Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-16

probably be the detail for officer-of-the-
guard that evening. Brooke" said he,
will you swap tours with me if Gordon's
willing. l have-Id like nightly to ex-
change if it's all the same to you"
Brooke hesitated. He had social hopes
| and aspirations of his own. By swapping"
with Gray he might find himself doomed
to night in camp when he had accepted
Tor some pleasant function in town.
Thought you were keen to go in to-
night-right after retreat" he hazarded.
Well, L was said Gray, pulling his
drab campaign hat down over his eyes to
shut out the glare of the westering sun.
But I've got-a new wrinkle"
Some bid for Friday? That's your tour.
isn't it?' And Brooke began counting on
book Friday? Why, that's the night Of
the Burton's card party-thought you
didn't know them"
Il don't" said Gray. glad enough to es-
cape the other question And YOU hate
card parties, you know you do. It's a go.
Is it? I'll Gordon at once" And off
he went, leaving Brooke to wonder why he
should be so bent on the arrangement.
But Gordon proved an unexpected foe to
the plan. Cant be done, Billy said he
sententiously. .'Canker watches those de-
tails like hawk. He hasn't forgotten you
only came off two days ago, and if 1 were
to mount you tonight he'd mount me-with
both feet"
Think there's any in asking him?'
queried the boy, tossing a backward glance
toward Canker's tent.
Not unless you're suffering for another
snub That man loves to say no as much
as any girl l ever asked and he doesn't do
It to be coaxed either. Best leave it alone,
Billy
And then the unexpected happened 1nto
the tent with quick, impetuous step, came
the commanding officer himself, and some
thing had occurred to stir that gentleman
to the core His eyes were swapping, and
his head was high.
Mr.. Gordon said he 'shere'S mora of
this pilferins business, and now they're be-
ginning to find out it isn't all in my camp
f by great I'd deal r,d want that letter
Gray, who had whipped off his cap and was
standing in respectful attitude, he changed
his tone from the querelous. half treble of
complaint. What's this you'd best leave
alone?' he suddenly demanded. There are
dozen things you'd best leave alone and
dozen you would do well to cultivate and
study When l was-however. 1 never was
lieutenant except in wartime. when they
amounted to something. 1 got my profess
sional knowledge in front of the enemy
not at any charity school. You're here
to ask some new indulgence, / sup
pose. Want to 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 Il o'clock, and stop and report your re-
turn 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"
MIR. Brooke! Why, thought told you
he was to take those prisoners in town to-
morrow. He has to testify before that
court in the case Of Sergt. Kelly and it
saves my sending another officer and hav-
Ing two Of our lieutenants away from drill
and hanging around the Bohemian Club
Detail somebody else!'
"All right. SIR" answered Gordon i'm
perturbably. Make any odds, sir, who is
detailed?"
Canker had turned to his desk and was
tossing over the papers with nervous hand
Gray 1mpulsively stepped forward, his eyes
kindllng with hope. 1t was on the tin of
MS tongue to launch into a proffer Of his
own services for the detail, but Gordon
hastily warned him back with a sweep of
the hand and q Dortentous Scowl
No. Ones as bad as the other Next
thing l know some of 'em will be letting
prisoners escape right under my nose max
ing US the laughing stock OF these damned
militia volunteers" (Canker entered sery-
ice IN ol as private in a city company
tnat was militia to the tip of its spike
taiieo coats, but he had forgotten it, 81
want these young tdlers to understand dis
unctiy. oy George. that the first prisoner
that gets away from this post takes some
nody's commission with him. D. you hear
tnat, Mr. Gray? And Canker turned and
giareo at the bright blue eyes as though he
would like to blast their clear fires with
the breath of his disapprobation. HAS that
young fellow. Morton. been put In irons
yet?'' he suddenly asked, whirllnR ON Cor
don again
Think not. sir. Supplies limited Officer
OF the day reported half an hour ago every
o0t was IN use. Sent over to division QUAR-.