Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-07

LAWYER promptly replied that Mrs. Lane
must have known when she asked him
that he did not travel around on military
duty with spike tailed coat. and de-
clared that he thought it all unneces-
sary. Spike tailed coats are TOO high
toned for me, anyhow. never see a
man in one but what he reminds me of
some butler I've seen in Washington.
Morris said no more, but Mrs. Morris
had looked volumes. and it was very rue
fully indeed that the colonel presented
his visitor to their gracious hostess
Dinner was announced almost immedi-
ately, and ignoring for the time being
the young lady whom he had taken in
on his arm Lawler sat for some minutes
looking in no little surprise about him.
The sight of so much eleganceat a front
Ter table could only convey to his mind
the vague impression of peculation in
the past He was surprised to find that
Lane could have had no connection what
ever with cotton cases" during the war
And now was this young girl with the
big dark eyes, looking so frankly yet
scrutinizingly up into his face, quizzing
him? The fact that for nearly quarter
of century he had been commissioned
officer and was now high in rank, if not
in public esteem, had given him GER
tain self confidence of manner, and the
consciousness of being the custodian Of
a host of official secrets added to his
sense of self Importance. Yet small and
suspicious by nature he was forever look
ing FOR some covert ridicule. He had
c0ne to the board a total STRANGER to
Capt. and Mrs. Lane, yet he felt o GER
tain sense Of superiority to them be-
cause he could, were he so disposed. tell
that young matron a host of ugly things
about her first husband.
Of Lane himself he knew little or
nothing beyond the fact that the pro
cacGings of courts martial of which he
had served as judge advocate Were al
ways correct. That he was known in
the fighting force of the army as brill
liant and gallant soldier, who had been
through many hard campaign and had
twice or thrice been wounded, was of no
avail in LAWYERS eyes. That might be a
very proper thing in its way, but did
not interest him. Just now he was cast
ing up in his mind the probable cost of
the dainty feast and wondering what
means Lane had outside his pay Miss
Marshall, being from Cincinnati, would
doubtless know something, and he pro-
posed 10 put her on the witness stand
forthwith, but, lawyer like, to lead up
TO the matter by adroit circumlocution.
Yet at the first clumsily esSayed compli-
ment she had looked up into his face. a
merry light in her big, dark, scrutiniz-
ing eyes, and he became instantly Sis
ph:ious that she was quizzing him.
Lawler Redeemed at the very thought.
You seem to have a very correct appre-
ciation of the legal profession" he said,
however, with an effort at gallant bow.
Most young women. fancy, are far
more partial to that of soldier. for in
stance"
Most women, you know, admire cour-
age and truth and straightforwardness
colonel"
And you mean that these are more
frequent in the army-that is, among
the-the officers of the line-than in the
legal profession, 1 suppose. Now, Miss
Marshall, celebrated chief justice, from
whom You may be descended, as you
bear the same name, was the embodi-
ment of ali these traits
And his mantle fell on the shoulders
of many, l doubt not, colonel: but-was
it big enough to go round?'
TIN afraid you're satirical, Miss Mar
SHALL" said Lawler. with a superior
smile. You young ladies not infre-
quently see only the glamour and froth
of army characteristics. We who have
spent many years in the endeavor to
keep the army straight cannot look upon
the officers quite as partially as you do.
We see both sides of the double lives led
by so many of the youngsters in the
line"
''Only by the line, colonel, and by the
young officers? Then who looks after
the staff and the elders?" And Miss
Marshall's face was bubbling over with
fun.
"They have stood the test of years,
Miss Marshall. and need no guardian,
as do these young fellows who so capti-
vate school girls" answered Lawler,
shifting uneasily in his chair. Now,
Mrs. Brodie has mature conception of
their merits and defects. She was speak
ing Of this very case of Mr.. Hearn a
moment ago. You seem to have known
him quite while, Mrs. Brodie. Were
you ever stationed together
My! no. Col. Lawler; only one can
not help hearing things" answered Mrs.
Brodie. totally unaware of the facial con-
tortions Of her better half, who was help
lessly. hopelessly striving to catch her
eye and restrain her tongue. Every
body in town seems to think he was such
a popular young fellow: only. don't you
know, so careless"
Col. Morris and everybody at Mrs.
Lanes end of the table happened to be
deep in general chat at the moment, and
neither saw nor heard anything of this
sudden introduction of personal affairs
at a social occasion. But Mrs. Morris
lost no time. She saw Brodie's glover
ering eyes across the board; she noted
LAWYERS keen, shrewd gaze, and the
troubled look that flashed over Lanes
Kindly faca onA l,,I .,,.k