The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-03-27

N&S Sto
finding Of this bag out here in the des-
ert. 1t Is the clue / have been search
ing after for nearly five years" He
seemed to pull himself together with
an effort, realizing her presence. "Ex-
cuse me, Miss Mcdonald, but this
thing knocked me silly. l hardly knew
what / was saying"
1T mean much to you? To your
life?"
Everything, II l can only trace it
back, and thus discover the present
whereabouts Of the original owner"
yves that your regiment, then-the
Fourth Texas Infantry?"
He bowed his head, now looking
frankly at her.
Would you mind telling me your
rank?"
81 became Captain Of 81 Company
after the fight at Chancellorsville; we
served In Virginia under Massa
Robert, and lost every commissioned
officer In that affair" He hesitated
to so on, but she prompted him by a
question:
AEu tutu WudI. WudI WAS IL
that happened? Don't be afraid to
tell me-"
Nothing until the day we fought at
Fishers HILL" he said slowly. Then
l was dismissed from the service
for cowardice."
"Cowardice!" repeating the word in
quick protest. why, how could that
be? Surely your courage had been
sufficiently tested before?"
"Cowardice, and disobedience Of Or
ders," he repeated DULY, latter l had
been under fire almost night and day
for three years; after l had risen from
the ranks and commanded the regi-
ment."
"And you had no defence?"
mo; at least, none I could use;
this man might have saved me, but
he did not, and I never knew why"
who was he?"
"My senior captain, detailed on
Early's staff; he brought me the Or
ders verbally 1 was afterwards &C
cused Of disobeying. ! was temporari-
ly in command Of the regiment that
day with rank as major. There was
a mistake somewhere, and we we're
horribly cut up, and a number taken
prisoners. 1t was my word against
his. and-and he lied"
She took the haversack from him,
studying the scarcely legible inscrip-
ton.
"rE. L. F. Are those the letters?"
GUoa. xhav afoyl p1~ TL~o-o -
Fevre; he was of French descent, his
home In New Orleans"
"You knew him well?"
II thought so; W. we're at school TO-
gether and afterwards in the army"
She looked across at him again,
touched by the tender echo of his
voice; then leaned forward and placed
one hand upon his.
"You have not spoken about this for
a long while, have your"
mo-" his eyes lighting up pleasant
ly. hardly thought Of it, except some
times alone at night. The memory
made me savage, and all my efforts to
ascertain the truth have proven use
less"
THAT is why you enlisted?"
Largely; there Is no better place
to hide ones past than In the ranks
out here on the plains. IL could not
remain at home with that disgrace
hanging over me-"
"You must tell me all about It."
Her head lifted suddenly as she
gazed out across the river. shading
her eyes. why, what are those?"
she exclaimed eagerly, there, moving
Oh the bluffs opposite?"
His glance swept to the northward.
and he was as instantly the soldier
again. Far away on the upper plateau,
clearly outlined against the blue of
the distant sky, appeared a number Of
dark figures. For q moment he be-
lieved them bu~ffaloes, but In another
instant decided instead they were
horsemen riding two by two.
Get down lower, Miss Mcdonald"
he commanded. Nov we can see,
and not be seer. They must be.
cavalrymen, the way they ride, but We
can take no chances"
They watched the black specks pass
east to where the bluff circled In to-
ward the river. 1t was from there
those distant riders first observed the
dim spiral Of smoke still curling up
from the burning stage. for they
halted. punching together. and then
disappeared slowly down a cash ini
the side Of the hill. Emerging on the
lower fiat they turned In the direction,
Of the fire, squirting their horses into
q swift trot, There was no longer
any doubt Of their being troopers, and
Eamlin stood upright on the sand
hummock waving his hat. They were
gathered about the fire. a few dis
mounted beside the dead bodies, be-
fore his signal was observed. Then q
field glass flashed In the sunlight, and.
three or four Of the party rode down
to the bank of the river. One of.
these, the glasses still held In his
hand. his horses, hoofs In the water,
shouted across the stream.
who ara you over there?" :
white people," answered Hamlin,.
using his hands for trumpet. I'VE