The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-09-26
TIE POISON OF Love.

In tho adJutant's office, In troubled
parley with the officer Of the day.
1t was high neon, midsummer, and
Arizona; and though the abode was as
cool as only an abode can be in fiery
weather, the major was hopping his
brow in great discomfort.
THAT'S it! that's it,! he calculated.
"Think Of sending a man off on the
very day before he is to be married.
It's a beastly unpleasant thing to have
to do. But I'm too old for a trip like
that; Gowan's on the sick list, Hender-
sons away, Thompson's wife may die
any minute. Trowbridgc won't be
back from Grant until early tomorrow
morning, and you're half dead precious
hospital we haveD and officer Of the
day besides. Then, moreover, How
lands about the only N who can han
die those things right and not make a
mess Of it. He's got to go, that's all!!!"
II might be able to manage the bust
ness; you let him take the sabre, and
I'll co." suggested Briggs.
"You look like it, don't you. Pretty
healthy specimen you'd be to send Oh
q ride like that"
1T wouldn't hurt me, and it might
do me good. l ask it as a favor,
major" .
"Well I won't. Howland's going"
He rang the bell for his orderly and
sent that nnduly erect individual to
find Lieut.. Rowland, give him the COM
manding officers compliments, n say
he would like to see him in the ad)u-
tant's Office Immediately. -.
When the orderly had gone on his
way saluting, Briggs tilted back IN MS
chair, with its burnt ornament OF q.
NJ. D., and fingered his sabre-knot, and
watched the flies circling with n faint
buzz in the centre of the room. The
commandment turned his attention to a
legal can document much UNDERSIGNED
and lined in red ink, and glanced un-
easily Mt the door. The official i'al'er
did not claim his attention Ions.
"He can start now and be back 10y
noon tomorrow"
EYES," said Briggs. The cam
II suppose he'll see the reason Tor
it,"
II suppose So" assented Briggs.
He's a sensible fellow"
Eyes, he's sensible" Briggs agreed.
The major felt that his junior officer
was not exactly encouraging. WHAT
the deuce would you have me do then"
he snapped.
"Let ME GO" =.
"You're as pig-leaded as a donKey!'
the major. You shan't 80,
I tell you"
"An right. but I'd rather not be
around when you send Rowland. that's
all. It's a rude Interpretation Of loves
young dream. You've my sympathy,
as you've got the talking to do. Here
he comes. Shall I help you out, or may
I go?" asked the brave soldier, rising
and looking longingly toward b door.
"Go, by all means, and leave me the
nasty job"
Briggs resumed his seat, his sabre
clanked and he knocked down an :rmy
register for 20. While he a pick
ing it up Rowland came in. lie was
the most promising officer in the legt-
ment, and was tall and strong and
homely. He had a square jaw and a
straight mouth, and the jaw poke
suuarcr and the mouth s%traignter just
now. He foresaw something nnpleAs-
ant when he caught sight Of Briggs
and the major. Briggs was small and
thin, the major was short and fat, and
both we're unusually impressed with
Howland's stature.
"E-e-eh," commenced the command
ing officer, and dog-eared the legal cap
document and Strengthened it out
ag0in. "Eh HOWland?'
"Well, sir?"
"Why-eh, I've got to ask you a
deuced unpleasant thing. Rowland"
II will try to answer it,, major"
"Not q question. not a 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 I shall be
most happy to do"
"See here. Everybody is sick or away
and I'm so old and fat, and Briggs is
lust out of a fever bed and hardly able
to stand, you Know, and some one has
got to go up to the agency and quiet
a fuss among the bucks about the beef
issue. Whoever goes has got to go
now and get there in q hurry. l sup
pose I might attempt it, I suppose I
might; but I'd make a mess of h bust
ness. I can't manage those bucks. I
lose my temper too fast-and then I'm
SO fat" said the major, sadly. Briggs
insists upon going, but you see he
shouldn't; I won't allow him to.
Don't you see how it is? There's only
you available"
Certainly, sir"
1--WE got to ask you to - it to pre-
vent q lot of trouble. l kE1NA you are
to be m s.rie4 tomorrow, and that's
the most disagreeable thing I cver had
to do, to send you away to-day. But
you see how it Isl" he reiterated.
"Of course, I see, sir; and Ill 60
not exactly with pleasure-but still I'll
go. I can get back by moon tomorrow,
and that'll give me time to shave and
Dress" he added, with a grim smile.
They discussed the matter ut some
length, and Rowland went to get on
his scouting clothes for the long, hot
ride through dust as drying and chok-
ing as flour, and to say good-by to Capt.
Trowbridge's youngest daughter.
Like the princess Of fairy lore, she
was as good as she was beautiful, and
had light hair and brown eyes and
dimples and clinging, feminine ways.
Howland was badly in love; had been
for several years, but many things had
happened to prevent his marriage. At
first he had had a mother and sister
to support on a second %lieutenant's
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