San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-08-05
Two SOLDIERS.
By Capt. CHARLES KING.

siege to him through madame a month
or so. What she says as to who goes on
leave and who doesn't is law at head
quarters, and know it. Now, you
watch Noel. That fellow is wiser in his
generation than all the rest of us put to-
gether. 1t isn't six months since he got
back from his staff detail, and see how
constant he is in his attentions to the old
lady. Now, I'll bet you anything you
like the next plum that tumbles into the
regiment will go to his nav and nobody
else's."
Riggs wouldn't have the face to give
anything to Noel-in the way of detached
duty, mean. l heard him say when
'Gordy' was coming back to the regiment
chat he wished he had the power to
transfer subs from troop to troop; he'd
put Noel with the most exacting captain
he knew and see if he couldn't get little
square service out of the fellow"
That's all right, Greene. That's what
he said six months ago, before Noel was
really back. and before he had begun
doing the devoted to her ladyship at
headquarters. Riggs wouldn't say so
now-much less do it. She wouldn't let
him, comrade mine: and you know it."
Noel has been doing first rate since
he got back, JIM" said Capt Greene
after pause.
"Oh, Noel's no bad soldier in garrison
at drill or parade. It's field work and
scouting that knocks him endwise; and
if there's an Indian within hundred
miles Well, you know as much as
| do on that subject"
Greene somewhat gloomily nodded as
sent. and his companion, being wound
up for the day, plunged ahead with his
remarks:
Now, I'm just putting this and that
together, Greene, and I'll make you a
bet. Riggs has managed things ever
since he has been colonel so that lieu
tenant is ordered detached for recruiting
service and never captain. 1t won't be
long before Lane gets his promotions;
and I'll bet you even before he gets it
Riggs will have his letter Swimming to
Washington begging his immediate re-
call and nominating a sub to take his
place. I'll give you odds on that; and
I'll bet you even that the sub he names
will be Gordy Noel
But, though he secuted the idea,
Greene would not bet, for at that in
slant the club room was invaded by
rush of young officers just returning
from target practice, and the joiliest
laugh, the most all pervading voice, the
cheeriest personality of the lot were
those of the gentleman whose name
Capt Jim Rawlins had just spoken.
What you going to have fellows?" he
called. Here, Billy, old man, put up that
spelter; l steered the gang in here, and it's
my treat. Don't go, Forbes: come back,
old fellow, and join us. Captain, what shall
it be? Say, you al know Dick Cassidy
of the Seventh. heard such good rig
on him this morning. got a letter from
Tommy Craig, who's ON duty at the war
department, and he told me that Dick was
there trying to get one of these blasted
college details. What dye suppose a
cavalryman wants to leave his regiment
for, to take a thing like that?"
perhaps his health is impaired, Noel"
said Wharton, with humorous twinkle
in his handsome eyes. Even cavalry
men have been known to have to quit
| their beloved profession on that account
and get something soft in the east for a
year or So"
The color mounted to Noers cheeks,
but he gave no other sign of understand
| ing the shaft as aimed at him. Promptly
| and loudly as ever he spoke out:
"Oh, of course, if he's used up in ser
vice and has to go in to recuperate, all
well and good; but l always supposed
Cassidy was a stalwart in point of health
and constitution. Who's going to the
| doctors tonight? you, JackT'
Jack-otherwise Lieut. John Tracy
shook his head as he whitfield at the Gig
arctic he had just lighted and then
stretched forth his hand for the foaming
glass of beer which the attendant
brought him, but vouchsafed no verbal
reply. Lee and Martin edged over to
where the two captains were playing
their inevitable game of seven up. Two
| of the juniors-young second heutenants
despite the extreme cordiality of Noel's
| invitations begged to be excused. as they
did not care to drink anything-even a
lemonade: and no sooner had the party
| finished their modest potatiOn than there
was a general move. Wallace and Hearn
went into the billiard room; Wharton
and Lee started in the direction of their
quarters; and presently Mr.. Noel was
hn ~, thA ,l1,hr wit