The Owosso times., 1910-10-28

and l srse plainly enough you three are
tacitly cOndemning my attitude to-
ward I.anier. Now, I've had enough
Of this There is nothing that, re-
quires g commander to show his hand
TO his subordinates, but as matters
stand Ia this regiment-oh, come in.
Major Stannard. l sent for you pur-
posely. and Sumter as well, to meet
me hera at tattoo" The two seniors
solemnly entered the presence. "As Z
was saying to Barker, as matters
stand In this regiment some half
dozen az least of the men referred to as
it's 'reI :esentatiye 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 declined to per.
nit hiIa as officer Of the guard to at
tend. You think possibly that be-
cause n-en like Captain Snafiie, 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 Stannard's, at
the head OF the row, two cloaked ana
hooded fosms hurried forth, and Bar
ker almost collided with them.
"Oh, good evening. Miss Kate! Good
evening. Miss. Arnoldw was. his em-
barrassed greeting. Then. with at
tempt at jocularity for which he later
could have kicked himself: 'T'm just
in time to see you home and head or
hobgoblins and hoboes. Indeed, l 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 go. 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,
II am free to say that ! have had
grave reasons for forming most un-
favorable opinion Of your conduct. 1t
has been my intention to forward
charges Of 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 say more?"
There was a moment Of silence.
Then Lanier spoke, 1T depends, sir,
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 prepara-
tion?"
81 took no part"
"You do not know the author?"
81 took no part. sir. l 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 tell?
what little know came in such a
way that / cannot tell" was the reso-
lutte answer.
Enough said--or refused to be said
on that head. We will go to the
next. Who personated you the night
you left your troop at Laramie and
went, contrary to orders, to that frolic
at the post?"
A look Of amazement came into the
young officers face. The answer came
slowly, painfully:
II took part in no frolic, sir. went
contrary to an order that had held good
while we were out on the campaign,
but that we did not suppose was bind
ing there. l went to the post that
night to help a fra man who-whe
needed money for an immediate jour
ney. No one personated me to my
knowledge"
II have the written report of the Of
ficer Of the day that you were there
asleep at IL p. m. Subsequently I
learned that you were away from taps
until nearly reveille."
you could have heard that from me,
sir, and why was gone, If need be-"
"Officers who make comrades and
intimates Of enlisted men take chances
that
colonel Button, I protest.
Protest you may, but listen you
SHALL" was the instant rejoinder. at
is well known you interfered with
noncommissioned officer in the prop
er discharge Of his duty. That was
last June, and II was in behalf Of that
young man Rawdon. 1t is well known
that you were hobnobbing with other
enlisted men here. 1t is well known
you lent civilian clothing to your pro-
tege for his latest escapade''-