San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-01-28

oiuo "hoh Ho lh1ue MS way through bne
curious throngs both in going to and re-
turning from his post. And asterward,
with the eyes Of the townspeople upon
them, Private Welsh and the unterrified
correspondent paced up and down the
road in front of the cavalry barracks for
half an hour: and the group sitting on
Lanes piazza one evening especially
could not help noting how ostentatiously
the two cOnversed as they neared the
white wicket gate.
Wharton" quoth Martin, as for the
sixth or seventh time the swarthy troop
er and his champion approached the cap
tain's quarters, I'm consumed with
envy. The time was when good looking
cavalrymen like you and me could COM
mand some small attention from the ewes
of our friends and fellow citizens in
town; but our day is done. These are
the popular heroes Of the hour. Now,
here comes Hearn's first sergeant. Sure
ly he's not going to have the unbearable
effrontery to remind Trooper Welsh that
he ought to be cleaning up for guard
tomorrow, when a gentleman of the press
wants to talk with him."
is Welsh for guard tomorrow" asked
Capt. Lane, in some surprise.
All 80
HE is. The colonel relieved him
from durance vile before guard mount
this morning, and l heard the first ser
geant tell Hearn an hour ago that it was
Welsh's turn for guard, and wanted to
know whether he was to order him or
not. Hearn said certainly"
"And the man cut parade tonight on
plea that Mr.. Abrams wanted to talk
with him. He was the 'one private alb
sent reported from G troop" said Whar-
ton. THAT is the reason the sergeant is
after him now, fancy, either to arrest
him or else warn him for guard"
eff were Hearn I'd quit attempting
to dispicline that young man." said Maj.
Kenyon, pessimistic and glowering as
ever. He ought to have sense enough
to know that the worst blackguard in
the service, with the press behind him,
is more than a match for any officer who
seeks to do his duty"
''And if l were Hearn,7 drawled Mar
tin, "Td make that particular protege Of
The Palladium do his duty if died for
it, especially after the marked copies
that came today. Now watch"
The first sergeant, trim, soldierly
fellow with determined face and manner
and quick energetic step, had by this
time overtaken the pair, who strolling
together had almost reached the picket
fence and were within earshot of the
Lanes piazza. Mrs. Lane glanced eager
ly up the road, for Miss Marshall and
Lieut.. Hearn at that very moment came
from the Whartons' quarters next door
and appeared upon the gravel walk,
Wallace following with Jeanette Nc
Crea
Sergt. Wren had stopped short on
overtaking the trooper, and with scant
ceremony addressed him in tones that all
could hear:
"Welsh, you're for guard tomorrow,
and you've got mighty little time in
which to get ready. Did the lieutenant
excuse you from parade?"
II didn't ask him. Col. Lawler was
good enough for me-"
Sol. Lawler left the post at 8 o'clock
and couldn't have wanted you"
GAIL the same was acting under his
orders and nobody else's. If you want
any other authority you can go to Col.
Morris; I'm busy now" And with his
hands in his pockets and jerk of the
head to his companion, Welsh whirled
about and led the way down the road
toward the store, Abrams slowly follow
ing in his wake, but looking back as
though curious to see the sequel. The
first sergeant stood an instant flushing
and with wrathful eyes, but raised his
hand in respectful salute as the young
troop commander came quietly along,
Miss Marshall leaning on his arm.
"You warned him for guard, sergeant"
said Hearn, answering Wren's salute.
Yes, sir, and he says Col LAWYER ex-
cused him from parade"
81 reported the absence to Col. Nor
ris, and he tells me there may have been
some such understanding, sergeant. At
all events, as Col. Lawler has gone, he
would give Welsh the benefit of the
doubt so we have nothing further to do
with that matter"
Wren ground his teeth as he briskly
strobe back to his quarters.
What does the loot'nant sayT de-
manded Duffy, as he with half dozen
of his comrades clustered about the Of
fee, eagerly watching the sergeant's
face and his clinching hands as he re-
turned.
Nothing. Don't ask questions now,
you men. The lieutenant can't do any
thing to him: the colonel won't let