Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-07-19

/ world he never wished to see again
Gentleman Brown"
i've dispatches from Lord Chelmsford
for your chief" proceeded Teddy, uncon-
scious of the sudden and ominouS change
that had come over his companions face.
! Twill you show me the way to his dig
gings?"
''Yes, if you will follow me. This way,
down to the left, and look out for the
tent ropes, said the marcher officer, in a
hard, mechanical voice.
Come on then, Kitty, old girl" taking
her by the bride, ''and mind yourself.
We have been among the bogs and holes
and ant hills for the last couple of hours, -
he went on, speaking to his guide, who
was walking a few PAGES before him,
'and, upon my word, l thought we were
! lost. Two or three times I'd have come
! to awful grief only for the mare here"
patting her affectionately; shes very
quick on her pins; amt you, old lady?"
You seem to have a good-siZed camp" +"
he continued, as they steered and STUN
bled their way back to the tents. THE
marchers' column must be pretty strong"
| What silent beggar the marcher was.
Pretty WE'LL" laconicaly. Here is
the colonePs tent" and he was going
to add, now I'll leave you," but this
would not have been marcher manners
or form; he would have to look after this
cub and his horse, toO-fnders are keep
ers.
The colonel was a veteran who consid-
cred four hours of sleep ample for any
man. He was sitting up writing, when
Miles introduced the young lancer officer
bearing dispatches. Having made a few
inquiries about the route he had come,
the condition of the roads, etc, the colo
mel dismissed him by saying: well, L
shall see you again tomorrow morning;
you must be pretty well done up now.
Brabazon, you will look after him and see
that he has a comfortable shake-down
for the night, and that his horse is attend
ed to-" And Miles muttered something
rather indistinct, which was meant to
convey the fact that it would be all right,
Of course, and he would be delighted
MY servant is in bed, but I'll have him
out in a minute" he said. HE will look
after your horse, and III see what l can
find you in the way of supper; you must
not expect anything very gorgeous"
Don't mind routing up your fellow.
I'll do up the mare myself, if you'll just
let me have a feed and a sheet and
picket rope"
And, sure enough, he set to work in the
most professional manner, unsaddled her,
groomed her bit, fed her and made her
up, while Miles stood by with lantern
in his hand and a sneer under his mus
tache, and told himself contemptuously
that Gentleman Brown had certainly
not been in the ranks for nothing"
This business accomplished, Captain
Brabazon conducted the stranger to his
own tent, and set the best fare he could
find before him; cold stewed beef, cold
tea in a silver mug, a bunch of bread,
and-oh, lu1ury!-a tin of sardines. And
Teddy sat on he side Of his hosts bed,
and did ample justice to the fare in ques-
ton, for he was hungry, having Travelled
far and fast, and very, very tired.
Captain Gee was light sleeper, and
had been aroused by this strange, loud
voice in Niles tent. Who was it? There
was but one means of discovering the
fact, and that was to go and see. For a
time he struggled in his own mind be-
tween laziness and curiosity, but in the
end the latter gallantly carried the day.
He, like every one in camp, slept nightly
in his clothes, so in two minutes his sandy
head was presented in the doorway, and
his familiar voice was heard demanding
Whats the row?"
His blinking eyes quickly took in
broad shouldered young man sitting upon
Niles bed, busily engaged in polishing
off their last tin of sardines.
''This officer has just ridden in from
Lord Chelmsford's camp with dis
patches" said Miles to his friend, by
way Of an introduction.
But what allied Miles?" thought that
astute little man, as he glanced sharply
over at his brother officer. why did he
speak in such a curiously company
voice? Why was all usual bonhommie
absent from his manner? Why did that |
convey an idea of mere frigid |
Mr.. Dicky had not been called "a cute
little beggar" without good reason; he |
could put two and two together better (.
than most people. In the cavalry, in |
this country" and Miles face told the |
whole story. He took in the scene be- |
fore him with cool, discerning eye, and !
himself that this lancer, sitting |
On Miles bed, playing havoc with their
European stores, this goodlooking chap
with the merry eyes, who looked as if
when once he began TO laugh he could +
never leave off, was the other fellowr'