Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-11-03

A spell of sharp cold had followed
the blizzard. The young people of the
garrison We're out in force at night
rejoicing In the snow sports. The men
had made some famous slides over at
the bluffs. and the children along the
officers lines We're playing hide and
seek about the drifts and tunnels at
the northward end of the parade.
Captain Sumter had been sent for
and was admitted to a five minute talk
with the colonel at his quarters and
came away with grave and troubled
face to n ten minutes conference with
his gentle wife that left her sorely
worried and distressed
ASK Kate" he said as once more he
set forth into the night. I've got to
| tramp and think this over before do
anything further" And at that mo-
ment Kate and Miriam had gone In to
talk awhile with Mrs Stannard
| 1t was just about Il quarter Of ..
The lights ut the office We're still burn
ing. for the colonel had intimated that
he might be back. Barker was bend.
ing over his desk and wondering why
the colonel should be colloguing with
Snafile, Crane. Sergeant Fitzroy and
sending for Cassidy and Quinlan. That
was Il queer "outtit' of Snaffle's at best
1t seemed odd that the most pronounce
ed "Brtisher" in barracks should be
a sergeant in the troop commanded by
the nearest thing to an 1rishman
among the captains.
Barker was busy with these reflec-
tons when the colonel once more en-
tered The adjutant rose, but at
signal resumed his seat and waited.
Full fifteen minutes the colonel went
stridng up and down the long apart
ment. Twice he muttered something
about its taking Snaffie and his SER
geant an unusually long time to do
simple thing and ut last. as the trum-
peters We're heard. with much stamp
ing Of feet and blowing Of hands,
gathering for the old time nightly
walk around that preceded tattoo
roll call. Button abruptly turned on his
adjutant and said
Barker. how long have you known
Mr.. Lanier?'
Ever since he joined. SIR"
And you knew him in his cadet
days?"
Eyes, sir"
"And you told me you never heard
of his writing to newspapers?"
"Never sir" answered Barker. 81
believe 1t impossible for him to have
had anything to do with those-infiam-
matory articles about the campaign"
you consider him absolutely square
above lie-or a trick of any kindY'
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.
Il have heard rumors and ISLANDERS.
Colonel Button was Barkers prob
ably injudicious reply.
We'll here" said Button impulsiye-
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 WE'LL to meet
me here mt tattoo" The two seniors
solemnly entered the presence. AS
was saying to Barker, as matters
stand in this regiment some half Il
dozen mt least of the men referred to as
It's representative officers are appar-
emily resentful of my arrest of Lieu
tenant Lanier and attribute my course
to pique. because he saw lit to show
himself at the hop | declined to per-
nit him as officer of the guard to at
teHu. lou llllnk possibly inal De
cause men like Captain Snafile. 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 10 the best
interests of the regiment. Now | mean
to show you. Mr.. Barker. said he
l nlx tn I ipDt N 1 a 1ia
and say that | desire his presence here
at once"
And Barker took his cap aud cape
and departure without q word.
just as Barker neared STANDARDS. at
the head Of the row, two cloaked and
haalel farnlS hurried farll and Rar-