The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-05
CHAPTER. X.

in the sleigh, hurried into the building in
search of her. 1t was a PROSTATE, sense
less form he found close to the inner door,
and only after a deal of trouble did she
revive. Greatly alarmed, Mrs. Farrar had
caused her to be driven straight home, and
there the doctor came, and Ellis and min
iStering angels without stint and ques-
TONERS without number, but meantime,
Leale, with wrathful face, had gone to his
troop quarters and summoned his first
sergeant. Graice had not been with the
men at dinner, was that worthy's prompt
report. He was at the post exchange eat
ing sandwiches and drinking beer at that
moment. and Leale sent for him.
Something had tended TO sober the man,
for he came into his captains presence
looking sullen, but self-possessed.
81 warned you after that affray with
Crow Knife said Leale chat you were
to keep out of temptation and mischief
until you were sober enough to understand
what 1 had to say to you. Where were
you between dinner call and u :3O?'
Walking off my heat, sir, as the cap
tain directed"
Leale stood closely scanning the swollen
face of the soldier. He was always grave
and deliberate in dealing with the malcon-
tents OF his command, rarely speaking in
anger and never in a tone indicative of
irritation. Under the captains calm,
steadfaSt scrutiny Graiee plainly WINGED.
His bloodshot eyes wandered restlessly
about and his fingers closed and Enclosed
nervOusly.
you have made but an Ill name for
yourself thus far, my man, said Leale,
land this days work has not added to
your credit. What started the trouble with
Crow kuife?n
He struck me- was the surly answer.
4ou have been drinking liquor to-day,
Graice, and it is said of you throughout
the whole troop that when drinking you
are ugly and lll-tempered. | have known
Crow knife long time, and never knew
him to be IN trouble before. You are the
first man of this command TO quarrel with
him. Let 1t be the last time. He bears a
good name; you have made bad one.
Another thing; you were working there at
the hall this morning under Corporal
Rorke. What became of you when the
other men left and went TO dinner?"
Twas thirsty-and went for a drink"
was the shlfty answer.
went where? You were not then at the
post exchange"
The soldier turned redder. if possible.
and hitched uneasily the bloodshot eyes
still wandering YEARLY about, as though
burned in the clear, stern gaze OF his cap.
tain. Il went for drink" he repeated,
land I'm not bound TO say where, and so
get some one else IN trouble. I'm not with
out friends here, even If | haven't them
among my officers, and I can be true to
those that are true TO me"
'Such talk is buncombe, Graice, said
Leale, coolly, land you know it. You will
do better to keep clear of friends who give
YOU lIQuOr. You are sober enough to ap-
preciate now what you hear and what you
say. Keep clear of it, warn you, or it
will be your undoing. Are you not for
guard?"
when needed, but | can take take no such
affront as that redskin slung in my teet h.
Enough on that scorel I'll hear your
story tomorrow when you've both cooled
down. Now. go to your quarters, and for
the rest of this day keep away from three
things-Crow Knife. liquor and-under-
stand me-the assembly hall"
The sullen eyes glowed with new anger.
The man had been drinking Just enough TO
be reckless. "Td like to know why I'm
not considered lit to work, at least" he
muttered.
"You are not fit to be seen by the eyes of
gently nurtured women, Graice Your
face is bloated, your eyes infamed. Your
whole carriage tells OF the havoc LIQUOR
sight OF you was shock to our guest, Mrs.
Farrar, and l suspect you could tell what
it was that so startled Mrs. Daunton."
Il don't know any such" began the
soldier in the same surly tone, but Leale
uplifted his hand.
The less you say when you've been
drinking, my man, the less you're likely to
fall into further trouble. You go no more
to the assembly room to-day, because 1
forbid. Do Won understand pa
I've got rights to go there-ay, or,
where my Detters cannot GO burst in
Graice in sudden fury, but the instant his
eyes met those of his captain the words
died on his lips, and the red lids dropped.
You have said more than enough. sir"
sternly answered Leale. Then, turning
sharply to little knot OF non-commis-
stoned officers, who, at the barrack steps,
were curiously watching the scene, he
called, Sergeant Roei' and young SOL
der in natty uniform came springing for
ward, and, hating close at hand, stood at
the salute.
Il leave this man in your charge. He is
for guard, l believe. Set him to work at
his kit and see that he is in proper trim
IN every way-for tomorrow
HE may be needed to-day, sir. He's
supernumerary.
Indeed! Worse than I thought.
Graice, said Leale, calmly. "You will be
WISE 70 take i COOL DdLO ana nap then.
AT all events, see that he does not leave the
barracks this afternoon, sergeant"
Il Will, sir. Come on, Graice."
And conscious that he had been indeed
playing with fire, yet raging over the sense
OF his enforced submission, the half
drunken fellow turned and followed his
young superior.
Meantime there had been anxiety and
dismay at the Farrars'. Helen had speed
lily peen restored to consciousness, only to
be overcome by a tit of hysterical weeping,
succeeded by a nervous attack that defied
the efforts of her fondest friends. Mrs.
Farrar had. of course, sent for the doctor.
but Helen insisted that his presence was
utterly unnecessary. She begged to be left
alone. She declared the attack to be no new
ailing. She had suffered just in the same
way before, though not for two or three
years. She seemed eager to rid herself of
all attendance. In truth, her one longing
was TO be allowed to think uninterruptedly
Even at night this might have been
difficult. By day, with sympathetic in
quirers coming every few minutes to the
door, and with her gentle friend sitting
at her bedside. she found it impos-
sible. If she closed her eyes that leer-
ing, half-drunken, swollen. triumphant
face came to torment and distract her.
II she opened them ii was only to find
sweet, anxious features bending over her,