The evening world., 1894-05-30
well-well-as Hard Cation over there

well-well-as. Hard Cation over there
Jack Stckles turned to Lieut. Cation
as he spoke, and was about to follow his
words with another jocular remark,
when he was surprised to see cation
face suddenly grow ashen with anger.
The iatter's devilsh nature showed
itself the next instant in manner that
was least expected.
DO you mean that Insult for me,
Stickles?" Cation roared. angrily. by
the eternal God, II you do, you'll have
to answer to me. do you hear?'
This precipitation of quarrel on the
part Of Lieut.. Cation was without the
least provocation. Every one there, with
perhaps the exception of Cation. had
fully understood the jest contained in
Sergt. Stickles's thoughtless speech, ut
tered on the spur of the moment, without
meditation.
For a moment an ominous silence
reigned. Not a word was spoken. All
were dumfounded over Lieut. cations
unexpected outburst. AS for Sergt.
Sticklcs, he had been rendered speech
less with surprise.
He was incapable at first Of a proper
conception Of the situation Had he in; n;
to insult him? OF course he had not!
The fiery spirit of the impetuous young
soldier arose to the occasion. 1t had
been well weighed before spoken.
With the hot blood blazing in either
cheek and the light OF righteous in
dignation burning. in his flashing eyes
Sergt. Jack turned on the Lieutenant.
Cation. you're a scoundrel''' he said,
with suppressed passion. II apologize
to you. 1t Is you who must answer to
me. or IN thrash your carcass without
A round table stood between the two
officers, but that mattered not. The
fiendish temperament OF Cation under
lead him to do anything rash and ill
advised. Muttering curse, he rushed
at Stickles and struck him full In the
Col. Stroke, who. up to this time. had
been overcome with establishment at the
proceedings. now sprane between the
two men and struck Cation savage
blow upon his arm as he was In the, act
OF drawing his sword from its scabbard
, to cut down Stickles. who was unarmed
The spirit Of fend incarnate seemed
his rage he had lost sight OF the fact
that he was In the presence of his supe-
rior officers. There was murder unmis-
'akably written in his impassioned Wis
With an oath he whirle1 upon Col,
Stroke as II to strike him, but Can't.
H'ines thrust himself in front of the IN
struggle and Donald Haines hurled Cat
ton heavily against the table. The next
instant the teri was in darkness. The
lightei .cnrdle had been overturned and
Can't. Haines's first thought was for the
safety OF his Colonel In his race he did
not know what Lert. Cato" might do.
He heard sounds OF n struggle and sup
pressed brea thing at his right and rushed
blirily in that direction,
The three men were alone in the tent,
for In The excitement the others had
hurrierd out IN search Of light. Jack
Stickles had been unable, oftor grooming
about. to find the one which had been
overturned in the scuHle.
Capt. Hnines reached the struggling
men and Joined in tho fray in order Ia
save the one from doing grlevous in
jury to tho other. He caught one of the
mon. whom he supposed TO be Lieut..
Cation. about the throat with both
hands and closed upon II with mighty
Loose your ho'd on Col Strokem he
| cried hoarsely, "or I'll throttle you TO
But there was no response from Cat
ton and still the struggle between tho
three officers continued. 1t was onlv n
moment. yet II seemed like an eternity
70 Donald Haines that he hettled with
| the man in his grasn and then II sud
denly grew dark a-und him. In the
terrific struggle he had struck his head
against the corner OF the overturned
table, and the shock had rendered him
unconscious.
The last rational thing to flash across
his brain was the knowledge that he was
choking. choking, choking to death
Hardman Cation.
The darkness was slowly dispelled
Sergt. Stickles and the other Officers
having returned with a Nsht
] Donald Haines regained consciousness