The Advocate and news., 1898-12-14

don my suggesting that lady sleeps in
the front room aloft there and that you
speak low, so as not to disturb her.
Where is your messageY'
This was trying. Mullane loved his
chest tones as he did his whisky. His
low voice was apt to be thick and husky
and unimpressive, and tonight he was
overweighted with the sense Of the gray
ity and Importance Of his mission if
with nothing else.
"Sorr, " he said, with another flourish
Of the cap lin accordance with the
practice Of gintlemen in the old arrumy,
am the beerer Of a verbal missige"--
The Quaker captain had already
amazed the old dragoon sergeaDts by the
intricacy and extent of his knowledge
Of their manners and customs Now
came a surprise for the officers.
"Pardon my interrupting," he said.
II do not assume to instruct in such
matters, but there is manifestly only
one kind of message according to the
customs Of the old army "--and here
he smiled quietly-"that should come
from Mr.. Bralligan now, and it must
come in writing. / decline to recognize
any other" Here Brayton nudged Winn
approvingly, but the subalterns main
tained decorous silence.
"I've niver hurr'd Of a challenge be-
in refused on that account, " said Null
lane majestically, ian if me wurreds
are not sufficient here's me fri'nd Mr.
Hodge,
"Your words are not brought into
question, Captain Mullane, but the
manner Of your message is. Let your
friend put it in writing, and it will be
received. Good night to you, sir.
And, to Mullane's utter amaze and
confusion, quickly followed by an ex-
plosion Of wrath, Captain Barclay coolly
turned and walked within doors.
"Hould on dthereP' cried Mullane,
as he started to spring up the steps, but
Brayton stepped in front Of him, and
Hodge nervously grabbed his arm.
Neither knew much of the "code" Of
the old days, but each had learned that
Barclay rarely made a mistake. Winn,
too, tall and strong, stepped in front Of
the angry Irishman as he broke out in
to expletives. "No more of that here,
captain, he cried, forgetful Of any con.
sideration Of rank. "This noise will
wake the post Rest assured your prin-
Oipal will get all the fight he wants."
and then, with growing wrath, for
Mullane was struggling to come to the
steps, $50 will you, by God, il you ad,
vance another foot"
"Winn--Winn, for heavens sake, ]
sayP cried Brayton, seizing the up
lifted arm. $50 home, Mullane. D-n
it, you're in no shape to handle such a
matter tonight. Go home, or l swear
I'll call the officer Of the day. He's
coming now," he exclaimed, and il
was true, for the sound Of excited
voices had reached the adjoining quar-
ters, and out from the doorway, sashed
and belted, came the massive form of
Captain Blythe, his saber clanking on
the door sill. Out, too, from Winn's
hallway shot broad beam Of light,
and Fastening along the porch came
tall, graceful form in some clinging
rose tinted wrapper, all beribboned and
fluffy and feminine The men fell
away, and Mnllane drew back as Mrs
Winn scurried to her husbands side
and laid her white hand ON his arm
Forth again ON the other side Of Winn
came Barclay, and his deep tones broke
the sudden silence.
Captain Mullane, leave this spot In
stantly," he ordered, stern and low
"I'll answer to you in the morning"
Come out Of this, Mullane," de-
manded Blythe, striding in at the gate.
Delay one second and TIL order you
under arrest. 4"
Up slowly went Mullane's cap with
tho V,no Llo GET.. -