The Advocate and news., 1898-12-14

WIN ESuuon6u again. Ine1o Wuh y
tinge Of bitterness in his tone as he an.
gwered:
Don't trouble yourself about Mrs
Winn's hearing. She's placidly asleep
--long ago. AS for my not calling, you
know I've only been out of my bed
three days or so, and Captain Barclay
must understand that man burdened
as have been is in no mood for social
observances. This is all begging the
question. You're the only man can
ask 10 be my second. Finish your dress
ing now and come"
"Winn, won't do it," said Bray
ton, with fat footed decision. This is
my captains affair, and from what I've
seen Of him since he joined I'm bound
TO say what's his is mine. Besides,
you've got no business mixing up in
the matter. You've got your wife to
think Of, and you've got that commits
sary business to straighten out Bar
clay and / have no membranes Of
either kind" At the moment, | fear
me, the young gentleman could have
added, "Thank God, for with all his
appreciation Of the physical perfections
Of his classmates wife Mr.. Brayton
was keenly aware Of her many extrava.
ganoes.
"Of course I've q wife," answered
Winn hOtly. "It's because Of her feel
bound to take this up. AS for that COM
missary money, every cent will be here
to square the shortage, whether am or
not. I'll tell you what others No,
/ can't even tell you, Brayton. But an
old friend Of my fathers has offered his
help Now, once more, will You come
or not?"
'No, Winn. You know we'll enough
I'd see you through if Hush There's
Mullsne and some one else coming out
Of his quarters now."
"Then, by God, I'll go alone" ex-
claimed Winn, land it's got to be done
before they get away" And he would
have gone springing down the steps
but Brayton seized and held him.
"For Gods sake, Harry, be quiet to.
night. Don't go near him. Quiet man
Cant You seeP Those fellows are com.
ing this way now.
True enough, Mullane and bis COM
panion, who had issued from the fourth
set Of quarters down to the left, turned
northward the moment they reached
the walk, the moonlight cleaning on
the buttons Of their uniform frock coats
but the sight and faint sound Of scuf.
hing on Winn's porch seemed to attract
their attention. They stopped as though
to reconnoiter, and just then the front
door Of Brayton's hall opened wide,
and, with the broad light at his back,
Captain Barclay stepped quietly forth.
"BraytOn, he said, "you left the
door ajar, and it was impossible not TO
hear the latter part Of this conference.
Mr.. Winn, presume, he continued,
with calm, courteous bow, as the two
young men, unclasping, turned and
faced him. "I infer that you purpose
going to Mr.. Bralligan's quarters-now
Let me urge that you do nothing of the
kind. Brayton is right / see that, late
90 it ia, some of their party are moving
this way. Pray remember that as yet
this is entirely my affair. "
There was no time for other answer
than bow, a mumbled word or two,
an embarrassed acceptance Of the hand
extended by the captain. Just as he
said, Mullane and his friend were COM
ing rapidly up the walk. They passed
the Winns gate, entered that Of Bray
ton, and then it appeared that Mul-
lanes friend was the ubiquitous Hodge,
that Mullane was manifestly in his
glory and that both were perCeptibly in
liquor.
Gentlemen, said the doughty cap
Gain, halting at the foot Of the steps
and raising his forage cap with magnif-
II