Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-26

JACK Ormsby eoes, anC I'm ordered
absolutely ortlered-to stay here. as If
| were some-some baby in arms. unfit
to do duty with my fellows. I'll never
forgive Fenton as long as live. -
And I'll never forget it. " murmured
| the mother as she gently checked Kitty,
| once more about to burst into impetuous
speech I'm sure Colonel Fenton had
grave and coed reasons for keeping you
| here mv sou, and if so tried and brave
a soldier as Captain Leale can remain
without reproach surely you can
There's just the difference. an
swercd Will miserably ''Leale has
been under fire and on trying duty time
and again. His reputation was assured
long years ago. I'm treated as boy by
by everybody III this garrison, high
or low, and forbidden a chance to do a
thing. Il you folks want to see that
command OFF, the sooner you get out TO
the bluff the better"
But you are going to take us, Willy"
said his sister alphabetically. Kitty
and I, at least wish TO see the regiment.
Do you care to go, mother. DEAR" she
asked anXiously, ana then crossing
over to her mothers side bent down
and kissed her. bat the question was no
sooner asked than she would gladly
have recalled it-"or will you come
home now with me:" she hastened to
say.
IN take mother home" said Will.
Go Oh if you want to see them start.
/ don't. That's more than could pos
sibly stand. The chaplain will take you
gladly enough"
And SO at last did Miss Ormsby begin
to realize that even in the eyes of the
man she had c.p;ivated she was for the
time being of 10 account.
1t was one OF Fcnton's fads to have
out the band when the regiment or any
considerable detachment Of it marched
away, and now, even at night, he did
not depart from his practice. The chap
lain had opened the door TO note the
progress of the preparations across the
parade. Orderlies with the horses of the
officers were trottirs past. The noncom-
missioncd staff We're already mounting
at the adjutant's office, and over at the
band barracks the gray chargers, the
music stools Of the musicians, were be-
ing led into the line.
A mounted band was something that
: Kitty had never seen. and curiosity and
coquetry comb ined led her to lend her
ear to the chaplain $ suggestion that she
: should come out and see the column
ride away and wave a gOcdby to her
J admirers among the subalterns. If Will
l ct cd in, hi
} sense i'll staying there, and perhaps the
quickest way to bring him to terms was
to manifest interest i'll his fellows So,
, leaving him to the ministrations CT his
mother, she danced away to the front
door, Ellis promptly following The
, night was still and beautiful, softly
haZy and not very cold, and the scene
: across the snow covered parade was full
of life and animation. Lights were
, dancing to and fro among the company
quarters. Two of the designated troops
, had already marched mp from the
, stables, formed line III front of their
barracks and, disnounting, We're await
l ing the sounding of sdjutant's call and
the formation of the squadron. Officers
were mounting every moment along the
row and trotting out to join their com.
mands, and presently, from the colo
{ nel's big house on the edge of the bluff,
: came three horsemen clad i'll heavy win.
3 ter field garb, and even in the dim high,
r there was no difficulty i'll recognizing
Fenton's soldierly form. These were
Joined by the adjutant as they rode Gu,
2 upon the parade, and then one of tho
group came jogging over toward the
chaplain, followed by an attendant or
. delly. 1t was Jack Ormsby, and Kitty
l futtered down to the gate to meet him
e lyon and Aunt Lucretia will have tt
keep house by yourselves tonight, little
8 sister, said he laughingly as he ben
| to kiss her goodby. Corporal RorkC
9 is to sleep at the house, SO that you will
$ not lack for guards Where's WHIP
1 Hes with his mother in the parlol
d and just too miserable for anything.
? said Kitty. who, ROW that she could Sc,
e for herself the preparation for march
u began to feel far more sympathy for hel
= lover. II not actually to wish tina. sh,
e were q man and could go too. Ellis
q quick to notice Ormsby' s coming, hat
r slipped back within the hall and par
TALLY closed the door. CHANGING owe
{ her shoulder, she could see that he
e mother had left her reclining chair an,
y was bending fondly over Will, smooth
e ing his tumbled hair and striving I,
e soothe and comfort him, but it was evi
e dent that Will was soreiy hurt, for N
:, turned away i'll irrepressible chagrir
d and distress and covered his face will
y his haisds. Helen Daunton, forgetfu
s for tie moment of her own bitter trou
t BILE, had sought to aid her friend in con
solii:g the boy, but it was her first expe
rience III such case. She had neve
realized what it meant to "a proud anc
ambitious young soldier TO be held il
garrison when his comrades were bein,
sent to the field, and, finding present.,
that she could be of little aid, she drew
away toward the window to ioin tn,
chaplain and his wife, who were gag
ing out upon the parade, when the Stir
ring notes of adjutant's call came trill
ing through the hazy moonlight, and
with groan that seemed TO rise from