All the officers, with two exceptions, were again for duty at Frayne.
Webb, laid by the heels at Beecher, his feet severely frozen, and
Beverly Field, who, recalled from a brief and solemn visit to a far
southern home, had reached the post at nightfall of the 10th. There had
hardly been allowed him time to uplift a single prayer, to receive a
word of consolation from the lips of friends and kindred who loved the
honored father, borne to his last resting place. "Come as soon as
possible," read the message wired him by Ray, and, though the campaign
was over, it was evident that something was amiss, and, with all his
sorrow fresh upon him, the lad, sore in body and soul, had hastened to
obey.
And it was Ray who received and welcomed him and took him straightway to
his own cosy quarters, that Mrs. Ray, and then the Blakes, might add
their sympathetic and cordial greeting,--ere it came to telling why it
was that these, his friends despite that trouble that could not be
talked of, were now so earnest in their sympathy,--before telling him
that his good name had become involved, that there were allegations
concerning him which the chief had ordered "pigeon-holed" until he
should come to face them.
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