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

v-iOp1 III Ol.CC lA0I was gong
on. and so, with the instinct of MS pro-
fassion, hastened to the scene in time to
catch a part of the colloquy that ensued.
..The corporal tells me the trouble
Grew out of your refusing to rise and
salute when Capt. Lane passed." said
the officer of the guard, address NC the
stalwart trooper.
Welsh glanced furtively over his shout
der until sure The Palladium man was
in range of his voice. and then loudly
replied:
I'm member of the guard, sir, and
the regulations forbid guards paying
compliments of any kind after retreat
and can show you the paragraph"
lyon know perfectly well, Welsh, that
that applies TO the guard collectively
when under arms and not to individual
members | want no hair splitting here
See to it that you pay proper courtesy to
every officer while you're under my
command" And the lieutenant, a young
nfartryman, with decidedly resolute
face. looked squarely into the glowering
black eyes of the trooper and then, turn
inc quietly toward his little Office, his
eve lighted on The Palladium man. For
an instant it looked as though he had
something to say to him, too; but,
struck by IL sudden thought, he passed
il without another word, and presently
the sergeant of the guard appeared in
the doorway. There was evident DUR
pose in his coming
Half an hour later Welsh YVES stand
ing some twenty yards away, eng aged in
low toned, eager chat with his civilian
friend. The faces Of both men were
clouded, and every little while the gypsy
looking soldier shot an angry glance
toward the guard house door. Presently
they moved across the road and headed
for the open bar at the traders wherein
the lamps were just beginning to CLEAN.
Before they reached its open portals
Corp. Stein was at their heels, and his
stern voice ordered Welsh to halt.
go back to the guard house, Welsh;
it's against orders for member of the
guard to leave it, and you know it as
well as do
My relief don't go ON post for two
hours yet, and this gentleman has bust
ness with me. You'd better not inter
fere with him
The gentleman can see you over
there. You can't see him here"
Already the sergeant was striding
across the road: the lieutenant appeared
at the door; a dozen members of the
guard were eagerly watching the scene.
Welsh half turned. Mr.. Abrams bent
and muttered a few words in his ear,
but the soldier, after one glance around
him, shook his head Slowly and re-
luctantly he turned.
"Iil get even with you fo- this, Stein"
he missed. And then, with shrug ging
shoulders, the two objects of general in
terest-the civilian and the enlisted
man-slouched back across the road, the
eyes of all upon them.
1t was at this instant that the rapid
whirr of wheels and the click of iron
shod hOofs We're heard upon the drive,
and brlskly the Lane marriage came
around the turn. Lieut.. Lewis stepped
out from the doorway Again the
arms: again the soldiers of the guard
arose, and those about the traders door
also faced the roadway; again the white
glOved hands We're raised in soldierly
salute. and one man only turned his
back and slouched away. Every soldier
within range saw that Welsh was deter
mined to disobey the orders he had just
received In six giant leaps the tall
sergeant had reached his side
81 LII -
Numbered, and then. as the man still
strove to edge away under the wing of
his civilian associate, laid brawny
hand upon the hulking shoulder and spun
hlm about as he would a top
Heels together, now Look square
at Capt. Lane. Now, then. damn you
left hand, salute
Not badly done, sergeant, said Lieut.
Lewis moment after. as with kindling
eyes he reached the spot just as the car
rage had flashed by Finish what you
have to say to your friend in fifteen min
utes, Welsh. and then report to me at
the guard room Not badly done" he
repeated, as he turned away with the
tall infantryman by his side. ''only you
~LNiAhil nave StLC iiLllu III tuc pres
ence OF ladies or. with grim smile I'M
Ger his mustache. "or-of the press
The ladies couldn't hear. sir, and
meant that the press should. | know
that according to 'Pinafore' and The Pal
ladlum lshould have said. if you please.
But mules and blackguards pay no at
tention to politeness I've been thirty
years soldier. sir and | know what
tetcheS them
(To be continued.)
Cofaorh nonnot M Enyed