The Washington herald., 1914-11-29

eAS SaCoAAECA Aoy OE WhiNh ne HdQ II
rived, but on which he was not to de-
part, the electric cargovlights were al
ready burning. But for what Swan
son had to do there still was light
enough. From his breast pocket he took
the card on which he had written his
message to his brother officers, read and
reread it, and replaced it.
Save for the admiral and his aide at
the steps of the cottage, and a bare
headed bluejacket, who was reporting
to them, and the admiral's orderly, who
was walking toward Swanson, no one
was in sight Still seated upon the
string-piece Of the wharf, Swanson so
moved that his back was toward the
four men. The moment seemed propi-
tious, almost as though it had been pre-
arranged. For with such an audience,
for hi, taking off no other person could
be blamed. There would be no oues-
ton but that death had been self
inflicted.
Approaching from behind him Swan
son heard the brisk steps of the order
ly drawing rapidly nearer. He wonder
ed if the wharf were government prop
erty, if he were ttespassing. and if for
that reason the man had been sent to
order him away. He considered Bit
terly that the government grudged him
place even in which to die. Well, he
would not for long be trespasser. His
hand slipped into his pocket, with his
thumb he lowered the safety catch of
the pistol.
But the hand with the pistol in #
did not leave his pocket The steps of
the orderly had come to a sudden
silence. Raising his head heavily.
Swanson saw the man. with his eyes
fixed upon him, standing at salute
They had first made his life unsupport-
able, Swanson thought, now they would
not let him leave it.
Capt. Swanson, SIR" asked the or
derly.
Swanson did not speak or move
The admirars compliments, sir"
snapped the orderly, "and will the cap
tain please speak with him."
Still Swanson did not move.
He felt that the breaking point of
his self-control had come. This i'm
pertinent interruption, this thrusting
into the last few seconds of his life of
a reminder of all that he had lost, this
futile postponement of his end, was
cruel, unhuman, unthinkable. The piS-
tol was still in his hand He had but
to draw it and press it close, and be-
fore the marine could leap upon him he
would have escaped.
From behind, approaching hurriedly,
came the sound OF impatient footsteps.
The orderly stiffened to attention
The admiral!" he warned
Twelve years of discipline, twelve
years of recognition of authority,
twelve years of Difference to superior
officers, dragged Swanson's hand from
his pistol and lifted him to his feet As
he turned, Admiral Preble, the aide,
and the bare-headed bluejacket were
close upon him. The admiral's face
beamed, his eyes were young with
pleasurable excitement; with the eager
ness of a boy he waved aside formal
greetings.
MY dear Swanson" he cried, Il
assure you its most astonishing, most
curious coincidencel See this man."
He flung out his arm at the bluejacket.
He's my wireless chief. He was wire
less operator on the transport that took.
you to Manila. When you came in here
this afternoon he recognized you. Half
an hour later he picks up a message
picks it up 1000 miles from here-from
San Francisco-Associated Press news
it concerns you-that is, not really
you, but l thought, We
though signaling for help,
the admiral glanced unhappily at his
thought you'd like to know.
Of course, to u.s. he added hastily,
FITS quite superfiuous-qute super
huous, but"
The aide coghed apologeticaIly. You
might read, sir" he suggested
What? Exactly! Quite so" cried
the admiral
In the fading light he held close to
MS eyes a piece of paper.
San Francisco, April 20 he read
'Rueff, first sergeant, shot himself here
today, leaving written confession theft
IF regimental funds for which Swan
son, captain, lately court-martIaled-
Money found intact in Rueff's mattress.
Innocence of Swanson never question.
ID. but dissatisfied with findings of
,ourt-martial has left army. Brother
,fficers making every effort to hnd him
md persuade return
The admiral sighed happily. And my =.
wife" he added, with an impressiveness
hat was intended to show he had at
ast arrived at the important part of
lis message, says you are to stay to
Inner"
Abruptly. rudely, Swanson swung
Ipon his heel and turned his face from
he admiral His head was thrown
,ack, his arms held rigid at his sides.
n slow. deep breaths, like one who had
cen dragged from drowning, he drank
n the salt, chill air After one glance
he four men also turned, and in the
alling darkness stood-staring at moth
1g, and no one spoke
The aide was the first to break the
Hence. In a polite tone, as though he
we're continuing a conversation which
ad not been interrupted. he addressed
he admiral ''Of course, Rueffs writ
en- confession was rot needed" he said.
His shooting himself proved that he
yas CiiiltY"