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

weliEwellma,s Hard Cation over there'
Jack Stickles turned to Lieut.. Cation
as he spoke, and was about to follow his
words with another jocular remark,
when he was was surprised to ,tS see Cations
The latter's devilish nature showed
itself the next instant in manner that
was least expected.
Stickles?" Cation roared, angrily. by
the eternal God. II you do, you'll have
to answer to me, do you hearT'
This of auayTshl WhoSf or the 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. AZ
unexpected outburst. AS for Sergt.
Sticklcs, he had been rendered speech
less with surprise.
conception OF the situation Had he in,
suited Cation? No! Had he intended
to insult him? OF course he had not!
The fiery spirit of the impetuous young
soldier arose to the occasion. 1t had
been better If his next hot words had
been well weighed before spoken.
cheek and the light Of righteous in
dignation burning in his flashing eyes
Sergt. Jack turned on the Lieutenant.
son5e sSonndrel he sad
to you! It is you who must answer to
me; or III thrash your carcass without
A round table stood between the two
officers, but that mattered not. The
fiendish temperament of Cation under
the excitement of the moment would
advised. Muttering curse, he rushed
at Stickles and struck him full in the
face.
Col. Stroke who. up to this time, had
been overcome with astonishment at the
proceedings, now sprang between the
two men and struck Cation a savage
blow upon his arm as he was In the act
to cut down Stickles, who was unarmed.
The spirit Of fiend incarnate seemed
to have taken possession OF Cation. In
that he, was in the presence OF his supe-
rior officers. There was murder unmis-
takably written In his impassioned WIS.,
age and in the ugly flashing OF his eyes.
Stroke as II to strike him. but Capt.
Haines thrust himself In front OF the in
furiated man. There was a momentsry
ton heavily against the table. The next
instant the tent was in darkness. The
lighted candle had been overturned and
Capt. Haines's first thought was for the
safety OF his Colonel. In his rage he did
not know what Lieut.. Cation might do
He heard sounds OF struggle and sup
pressed brea athing at his right and rushed
bindy In that direction.
The three men were alone in the tent
! for in the excitement the others had
hurrierd out In search Of a light. Jack
| Stiekles had been unable. after cropping
| about. to find the one which had been
| overturned in the scuffle.
Capt. Haines reached the struggling
men and Joined In the fray in order to
| save the one from doing Rrievous in
| jury to the other He caught one of the
| men, whom he supposed TO be Lieut..
| Cation. about the throat with both
hands and closed upon 1t with mighty
Loose your hold on Col. strokew he
cried hoarsely. "or I'll throttle you to
But there was no response from Cat
| ton, and still the struggle between the
| three officers continued. II was only a
| moment, yet II seemed like an eternity
| TO Donald Haines that he battlod with
| the man in his grasp. and then Z sud
| denly grew dark around him. IN the
| terrific struggle he had struck his head
| against the corner of the overtu. led
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.
| Sergt. Stickles and the other oficers
Donald Haines regained consciousness.