Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-04

band of a famous fighting regiment of vol
unteers; yet the same carriage bore them
swiftly through the sentineled streets of
the walled city,and the guards at the Ayun-
taniento sprang to their arms and formed
ranks at sight of it, then dispersed at the
iow-toned order of its commander when 1t
was seen that, instead of stopping at the
curb and discharging an elderly general
officer, 1t whirled straight by and held two
youths in field uniform.
'One of ems young Gray of the -teenth;
he that hit in the charge on the Pasay
road, said the officer of the guard to a
comrade But who the devils the other?
He had corporals chevrons on Some fell
low Just got commission. perhaps" And
that was the only way the soldier could
account for corporal riding with a COM
Inissioned officer in generals carriage.
Jhey had long whirl ahead of them,
these two: and the corporal told GRAY as
he already had the general and Colonel
Armstrong, much of the story of his friend
ship for Pat" Latrobe, of that poor devils
Illness at San Francisco, and all the trouble
1t cost his friend and chum. There was a
strong bond between them, he explained;
and the blush of shame that stole up in the
face of the narrator found instant answer
in that of Billy Gray. Determined to see
service at the front and not return to pun
ishment in his regiment, never dreaming
that. in quitting corps doomed apparent
~ to inaction at home and joining one go
ing straight to the enemys country, he
was committing the grave crime of deser-
ton, Gov Prime had spoken to some
den to come along and fetch his friend; for
they were just ignorant as he. Having
still considerable money, Gov" had
bought civilian clothes, and all the sup
plies they needed while about town, and
hired a boat that rowed them, with certain
items of contraband of war. to the dark
side of the transport as nightfall came;
and they were easily smuggled aboard and
into uniform, and then, during the few
days stay at Honolulu, We're formally en-
ilsted and no embarrassing questions asked.
And now poor Pat was gone and Primes
rather had been cabling for him to return
nome; but there was that awkward matter
about the desertion. General Drayton was
trying to have it Strengthened cut at Wash
fngton; for he had been kindness itself the
day of his visit to the hospital where al
most his first act had been to seek out the
wounded young soldier who had been his
beloved nephewS boon companion, and at
one time sole support. The sentry was re-
lieved of his surveillance, and Corporal
Norton transferred TO Corregidor to recu-
perate; and now that both lads were well
on the road to recovery, Drayton had sent
for them Strictly speaking, some one
shouiI have seen to it that Corporal Norton
or the volunteers was shifted back to Pri-
Vate Norton of the --teenth. and the chev-f
rons stripped from his sleeves; but no one
had cared to interfere where the worsted
was concerned, especially as the boy had
won such praise for bravery at Concordia
bridge. So there the chevrons stood when
the two We're ushered into the presence of
the gray-hatred chief: and he arose, and.
stepping forward held out a hand to each
Il want You, boys said he. ''to he ready
to take the next transport home. The doc
tors say you need a sea voyage, Gray; so
there is the order. The doctors say your
rather needs You, Prime: and the record
VIII be duty Strengthened out in Washing
ton-the charge Of desertion, no doubt will
be removed. It's a matter of influence To-
night you dine with me here; and | have
asked your good friend, Colonel Armstrong
to come"
Again the blood rose guilty. to Rilly's
cheek. Not yet had he made his peace with
his conscience, and that valued counselor
and invaluable friend from whose good
graces he seemed to have fallen entirely.
Not once had opportunity been afforded in
which to speak and open his heart to him.
As Tor writing, that seemed impossible
Billy could handle almost any implement
better than pen. But even in the few
minutes left him in which to think he knew
that now at least he must face the
music, like the man his father would have
MIN be, even though it took more nerve
than Did that perilous dash on the TagaI
works that Sunday morning. Billy would
rather DO that twice over than have to face
Armstrongs stern, searching eyes and
near again the cold, almost contemptuous
tone IN which the colonel said to him the
DAY the doctor led his vanquished and hys-
ter1cai charmer from the room: Don't frv
70 tnank, man, try to think what YOU risk
what You deserve to lose-for putting YOUR
SELF IN the power of such a woman
Go be continue1)