The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-26
,asy toIisten to- They were pleasant to 70

easy TO listen to. They were pleasant to 70
member.
THAT man is good soldier" said the
major. she is brave and full of resources"
eff he has education enough he might
stand examination for promotion TO lieu
tenantcy, if ne has been in the army long
enough"
"He couldn't as long as am an officer"
said Lieutenant Gay. He shot at me
that morning after the Piutes jumped US. !"
''If had had my way he would have hit
you" cried the commanding officer. You
are miserable coward, Gay"
The commanding officer had seen long
service. He had an uncommon hold on
the men who had graduated from the army
into the halls of congress. He went to
Washington with a mission as soon as the
summer brou ant him healing.
Sergeant Larsen was ordered to appear
before board and pass examination. He
acquitted himself so well-in mathematics.
in history. in tactics, in language-that at
the end they asked him questions with
Difference.
1t was Lieutenant Larsen-by order OF
the secretary of war, approved by the pres
ident.
Larsen asked for Dorothy's hand in mar
rage.
The colonel commanding refused him in
rage; berated him for presuming migrate,
and ordered him out of his house Then
he returned to his old admiration for Leu
tenant Gay. This putting up private SOL
der always was bad. 1t made him forget
his origin.
Gay amused the colonel by playing cards
The stakes were trivial
1t was against regulation to gamble.
But there was game over there in the
dark room above the store, where the
major and the captain and the lieutenant
found something more than pastime.
The colonel knew of it, and did not for
bid it. Then he went over and looked on.
Then the old passion for play, which had
slept since the tedious days before Vicks-
burg, came back, and he took hand just
for that once
He felt temptation tugging at him, and
he prayed for an order. for an Indian up
rising. for a plague, to keep him from
yielding.
One evening he tapped at the dark room
door. The subdued noise within was
hushed to silence A second knock and
they opened the door, He sat down by the
other three and they dealt him hand.
mo, only wanted TO look on" he said.
81 am not going to play any more, and |
am going to order it,
At II he owed more than his pay would
amount to in a year.
Another light knock came at the door.
Another silence followed it. A second
knock and the msjor responded.
It was Lieutenant Larsen. He was in
citizens clothes.
eff you have no objection l will join
you" he said, smiling
"You should be gentleman enough not to
come where you are not wanted" said the
older lieutenant.
''You should be man enough to know you
are violating orders. No lawless man cal
stand on pedestal abov> another. Deal me
hand"
The colonel sat back. He was out Of the
game-dazed, bewildered. almost unbal-
anced.
Larsen won in one hand what Gay had
been an hour in winning.
Presently Gay had three again, and he
made it costly TO play. Larsen drew two
cards with him and bet one dollar.
Gay raised the limit. and was raised In
turn. He was mad beyond the point OF
prudence. He touched the limit again,
only to see the insolent Larsen initiate
him
Gay had four queens and an ace. Lar
sen had four kings ana vanquished him.
Gay had no more money; so he lost his
watch. 1t was Larsen's deal. The elder
lieutenant picked up full hand.
II can't play it." he cried in frantic ex.
ASPIRATION. Il have no more money"
PUT up your coat" said the younger
lieutenant calmly.
cts show down." he said and spread
out three mines and a pair.
Its a show down." repeated Larsen
calmly, and spread out three tens and 8
pair.
Gay walked home in his shirt sleeves.
Early in the morning he went to the adj
jutant's Office and prepared charges He
was willing to abase himself in Furnishing
that upstart.
After he had labored an hour, the post
adjutant handed him paper. 1t was Lar
sens resignation. And it had been &C
copied.
At the reception which followed Doro
thy's wedding, Lieutenant Gay appeared
1t was his last right in Bidwell. He had
been transferred to Fort Fetterman
at is very dark day for the poor fell
lows in the army" said he, bowling above
the hand of the bride. But you remem
Der you told me one time that you would
never marry lieutenant"
Il haven't" replied the girl, her flashing
eyes lighted with the memory of that night
at Warner. my husband is free citizen
of this country-and nobleman at home. u
Leroy Armstrong in Albany Press.