The Advocate and news., 1898-12-14

ming to die out, when all Of a sudden II
was nOised abroad this evening that the
redoubtable Bralligan had been felled
by a single blow Of that Quaker 6st.
Brayton was fairly quivering with
excitement this night Of nights and
could not sleep. He longed to see his
captain and hear his version Of the
affair, but the door was tightly closed
instead Of being invitingly open, and
he dared not intrude. Not one word had
been said about the matter at the ma
jor's, but Brayton knew it would soon
be known even to the officer in COM
mand. SO long, however, as il was not
reported to him officially Frazier would
probably let the affair take its course.
Bralligan deserved the knockdown, and
doubtless would be glad enough to let
the matter end there. But, thought
Brayton, if he should demand satisfac-
tion and Barclay religious OF Conscien-
tious scruples were to prevent his So-
CeptanCe, "then comes my chance, " for
the youngster himself proposed to take
it up. He had no scruples. He had been
longing for q chance to kick that cad
Bralligan for over year, and after all
1t was Barclay that got it.
Eleven o'clock, and Barclays light
still burned. Eleven-thirty, and still,
reading or writing, the captain seemed
occupied in the old poker room, and the
door remained closed Once or twice
Brayton heard him moving about, and
in his own excitement and interest the
boy found it impossible to think Of any
thing else. Twelve o'clock came. He
was beginning to undress and prepare
for bed, still uneasily watching the
light shining through the crack Of the
door, when his straining ears caught
the sound Of q football underneath his
window. Ttopened on the yard, and the
sill was only FIVE feet or 20 above the
ground. A hand was uplifted without
and tapped gently on the sash, and as
BraytOn drew aside the curtain Harry
Winn's face was revealed IN the moon
light.
"Come to the porch in 'front.'" he
muttered low. 81 must speak with
you."
Brayton was out ON the dark piazza
in half minute. BE found Winn nerv-
ously pacing the boards.
"I told my wife had to come out
and think quietly awhile, "he said as
he extended hand to his silent class
mate. "She heard Of this--this damna.
BILE business almost as quick as it hap
pened. That girl Of ours hears every
thing and tells anything. There's no
doubt about it, suppose. You were
thereT You heard it at once, didn't your
What does--he say?" And Winn's nod
indicated that he meant Barclay.
Nothing" said Brayton briefly. 81
haven't seen him.
"But he's up. The lights in his
window. He's Writing--Or something.
Look here, Brayton, you know what's
got TO come Of this. That id Irish
man must challenge him or be cut and
kicked about by all his kind in the cav.
airy. IL isn't Barclays tight; it's mine.
The more / think Of it the more / know
that, contemplate a blackguard aS
Bralligan is, he is still an officer Of the
regiment. He has been knocked down,
and has the right to demand the only
satisfaction there is for a blow. You
know it as we'll as do. What I've got
to do right here and now is to take that
fight OFF Barclays hands, and you've
got to help me-"
"S'pose ne don't want it taken of
his hands, said Brayton sturdily. "Ht
told him plain enough he was ready t.
meet any demand"-
Winn Redeemed even in the pallid
moonlight. ~ say no man in this gar
risOn fights ON my wife g account except
me--or with me. They're up with Bral