Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-11

Out uiSCip iiic cdNtu I'LL lIOul % uuChiu5
in the river or hearty kicking down the
barrack stairs. Still, with Abrams to
stand by him and The Palladium to
champion his cause, he felt secure
against fate; only he had thought to be
looked upon as liberator and leader
among the men, and they were all laugh
ing at him. This was bitter indeed. He
almost hoped that the adjutant would
order him back, replaced by the super
numerary, for the rust he knew to be
about the breech block of his carbine,
and which the officer of the guard would
be sure to discover. But the young lieu
tenant contented himself with pointing
to it with white gloved finger and pass
ing on, probably thinking it best to get
him on duty at any price.
All day long on guard the men had
taken frequent occasion to declaim quo
tations from The Palladium, until by
evening stables they had rung the
changes on Welsh's excellent family
connections. his American blood, his
patriotic motives in enlisting, his ardor
for the flag and his fidelity to his oath.
until he was ready to wish to heaven
The Palladium had singled out anybody
else to be the martyr for its preconcert-
ed exposition of official tyranny in the
army, and heartily sick of the part he
had been induced to play.
But where. meantime, was Abrams?
The day wore by, and not once had he
come to the garrison, and Welsh. sulkily
plodding up and down his muddy post
near the stables, and knowing well that
every time the men looked at him or
nudged each other i'll the ribs they were
guying him, had earnest desire to see
his champion, and to prevent the publ
cation of other letters they had project
ed. since the only effect, locally, of the
assault upon the good name of his young
officer was to bring down the indigna.
ton of the enlisted men upon himself
1t only made him rage the more spite.
fully against Hesrn, and he longed for
an opportunity to vent his spleen.
When the devil is working in the
human breast opportunity is seldom
lacking. The evening gun had thun-
dered, the last notes of the retreat"
had died away, and the sun, that had
been obscured all morning, went down
in golden radiance, leaving a sheen of
beautiful color lingering along the crest
of the opposite bluffs and reflected in
myriad millions of rain drops still cling
ing to the clumps of buffalo grass.
Tempted by the loneliness of the even
ing Mrs. Lane had ordered ont her car
rage, and the moment the report had
been made after retreat roll call and Mr..
Hearn was returning sadly TO his own
quarters Lane headed him OF:
mo. I'm going to take You away
from Wallace and Martin TONIGHT. and I
don't mean to let old Kenyon get his
hands on You again. Mrs. Lane and
Miss Marshall want you to drive with
us an hour or SO; then We'll come back
and have quiet little bite among our
selves" And Hearn pressed the cap
taln's hand and silently thanked him.
Half dozen of the guard were seated
about the rough stone porch of the gloomy
old guard house as the carriage came
rolling by. and at sight of the occupants
they quickly laid aside their pipes and
respectfully arose and raised their hands
IN salute. The sentry on No. /, facing
sharply to the front, brought his rifle to
the carry with a snap that made the BAY
onet ring. The one man who remained
seated and staring sulkily at the car
riage wore the cavalry uniform: it was
Welsh.
Both officers noticed the fact as they
touched their caps in acknowledgment
OF the courtesy of the infantrymen, and
exchanged significant glances. The la
dies, too. were quick to note what had
happened. aad they, too, looked at each
other and then somewhat anxiously at
Hearn. But the carriage whirled along.
The instant it had passed Corp. Stein
turned on Welsh. So did others of the
guard.
What do you mean by sitting there
like that" was the demand.
II know my business" was the surly
reply. Just you tend to yours. You'd
better study tactics and regulations be
fore You try to learn me anything"
''Oh. do let the high spirited scion of
our finest families alone, corporal.
Can't you see it's turning his stomach to
~ NA'h w IN DOuN+ pIObeSIeu Tall III
fantryman.
All, let up now on Mr.. Welsh. ne
MulliSan-that's what they called We in
the tythird-wasn't it Mulligan;
or was it Sullivan? Sure know the
family, and it's a foine one" protested
Private Kelly. his blue eyes twinkling
with fun.
Welsh sprang furiously to his feet,
clnching his fist and making straight
for the laughing little dough boy
That young Celt, though head shorter
than his dark antagonist, in no wise
disconnected, stood squarely facing him,
and awaited the attack with grin of
genuine delight on his freckled face.
Stein sprang forward, however. and in
terposed.
mo fighting here" he ordered. wait
till you're off guard in the morning and
settle it then
Don't thwart the gentleman, cor
poral. Here comes bis friend the police
reporter" laughed the group of guards
men. But the unusual chaff had sum-
mOnpd tha officar Of tho or,,,rl - Al