The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-20

20 STAY here +" He laughed heartily, and
turning to his desk, blew into pneumatic
tube-it was before the days of electric bells
land called one Of the clerks
This is Mr. Burgess, Lieutenant Clegg,"
be said when the clerk appeared. " He will
Introduce you to Mr.. Brown, of our great
clothing firm After you have given your
orders. Mr.. Burgess will go with you TO In
dependence Hall, if you have time before
luncheon By the way, what time would
you prefer to lunch?
"A man who has had but one meal day
so7 six months has no preference" answered
rlegsie, provided there is no unnecessary
delay, that IS -
- see. / see" said the other loosely.
Your appetite IS like death-'all times and
seasons are its own Hum-bumph! Let
t be II sharp, then. And here, Mr.. Bur
-essH handing the clerk an envelope he had
neen directing as he talked. Give that to
Mr.. Brown He turned to his desk, and in
an instant his pen was gailoping over the
laser and he was absorbed in business.
The uniform was ordered, and at the hour
named Cieggie met his entertainer at the
restaurant, where they were served with a
luncheon in private room, which did not
need the contrast with prison fare TO make it
seem luxurious to the soldier, whose gusta-
tory experience had been of very moderate
character IL was the most elaborate spread
OF which he had ever partaken.
As a country boy and a graduate of fresh
water college, lac knew nothing Of the luxury
of cities. So he ate watchfully and slipped
his wine doubtfully, for he had no knowledge
Of lis potency and 10 thought Of sUrrendcring
To- lis power His host was noted FOR his
ability to put all men AZ their ease. He had
invited his friends TO meet Cleggie as a cu-i-
osity, an enjoyable rarity of the genus homo,
and could not tIinl, of allowing him 20 remain
silent Hardly was the meal well under
way when Geegie found himself telling again
the story Of his six months incarceration. TO
the evident enjoyment OF his au iitors.
When it was over he found that there was
conspiracy against his immediate depart
uTe Mr. Smith informed him that he was
compelled TO 90 tc Washington that night.
but be must insist on Cleggc being the guest
OF himself and his friends for a few DAYS
The others : 1eEuOusly seconded this proposal.
One insisted on his company at one enter
tainment and another at something else to
make the tine pass pleasantly
You are all very kind, said Cleggie.
very kind, but / don't see how can nc
sept"
See here, i" sud Smith; / didn't want
TO tell son, but We mean to get YOU detailed
for duty here al the fair, and ii we succeed
we Will send FOR tie little schoolmarm ia
come on for visit also. Mrs Smith is al
the seasho.e just now, bat have engaged 4
room for you at the Continental for "A week,
and these gentlemen will see that YOU are not
lonesome. ] viii guarantee that the sweet.
heart approves. IIUm-humph.'
Cleggic, IS 10 a fer hours before was PENN.
fess and iiiendlcss, soon iolnd himself in.
stalled in one Of the finest rooms of the IA
nous hostelry, and The object of The most
solicitous attention from men whose motive:
be was quite unable to iathoni. but who's,
words were 50 pleasant that lie could hardI,
keep back The tears As ne listened 10 them
Before lie was quite aware what lie was
doing he had accepted an invitation to max,
one OF n iheater-party that night, and TO
variety OF entertainments covering almost
whole week. One OF his new friends wen
with him 10 the hotel, saw him register, com
men0ed him 10 the care of the clerk then adj
yised him 10 take a nap and be ready for til,
theater at night.
When Cleggie went 10 his room he won
deTed whether il was the wine he lad druni
Or whether he were really in fairyland Ii,
wondered, too, what Amy Lane would sa,
TO his tarrying by the way. instead of has
tening TO her. Ii seemed curious that h
should 50 far surrender TO the influence o
This man, whom lie had first net . lev hour
before, as to allow him TO Ical her letter
aud commit 10 his care the journal OF his in