Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-08-24

general that he was wild with eagerness
to ride all night to the support of Lane,
and yet that would explain how abso-
lutely necessary it was that he should
first go out to the post. But fates were
against him. Even as he was gnawing
the pencil and cudgeling his brains the
operator called out:
Here comes some of 'em now. sir"
And looking nervously from the win
dow Noel saw three hOrsemen galloping
into the station. Foremost came a lieu
tenant of infantry, who sprang to the
ground and tossed the reins to his or
DERBY the instant he neared the plat
form. One of the men had a led horse,
completely equipped for the field, with
blankets, saddle bags, carbine, canteen
and haversack; and Noel's quick in
tuition left him no room TO believe that
the steed was intended for any one but
him.
The infantryman came bounding in.
us this Capt. Noel? | am Mr. Rem
shaw, post adjutant, sir, and | had
hoped to get here in time to meet you
on your arrival, but we were all busy
getting the troop ready. You've got
your orders, sir, haven't you? My God.
captain, can't you wire to the fort and
beg the major to let me go with you?
/ I'll be your slave for lifetime. Eve
never had a chance to do a bit of real
campaigning yet, and no man could ask
a butler chance than this. Excuse me,
| sir. | know you want TO get right into
scouting rig-Mr. Mason said his
"eXtras" would fit you exactly; but if
you could take me along-yOure bound
to get there just in time for the thick
/ of il" And the gallant little fellow
| looked, all eagernesS, into Noel'S unre-
sponsive face. What wouldn't the hero
of Queen City club have given to turn
the whole thing over TO this ambitious
young soldier and let him take the
chances of ''glory or the gravel
Very thoughtful of you all, I'm sure,
to think of sending horse and kit here
for me, but really ought to oout to the
post There are things | must attend
to. You see, ! left the instant | could
induce them to relieve me, and there
was no time 20 make preparations"
"But-you can't have heard, captains;
your troop will be here in ten minutes.
]
mountain, and will strike them early in
the morning. There won't be any time
to 20 out to the post; you've got to ride
at trot or gallOp most OF the night as 1t
IS
Capt. Noel, pardon me, sir" inter-
posed the operator. The general is in
the Office at Wilcox station. He wants
to know if you have started by here"
Tell him the troop isn't here yet. l
I'm waiting for it,"
"Yonder comes the troop. sir, called
out Mr.. Renshaw, who had run to the
door "Now let me help you of with
f'ctS.' Bring that canvas bag in here,
orderly"
Three minutes brought a message
from "chief:n Lose not Il moment on
the way. Report here by wire the ar
rival of your troop and the moment You
start. Behind time now"
Poor Noel, There was no surgeon 10
certify that his palld cheeks were due
to impaired heart action, no senatorial
cousin to beg for staff duty, no Mrs.
Riggs 10 intcrpoSe. He had just time
To send a dispatch to Mabel announcing
that be took 10 the field at the head OF
his troop at once. another (collccD tC
Amos Withcrs, Esq, of similar import
and one to the general, saying that at
4:45 they were just on the point OF start
Ing when the troop. fifty strong and IN
splendid trim. came tr0ttlng in, and Mr..
Mason grimly saluted his new captain
and fell back to the command oi the
first platoon.
Noel TO the Front was The CiroRt
clc'S head line ON the following morning
far away i'm the Queen City.
TO BE CONTINUED.