Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-05-09

II don't know" said the boy, after q
pause, during which doubt, incredulity,
dismay, chased each other across his frank
face. "You see, aunt hates me to do any
thing underhand. She says a fellow who's
q sneak isn't fit for soldier" @
but don't want you to be sneak"
said the Major, looking dreadfully
ashamed of himself. 81 only want you to
send me line to that address. It will be
all right; only have a reason for her not
knowing. Twill tell her all about it after.
ward"
The boy adgeted on his feet; but his
eyes did not falter in their vigilant stead.
mess.
II won't promise. Aunt says that if q
FELLOW gives promise he ought to stick to
1t. She knew fellow who once did that"
He wondered why the Major blushed so
again, land nearly gave his life to keep it,
But then, she says, one must think we'll
before promising"
Every WE'LL" said the Major, quietly.
"Think it over. If yon still think it is best
not to give it, tell her all about it. But I
wouldn't ask you to do mean thing"
There was something in the quiet
strength Of his face, in the steady look of
his eyes, that inspired confidence.
III / write and let you know, and We
come, may toll her afterward what
did,"
'You may tell her any thing you like,
afterward. Nothing will make much dit
ference then," he added to himself.
CHAPTER II.
DEAR MAJOR HuDDLEsroNE: If I had
known that you were the v. c. who did such
splenold things two months ago and got wound.
co. ana oil that, would have given my promes
ut once, for know you wouldn't do meen
tnlng. asked aunt, and she said you couldn't
though OF corse didn't show her your card
nor tell her what you asked me not to. When
l read your name on the card in the hansomb
aunt was looking out in front and didn't see. I
jumped so that trod on her toes and couldn't
Keep my feet still, and she got little angry, but
1 Kept your card hidden and didn't say word,
Do you think shall ever get in the army? I
want to do brave things like you; but aunt
says shan't, becos can't spell as II spelin
had any thing to do with spikeing guns, or 60
Ing without food for two days that the other
SICK men might have more, and carrying your
friend from under fire. Could you spell well at
my ages If had heard aunt call you by your
name this afternoon I should have known at
once, and could have ask't you how you got in
TO the army. Aunt and have been talking
about you ever since. She told me it was YOU
mat kept that promes and saved the game
keepers life, and nearly lost your own with the
poochers And know she had been crying,
for her eyes were red when she was dressed
for dinner. and think she cried because you
did such splendid things. For she cried be-
fore, that time you got made VIC. Girls are so
funny, they cry when We want to shout Hip hip
hooray. Yours truly
STEPHEN DALE.
must not forget to say that we are going
to the Army and Navy Stores the day after to-
morrow at eleven o'clock, and 1 shall be glad
when 1t Is over, for though I know it isn't a
meen secret, aunt's eyes always seem to 20
through fellow when he has got one
The Major could quite understand the
latter sentence. He felt depressed al
ready at the thought of meeting those
clear gray eyes, with the guilty con-
sciOusness upon him of having corrupted
her faithful follower to act traitor against
her.
1t was difficult to say which felt most
ashamed and uneasy, Major Huddlestone
or the school-boy, when they met at
eleven O'Clock at the entrance of the
Stores. She was there, and her pleasant
ly-expressd establishment at meeting
grow as red as young turkey cock, and
the Major look anywhere, rather than
meet his desperate, remorseful, glover.
ing young eyes. Steve had seen how
white she had grown at first catching
sight of the Major, and he knew at once
that he had done dreadfully wrong, II
was some slight relief to see her greeting
him without anger few seconds later,
and to hear her saving that she was glad
to see him again before he left England.
This relief grew as, walking behind his
| aunt and the Major, he heard one or two
! whispers from people passing them, as
some men here and there recognized
Major Huddlestone, and pointed him out
as the man who had, at the head of a for.
lorn hope, spiked the enemy's guns the
other day.
In spite of his remorse, his heart began
to swell with kind of proud possession,
He was in fellowship with this splend did
man and soldier. He forgot how slender
| and preearious the link between them was,
His former confidence in the V. c.. re-.
! turned, and with the determination that
he would tell his aunt "all about it, d.
! rectly they left the Stores, when the term
! of his promise would be ended, he gave
| himself up to the entire enjoyment Of the
position. He had been walking SLOWLY
and modify behind, as he revolved the
points of the situation. Now he hurried
up stairs after them to catch them up, and
to enjoy every moment of the hero's com.
pany. His aunt had stopped before thu
millinery department..
They were waiting for him apparently
as they both watched him, bounding UT
the stairs as if he were the most interest
ing thing in creation. The fact was thai
owing to some thoughtlessly. expressed
"reminiscences Of Mrs. Dale's, of her old
school-days, the conversation had sud.
denly come to an end between them.
Steve flung himself like an avalanche
upon them.
| Major Huddlestone had left his sling Al
home that day. He did not wish to offe,
her his left hand again, nor did he intend
either, to let her go without their hands
meeting. That light, warm touch of hers
had sent throbbing of exquisite pleasure
through his being. But when the young
Steve, rough, .impetuous, full of eager
pride and delight, flung himself on him,
and thrust his own arm through thu
wounded one, the sharpness of the pair
sent the man white to the lips.
''Oh, Steve, Steve! See what you have