The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-04-13
CHAPTER XL.-CoNT1EUED.

j
Late that afternoon, just after the
various trunks and boxes of the FrOsts
that were 10 90 by the transport were
packed and ready, and Mrs. Frost, look
ing stronger al last, though still frag-
lie, almost ethereal, was returning from
a drive with one Of her friends, the at
tention Of the two ladies was drawn 10
crowd gathering rapidly on the side
walk not far from the Baldwin hotel.
There was no shouting. no cOmmOtiOn,
nothing but the idle curiosity of men
and BOYS, for young soldier, hand
some. slender, dark-eyed, darkroom
plexioned fellow Of q or -, had been
arrested by a patrol and there they
stood. the sergeant and his two sol
diers fully armed and equipped, the
hapless captive with his arms half filed
with bundles, and over the heads of
the little thrOng the ladies could see
that be was pleading earnestly with
his captOrs, and that the sergeant,
though looking sympathetic and far
from unkind, was shaking his head.
I IT
had witnessed too many such scenes in
former days Of garrison life 10 take any
interest in the proceeding. How
stupid these people are" she irritably
exclaimed; running like mad and
blockading the streets 10 see soldier
arrested for absence from camp with
out a pass. Shan't we drive en-"
-'Oh--iust one moment. please, Mrs.
Frost He has such a nice face-a gen
tleman's face. and he seems 50 troubled.
Do look al it,
Languidly and with something very
Ike pOut, Mrs. Frost turned her face
again toward the sidewalk. but by this
time the sergeant had linked an arm
IN that of the young soldier and had
sed him a pace OF two away. so that
his back was now toward the carriage.
lie was stin pleading. and the crowd
had begun 10 back him mp. and was eN-
posiulating. too.
Awe. take him where he SAYS. ser
geant. and let him prove IT,"
Don't be hard on him. man. If he's
taking care Of a sick friend. given a
chance"
Then the sergeant tried 10 explain
matters. Il cant help myself. gentle
men. said he; orders are orders. and
mine are 10 find this recruit and fetch
Aim back 10 camp. He's TWO days over
time now
~Oh. ] wish ! knew what il meant,
nnNiously exclaimed Mrs. FrOst's com
ramon I'm sure he needs help" Then
with sudden JOY in her eyes: oh, good.
There goes Col Crosby. He'll see what
smiss," and a. she spoke q tail man in
the fatigue uniform OF an officer of in
fanfry shouldered his way through the
crowd. and reached the blue-coated
9uartette in the center. Up went the
hands 10 The shouldered rifles in salute
and the young soldier, the cause Of the
gathering which the police were now
trying 20 disperse. whirled quickly, and
with something suspiciously like tears
IN his fine dark eyes. was seen TO be
eagerly speaking 10 the veteran officer
There Was a brief cOllOquy. and then
the colonel said something 10 the ser
geant al which the crowd set up c1eer
The sergeant looked pleased. the young
soldier most grateful. and away went
the four along the sidewalk. many OF
the 1hrOng following.
And then The colonel caught sight oi
the ladies In the carriage. saw that one
was signaling eagerly. and heard hi.
name called. fastening 10 their side
ne raised his cap and smiled a cordial
greeting
oh, I'm so glad you came, colonel
sye are so interested IN that young sol
der. DO tell us what IL all means. Oh,
beg your pardon, Mrs. Frost. 1 surely
thought you had met Col. Crosby-let
me pre- Why, Mia. What's Art
you III? Here, take my salts, quick.
-NO-nO-gO -on-l-I want 10 hear,
Where are they taking him. family
murmured Mrs. Frost"
TRY 10 control yourself said hel
companion. III tell YOU i'm enc mo
ment- Meantime from without the
carriage the colonel continued. address
ing Nita's companion:
HE tells a perfectly straight story
He says he has an old friend who is 81
desperately III and out Of mOney-thai
be got a doctor for him and had beer
nursing him himself. Those things he
carried are medicines and wine that the
doctor babe him buy. All he asks is Il
take them 10 his friends room and gel
a nurse. then he is ready 10 90 10 camp
and stand for his trial. so / told The
sergeant I'd be responsible.
-'Oh, thank you SO much. DO see that
lie poor fellow isn't punished. We'll