Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-05-24
CHAPTER XI.

own command, Col. Stanley Armstrong
had become all on a sudden deeply en-
crossed in that of Col. Canker. The
Frosts had been gone week via Van
couver-the expedition only about 16
hours-when he appeared at Gordon's
tent and frankly asked to be told all
that tall southerner knew of the young
soldier Morton, now gone from camp
for the third. and, as Armstrong be-
lieved the last time.
"Why, that young fella's bawn
gentleman" drawled Gordon, as he Of
fered the colonel a chair and cigar
"He was behayin' tip top, steady as
you please, until about month ago.
He's only been with us since 1st of
May-came with Il big batch of recruits
a regular athlete, you know. Then
after he'd drilled awhile / nailed him
for headquarters clerk. | never knew
him to be off an hour until about four
weeks ago. The men say another young
fella came out here one night, had
talk with Morton, and they went out
together. He got regular permission.
Nobody has set eyes on his friend out
here since that time, but Morton got
three passes to town in ten days, and
Squeers happened to want him, and
gave orders he should have to be con-
suited hereafter. Bout a fortnight
since, by Jove, Morton lit out sudden
ly and was gone AS 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 i'll and was a stranger here.
Squeers let him off with warning, and
inside of three days he begged for
24-hour pass, and SQueers wouldn't give
it. He went without it, by George!
II was just about the time the Prime
family arrived, looking up the boy
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, and there they
found him and he laid out two of our
best men for forcing a 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 Cray's nose, by Gawge, and that's
the last of him. Canker sent party in
to Look him up at the usual place, and
both birds had flown, both, by Gawgc.
The sick man was well enough to be
driven off in a carriage, and there's
nothing further to tell as yet
Il wish | had known about him earli
er-before the Primes came, said Arm
strong thoughtfully, knocking the
ashes off his cigar. ''Of course yousIi-
vine my theory?'
THAT Morton is the missing son and
heir? OF course. Now that I've seen
Miss Prime the family resemblance is
strong. But if he wanted to soldier,
what's to prevent? Those tents yawn-
duh are full of youngsters better edu-
Gated than | am" and Gordon arose,
tangling a 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
SlOl)tS anu uulCS, anu TIC IiCiolui -
dripped in big drops from the sloped
rifles of the men marching sturdily
in from drill.
"Yawnduh comes the Prime carriage
now, by Gawge," continued the adju-
tant, as he limped to the entrance.
''Ole man seems all broke up, don't
hep" Armstrong had promptly risen
a M fsu ma - trIf N If N a =
side.
Naturally" was the answer. lie
had hoped much from this visit. The
boy was just under 21 when he enlist
ed, and, as his fathers consent was
lacking, a discharge could have been
ordered. 1t may have been fear of that
that drove the youngster off. Where
is the carriage-and your glasses?'
continued the colonel, looking about
until he found binocuiar.
Comm right down the road back or
the officers tents. Reckon it's another
visit of coincidence to Gray. You know
/ shouldn't wonduh if this arrest of
his didn't prove a blessin' in disguise
| for that lucky boy"
| Gordon glanced over his shoulder.
Armstrong was replacing TIE glasses.
Again the adjutant hazarded:
II was saying this arrest may be,
after all, the biggest kind of blessing
in disguise for that lucky Billy. Yes,
| by Jove! They're comm to his tent.
| That's a splendid girl, ole man"
"Miss-Prime, you mean?" calmly
| queried Armstrong, striking match
| after match in the effort to light Il
| fresh cigar, his face averted.
Miss Prime don't mean,' answered
Gordon, glancing curiously at the
senior officer. Not but that she's a
most charming young lady and all
that" he hurriedly interpolated, south
ern chivalry assertir~ itself. Then
with twitch abou; lip: by the
way, ole man, those cigars light better
| from the other end. Take fresh one"
Armstrong quickly withdrew the i'll
used weed from between his strong,
white teeth, gave it one glance and a