Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-28

come, Mr.. Abrams" he said, extending
his hand with much apparent corchality
of manner. This, while by no means
necessary, of course adds to the readi-
ness with which we open our doors to
you. Had ] known you were here and
DESTROYS of visiting the post for any
purpose in the interests of your paper,
should have found means to welcome
you before, and am only sorry you did
not make your presence known to me-"
Maj Kenyon had risen as the colonel
was speaking, and now in low tone and
| with much respect of manner accosted
him:
by your leave, colonel, if there be
nothing further in the way of business.
may request your permission to retireT
Certainly, Maj. Kenyon And, gen.
| tlemen, there were some matters to
which desired to call your attention.
but it is so near time for boots and sad
| dies we will defer the matter until to-
morrow. will not detain you further"
There We're one or two among the
score of officers present who desired to
see the colonel on some routine matters;
these contented themselves with going
over to the adjutant's desk. as he entered,
and whispering their requests to him;
the Others promptly took their leave and
sauntered out into the sunshine Mr..
Abrams noted the occurrence with a
quiet but suggestive smile.
For a moment no one among the little
group seemed to find anything To say.
1t was Mr.. Lee who gave the first ex-
preston to personal opinion lie burst
out into a fit of laughter.
I'm blessed if | can see anything to
laugh about in this affair, Mr.. Lee"
said the major. whose face was shade
moodier than ever. If anything was
needed to confirm what have hitherto
said on the subject, here you have it.
Perhaps it pleases you to see a comrade
vilited by the press and then bulldozed
by his commanding officer. who well
knows the paper lied, but daren't stand
up for one of his subalterns And then
to think of the fellows impotence, an
noupcing himself as the bearer of an
order from headquarters. Ii | had been
in command should have told him
orders were never sent by the hand of
c.vihans."
sail into the paper if you like, Maj.
Kenyon, but leave the colonel alone;
that's purely our business" was the
prompt reply. Capt. Lane. may ask
II the colonel has requested an invitation
10 dinner tonight for his friend Mr.. Alb
rams. of Chicago? understand that
Mis- Morris and the chief are among
year guests"
He hasn't yet, Lee. and if he should
IL quaTtcrmaster viii have to knock
down partition. f. my dining room
can only hold twelve or fourteen by Sc
we're squeezing"
Captain, said Hearn. rs they walked
away. I'm going TO ask you to excuse
ME tonight. would only be n cloud
II your feast. and af,cr what has passed
don't feel as though ! could sit at din
~ With the colonel"
learn, my boy, you must come. We
are not going to lit you crawl into a cor
ner now and brood over this. 1t is the
vc:y time when we want to stand by YOU
AID show how TaGch we bold you in
esteem"
Yes" was the bitter reply. ives. my
colonel has given 4 glorious exhibition
OF what constitutes esprit de corps in
the Eleventh. No. captain. would do
anything for yoa or Mrs. Lane. but
can think. speak, dream of nothing now
but the wrong that has been done me,
and l would only be drag You will
excuse me, won't you:"
Come in. come into the house,
Hearn." answered Lane Ss they reached
the gate. Come in and talk it over
with Mrs. Lane and Miss Marshall: they
will do You good. They are both full OF
sympathy. Come; it's quarter of ar
hour before drill"
But Hearn shook his head and drew
away.
Il cannot" he said; II must go
there's my home letter yet unwritten."
And so, with Lanes anxious ewes fol
lowing him. he strobe rapidly away t.
his quarters. There Jim Wallace Joined
him at the gate.
Three hours later, however. with drill
over and the mail in. the question of din
ner became Of minor Importance. Marked
copies of The Palladium had been re
ceived by several officers. and the face.
of the group on Capt. Lanes piazza wert
studies.
Did the orderly take one to him, do
you know" asked Mr. Lee. with worlc
of pent UP Indignation in his tone.
''One! answered the major; "one, tn,
insult wouldn't he complete without it.
think there were dozen papers, marked
copies. in his name"
Has no one gone to see him." asked
Mrs. Lane, her sweet face full of sorrow
The captain was there when the ma:
:, came, SO was Mr.. Wallace" answered
, Miss Marshall in low tones. He seemed
to antiCii . something Of the kind.
This viii have tendency to max,
Eearn rather homesick. fancy" drawleC
Martin after solemn pause. Il neve
quite appreciated the benefit of southern
institutions before"
Sick. admit-sick at heart. sick o
his cherished profession, perhaps; bu
why homesick. Martini" queried til,