoo" The two seniors
solemnly entered the presence. GAS l
was saying to Barker, as matters
stand in this regiment some half a
dozen at least of the men referred to as
its representative officers are appar-
emily resentful of my arrest of Lieu
tenant Lanier and attribute my course
to pique, because he saw fit to show
himself at the hop 1 declined to per-
NIT him as officer of the guard to at
tend. You think possibly that be-
cause men like Captain Snaff1e, Lieu
tenant Crane and one or two of that
set have been in consultation with
me the matters at issue are beneath
your notice. They at least are loyal
to their commander and to the best
interests of the regiment. Now mean
to show you. Mr.. Barker" said he
impressively, "go to Lieutenant Lanier
and say that desire his presence here
at once"
And Barker took his cap and cape
and departure without word.
Just as Barker neared STANDARDS. at
the head Of the row, two cloaked and
hooded forms hurried forth. and Bar
ker almost collided with them.
"Oh, good evening, Miss Kate! Good
evening. Miss Arnold" was his en-
barrassed greeting. Then. with at
tempt at POPULARITY for which he later
could have kicked himself: "I'm justs
in time to see you home and head off
hobgoblins and hoboes. Indeed. beg
pardon" he blundered on. I'm just
bound for Lanier's. Any message?"
"You might say we wish him speedy
deliverance." answered Kate Sumter.
Silently Lanier heard the summons.
There was no reason why he should
not CO. said the doctor. 'The air will
do you good" he added, "and We'll be
here when you come back"
Ten minutes more and for the first
time since Friday evening the accused
officer stood in the presence Of his
colonel.
"Mr. Lanier," said Button presently,
81 am free to say that l have had
grave reasons for forming most un-
favorable opinion Of your conduct. It
has been my intention to forward
charges of a serious nature against
you and to urge your trial by general
court martial. But such is my regard
for these gentlemen that stand ready
to abandon my views and adopt theirs
on your simple word. Can l say more"
There was a moment of silence.
Then Lanier spoke, 1T depends, sir, l
think, upon what you wish me to an
swer."
Button colored. Turning to his desk,
he took from an envelope several news
paper clippings. "Do you care to say
what part you took in their prepare
tion?''
II took no part"
"You do not know the author"
II took no part, sir. / do not wish
to say that do not know the author"
''Then permit me to infer that you
know him-a member Of this COM
mand, for no one else knew the facts
and you shield him.?
81 am shielding no man. Colonel
Button"
"Yet you know the author and you
will not tellY'
what little know came in such a
way that cannot TELL" was the reso-