Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-02-20

$ ALI, E&AsIQ RDA
 couIo see, over nls Ioss honor, ana ns- ing as could hear, incendiary lan- guage. Learoyd would nod and spit, and smoke and nod again, and must have been great comfort to Ortheria--aI most as great comfort as Samuelson whom Ortheris bullied disgracefnlly. If the Jew opened his mouth in the most casual remark Ortheris would plunge down it with all arms and &C., coutrements while the barrack-room stared and wondered.
 Ouless had retired into himself to mediate. saw him now and again and he avoided me because I had wit messed his shame and spoken my mind on it. He seemed dull and moody, and found his half company anything but pleasant to drill. The men did their work and gave him very little trouble, but just when they should have been feeling their feet and showing that they felt them, by spring and swing and snap, the elasticity died out and it was like drilling with war-game blocks There is beautiful little ripple in a well-made line of men exactly like the play of perfectly tempered sword. Ouless' half company moved like Q broomstick and would have broken as easily.
 was speculating whether Ouless had sent money to Ortheris, which would have been bad, or had apologized to him in private, which would have been worse, or had decided to let the whole affair slide, which would have been worst of all, when orders came to me to leave the station for awhile. had not spoken directly to Ortheris, fo- his honor was not my honor, and he was its only guardian, and he would not say anything but bad words.
 went away, and from time to time thought great. deal of that subaltern and that private in Fort Amara, and wondered what would be the upshot of everything.
 CHAPTER III.
 When returned it was early spring. B company had been shifted from the fort to regular duty in canton ments, the roses were getting ready to bud on the mall, and the regiment, which had been at a a.camp of exercise, among other things was go- ing through it's spring musketry under an adjutant who had a notion that its shooting average was low: He had stirred up the company officers, and they had brought extra ammunition for their men-the government allowance was just sufficient to foul the rihing- and B company, which counted many marlsmen, was vaporing and offering to challenge all the other companies, and the third-c1ass shots were very sorry that they had ever been born, and all the subalterns were rich, ripe saddle colur from sitting at the butts six or eight hours day.
 went off to the butts after break fast very dull of curiosity to see how the new draft had come forward. Ouless was there with his men by the bald hillock that marks the six hun dred yards range, and the men were in gray-green khGki that shows the best points of soldier and shades off into every background he may stand against. Before I was in hearing distance I could see as they sprawled on the dusty grass, or stood up and shook themselves, that they were men made over again wearing their helmets with the cock of self-possession, swinging easily and jumping to the word of command. Coming nearer, heard Ouless whistle: "BdLy hooZey" between his teeth as he looked down on the range with his binoculars, and tho back of Lieut.. Ouless was the back of a free man and an officer. He nodded as came up, and heard him fling an order to a non- commissioned officer in sure and cer- tain voice. The flag ran up from the target and Ortheri5 flung himself down on his stomach to 1ut in his ten shots. He winked at me ever the breech block as he settled himself, with the air of a man who has to go through tricks for the benefit of children.
 Watch you, men," said Ouless, to the squad behind. "He is half your weight, Brannigan, but he isn't afraid of his rifle"
 Ortheris had his little affectations and pet ways, as the rest of us have. He weighed his rife, gave it little kick | up, cuddled down again and fired across the ground that was beginning to dance in the sun heat.
 | "Miss!' said man behind. | "Too much bloomin' ground in front, Ortheris muttered.
 ''I should give two feet for refrac- tion," said Ouless.
 Ortheris fired again, made his outer, crept in, found the bull and stayed there, the' noncommissioned officer l pricking off the shots.
 | Cant make out low I missed that first" he said, rising and stepping back to my side, as Learoyd took his place.
 ''Is it company rractice2' asked.
 "No. Only just knocking about. Ouless 'e's givin' ten rupees for second class shots. I'm outer it, of course, but I come on to show 'em the proper style O doin' things. Jock looks like sea. line at the Brighton aquarium, sprawl in and crawlin' down there, don't e? Gawd, what c butt this end of i'm would male.''
 "B company has come up very we'll. ' | I Soid