The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-16

boot tracks in the snow and an un
fastened blind, but no other sign of d
man. Mrs Farrar was kept III total il.
norance Of the affair. and only Leale
and Will at first were taken into the Sc
cret, though the captain at once went
/ To consult his trusty noncommissioned
officers. All the same, though Helen
laughed at her weakness when morning
came. she and Ellis, parting for the
night with but few words and each feel
ing conscious of the gulf between them,
passed restless and disquieting night
Just what mischief that fellow Graice
was meditating puzzled not little the
honest pate of Terry Rorke For time
the man worked busily, silently, lug.
ging bundles of greens into the hall and
bare, stripped branches out. Once or
twice, an answer to chatting remarks of
the other men. he had retaliated Once
again, colliding with Grow Knife at the
door, he had muttered an angry curse
| and babe the redskin keep out of his
way unless he coveted trouble. The In
dams eyes flashed vengefully, but he
spoke no word.
1t was just after guard mounting that
Graice had offered his services, when,
as supernumerary, he really did not
have to work at all and was not proper
ly detailable for any such fatigue duty.
By 10 O'Clock, however, it was apparent
to more than one present that he was
drinking more liquor and had it con.
cealed probably somewhere about the
premises or in his overcoat. Rorke
warned him and got sullen reply. Not
a minute after, although strict orders
had been given against smoking, be-
cause of the fiimsy nature of the struc-
ture and the large quantity of inham-
mable material scattered about, he pre-
cipltated an excitement. Right in the
entrance of the hall u big square box
had just been placed by two Of the men,
and Crow Knife was carefully removing
the lid, when Graice, lurching in from
the dressing room with bundle of
green's, stumbled against the edge of
the case, and, dropping his burden with
a savage curse, he drew back his heav-
lily booted foot as though to let drive a
furious kick.
Instantly the Indian interposed.
Don't kickP' he said. Hold your
hoof there!" shouted Rorke, and others
Of the men joined in their cry of warn
ing. Wonderingly he looked about him
on the quickly gathered group, swaying
bit unsteadily even now
"Why not?" he scowlingly, sullenly.
thickly asked. "What harms there
kicking a rattlehox that's almost broken
my shin? What's the matter with you
fellows, anyhow
1T isn't the box, ye goneril, it's
what's inside of it'll That's Colonel Far
rar's picture! Gods praise to him for
the finest soldier that liver rode at the
head of the Twelfth. -
That Colonel Farrar's picture?'
muttered the man in a strange, hall
awed, half defiant manner. "Well,
swear, thats-that'sq queer. And then,
in some odd, nervous abstraction. he
whipped out cigar, and the next thing
they knew, had lighted it at the stove
and tossed the flaming paper among the |
sweepings on the floor. Instantly there
was rush, a trampling of feet and Just
stupefied man Lieutenant Farrar burst
In upon the scene, stamping out the few
remaining sparks, and then turning an
grily upon the group
Who dropped that fire? Who, |
say?" he repeated, for, in soldier ST.
lence, the men had stood at attention,
but, true to soldier ethics, would tell no
tales. Don't let that happen again,
corporal" he went on sternly. "You
know well enough what a fire would
mean hereabouts, with the cannon pow
der stored in the tower yonder Remem-
Der the orders-the guardhouse for the |
first man fooling with fire. Go on with |
your work" And then, as the men
turned silently away and Terry stood |
there, looking abashed and trou bled at |
the implied rebuke, Will sought TO |
soften the effect. "Why, you're doing |
great work here, corporal. The old place
Is wearing Christmas dress and no mis-
take"
1t is, Masther WILL" said Rorke de.
lightedly.
"Masther Will" repeated Farrar in
dignantly. ION my soul, Rorke, YOU
Il beg the lieutenant's pardon, said
Terry, all contrition and soldierly re.
spect but I've known him such
few weeks as lieutenant and so many
and many long year as Masther
WHIP
"That'll do corporal. Have the pic
ture in its place as soon as you can.
Mother will be over here to look at it"
Eyes, Mas-yes, sorr.'
And again, as Will turned angrily TO
rebuke the poor fellow, there was a
gathering Of the men at the window
looking out upon the parade. and some
hing was said about lady slipping on
he ice. which carried Will away like
shot. Two strides took him to the
ioor, and one glance sent him rushing
% the rescue. 1t was Miss Ormsby.
And then, while some of the men
vent ON with their work, others seem
ID to hang about Graice, who was odd
y fascinated by the tex and cast fur
I've glances at it, while Grow IA,