Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-02

the harsh winds that whistled in every day
from the sea, and as he turned all three
officers were struck by its extreme paiior
You're sick again, Norton said the ad-
iutant somewhat sternly. Il thought
told you to see DR.. Heffernan Have you
done so? ~ 49,
"I-wasn't sick enough faltered the
Young soldier II was all right a minute or
tWo-or rather this morning, sir. 1t IL De
over presently Perhaps 1t was the smeH
of the oil that did 1.-THE stove is close 10
my desk ,,
But Gordon continued 10 looh d. HIM
Move YOUR desk across the tent for the
present anyhow said he and III SPEAK
r. the doctor myself With all this news
paper hula baloo about our neglect OF Inc
sick" continued he, turning to ms 1rlends'
.if n man changes color at sight OF a
smashup he must be turned over 10 D., ' he
finished suddenly. the tent flaps parted
and a soldier in complete uniform, grit with
his belt of glistening cartridges, stood az
salute, some visiting cards in his s-oVed
hand. ~, ~,
Lieutenant Gray here, sir?' was the
comprehensive answer. Then, catchlhg
sight of the young officer VINO stepped
quickly forward, he held forth the cards;
THE adjutant generals compliments, SIT,
and he'd be glad If the lieutenant "ouiu
come over at once. 50,
GRAY took the cards, curiously stunned
them. and then read aloud. one after the
ether. and placing the topmost underneath
the other two soon as read:
Mr.. Lispenard Prime, MISS PRIME MISS
AMY Lawrence.
1t was the last name that lay uppermost
at the end. and the Parson noted 1t.
That's the pretty cousin, Billy, quoth
he case of the last shall be first don
YOU see? Scoot now, you lucky boy, and
tell us all about 1t later.
But Gray was still gazing dreamily at
the cards.
I'm sure l never met any of them be
fore in nv life" said he. There must be
some mistake. Yet-that name-sounds IA
miliar-somehow," and that was the
only name now in sight. Il m on, ne SUD
denly announced, and vanished
There was a sound of light, quick root
steps on the flooring of the rearward tent
at the same time The sergeant MAJOR
glanced up from his writing, looked at
vacant desk then at the clock, then, 1nqulr-
ingly, at his regimental deity, the ad1u.
tant 1t was just the hour of the day at
which all manner of papers We're coming
down from division and brigade headquar-
tiers to be duly stamped, noted and stacked
up for the colonel's action. rms was the
young clerk Mortons especial Junction out
Morton had left the office and was gone.
Chapter II.
The little party of visitors in the gener-
ais personal tent made a striking contrast
to that assembled under the official canvas.
In the latter, seated on camp stools ana
candle boxes, or braced against the tent
poles were nearly dozen officers, all In
the somber dark blue regulation uniform,
several in riding boots and spurs, some even
wearing the heavy, frogged overcoat; all
but two, juniors of the staff, men who
stood on the shady side Of forty, four of
the number wearing on their shoulders the
silver stars of generals of division or brl-
gade, and among their thinning crops of
hair the silver strands that told of years of
service. One man alone, the commanding
general speaking; all the others
listened in respectful silence In the gloom
of that late fog-shrouded afternoon Ian
tern or two would have been welcome but
the conference had begun while 1t was still
light enough for the chief to read the mem
oranda on his desk, and now he was talk
ing without notes. In the array of grave,
thoughtful faces, some actually somber and
severe in expression. smile would have
seemed out of place; yet. all on sudden,
grim features relaxed deep-set eyes
twinkled and glanced quickly about In
search of kindred sympathetic spirits, and
more than half the bearded faces broad
ened into grin of merriment, and as many
| the gray-haired chief ended an impressive
| period with the words: TT will be no laugh
| ing matter if can lay hold Of them" there
! burst upon the surprised ears of the group
| a peal of the merriest laughter lima gnable
| the ripping. joyous musical laughter Of
| happy girlhood. mingling with the hearty.
wholesome, II somewhat boyish, outbIrst
| of jollity of healthful youth.
| "Merciful powers!'' exclaimed the chief
| II had forgotten all about those people
They must have been here twenty min
uteS."
| "Sixty-five, sir. by the watch" said
saturnine-looking soldier, tall and stalwart,
! and wearing the shield Of the adjutant gem
| erals department on the collar Of his sack
coat.
"They ought to go, then" was the placid
suggestion Of a third officer, a man with
keen eyes, thin. almost ascetic face, but
| there twitched a quaint humor about the