The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-12

, ting Old, my daughter. That's the whole
of TO-"
NO dad" said Nelly.
"I say yes, Miss"
Il say, no. sir. You're only forty
two --'
Tut TUT!
rDon't interrupt re, please. Only
foriy-two years older than i am.
Him. said her father. smiling az her
indulgently. "That makes me sixty-cne.'
"Sixty-one isn't Old" said Nelly Not
for man. / should hate 20 be siXty-one
but then I'm a woman. a man is differ
emit"
ooh, you're a woman, arc you?' the
veteran laughed. stiu strOkns hls mus
tache. 81 thought you were little girl
Where are you soinS now:
u m woman cnOught ID inspect ms
clr., D." myself, Dad. ID you mink mo
cooks viz put yolr Iitll' grf into one
Oh nc company boilers and eat her .Ur
supper? Au rev0ir.'
The trim blue serge was seen 20 move
,oisurely down the line OF tents and dis
appear round q corner. Nelly Bascome
had taken an idea into her head and
the idea was taking her for walk She
took the turning which she thought
would lead her TO the quarters Of COM
pany H. and she was very nearly right
T.
father had rendered her wonderfully
familiar with the locations Of the compa-
mics.
Everyone in camp knew "Old Bas-
comes pretty daughter by sight, though
only the boys OF one cOmpany-that
which was generally known as tho
Lieutenant home company -
had the privilege OF being on speaking
terms with Miss BascOme. many Of them
ID
with her at one time or another, while
there were some who remembered her as
q companion, past c0mrade. past sweet
heart, of their earliest school days. But
in Company h she was admired at a dis
lance.
For chat very reason the boys Of Com
pany + were SURPRISED and pleased when
they-those Of them who were lounging
about on the grass and on sundry logs
that lay about where they bad been cut
TO make room for the tents-recOgnlzeu
the blue sergn and the national colors.
Nelly was not the girl 10 20 about an
undertaking IN a roundabout way She
walked up TO the nearest group Of sol
diers. and they. with remarkable alacrity
Jumped to Attention" from half a dozen
different lazy attitudes.
"You belong to Company F?' she
asked.
~ eS. MISS BArNpsutg came III tllP4 ti7s
And one assuming 10 be spokesman by
right Of a natural gift OF self-possession,
went on. as there anything we can do
for you?"
yes" said Nelly. 81 think you can.
want TO Gnd Nlr. Lee-Priyate Leo
Shepherd"
Zee Shepherd? Certainly. Won't you
sit down here? said the spokesman,
pointing TO the nearest log.
Immediately five OF the six soldiers
scattered fin various directions. There
were calls OF Lee SHEPHERD" through all
the quarters Of Company +. and very
soon the tan, light-haired youth came
forward. escorted 10 Neily's presence by
one of his comrades on either side. and
followed by three others. Then the
spokesman OF the squad retired with the
others. leaving Lee Shepherd face to face
with Nelly. and envying him.
Lee smiled az the girl with an ex-
preston OF perfect understanding. She
was lttlo surprised that he showed no
surprise at her visit
Mr. Shepherd" she saiu, IT don't
know whether l ought TO apologize for
troubling you --
"You ought not. Miss Bascome." said
Lee. There IS no call for an apology
hardly even for explanation"
"Oh,"
"No. I know what you want to ask
me-"
you do?" said Nelly in some surprise
"You want 10 know II know why the
Lieutenant Colonel called me back just
now lie doesn't know anyone OF the
name Of Shepherd. docs hc?"
mo, he doesn't. Why did he call you
back? why did he ask your manner"
"Weu. MISS Bascome. Il you ask me.