The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-08-31

movement accomplished at once two o.
jects-it left him ami Brayton in the
shade and it kept Mullane and Hodge in
the moonlight and off the steps, "Par-
don nv suggesting that lady sleeps in
the front room aloft there and that you
speak low, SO as not to disturb her.
| Where is your message?"
This was trying. Mullane loved his
chest tones as he did his whisky. His
low voice was apt to be thick and husky
and unimpressive, and tonight he was
overweighted with the sense of the gray
ity and Importance of his mission if
with nothing else.
"Sorr, he said, with another flourish
Of the cap, Sin accordance with the
practice Of gintlemen in the old arrumy,
am the beerer of verbal missige"-
The Quaker captain had already
amazed the old dragon sergeants by the
intricacy and extent of his knowledge
of their manners and customs Now
came a surprise for the officers.
pardon my interrupting, he said.
II do not assume to instruct in such
matters, but there is manifestly only
one kind Of message according to the
customs of the old army land here
he smiled quietly--"that should come
from Mr.. Bralligan now, and it must
come in writing. decline to recognize
any other.' Here Brayton nudged Winn
approvingly, but the subalterns main
tanned a decorous silence.
"I've niver hurr'd of challenge be-
in refused on that account, - said Null
lane majestical]y, IAN if me wurreds
are not sufficient here's me fri'nd Mr..
Hodge,
"Your words are not brought into
question, Captain Mullane, but the
manner Of your message is. Let your
friend put it in writing, and it will be
received. Good night to you, SIR
And, to Mullane's utter amaze and
confusion, quickly followed by an ex-
plosion Of wrath, Captain Barclay coolly
turned and walked within doors.
"Hould On dtherev' cried Mullane,
as he started to spring up the steps, but
Brayton stepped in front of him, and
Hodge nervously grabbed his arm.
Neither knew much of the "code" of
the old days, but each had learned that
! Barclay rarely made a mistake. Winn,
too, tall and strong, stepped in front OF
.. the angry lrishman as be broke out in
to explosives. "No more of that here,
captain" he cried, forgetful Of any con.
, sideration of rank "This noise will
wake the post. Rest assured your prin
cipal will get all the fight he wants. .
and then, with growing wrath, fol
Mullane was struggling to come to the
$ steps, so will you, by God, if you adj
= vance another foot.''
"Winn-Winn, for heavens sake,
say!' cried Brayton, Selling the up
! lifted arm. go home, Mullane. D-l
it, you're in no shape to handle such :
j. matter tonight. 60 home, or swea
:, :, I'll call the officer Of the day. He
Il coming now he exclaimed, and i
was true, for the sound Of excited
o voices had reached the adjoining quar-
5 tiers, and out from the doorway, sashe'
Is and belted, came the massive form O
Il Captain Blythe, his saber clanking o.
T. the door sill. Out, too, from VIM
hallway shot a broad beam Of light
and fastening along the porch came
u tall, graceful form in some clingin
/. rose tinted wrapper, all beribboned an
70 fluffy and feminine. The men fe]
u away, and Mullane drew back as Mrs
D. VIM scurried to her husbands sid
u and laid her white hand on his arm
IS Forth again on the other side of Win
'e came Barclay, and his deep tones brok
the sudden silence.
IL "Captain Mullane, leave this spot il
S stantly," he ordered, stern and low
ut "I'll answer to you in the morning."
"Come out of this, Mullane," d.
< manded Blythe, striding in at the gait
ne delay one second and I'll order yC
Id under arrest
IS, Up slowly went Mullane's cap wit
the same incompatible sweep. "In tt
O prisince of leedies," said he, "I'm di
n. arrumed. Captain Barclay, I'll see J
n in the marrnin.'
But when the marrnin came bot
n Mullane and his principal besides
tn wildering headaches, had graver ma
ed tiers to deal with than even vel
ed pretty quarrel.