Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-03

the order Of your going, but gitl Never you
mind about the colonel. He won't be here
until after he's been there, and he's in for a
rasping over this mornings inspection. Just
look at the report. Sergeant-major, send
me Colonel Colts report" he called aloud,
tossing his head back as he spoke. Come
in, Parson; come out of the wet" And,
eager enough to read a famous inspectors
criticisms of the appearance of the regi-
ment, the officer addressed as Parson showed
briskly into the tent.
The young soldier who had opened the
tent flap q few minutes before came forward
with a folded paper, which, in silence, he
handed the adjutant and turned back to his
desk. Mr.. Gordon took the paper, but his
eyes followed the soldier. Then he called,
somewhat sharply:
"Morton!"
The young fellow stopped at the dividing
crack between the two tent floors and slowly
faced the three officers. He was slender, well
built. erect. His uniform fitted him trinity
and was worn with easy grace, his hands
and feet were small and slender. his eyes
and hair dark and fine, his features delicate
and clear cut. his complexion a trife Bills
tered and beaten by the harsh winds that
whistled in every day from the sea, and, as
he turned. all three officers were struck by
its extreme pallor.
You're sick again, Norton said the ad-
jutant somewhat sternly. 81 thought l told
you to see DR.. Heffernan. Have you done
so?"
'I-wasn't sick enough" faltered the
young soldier. II was all right a minute or
two-or rather this morning, sir. It'll be
over presently. Perhaps 1t was the smell OF
the oil that did 1.-THE stove is close to my
desk"
But Gordon continued to look at him doubt
fully.
"Move your desk across the tent for the
present, anyhow" said he, land I'll speak
to the doctor myself. With all this news
paper bullabaloo about our neglect OF the
Sick" continued he, turning to his friends,
'If a man changes color at sight OF a
smash-up he must be turned over to the
Red Cross at once, What Is 1t. orderly ?"
he finished suddenly, as the tent flaps parted
and a soldier in complete uniform, grit with
his belt OF glistening cartridges, stood at
salute, some visiting cards in his gloved
hand.
Lieutenant Gray here, sir?" was the COM
prehensive answer. Then, catching sight OF
the young officer, who stepped quickly for
ward, he held forth the cards.
1.-THE a~djutant generals compliments, sir,
and he'd be glad II the lieutenant would
come over at once"
Gray LOOK the cards, curiously studied
them, and then read aloud, one after the
other, and placing the topmost underneath
the other two as soon as read: Mr.. Lis
penard Prime" miss Prime" miss Amy
Lawrence"
1t was the last name that lay uppermost
at the end and the paCson noted 1t.
That's the pretty cousin, Billy" quott
he. Cease OF the last shall be first, DOM
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 my life" said he. There must be
some mistake. Yet-that name-sounds
familiar-somehow," and that was the
only name now In sight. I'm off," he
suddenly announced. and vanished,
There was a sound of light. quick foot
steps on the flooring Of the rearward tent
at the same time. The sergeant-majo
glanced up from his writing; looked at a
vacant desk, then at the clock, then, In
quiringly. at his regimental delty-the
adjutant. 1t was just the hour of the day
at which all manner OF papers were coming
down from division and brigade head,
quarters 10 be duly stamped, noted and
stacked up for the colonel's action. This
was the young clerk Morton's especial func
ton, but Morton had left the office and wa!
gone.