The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03

and then shouted:
sergeant-Major; send somebody here to
open this"
A light footstep sounded on the sprinRy
board floor. nimble fingers worked a moment
at the cords. then the fap was thrown open
and the Adjutaut's office stood partially re-
vealed. 1t was big wall tent backed up
against another OF the same size and pattern.
Half dozen plain chairs. two rough board
tables Uttered with books. papers. and smok-
ing tobacco. an oilstove and a cheap clothes
| rack. on which were hanging rain coats,
| ponchos. and cape or two. comprised all the
furniture In a stout frame OF unplaned wood.
cased In their oilskins and tightly rolled stood
the colors OF the famous regiment and back
OF them. we'll within the second tent. where
one clerk was Just lighting a camp lantern,
were porched on rough tables a brace OF fold
desks with the regimental books. Tho
Sergeant Major. a veteran OF years OF SER
vice In the regulars. sat at one OF them
| young soldier. he who had un-
fastened the tent-hap to admit Lieutenant
Gray. was Just returning to his seat
at tho other. Two orderlies lourged on a
bench we'll beyond and back OF tho Sergeant
Majors seat. and bugler. with his hands in
his pockets. was smoking a short brier- root
| pipe at the opposite. or back doorway. Woe to
| the enlisted men who sought the presence OF
tho Colonel or Adjutant through any other
channel. Tho sergeant-Major would drop on
him with the force OF a baseball bat.
| Who all are over yahnduh at the chiefs ?"
| asked tho Adjutant as soon as he had his WISH
| tor we'll inside. and the soft accent as we'll as
the quaint phraseology told that in the Colo
| neps confidential stafr oflcer a Southerner
| spoke
All the brigade and most regm entail COM
manders. 'cept ours. I should say. and they
tn hn zait tp<r fpr no.. 4
| was the answer. as the junior whipped off his
campaign hat and sprinked the floor with the
| vigorous shakes he gave the battered felt
Have sent" said his entertainer briefly as
| he filled a pipe from the open tobacco box and
struck a safety match. Orderly galloped after
him ten minutes ago. Blow the brigade and
battalion commanders! What asked you was
| who are the women up there2"
No. you didn't You said Who all are up
| yonder" I'm sub. and s'posed you meant
-solders-off1cers. What have 1 to do
| with anybody in petticoats ?"
And I'm n grizzled vet of dozen years
| duty. crows feet and gray hairs a-comin'."
| grnned the Adjutant. pulling at a long curly
moustache and drawing himself IN to his full
| height OF six feet. and when you're as old as
| am and half as wise. Billy you'll know that a
| pretty girl Is worth ten times the thought our
| old frumps OF generals demand. My name
am 1OruOn III L maven n NINA 10 waltz over
there through the mist and the wind just to
| tell them I've sent for SQueers. Then I'll get
look al the girls"
| I've got to go back" said Billy. 'and you've
no business to-with Mrs. Gordon and an in
! terestng family to consider. What tent'd the
| ladies go tor didn't see en-"
Mrs. Gordon. sub" said the Adjutant, with
| placid superiority. considers it reflection on
her sex when fail to pay it due homage. or
| course you didn't sec the ladies'. The party
| was shown into the Generals own domcie
| Couldn't you see how many young fellows we're
| posing in picturesque attitudes in front OF it?
Awe Hank !" he suddenly shouted to an officer
! stridng past the tent in dripping macintosh
Coin up to division headquarters? Just tell
| the stan or the chief Two sent an orderly gal
Looping after Squeeze. He's halfway to the
Preside now. but it'll be an hour before they
can get back" The silent officer nodded and
went on. whereat Gordon made spring for the
entrance and hailed again.
Say. Hank Who are the damsels2"
The answer came back through the fog:
People from the East-ooking for a runaway.
Old gent. pretty daughter. and pretty daugh-
tors prettier cousin. Heard the orders?"
Damn the orders. They don't touch US.
Where do they come from?"
Direct from Washington. they say. Three
regiments to sail at once and"
oh. know all that" shouted Gordon mpa-
tiently. 1T was all over camp an hour ago!
Where do they-the girls-come from? What's
their name?"
Wasn't presented" was tho sulky reply
Let lot OF stut1y old women show up in
search OF long lost sons and those fellows at
headquarters unload them on US in loss than
no time. but brace OF pretty girls! Why
they double the gate guards 80 that no out
slider can so much as see them. Billy. here.
knows 'em. Ask him"
BY this time the youngster had ranged up
alongside the Adjutant and was laughingly en-
joying the latest arrivals TRADE at the expense
Of the headquarters staff but at his closing
words Lieutenant Billy's grin Of amusement
suddenly left his face. giving way to look OF
blank amaze.
Il know 'em! haven't been east OF the Big
Muddy since was kid"
They asked for you all the same Just after
you started. Least one Of EN- dd-for What's
his name2-the chiefs military legal adviser.
came out barsheaded and called after you. but
you were out OF hearing. He said tho cousin.
the prettiest one. recognized you as you
skipped away from the Generals tent and
pointed you out to her friend. Somebody ex-
planned you were running an errand for one OF
those aides too lazy to go himself. and that
you'd be back presently"
Then go at once, young man." said the ad
Jutant, laying mighty hand on the juniors
square shoulder. Stand not upon the order OF
OF your going. but git 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 re-
portl" he called aloud. tossing his head back
as he spoke. Come In. Parson; como out OF
the wet" And. eager enough to read famous
inspectors criticisms Of the appearance Of the
regiment. the oflcer addressed az Parson
showed brlskly into the tent.
The young soldier who had opened the tent
flap a 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 ne 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. we'll
built. erect. His uniform fitted him trinity
and was worn with easy grace: his hands an