Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-31
ried and shook.

poker, if you don't turn out and get it and report to me on the parade I'll spot the whole gang absent, and then no matinee for you today, my buck. Come, out with you! I mean it. Hall says you and he have an engagement in town, and 'pon my soul I'll bust it if you don't come out.'
 And so. growing and complaining, and yet half laughing, Adonis rolled from his couch and began to get into his clothes. Chester's blood ran cold, then boiled Think of a man who could laugh like that and remember! When, how, had he returned to the house? Listen!
 ''Confound you, Sloat! wouldn't rout you out in this shabby way. Why couldn't you let man sleep? I'm tired half to death.''
 "What have you done to tire you? Slept all yesterday afternoon and danced perhaps a dozen times at the doctors last night You've had more sleep than I've had, begad! You took Miss Renwick home before twas over, and mean it was of you. too, with all the fellows that wanted to dance with her"
 That wasn't my fault. Mrs May nard made her promise to be home at 12. You old cacklcr. that's what sticks ill your crop yet. You arc prosecuting me because they like me SO much better than they do you." he went on, laugh ingly now. Come, now, Sloat, confess, it is all because you're jealous. You couldn't have that picture, and could. |"
 Chester fairly started. He had urgent need to see this young gallant. He was staying for that purpose, but should he listen to further talk like this? Too late to move, for Sloat's answer came like a shot:
 'I bet you you never couldr'
 But didn't tell you I had a week ago?''
 Aye, but I didn't believe it. You couldn't show itr'
 ''Pshaw, man! Look here. Stop, never tell.
 ''On my honor, of course
 Well, therer'
 A drawer was opened. Chester heard a gulp of dismay, of genuine astonish- ment and conviction mixed, as Sloat muttered some half articulate words and then came into the front room Jerrold followed, caught sight of Chester and stopped short, with sudden and angry change of color.
 ''I did not know you were here" he said.
 Ut was to find where you were that came, was the quiet answer.
 There was moments silence. Sloat turned and looked at the two men iu utter surprise. Up to this time he had considered Jerrold's absence from re, veille as q mere derelictiOn of duty which was ascribable to the laziness and indifference of the young officer. So far as lay in his power. he meant tC make him attend more strictly to busi- ness and had therefore come to his quar- ters and stirred him up. But there was no thought of any serious trouble in hi: mind His talk had all been roughly good humored until-until that bet wa: mentioned, and then it became earnest. Now, as he glanced from one man tc the other, he saw i'll an instant thai something new-somethinG of unusua gravity-was impending. Chester, but toned to the throat in his dark uniform accurately gloved and bclted, with pale set, almost haggard face, was standing by the center table under the droplight Jerrold, only half dressed, his fec thrust into slippers, his fingers nervous ly working at the studs of his dainty white shirt, had stopped short at hi: bedroom door, and with features tha grew paler every second and darl scowl on his brow was glowcring a Chester.
 ''Since when has it been the duty O the officer of the day to come aroun' and hunt up officers who don't happcl to be out at reveille:" he asked.
 ''It is not your absence from reveill want explained. MT. Jcrrold," wa the cold and deliberative answer. '' wanted you at S:30 this morning. an you were not and had not been here. An unmistakable start and shock; 1 quick, nervous, hunted glance around tn room so cold and pallid in the earl light of the August morning; a clutc of Jerrold's slim, brown hand at tn barred throat. But he rallied gamely strode a step forward and looked hi superior full in the face. Sloat marke the effort with which he cleared ava the huskiness that seemed to clog hi larynx, but admired the spunk wit which the young officer returned tn seniors shot:
 What is your authority here, wOul like to know? What business has tn officer of the day to want me or any oths man not on guard2 Captain Chester you seem to forget that I am no longt l a,,1 hot a, a company commander like yoursel
 Do you come by Colonel Maynard
 order to search my quarters and questio
 me? If so, say so at once. If not, z,
 out And Jerrold's face was grow
 ing back with wrath, and hls big, lu
 uous eyes were wide awake now au
 fairly snapping
 Chester leaned upon the table and d
 liberated . moment. He stood thel
 coldly, distrustfully eying the excite } lieutenant, then turned to Sloat:
 ''I will be responsible for the roll ca
 of Company B this morning, Sloat have a matter of grave importance bring up to this-this gentleman, al 1t is of private nature. Will you l, me see him alOne?'
 ''Sloat," said Jerrold. "don't go ye
 want you to stay. These are my qua
 ters, and I recognize your right to con here in search of me, since was not reveille, but I want q witness here bear me out I'm too amazed yet, tC
 confounded by this intrusion of Captai Chester, to grasp the situation. new
 heard of such thing as this Explai it if you can"
 "Mr. Jerrold, what I have to ask
 say to you concerns you alone. It : not an official matter. It is as man man want to see you, alone and once. Now will you let Major Sloat T tire?''
 Silence for Q moment. The ang
 flush on Jerrold's face died away. al