The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-23

aCVlOn, CneSuer quickly followed ana
in less than a minute was standing in
the selfsamo parlor which, by the light
of flickering match, he had searched
two hours before Here he halted and
listened. while Sloat pushed on into the
bedroom and was heard vehemently
apostrophizing some sleeper:
docs the government pay you fer
this sort Of thing, l want to know? Get
up, Jerrold. This is the second time
you've cut reveille in ten days. Get
up, l say" And the major was vigor-
ously shaking at something, for the bed
creaked and groaned.
"Wake up, l sayl I'm blowed if I'm
going to get up here day after day and
have you sleeping. Wake, Nicodemus! /!
Wake, you snoozing, snoring, open
mouthed masher. Come now; | mean
it..
A drowsy, disgusted yawn and stretch
finally rewarded his efforts. NJ. Jer-
rold at last opened his eyes, rolled over,
yawned suliily again and tried to evade
his prosecutor, but to no purpose Like
little terrier, Sloat hung onto him
and worried and shook,
"Oh, don't, d-n it, DON'T" growled
the victim, "What do you want any
way? Has that internal reveille gomez"
eyes, and you're absent again, and
no report from B company. BY the holy
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! l mean it. Hall says
you and he have an engagement III
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 q man who could laugh
like that and remember! When, how,
had he returned to the house? Listen!
"Confound you, Sloat! l wouldn't
rout you out in this shabby way. Why
couldn't you let n 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, begadl You took
Miss Renwick home before twas orsr
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
IL. You old cackler, that's what sticks
in your crop yet. You are 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
shot:
81 bet you you never couldw
But didn't tell you 1 had week
ago?"
aye, but l didn't believe it. You
couldn't show itr'
''Pshaw, man! Look here. Stop,
though. Remember, on your honor, you
never tell. :"
'On my honor, Of course"
"Well, thercp'
A drawer was opened. Chester heard
a gulp of dismay, Of genuine astonish-
ment and conviction mixed, as Sloat
mutterod some half articulate words
and then came into the front room.
JeTold followed, caught sight of Chester
and stopped short, with sudden and
angry change of color
81 did not know you were here" he
said.
''It was to find where you were that
/ came, " was the quiet answer.
There was moments silence. Sloat
turned and looked at the two men in
utter surprise Up to this time he had
considered JeTrold's absence from re-
veille as mere dercliction of duty
which YVES ascribable to the laziness
and indifference of the young officer.
So far as lay in his power, he meant to
make him attend more strictly to bust
ness and had therefore como to his quar-
ters and stirred him up. But there was
no thought Of any serious trouble in his
mind. HisItalk had all been roughly
good humorod ultil-until that bet was
mentioned, and then it became earnest.
Now, as he glanced from ono man to
the other, he saw in an instant that
something new-something of unusual
gravity--was impending Chester, but
toned TO the throat in his dark uniform,
accurately gloved and belted, with pale,
set, almost haggard face, was standing
by tho center table under the droplight.
Jerrdld, only half dressed, his feet
thrust into slippers, his fingers nervous
ly working at the studs of his dainty
white shirt, had stopped short at his
bedroom door, and with features that
grew paler every second and q dark
scowl on his brow was glowering at
Chester.
''Since when has it been the duty of
the officer Of the day to come around
and hunt up officers who don't happen
to be out at reveille?" he asked.
1T is not your absence from roveille
l want explained, Mr.. Jerrold," was
the cold and deliberative answer 81
wanted you at $3.50 this morning, and
you were not and had not been here"
An unmistakable start and shock; q
quick, nervous, hunted glance around the
room so cold and pallid in the early
light of the August morning; a clutch
of Jerrold's slim, brown hand at the
barred throat But he rallied galnely,
strobe step forward and looked his
superior full in the face. Sloat marked
the effort with which no cleared away
tba huckinoqa that coon,ad to oloo, hi q