The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-08-07

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champagne that he became utterly
unconscious of his acts and sur
roundings.
While he vas in that state a re
cruiting officer who was present in
duced him to enlist in the regular
army as a private, and he was as
signed to the company to which
Lieutenant Marks belonged.
When Stone recovered conscious
ness and realized what he had done,
he resolved never to drink another
dropof Intoxicating liquor. He was
angry and filled with modification.
Friends came to his relief and Of
fcred to purchase his discharge, but
he declined their kindness and de-
termined to serve.
Marks, who had been his constant
associate, of course cut his acquaint-
ance, and George was compelled to
mess and associate with the common
soldier. The common soldier is not
always an educated man. He is
sometimes rude, uncouth and gross
ly immoral. Stone was quiet, silent
and more like a convict than a
trooper. He gave strict attention to
orders and studied military tactics
as he had never studied any subject
in his life. He became the favorite
of all save his second lieutenant,
who lost no opportunity to humili-
ate him.
In due time the regiment was or
dered to the plains, and he was with
the squad sent to guard the stage.
It was the first time Lieutenant
| Marks had yer been under fire.
Nevertheless it was natural to sup
pose he would show some courage
on this occasion, for Mary Sommers,
the girl who had won his heart, was
in the stage.
1t was CALLING to poor George
Stone to meet the woman whom he
loved under such changed circum-
stances that he dared not speak to
her. He bore himself erect with a
proud, soldierly dignity, but was
silent. When the attack came, he
was first in the fight, and it was
then that the lieutenant, who had
shone as a society man, began to
show the white feather. He failed
to go to the front with his men and
kept as much out of range of bull
let's and arrows as possible.
1t was George, his stony silence
broken only by the exigency of the
moment, who suggested the grove
as the proper place to make the
stand. 1t was he who proposed that
the breastwork be thrown up from
the stones and sand. He even direct
ed the operation, for the command
ing officer was stupefed and duml
with fear.
When the re-enforcements of In
dians came and the fight was raging
hot, it was the private soldier who
by his manly, unselfsh courage
inspired his companions to maxi
battle against such overwhelming
odds. All the while the cowardly
lieutenant, with pale lips and trem
bling form, was crouched under tn
sstagecoach, not u~ttering a word-o
taking any part in the conflict.
Lieutenant Marks, said a sweet
musical voice at his side during
lull in the conflict, "why do you no
go to the front with your men?" *
II am i'll, Miss Somme1s. Indee'
, I am very i'll. l can hardly stan'
upon my feet" answered the lieu
tenant. And to prove that he wa
correct he lay at full length on tn
!, ground.
: "You we're not i'll two hours ago.
: mo, this has been very sudde,
and very unfortunate indeed. Ii
were we'll, I could drive off thos
, ~rascally Indians, but really am &c
> able to hold up my head" And j
. seemed as if he would burrow hi
= head in the sand. ,
Lieutenant Marks, you 7 a COW
ard!" cried the brave girl Indignant
> ly. you are a disgrace to the serJ
ice"
He began to lament in a pitiabl
q manner, and she turned away an
ran to the side of George Stone, VIII
stood boldly erect by the Imperfect
breastwork firing at the savagel
y who were pouring a storm of bullet
about him. Laying one little han
4 on his shoulder she said:
"Mr. Stone, it is not right thf
f you should endanger your life"
He turned his pale, stern face III
on her and spoke to her for the fr'
:, time since he had worn the uniforl
q of a soldier.
miss Sommers, this is no plae
for you"
y Nor is it any place for you" 81
answered.
81 am a soldier, and it is my dut
e to die"
g And l am one whom you are d,
IS Tending, and it is my duty to renal
+ at your side"
n Miss Sommers'- he began.
INV