Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-01
CHE STORY Tsller.
THb POISONED ARROW.
An Episode Of Army Life In
Arizona.
BY GWENDOLEN OVERTON.

xA 1AOACes
BY GwENDoLEN ovERToN.
The commanding officer was seated
in the adjutant's Office, in troubled
parley with the officer of the day.
1t was high noon, midsummer, and
Arizona; and though the adobe was
as cool as only an adobe can be in fiery
weather, the major was mopping his
brow in entire discomfort.
"That;s it that's itw he calculated
"Think of sending a man off on the
very eve of his wedding; the very
day before he is to be married. 1t is 8
beastly unpleasant thing to do. But
I'm too old for a trip like that !; Cow
ans on the sick list, Henderson's away
Thompson's wife may die any minute
Trowbridge won't be back from Grant
until early tomorrow morning, and
you're half dead (precious hospital We
have y and you officer of the day be-
sides. Then, moreover, Howland'E
about the only one who can handle
those things right and not make a mess
of it. He's got to 60, that's ALL"
~ might be able to manage the bust
ness suppose you let him take my
sabre, and I'll CO." suggested Briggs.
"You look like it, now don't you
Pretty healthy specimen you'd be tc
send on a ride like that"
"It wouldn't hurt me, and might dc
me good. I ask it as favor, major
swell, I won't. Howland's going.'
He rang the bell for his orderly.
and sent that unduly erect individual
to find Lieutenant Rowland, give him
the commanding officers compliments
and say he would like to see him in
the adjutant's Office Immediately.
When the orderly had gone on his
way saluting, Briggs tilted back in bis
chair, with its burnt ornament of @
M. D., and fingered his sabre-knot
and watched the flies circling with 9
faint buzz in the centre of the room
The commandant turned his attention
to a legalcap document much under.
scored and lined in red ink, and
glanced uneasily at the door. The
official paper did not claim his atten'
ton long. "He can start now and be
back by noon tomorrow"
eyes," said Briggs, che can."
II Isuppose he'll see the reason for it. y
~ suppose so," assented Briggs.
"He's a sensible fellow"
"Yes, he's sensible" Briggs agreed.
The major felt that his junior officer
was not exactly encouraging. "What
the duce would you have me do, then G'
he snapped.
"Let me Co."
"You're as pig-headed as donkey"
thundered the major. "You sha'n't
90, I tell you"
Gall right, but I'd rather not be
around when you send Rowland, that's
all. It's rude interruption of loves
young dream. You've my sympathy,
as you've got the talking to do. Here
he comes. Shall 1 help you out, or
may I go?" asked the brave soldier,
rising and looking longingly toward the
door.
$50, 60 by all means, and leave me
the nasty job"
Briggs resumed his seat, his sabre
clanked, and he knocked down an
Army Register for 10. While he was
picking it up, Rowland came in. He
was the most promising officer in the
regiment, and was tall, and strong,
and homely. He had a square jaw
and straight mouth, and the jaw
looked squarer and the mouth straight.
er just now. He foresaw something
unpleasant when he caught sight OF
Briggs and the major. Briggs was
small and thin, the major was short
and fat, and both were unusually i'm
pressed with Howland's stature.
"E-e-eh," commenced the command
ing officer, and dog-eared the legal
cap document, and Strengthened it out
again. "Eh, Howland!"
"Well, sir ?"
"Why-eh, I've got to ask you a
deused unpleasant thing, Howland."
II will try to answer it, major"
"Not a question, not question.
It's something I've got to ask you to
do; and, by Jove, I'd rather be shot" !"
"Anything I can do for you, 1 shall
be most happy to do"
"See here. Everybody is sick or
away, and I'm so old and fat, and
Briggs is just out of fever bed and
hardly able to stand, you know, and
some one has got to 60 up to the
agency and quiet a fuss among the
bucks about the beef issue. Whoever
goes has got to 90 now and get there
in hurry. 1 suppose I might at.
tempt it, I suppose 1 might; but I'D
make mess of the business. l can't
manage those bucks. lose my tenn
per too fast-and then I'm so fat"
said the major, sadly. briggs insists
upon going, but you see he shouldn't
1 won't allow him to. Don't you see
how it is? There's only you availa'
ble."
"Certainly, SIR"
"I've got to ask you to do it to pre-
vent a lot of trouble. I know you
are to be married tomorrow, and its
l. II