Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-06-14

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addressed to the president and
stamped for mailing. He wrote moth
ing with regard to his own case.
When, near morning. he ut last fell
asleep. he was so near exhaustion that
he did not waken until late. The hour
set for the reconvening Of the court
martial had already come. He sprang
into his uniform with celebrity that
might have reminded a fellow officer
of reveille in cadet barracks at West
Point.
The worn soles Of his highly pol
fshed shoes beat a tattoo on the car
petless old stairs by which he descend
ed to the street. He did not turn to
go In for be!ated breakfast at the
meager table of his landlady. He
fastened along the few feet of narrow
hall to the street door. As he drew
1t open, another man in uniform
stepped into the doorway and con.
fronted him. The other officer saluted.
Hardy responded mechanically. For
all his cool look, he was astonished.
The man before him was the presi-
dents military aide.
Captain Floyd Hardy?"
"At your service"
"You should now be in attendance
upon the court-martial," stated the
aide with cold severity.
II shall explain to the court" re-
piled Hardy. "Is not delayed. l shall
be only few"
"You will come with me-" interrupt
ed the aide, still more severely. "Your
conduct has been brought to the at
tention of the president. It is to be
seen, sir, whether you will continue to
refuse to answer the inquiries of your
superiors."
Hardy went white, but his jaw set
firm with grim resolution. He stepped
out beside the aide, and crossed the
sidewalk to the waiting motor. As
they were whirled away over the sleety
asphalt, the aide sat with more than
military stiffness, his head and body
half averted from his companion as If
to avoid contamination. Hardy sat
as stifny ut the other extreme Of the
seat.
The ride was short. The car made
sudden turn, and curved around to
the executive offices of the president.
Hardy looked at his companion, per-
picked. The face of the aide showed
only the stern watchfulness of one
who has a reputedly dangerous pris-
oner under arrest. At the entrance he
stepped behind, as If apprehensive that
Hardy might attempt to escape. A
doorkeeper conducted them along q
corridor into a small waiting room.
He passed into the room beyond, but
reappeared in few moments and
signed to Hardy to enter.
Hardy stepped into the room, and
the door was closed behind him. The
aide and the doorkeeper had remained
outside. Hardy looked around with q
frown Of perplexity. Across the room
man sat writing at businesslike
desk. There was no one else pres
ent.
The man turned in his swivel chair
and abruptly made q reckoning ges.
ture. Hardy's hand went up in salute
as he stepped forward. He was in the
presence Of the commander in chief OF
the army and navy.
The president looked him up and
down with severe glance.
"You are Captain Floyd Hardy7"
Eyes, sir"
"The same who suppressed the late
insurrection in the Sulus?'
II happened to be in command al
the time, sir"
"After that you obtained a detail
your conduct In discharge Of which
has resulted in your trial by court
martial on serious charges. have be
fore me the findings Of the court. The
circumstances are exceptional. Be
cause of your record and Of certain
statements that have been presented
to me, have been persuaded to give
you an opportunity to explain you,
conduct"
Hardy saluted. "Permit me, sir, tc
first present for your consideration 8
matter relating to the interests Of the
tribe which"
"Stop!" ordered the president
"Others are waiting for interviews.
can give you only ten minutes. If yor
expend them on this other matter, yor
will have no further opportunity tt
state your own case."
"The evidence before the court-mar
tial covered the facts, sir. If those
facts sustain the charges against me
then am guilty. and desire no elem
ency. That is all have to say on my
own case, sir. With regard to the mat
ter which desire to present"
"Sit DOWN. ordered the president
sYou have nine minutes. Be BRIEF"
Hardy seated himself and proceeded
to present his argument against thu
vandervyn contract. He spoke DELHI
erately. but with a conciseness tha
covered what he had to say fully ant
> clearly, in words as forceful as they
> were few. The president listened at
tentively, but with no change in his ex
preston. At the end IT eight minute;
Hardy stopped.