The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-08-12
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The young sergeant came to his moth
er's little breakfast table in poor hui
NOR.
Mother, can you give me something
to eat?' he cried. "They'v detailed a
new cook, and he can't either bake
beans or make coffee The mess break
fast was ruined. This is something like.
Nobody, alive or dead, ever made hash
like you, mother, and this is coffee, not
bootleg. Say, mother, you're pale.
What have you been doing to YOURSELF"
ssI?" she answered, and the soft,
sweet pink spread on her check I'm
all right, Martin. Are you off duty to-
day."
He shook his head
''No such luck-guard, - he answer
ed, and bent hungrily over his plate.
Mother Revell paled again and trem-
bled.
tGuard!'' she said at last. "Why,
Martin, you were ON the night before
last
"Can't help it. Schiedermanns gone
sick, Foley's acting sergeant major,
McMillan's on detached service mend
ing telegraph wires, Fairleigh's provost
sergeant and SO on. There's only Bob
Otis and 1 for duty-one night in. %
its a shameP' she cried. jumping
up in a passion of fear. "You can't!
You must not!'
"Why, mother?"
"You-I'll go and speak to the
majorp'
"What on earth-mother, you know
such things often happen. It's all in
the five years. Don't get excited.
"You-you'll be i'll. I" She began to
cry. "It'll tire you out -
Mother, " he said, stepping to her side
and petting her, "you are i'll. Why, you,
Of all people, know one night in is no
hardship. 1t won't last Look herel Pm
going to ask the hospital steward to
send you down tonic, and don't you
move from your stove today. I'll run
up and see you at dinner time. Now,
must hurry and clean my belts bit.
He left her shaking silently, but turn
ed at the open door.
That hangdog road agent is to be
sent to the railway tomorrow. The sher-
if will take charge of him there
Mother Revell huddled up in her
chair as the door closed behind her and
became nervous bundle of anxious
fears.
"Tonight!' she muttered. "He must
escape tonight, and Martin on guard If
he should fail, if the guard shoots him
"a son shoot his father down! Oh, oh!
And if he succeeds Martin will be tried
for allowing the escape, for neglect of
duty, and be reduced. 1t will ruin his
chance of promotion. Oh oh''
She sat, stunned, until the bugles on
the parade ground announced guard
mount She stole to the window and
watched. Crash went the band. All the
familiar, stirring nianeuyers We're per-
formed il the bright Winter sun. The
band ceased, the adjutant and sergeant
major saluted, the sh1lil bugles ad-
vanced, and the new guard marched on
to the guardrcom, the tall and bright
eyed young sergeant III command. She
could hear his clear voice even when he
was out OF sight ut the distant guard
house: New guard! Present arms!"
in white stable dress, trotting at double
time through the frosty air Of the fail
ing day-supper call-rotreat and the
sunset gun. Martin ran in to see her and
found her SO white he resolved to bring
the post surgeon i'll the morning. Dark
ness, but she lit no lamp, and at last
came tattoo and taps to usher in awindy
night, with white clouds swiftly cross
ing the half moon. .Ni9ht-the final
click of the billiard balls in the club,
the final song at Captain Vests even
ing party, The frst sileat round of the
officer OF the day. Tho sentry at the
guardhouse Lifted up his voice, ''No. /,
10 o'clock!'' and from the corral, from
the cavalry stables, from uhe haystacks
and from tho distant sa@uill came the
swift replies Of lonely sentinels,
Twelve o'clock, and all's well!''
Mother Revell rose up, unable to wait
longer, to bear suspense. She stole from,
the house. Well she knew the old post
and how to hide in the shadows and