Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-12-15

the %queruIous, nal1 treble OF comp1a1nr.
whats this you'd best leave alone?'
he suddenly demanded. There are a
dozen things you'd best leave alone and
a dozen you would do we'll to cultivate
and study. When I was-however.
I never was a lieutenant except in war
time, when they amounted to some
thing. I got my professional knowl-
edge in front of the enemy-not at any
damned charity school. You're here
to ask some new indulgence, I suppose
Want 10 stay in town over night and
ritter away your money and the time
the government pays for. No, sir; you
can't have my consent. You will be
back in camp at 12 o'clock, and stop
and report your return to the officer
OF the guard, so that I may know the
hour you come in. Who's officer Of the
guard tonight, Mr.. Gordon?"
."Mr. Brooke, sir"
"Mr. Brooke! Why, I thought I told
you he was to take those prisoners in
town tomorrow. He has to testify be-
fore that court in the case of Serpt.
Kelly and it saves my sending another
officer and having W. of our leuten-
ants away from drill and hanging
! around the Bohemian club. Detail
somebody else!"
Gall right, sir" answered Gordon,
imp%erturbably. make my odds, sir,
who is detailed?"
Canker had turned to his desk and
was tossing over the papers with nerv-
u hand. Gray impulsively stepped
forward, his eyes kindling with hope.
1t was on the tip of his tongue to launch
into a proher of his own services for
the detail, but Gordon hastily warned
him back with a sweep of the hand and
a %portentous scowl.
NO. Ones as bad as the other.
Next thing 1 know some of 'em will be
letting prisoners escape right under
my nose, making us the laughing stock
of these damned militia Volunteers
(Canker entered service in 81 as a
private in a city company that was mil
itia to the tip of its spike-tailed coats,
but he had forgotten it, II want these
| young idlers to understand distinctly,
by George, that the first prisoner that
gets away from this post takes some
body's commission with him. D'you
hear that, Mr.. Gray?" And Canker
turned and glared at the bright blue
eyes as though he would like to blast
their clear fires with the breath of his
disapprobation. HAS that young fell
low, Morton, been put in irons yet?"
he suddenly asked, whirling on Gordon
again.
think not, sir. Supplies limited
Officer of the day reported half an hour
ago every set was in use. Sent over to
division quartermaster and he an
swered we had a dozen more'n we were
entitled to now. Wanted to know # we.
meant to iron the whole regiment"
1.-THE hell he did," ragged Canker.
"Ill settle that in short order. My
horse there, orderly! I'll be back by
four, Mr.. Gordon. Fix that detail to-
suit yourself" And so saying the
irascible colonel flung himself out Of
the tent and into his saddle.
You young IDIOT" said Gordon,
whirling on Billy the moment the coast
of running the whole thing. Never ask
Canker lot anything, unless It's What
you wish to be rid Of. Tell Brooke
you're for guard, and he's to go to town
instead"
Hopping mad" as he himself after
ward expressed it, Col. Canker had
ridden over to "have it out" with the
| quartermaster who had ventured to
comment on his methods, but the sight
of the commanding general, standing
alone at the entrance to his private tent,
his pale face grayer than ever and q
world of trouble in his eyes, compelled
Canker to stop short. Two or three,
orderlies were on the run. Two aids
de-camp, Capt. Garrison and a COM
rade were searching through desks and
boxes, their faces grave and concerned.
The regimental commander was off his