The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-02-02

orous shakes he gave the battered felt.
"IIave sent" said his entertainer
briefly, as he filled a pipe from the open
tobacco box and struck a safety match.
Orderly galloped after him ten min
utes ago. Blow the brigade and bat
TALON commanders! What asked you
was who are the women up there?"
"No, you didn't! You said who all
are up yonder?' I'm sub, and s'posed
you meant men 49, soldiers officers.
What have to do with anybody in pet
ticoats?"
"And I'm a grizzled vet of a dozen
years duty, crows feet and gray hairs
a-comin'," grinned the adjutant, pull
ing at long curly mustache and draw
ing himself up to his full height of six
feet, land when you're as old as | am
and half as wise, Billy, you'll know that
u pretty girl is worth ten times the
thought our old frumps of generals de-
mand. My name amt Gordon if ]
haven't mind TO waltz over there
through the mist and the wind just TO
tell them I've sent for Squeers. Then
I'll get look at the girls"
1--WE got to go back" said Billy, land
you've no business to-with Mrs. Cor
don and an interesting family to con-
slider. What tentd the ladies 20 to? l
didn't see EN-"
MRS Gordon, sub" said the adjutant,
with placid superiority, considers it a
reflection on her sex when fail 10 pay
IL due homage. OF course, you didn't
see the ladies. The party was shown
into the generals own domicile.
Couldn't you see how many young fell
lows were posing in picturesque atti-
tudes in front of it? Awe, HANK" he
suddenly shouted to an officer striding
past the tent in dripping macintosh.
Coin up to division headquarters?
just tell the staff or the chief I've sent
an orderly galloping after Squeers.
He's half way to the Preside now. but
it'll be an hour before they can get
back The silent officer nodded and
went on, whereat Gordon made spring
for the entrance and hailed again.
Say, Hank! Who are the damsels ."
The answer came back through the
fog:
people from the east-looling for
runaway. Old gent, pretty daughter,
and pretty daughters pretty cousin.
Heard the orders?"
Damn the orders! They don't touch
us. Where do they come from?"
Direct from Washington, they say.
Three regiments to sail at once, and"
"Oh, know all that" shouted Cor
don, impatiently. at was all over camp
an hour ago! Where do they--the
girls-come from? What's their
name?"
wasn't presented" was the sulky re.
ply. Let lot of stuffy old women
show up in search of long-lost sons and
those fellows at headquarters unload
them on us in less than no time, but a
brace of pretty girls Why, they
double the gate guards SO that no out
slider can so much as see them. Billy,
here, knows 'em. Ask him"
BY this time the youngster had ranged
up alongside the adjutant and was
laughingly enjoying the latest arrivals
TRADE at the expense of the headquar-
ters' staff, but at his closing words
Lieut. Billys grin of amusement sud
den left his face, giving way TO a look
of blank amaze.
81 know 'eml l haven't been east of
the Big Muddy since was n kid"
They asked for you, just the same,
just after you started. Least one of 'em
did-for What's-his-name? -the chief
military legal adviser, came out bare
headed and called after you, but you
were out of hearing. He said the cousin,
the prettiest one, recognized you as you
skipped away from the generals tent,
and pointed you out to her friend.
Somebody explained you were running
an errand for one of those aids too lazy
to go himself, and that you'd be back
presently"
Then go at once, young man." said
the adjutant, laying mighty hand on
the juniors square shoulder. stand
not upon the order of your going, but
git! Never you mind about the colonel.
lie won't be here until after he's been
there, and he's in for rasping over this
mornings inspection. Jus. look at the
report, Sergeant major send me Col
Colts report" he called aloud, tossing
his head back as he spoke. Come in,
Parson, come out Of the wet" And,
eager enough to read famous inspec-
tors criticisms Of the appearance of the
regiment, the officer addressed as Par
son showed briskly into the tent.
The young soldier who had opened
the tent flap few minutes before came
forward with a folded paper which
in silence, he handed the adiutant and
turned back to his desk. Mr.. Gordon
took the paper, but his eyes followed
the soldier. Then he called, somewhat
sharply:
"Morton!"
The young fellow stopped at the di.
viding crack between the two tent
floors and slowly faced the three Off
GERS. lie was slender, well built, erect.
His uniform fitted him trinity and was
worn with easy grace, his hands and
feet were small and slpndnr bie eyae