Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-04-24
THE POISON OF LOVE.
BY GwENDoLEN ovERToN.

The commanding officer was seat
ed in the adjutant's Office. in trou-
bled parley with the officer of the
day.
1t was high noon, midsummer and
Arisona; and though the abode was
as cool as only an abode can be in
fiery weather, the major was mop.
ping bis brow in entire discomfort.
''That's IL that's it" he ejacu!at-
ed. "Think Of sending man off on
the very eve Of his wedding the
very day before he is to be married.
It's beastly unpleasant thing to
have to do. But I'm too old for a
trip like that; Gowan's on the sick
list; Henderson's away Thomp-
sons wife may die any minute;
Trowbridge won't be back from
| Grant until tomorrow morning, and
you're half dead (precious hospital
we have !! and officer of the day be-
side. Then, moreover, Howland's
about the only one who can handle
those things right and not make
mets OF it. He's got to go, that's
all |"
Il might be able to manage the
business suppose you let him take
my saber, ard I'll CO." suggested
Briggs.
lyon look like it, now. don'tyou?'
Pretty healthy specimen you'd be to
send on ride like that"
1T wouldn't hurt me and it might
do me good. / ask it as a favor,
MAJOR
well, l won't grant it. How
lands going.''
He rang the bell for his orderly
and sent that unduly erect individ-
ual to find Lieut.. Rowland, give
him the commanding officers COM
pliments, end say he would like to
see him in the adju;ant's Gffice inn
medistrly
When the orderly had gone on his
way saluiing, Briggs tilted back in
his chair, with its burnt ornament
OF @. M. D and fingered his saher
knot, and watched he flies circling
with faint buzz in the center of the
| room.
The commandant turned his at
tention to a legal cap document
much uaderscored 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 to-.
morrow"
Eyes, said Briggs, che can"
II suppose he'll see the reason for
| it,"
"r suppose so,' assented Briggs.
He's sensible fellow
Eyes, he's sensible" Brigg agreed.
The major felt that his junior off,
Ger was not exactly encouraging.
"What the deuce would you have
me do then ~ be snapped.
"Let me CO."
| You're as pig.headed as a don.
key !" Numbered the major. "You
shan't go, | tell you.'
can right, but I'd rather not be
around when you send Rowland
that's all. It's a rude interruption
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 / go? ?" asked
the brave soldier, rising and looking
longingly towards the door.
"Go, go, by all means, and leave
me the nasty job"
Briggs resumed his seat, his ssber
elanked and he Knocked down an
Army Register of 10. While he
VS. picking it up, Rowland came in.
He was the most promising officer
in the regiment, and was tall, and
strong, end homely. he had a
square jaw and straight mouth,
and the jaw looked squarer and the
mouth straighter just now. He FORE
saw something unpleasant when he
caught sight of Briggs and the maj
or. Briggs was small and thin, the
major was short and fat, and both
were unusually impressed with How
lands stature.
En-h-h, commenced the COM
handing officer, and dog cared the
legal-eap document and Strengthened
it out again. "Eh, Howland,"
! aWell, sir ~
/ sWhy-eh. I've got to ask you
a duced unpleasant thing, How
land.n
| Il will try to answer it, major
Not a question, not a question.
It's something I've get to ask you
to do, and, BY Joye. I'd rather ke
shot,