Daily camera., 1899-12-01

against the tables OF the Eed cross,
there lay behind n rope barrier, taut
stretched and guarded by line OF SEN
tries, an open space close under the
side of the greater steamer and be-
tween the two landing stages. placed
fore and aft. BY this time the north
tide of the broad pier was Uttered with
the inevitable relics of open air lunch
ing, and though busy hands had been
at work and the tables had been
cleared, and fresh white cloths were
spread and everything on the tables
began again to look fair and inviting.
the good fairies themselves looked ask
ance at their bestrewn surroundings.
"Oh, if we could only move everything
bodily over to the other side" walled
Madam President. as from her perch
on a stack of Red Cross boxes she sur
veyed that coveted stretch of clean, un-
hampered flooring.
And why not?" chirruped Mrs. Gar
rison, from similar perch, tier OF two
higher Here are men enough TO move
mountains. All we have to do is to say
the word"
'Ah, but it isn't" replied the other,
gazing wistfully about over the throng
of faces, as though in search Of some
one sufficient in rank and authority to
serve her purpose. I'VE plead in vain
with the otiicer-of-the-guard. He says
his orders are imperative-to allow no
one to intrude on that space" and
madam looked as though she would
rather look anywhere than at the ami
mated spriie above her.
What nonsense!" shrilled Mrs. Gar
rison. Here, Cherry" she called to a
pretty girl. standing near the base of
the pile, give me my bag. I'm army
woman enough TO know that order re-
ferred only 10 the street crowd thai
sometimes works in on the pier and
steals The bag was duly pissed up to
her. She cast one swift glance over the
heads of the crowd to where a hand
some carriage was slowly working its
way among the groups of prettily
dressed women and children-frienGs
and relatives of members of the depart
ing commands, in whose behalf. as
though by special dispeusation. the or
der excluding all bu, soldiers and the
Red Cross had been modified. Already
the lovely dark-eyed girl on the near
side had waved her hand in greeting.
responding TO Mrs Garrison's en-
thusias'ic signals, but her companion.
equally lovely, though of far different
type, seemed preoccupied, perhaps un-
willing to see, for her large, dark.
thoughtful eyes were engaged with
some object on the opposit. side-not
even with the distinguished looking
soldier who sat facing her and talking
quietly at the moment with Mr.. Prime
There was a CLEAN of triumph in Mrs
Garrison's dancing eyes as she took out
a fat notebook and pencil and dashed
OFF few lines in bold and vigorous
strokes. Tearing out the page, she rap
idly read ii over, folded II and glanced
imperiously about her. \ cavalry SER
geant. one of the home troop destined
to remain at the Preside, was leaning
over the edge of the pier, hanging on TO
an iron ring and shouting some part
ing words TO comrades on the upper
deck, but her shrill soprano cut through
the dull roar Of deep, masculine voices
and the tramp of fee; on resounding
woodwork.
Sergeant" she cried. with quick de-
cision. Take this over TO the officer
in command OF that guard. Then bring
a dozen men and move these two tables
across the pier The cavalryman
glanced at the saucy little woman in
the stunning costume, took in" the
gold crossed sabres, topped by a regi-
mental number in brilliants that
pinned her martial collar at the round.
white throat noted the ribbon and
pin and badge of the Red Cross, and
the symbol of the Eighth corps in red
enamel and gold upon the breast of her
jacket, and above all the ring of ac-
customed authority in her tone, and
never hesitatcd a second. Springing
to the pile of boxes he grasped the pa
per, respectfully raised his cap and
bored his staiwart way across the pier.
In three minutes he was hack-half a
dozen soldiers a; his heels.
"Wherell YOU have 'em. ma'am-
miss?' he asked, as the men grasped
the supports and raised the nearmost
table.
"S,raigh, across and well over to the
edge" she answered, in the same crisp
tones of command. Then, with total
and instant change of manner, Il sup
pose your tables should 20 first,
Madam President" she smilingly said.
at shall be as you wish about the
others"
And the Red Cross was vanquished.
II declare" said an energetic official.
moment later, leaning back on her
throne OF lemon boxes and tanning her
self vigorously, "for whole hour I've
been trying to move that officers
hear, and convince him the order
didn't apply to us. Now how did-she
do it?"
The officer must be some old-soms
personal friend" hazardcd the secre-
tary, with quick feminine compre-
l.. n