The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-05-24
nf,er heN drilled awhile I npilcd him

inter ned urtlicd nwntle 1 nuflcu MIN
for headquarters clerk. never knew
him 90 be of an hour until about four
weeks ago. The men say another young
feila came out here one night, had "a
talk with Morton, and they went out
together. lie got regular permission.
Nobody has set eyes on his friend out
here since that time, but Morton got
three passes 10 town In ten days, and
Squccrs happened TO want him, and
gave orders he should have Ga be con-
suited hereafter. Bout a fortnight.
since, by Joye, Morton lit out sudden
ly and was gone IS hours and was
brought back by patrol. perfectly
straight, and he said he had to go on
account OF friend who had been taken
very III and was stranger here.
squcers let him of with warning, and
inside of three days he begged for
24-hour pass. and Squccrs wouldn't give
IL. lie went without IL, by George!
II was just about the time the Prime
family arrived, looking up the hov
they heard was in your regiment. This
time there was big trouble. The patrol
sent for him went directly to the lodg-
ings of his sick friend, aud there they
found him and he laid out two of our
best men for forcing way into the
room. They told me your carriage
nearly ran over him the day of the re-
view. Then came that dam fool charge
about his being mixed up in this rob-
berry. Then his escape from under
Billy Gray's nose, by Gawge, and that's
the last of him. Cankcr sent u party in
to look him up ut the usual place, and
both birds had flown, both. by Gawge!
The sick man was well enough to be
driven off in n carriage, and there's
nothing further TO tell yet"
IL wish had known about him carli-
er--boforc the Primes came" said Arm'
strong thoughtfully, knocking the
ashes of his cigar. "Of course you di-
vine my thcory?.'
"That Morton is the missing son and
heir? OF course. Now that I've seen
Miss Prime the family resemblance Is
strong. But IL he wanted to soldier,
what's Ia prevent? Those tents yawn-
duh are full of youngsters better edu'
Gated than I am" and Gordon arose,
tangling n long, lean leg In the nearest
camp stool, which he promptly kicked
through the doorway into the sailing
fog outside. 1t was barely IL o'clock
but already the raw, wet wind was
whistling in over the barren, sandy
slopes and dunes, and the moisture
drippcd In big drops from the slopcd
rifles Of the men marching sturdily
In from drill.
"Yawnduh comes the Prime cnrriag,
now, by Gawgc," continued the adju
tnnt, as he limpcd to the entrance
"Ole man seems all broke up, don't
| hep" Armstrong had promptly riser
and came striding to his comrade':
| side.
Naturally" was the answer. "Il'
had hoped much from this visit. Th'
boy was just under 81 when he enlist
ed, and. MS his fathers consent wa
lacking, n discharge could have beer
ordered. 1t may have been fear Of tha
that drove the youngstcr of. Where
IL the carriagc-and your glasscs?'
continued the colonel, looking abJu
urtil he found binocular.
| Comm right down the road back %
the officers tents. Reckon it's anothe
visit of coincidence to Gray. You know
l shouldn't wonduh IL this arrest o
his didn't prove n blessln' in disguis
for that lucky boy
No reply coming TO this observation
Gordon glanced over his shoulder
Armstrong was replacing the glasses
Again the adjutant hnznrdcd:
IL was saying this arrest may he
after all, the biggest kind Of blessing
in disguise for that lucky lilly. lcs
by Jo,e! They're comm to his tent
That's splendid girl, ole man."
"Miss--Primc, you mean" calml,
qucried Armstrong, striking mattel
after match in the effort To light
fresh cigar, his face arcrtcd.
Miss Prime don't mean" answere,
Gordon, glancing curiously ut tn
senior officer. "Not but that she's
most charming young lady and al
that" he hurricdly intcrpolatcd, south
ern chivalry asserting itself. Thcl
with a twitch about the lip: by tn
way, ole man, those cigars light bette
from the other end. Take n fresh one.
Armstrong quickly Withdrew the III
used weed from between his strong
white teeth, gave II one glance and
toss into the waste basket.
NO. I've smoked enough. hut boy
can they see him? How about tha
sentry over Grny's tcntw
"IIuh! Chief made them take II OF
directly he heard OF IT," grinned Cor
don. "Moscs! But didn't Squecr
biaspheme!" And the ndjutant threy
his head back and laughed joyousl
over the retrospect. "Yes, there's tina
curly headed pate OF Billy's at the ten
door now. Reckon he was expectin
'em. There they are, ole Prime, toe
Don't be In hurry, colonel"
They had known each other years
nnuIn nA l-uuu "Arm