Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-10-03

them. Down at AIdersnot all was confu-
sion. Chaos reigned in the officers quar-
ters and in the mess.
At last the regiment was fairly of 10
he station, and played away in two troop
trains. by the band Of another corps,
while crowd Of sympathizing spectators
cheered and waved handkerchiefs. Twen-
ty-fOur hours later they were aboard the
Portugal, hired transport, steaming out
of Portsmouth harbor to the tune of The
Girl l Left Behind Me-"
The girl l left behind me- What a
bitter irony that well-known air implied
to Captain Brabazon, as he leaned his
arms on the bulwark, with his forage cap
pulled over his brow, and his eyes fixed
| upon the fast-receding shores of merry
England; and he laughed to himself a
grim, contemptuous, not very pleasant
laugh. as he glanced at boy close to
him, whose eyes looked misty, whose
whole idea and expression conveyed the
idea that he had left some fair ladylove
in the land whose shores were becoming
thinner every moment.
At st. Vincent's they put in for coal,
after nine days steady steaming: that
land-locked harbor presented busy
scens-colEefs and small vessels and
transports. The Portugal happened, by
good luck, to be the first Of batch Of
troopers all bound for the Cape. But first
come, first served, and after tweuty-four
hours hard coaling she steamed out
through the feet, the band playing "Itule.
Britannia" amid loud cheers from all the
other ships.
The Portugal put in for more coal at
Cape Town, and all the marchers were
delighted to land and have a run on
shore, after a month at sea. Miles. and
half a dozen others, made their way to
the Civil Service Club. in hansoms, and
who should be standing on the steps, nll
smiles and freckles. and blinking lashes,
but Captain Gee. promoted to the second
Jattalion. dressed in spotless white. and
having landed that very morning from
British Burmah. Very heartily did he
greet the first arrivals, out to say that
lie was astonished to see his bosom friend,
Miles Brabazon, among the crowd, but
feebly expresses his feelings. However.
he had the sense and prudence to re-
strain himself III opportunity suited.
No sooner bad the door banged after
the last merry subatern than Captain
Gee, who had been lying back In very
deep, very low chair, suddenly clutched
each protrudins arm, drew himself up TO
the very edge of 1t, and, confronting his
companion, eagerly asked these three
questions in one breath: well, where Is
she? What have you done with her!
Are you married?"
NO more than you are. thank good
ness" returned the other, knowing well
~ = 90 DO
or postpone a searching cross-examina-
tion. 1T was a near thing. l can hard
ly bear toto talk Of 1t. We were with
in a day and a half of the wedding and
there was an end Of everything"
WAS the money a sell?" demanded
Captain Gee.
NO, that was all right"
Then" said Dicky. decisively. 1T mus,
nave been the girl. No doubt you neg
lected her, snubbed her and shut her
up on al occasions. Oh! II 1 had only
had your opportunities"
There Is another view Of the subject
that has not struck you a. yet" said
Miles, gravely. II suppose" with q Wis
ible effort, you must know 1t sooner OF
later. Let us geteit over now. and never
speak Of It again. Come out on the bal
cony, it's sitting in here"
Dicky responded to the invitation with
llacrity, looking up with sharp expectan-
" into his brother officers face.
1T was not my cousin who broke off
he match; it was l." he said. with slow.
distinct utterance.
Il wouldn't doubt ye," interposed his
in an angry undertone.
And whatever l tell you is sacred.
Dicky; these other fellows know nothing
II it," nodding toward the distant masts
smiling grimly.
Go on, go on, man alive!'
Its easily told in q few words. We |
we're within less than two days Of the |
Wedding, when l accidentally discovered |
hat she was rsadly in love with another |
nan. I saw her kissing him with my |
,wn eyes"
There was no getting over that. sup
pose." said Gee.
And so." not deigning to notice the |
.uSges, on, Il Just made my bow there
md then, got an exchange, and here | |
lm!'
You're sure there was no mistake; it |
vas no other person?" inquired the willy |
Dicky, anxiously.
mo, no mistake! l saw her with nv
,wn eyes, and seeing Is believing, is it ]
iot 2" sarcastically.
Poor old chap, I'm sorry for you, for
our sake, but I'm precious glad to sc, |
ou back for my own," slapping him Wig
,rously on the back. "Cheer up. man.
md don't look so down in the mouth; it's
lothing, when you're used to it; and re
member this-that there's as good fish
IL the sea as ever were caught; girls are
'leutiful; as to the young woman
Yes. and as to the young woman?
With look of veiled contempt.
"All I wish to remark is." scrutinizing
lis companion gravely. that the loss is
lers."
ITO be continued,