West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-02-10
CHAPTER TX.

brown woilscd to his quarters with n
light heart. With the one exception
Of Alice Sanford this had been his first
convcrsot tion with n woman since his
enlistment. and to him Il seemed as n
slight raising OF the veil To afford him
n glimpse of the social life which would
again be his when his term of service
should have expired. The food of sun
shine his acqunintanoc with Aiico had
cast into his distastefui soldier life was
multiplied and intensified by the atten-
tions shown him by MIRA Colby, and IL
all came to him rs the frst riff In the
cloud of servitude which must one dny
melt into tho horizon and disappear
from the sky of his iifc. The iady's
kind parting words: II hopc to meet
you often. Mr.. Brown" were yet ring
Ing In his enrs when the first sergeant
of his troop grnspcd his hand and
warmly welcomed him back To- duty.
But an hour after brown left the
Colby quarters Alice Sanford entered,
and was met by Mira Colby with
radiant face.
II have met your hero my dear
girl" she said. ''I not only met him,
but had n long conversation with him
In this very room"
20, did you, Mrs. Colby? And may 7
ask what you think of him?"
HE Is very fine appearing young
man, and looks to be model soldier"
she quietly answered
20, bother the soldicrl Leaving Pri-
vate Brown clear out of the question,
how did Mr.. Edward Thornton Impress
You? Isn't he niccP"
"f will toll Won n,,, dao. ..,,l.i..
what ! think of him. He came here TO
report to Capt. Colby for duty, and I
asked him In To give me an artists
view of my Bicrdstadt picture which
you so much admire. From tho dis
cussion of art led him into other fields,
and | was really astonished at the wide
range OF his information. Putting Pri-
vatc Brown out Of the question, as you
suggested, dear. found MIR. Thornton
perfect gentleman, courteous and
polished In demeanor, highly educated,
a fascinating convcrsntionnlist. a
brainy man of refined tastes---ln short,
were he 20 be to-day raised TO his
proper sphere In life know of nothing
that should prevent me from welcom-
Ing him to my homo and presenting
him to my friends as gentleman we'll
worthy their acquaintance and esteem"
30. thank you, Mrs. Colby. nm so
glad you met and like him. for your
friendship will greatly tighten the load
the poor boy has 10 boar And you
think he Is entirely worthy of my
fricndship?"
mfr. Thornton would be, yes. But,
Alice. dear, indeed you must not allow
your Sympathics for him 20 blind your
eyes TO his rank In our military world.
You should look upon Private Brown as
Private Brown, and not what Private
Brown should DO or might bc."
"Oh, hate that barrier Of ranle:"
cried Alice. imPulsively. "Airs- Colby,
We are rs God made us, and rank or
dress cannot change our natures. Ts
not MIR. Thornton as much IN honor
able man In the garb Of a private sol
der rs no would be In the elegant dress
OF n society gcntleman7 Is not his soul
as pure while serving as soldier rs 10
would be had he never strayed from
the path Of life In which he belonQs7
Have his refined instincts and noble
traits Of character bcen stuntod OF do
stroyed by his enlistment2"
my dear child, thero are rules of
hiibohy cbiVuCbDo anu ulsclpnnc Wnlcn
we, as members of the military world,
should sacredly regard. In military
society, rs In military discipline, tho
lines must be sharply drawn. The men
OF tho ranks must be taught 70 feel
that the plano they occupy Is beneath
the level of those In official life, eiso
there would be no respect for authori-
~ and military rules would be- but
dead letters. While Edwnrd Thornton
chooses TO ill the shoes of Private
Richard Brown he must have no as
pirations above the sphere of the pri-
vate soldier and must not endeavor to
step over the line Of social distinction.
When his term Of service shall have
expired and he again takes his place In
the ranks OF civil iife-well, that may
be a different matter. my dear"
Then. as You reason, Mrs. Colby,
when a jewel falls from its actting into
thc mud no ono must stoop 90 pick it
mp. yet that same jewel IN It's proper
surroundings would assume its full
value Ia anyonc's eyes. In other vOpis.
while Private Brown mcy be an honor