The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-06-24

jig is mp
Captain Ray. stretched at ease upon
a costly Navajo blanket Of which he
was Unfortunately proud, reached out
with his moocasned foot and indented
the canvas reinforcement Of his COM
rade's field riding breeches. Quit 1t,
Blake, " he muttered.
But the major needed no man to pro-
tect his interests. He might not know
French. but he knew Blake aud liked
Extraordinarily
II more than half thought you didn't
know, Legs" he said, with a yawn.
Legs was regimental pet name for
the longest and lankiest of the commits
stoned list "You West Pointers have
nearly all had two years schooling in
that tongue, and another year in Span
ish, and I'm blessed if ever one of You
could speak either. I'd have a heap
more respect for you if you'd come out
like q man and say you didn't know,
like Ray. for instance. There's no nom
sense about him."
Here Blake kicked backward, in de-
lighted return of his comrades broad
hint. well, major" he hastened to
say, my translation was trife free
perhaps, but the phrase is clumsy one
TO turn into English. Ray will agree
with me as to the translation. The
main trouble with his French is the so-
cent It's combination of blue grass
and Apache.
"Well, he has the good sense to keep
it 20 himself then, answered Mainwar-
ing, still a trifie sulky. "Pd pattern
after him if l were you"
Faith and so would, major mine,
did not my innocent associates so often
take me for lexicon. But now you
ought to speak French like native.
Mrs. Mainwaring does. You couldn't
have a better teacher, and Stannard
says all man needs to learn anything
in this world are brains and time
You've got lots of-time.
Whats that about Stannardr' In
terrupted the major sharply, and Blake's
diversion had told, as he meant that it
should. If there was one man in the
army Of whom Mainwaring was jealous,
it was Stannard. He, like Stannard,
had been capital troop commander for
years. He had attained at last the rank
of major, vice Barry, promoted, only a
year or so after Stannard; had served
Just as we'll as had Stannard; had as
fine war record, and an honored and
honorable name; had charming wife,
health and competence, yet mourned in
secret---even at times made audible
moan--over the fact that among the Off
GERS and men of the regiment what
GtannarI enid thnnUht did
70 be questioned. Stannard was author
ity on all points Of soldering; Stan
nard was the expert engineer, builder,
craftsman, topographer and all round
military "sharp;" while he, Mainwar-
ing, whose troop had been a model,
whose battalion was now really in finer
shape than Stannard's, and who had
abundant means and spent where Stan
nard saved, was looked upon in the
cavalry as o good soldier, fine officer,
despite his surly mannerisms, and yet
because he hadn't enjoyed Stannard's
advantages and u college or even high
school training he must submit to
perennial playing Of second fiddle. II
set him against Stannard, and it led
eventually to trouble.
"If you'd only be wise Leonard, y
his brighter better half had said to him,
lyon wouldn't ask questions of Blake.
Look it up in the encyclopedia, or even
ask me. "
"Why, hang it, Laura" interrupted
the major, half my years are spent in
saddle out in the field. You and the en-.
cyclopedia are a months march away.
/ can't help wanting TO know what
things mean"
To BE Continued.