Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-07-31
THE POISON OF LOVE.

The commanding officer was seated In
the adjutants Office in troubled parley
with the officer of the day.
1t was high noon, midsummer, and Ari-
iona, and, though the adobe was as cool as
only an adobe can be in fiery weather, the
major was mopping his brow in Entire dis
comfort.
CHATS 1T That's itr' he calculated.
"Think of sending a man off on the
very eve Of his wedding. The very day be-
fore he is to lc married. It's IL hcastly I'M
pleasant thing to have to do. Bat I'm too
old for a trip like that Gowan's on the
sick list Henderson $ away, Ihompson's
wife may die any winute, Trnwbridge
won't be back from Grant until early to-
morrow morning, and you're half dead
precious hospital We have-and officer of
the day besides Then, moreover. How
land $ about the only orc who can handle
those things right and Lot make "A mess of
It, He's got to go, that's all. -
II might he able to manage the bust
ness. Suppose you let him take my saber
and Ill CO. suggested Briggs.
"You look like it, now don't you?
Pretty healthy specimen you'd be to send
on ride like that"
lit wouldn't hurt me, and it might do
me good. | ask it as favor, major"
we'll, won [. ltOWliiu going Il6
rang the bell for his orderly and sent that
unduy erect individual to find Lieutenant
Rowland, give him the commanding off
GERS compliments and say he would like
to see him in the adjutant's office imme-
diately.
When the orderly had gone on his way
saluting, Briggs tilted back in his chair,
with its burnt ornament of @. NJ. d., and
fingered his Saber knot and watched the
flies circlng with faint buzz in the CEN
ter of the room. The commandment turned
his attention to a legal cap document much
UNDERSIGNED and lined in red ink and
glanced uneasily at the door The official
paper did not claim his attention long
"He can start now and be back by noon
tomorrow. ~
Eyes" said Briggs, che can"
II suppose he'll see the reason for 1t. "
81 suppose So asscntcd Briggs.
"Hes II sensible fellow"
ayes. 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'rc as pig headed as Il donkey"
thundcrcd the major You shan't go, 1
tell you"
GAN right but ia rather not be around
when you send Rowland, that all It's u
rude interruption of loves young dream
You've my sympathy, as you've got the
talking to dc. Here Inc comes Shall 1
help You out, or may l go?' asked the
bravo soldier rising and looking longingly
toward the door
go, 60 by all means and leave me the
nasty job"
Briggs resumed his seat his saber
clankcd, and he knocked down an army
register for 1870. While he was picking it
up Rowland came in. He was the most
promising officer in the regiment, and was
tall and strong and homcly. He had a
square jaw and "A straight mouth, and the
jaw looked squarcr and thcmouth straight
er just now. He forcsaw something UNI
pleasant when he caught sight of Briggs
and the major Briggs was small and
thin, the major was short and fat, and
both were unusually impressed with How
lands stature
"E-e-eh. " commenced the commanding
officer and dog cared the legal cap docu-
ment and struightcued itout again. "Eh,
Howland'
well, sI?'
"Why--ch, I've got TO ask you dcucod
unpleasant thing, Rowland. "
Il Will try to answer it, major. "
"Not question, not Il question. It's
something we got to ask you to do, and
by Joyc, d rather lie shot"
"Anything "an do for you l shall be
most happy to do. D."
"Sce here Everybody is scl; or away
and I'm 50 old and fat and Briggs is just
out of fever bed and hardly able to stand
you know, and some one has to 60 up tC
the agency and quiet IL fuss among the
bucks about the beef issue. Whoever goes
has got to so now and get there in hurry
l lose my temper too fHst-and then I'm
so fat said the major sadly. Briggs in
sists upon going, but you see he shouldn t
won't allow him to. Don't you see how
it Isl There's only you available"
Certainly, sir. "
1--WE got to ask you to do it to prevent
lot of trouble | know you are to b,
married tomorrow, and it's the most dis
agreeable dining | ever had to do to senC
you away today But you see how it is?'
he reiterated.
"Of course | see, sir, and I'll go-no
exactly with lcasure-but still Il go.
can get back by noon tomorrow-ant
thatl give me time to shave and dress
he added, with a grim smile.
They discussed the matter at SOM
length, and Rowland went To get on hi
scouting clothes for the long, hot rid
through dust as drying and choking II
-four and to say goodhy to Captain Irow
bridge youngest daughter
Like the princess of fairy lore, she wa
as good as she was beautiful, and had ligh
hair and brown eyes and dimples ant
clinging, feminine ways Rowland wa
badly in love-had been for several years
but many things had happened to proven
his marriage At first he had had IA mothe
and sister to support on IA second leuten
ants pay. Then the sister had marrie
and his mother had died, so his forum
was all his own. But at that time Dori
Trowbridge was engaged to marry anothe
man
When she found that she cared more 70
IL a -. L L. IL