Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-04-20

solemn and mysterious and was finally
understood to say that he had nothing
to complain Of in him, but he "reckoned
other people might" whereupon Ray
babe him speak out, The Kentuckian
could not tolerate insinuation or innu-
endo in soldier, and Morriweather
told the story of the mutual recognition
Of Hunter and the unknown captive.
1t was tho evening Of his return to
Ransom and just before tattoo, which in
those days was always accompanied by
roll call.
"See if Hunter is in quarters" said
tho captain, land send him to me. ="
And MerriWeather FASTENED on his or-
rand.
No. Tho men in barracks said tho
swell recruit was out somewhere.
"Mabbe hos gone down to pay his re-
spects to Mrs. Merriweather, sergeant, s"
sneered au i'll conditioned fellow, man
no other liked. yet who had served with
th1 old troop over half "a dozen years.
Merriweather know it would never do
to notice the remark, hlt it stung him
all the same. "Find him, yOu, and tell
him the captain wants him at once "
said he to the would be sncorcr, then
slammed the door behind him and
sprang ont into the night. He had not
been homo for nearly an hour, and he
needed, ho told himself, drink, so
thither he went.
Bright lights were burning in some
Of the quarters, dim ones in others, buJ
in his own the light seemed lowered to
the verge of darkness Not two yards
from his door the tall figure of man III
soldier ovorcoat loomed into Wow, and,
pcering closely at him, Mcrriweather
discovered the recruit.
Where you been, Hunter" was the
sharp, stern demand.
Looking for you, sergeant, was the
quiet reply.
"Who sent you?" And there were
both anger and suspicion in the tone.
"Oh, no one. l wished to speak with
you a moment | want some advice. "
There is no need of your coming
here, then You've seen NE dozen
times i'll the last two days. Why didn't
you ask it them
For moment the younger man was
silent; surprise and disappointment
cloudcd his face. So, too, there crept
into it shade Of Indignation, and il
showed plainly III the tone OF his reply.
Il had no need of it then, " WAS tbs
answer as the younger soldier looked
squarcly into the eyes Of the senior.
Then, just as when angered by the over
bearing ways Of Major Mainwaring,
Hunters high spirit overmastered his
resolution TO take men and matters "a,
he found them, and his eyes, too, flashed
angrily. "Whatever thought | had OF
1t ten minutes ago." he said, sis gone
now. | won't trouble you.
And with that he would have gone
his way, but Merriweather, smarting
with jealousy and suspicion, threw him
self across his path.
"1ou go no farther, young man, till
you hear what I've got to say. This is
the third time in less than week
you We been prowling here around my
door. Keep your distance in future.
Dye understand: No man enters that
house except on my invitation. Now
you 20 to Captain Ray and tell him
sent you."
For a moment the tall young soldier
stood there, too astOuished to make re.
ply. He had heard the men talk of MGR.
rlweather AS tough Oh recruits. lie
had understood that new men must
take great deal Of bullying from the
elders-that it was purposeiy dove tc
try their temper and test their sense OF
subordinatiOE. Hitherto he had looked
upon McrriWeather' asperiIeS as hav
ing no personal Significance, Now, fol
the first time, it flashed upon him tina,
he was singled out for harsh, overbear-
ing and abusive language from man
coarse by nature, mentally, physically
and socially bis inferior. All on a sud.
den the hot blood boiled in his veins,
and, fOrgetful of his new obligations,
reckless of anything but his wrath,
Trooper Hunter hit out straight, hard and
well, taking Mcrriweather squarely be-
tween the eyes and knocking him fiat.
The resounding thwack of the blow, the
heavy crash OF the fall, were echoed
from the doorway by woman ; startled
cry, and the next thing Hunter knew
rs he stood there still qWycring, hi.
fist clinched and ready to dash again at
has ioOred VICTIM now feebly strug-
CLING to his knees, the slender form Of
the sergeant's vile was bending over