The Iola register., 1900-02-23

servation two whole years and was
thoroughly known could he hope for a
IBID" to become a "Delta Sig" Not
until another six months of probation
could he sport its colors, and not until
he formally withdrew from its fold,
in post graduation years, could he con-
slider himself absoyed from its mild
obligations But the boast of the Del
ia Sig" had ever been that no one of
its membership had ever turned deaf
ear to n fellow in need of aid. Who of
its originators ever dreamed of such a
thing as its drifting into and becoming
a factor in the affairs of the regular
army?
No wonder Gray stood for a moment,
the paper stil in his hands, irresolute,
even disturbed Not to answer the ap-
peal meant to run counter to all the ten
cts of his fraternity. TO answer might
mean arrest and court-martial for de-
liberate disobedience of orders. Canker
has no more mercy than an Indian. 1t
was barely 4S hours since he had been
| publicly warned by an experienced old
captain that he would find no guard.
ian angel" in Squeers. 1t would Sc
riously mar his prospects to start now
with Squeers "down on him." and as
that lynX-eyed commander was ever on
watch for infractions of orders, Billy
well knew that he could not hope . see
and talk with the prisoner and Canker
not hear of it. To ask permission of
| Canker would only make matters worse
| he was sure to refuse and then re-
emphasize bis orders and redouble his
vigilance. To ask the consent of the
officer of the day or the connivance Of
the officer of the guard was to invite
them TO court arrest and trial on their
own account. He couldn't do that even
to oblige brother Dclt. II only Ned
Craven were officer of the guard some
thing might be done-he was college
man, too, and though not n "Delt," but
rather Of rival set, he would under
stand" and possibly help. Guard mount
was held toward dusk, and that was
four hours away, at least, The prison
er's note and tone were urgent. An idea
occurred to Billy: What IL he could
get Gordon to let him "go on" this
very evening? 1t wasn't his tour. He
had marched off" only two days be-
fore, as he well remembered, for Canker
had roughed" him up and down about
that little error in copying the list of
prisoners from the report of the pre-
vious day. Moreover, he had counted
on going to town right after retreat"
dining at the Palace, an extravagance
not to be thought of at other times,
SO as to be on hand when the Primes
and Amy Lawrence came down to din
ner lie had planned 10 all-even to the
amount of surprise he was TO exhibit
when he should discover about when
he had finished his own dinner that
they were just beginning theirs, and
the extent and degree Of pleasurable
emotion he might venture on showing
as he hastened over to greet them,
and accepted their offer 10 be seated
with them, even If he had been 30 un-
kind us to dine beforehand, instead of
with them. He had set his heart on
having u chat with Miss Lawrence as
part recompense for all he had lost
that morning, and all this he was think
of while still fumbling over that dis
turbing note. Time was getting short,
too; there was no telling how much
longer they might stay. Mr. Prime
had brought his only daughter al! that
long journey across the continent on
With vlor no hoa anria1 ~ ne '0,.u,
whom In Ne o,rar I','i hni ''er' Ieu1,, "nu
bul,od baa o-Iistai .i's. - l'''D sol ~
cisco and wes serying in reTinapf -
the great camp west of fbe citv Ho
had come full Of hone and onGderoo.
he had found the younp soldier do,
scribed. and. in his bitter dissnnoint-
mcnt. ne declared thcre ,yas no no
semblance 10 Justify the report scntbim
by the boys own nncIe Who yoyed no
had ,rat him ,,i1, oa,,,,,,1,.. ~
main street of the city. that the recog-
milton, ,,.,.g. ,,,,,,,,..l r. ~ q