The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-02-27

ing the regiment, who had noticed the
excitement from a distance. appeared,
forcing a gap for his passage through
recognized Lanstron. After they had
shaken hands. the colonel scowled as
he heard the situation explained, with
the old sergeant, still holding fast to
Stransky's collar. q capable and in
sistent witness for the prosecution;
while Stransky. the fire in his eyes
dying to Goals. stared straight ahead.
1t is only suggestion. of course"
said Lanstron, speaking quite as
spectator to avoid the least indication
of interference with the colonel's au-
thority. but 1t seems possible that
Stransky has clothed his wrongs in a
garb that could never set well on his
nature If he tried to wear it in prac.
tice. He is really an individualist En-.
ragged, he would fight we'll should
like nothing better than a force OF
Stranskys II had to defend a redoubt
in a last stand"
Yes, he might fight" The colonel
looked hard at Stransky's rigid profile.
with its tight lips and chin as firm as
II cut out of stone. You never know
who will fight in the pinch. they say.
But that's speculation. It's the ex-
ample that have to deal with"
He Is not of the insidious, plotting
type. He spoke his mind openly" sug-
gested Lanstron IF you give him the
limit of the law, why, he becomes a
martyr to persecution. | should say
that his remarks might pass for bar,
rack-room gassing"
VERY well," said the colonel. taking
the shortest way out of the difficulty.
I'VE will excuse the first offense"
Yes, sir!" said the sergeant me-
chanically as he released his grip OF
the offender. I'VE had two anarchists
In my company in Africa" he observed
in loyal agreement with orders. They
fought like devils The only trouble
was to keep them from shooting inno-
cent natives for sport"
Stransky's collar was still crumpled
ON the nape of his neck. He remained
stockstill, staring down the bridge OF
his nose. For full minute he did not
vouchsafe so much as a glance upward
over the change in his fortunes. Then
he looked around az Lanstron glover
ingly
Il know who you are," he said
You were born in the purple. You
have had education opportunity, posi-
that you and your
KIND want to keep for your kind. You
are smarter than the others You
would hang man with spider webs
instead of hemp. But won't fight for
you. No. | WON'T"
He threw back his head with de.
termination in his dafiance so intense
that it had a certain kind of dignity
that freed it of theatrical affectation.
Yes, | was fortunate; but perhaps
nature was not altogether unkind 10
you" said Lanstron. In Napoleonic
times. Stransky, think you might
even have carried marshaI's baton in
your knapsack."
"fou-what rot." A sort of triumph
played around Stranskys full lips and
his jaw shot out challengingly. NO.
never against my comrades on the 9th
er side of the border!" he concluded,
his dogged stare returning.
Now the colonel gave the order to
fall in; the bugle sounded and the cen.
tipede's legs began to assemble on the
road. But Stransky remained a statue
his rifle untouched on the sward He
seemed of mind to let the regiment
go on without him.
'Stransky. fall I'M" called the ser.
geant.
Still Stransky did not move A com.
rade picked up the rifle and fairly
thrust it into his hands.
Come on, Bert, and knead dough
with the rest of us!" he whispered
Come on. Cheer up!" Evidently his
comrades liked Stransky
mol" roared Stransky, bringing the
rifle down on the ground with heavy
blow.
GRO RE CONTINITEn)