The Iola register., 1900-03-23


packed and ready, and Mrs. Frost, look
ing stronger at last, though still frag-
lie, almost ethereal, was returning from
drive with one of her friends, the at
tention of the two ladies was drawn to
crowd gathering rapidly on the side
walk not far from the Baldwin hotel
There was no shouting, no commoton,
nothing but the idle curiosity of men
and boys, for a young soldier, hand
some, slender, dark-eyed, dark-com-
plexioned fellow of 21 or 22, 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 filled
with bundles, and over the heads of
! the little throng the ladies could see
that he was pleading earnestly with
! his captors,- and that the sergeant,
though looking sympathetic and far
! from unldnd, was shaking his head.
Mrs Frost, listless and little fatigued,
had witnessed too many such scenes in
former days of garrison life to take any
interest in the proceeding. How
stupid these people arel" she irritably
exclaimed; running like mad and
blockading the streets to see soldier
arrested for absence from camp with
out a pass. Shan't we drive on?"
"Oh-iust one moment, please, Mrs.
Frost. lie has such a nice face-a gem
tleman's face, and he seems so troubled.
Do look at It'll"
Languidly and with something very
like a 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
led him a pace or two away, so that
his back was now toward the carriage.
lie was still pleading, and the crowd
had begun to back him up, and was ex-
postulating, 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, give'm a
chance"
Then the sergeant tried to explain
matters. ~ can't help myself gentle
men," said he; "orders are orders, and
mine are to find this recruit and fetch
him back to camp. He's two days over
time now"
"Oh, wish knew what it meant!"
anxiously exclaimed Mrs. Frosts com
panion. I'm sure he needs help" Then
with sudden JOY in her eyes: "Oh, good!
There goes Col Crosby. He'll see what's
amiss," and as she spoke tall man in
the fatigue uniform of an officer of in
fantry shouldered his way through the
crowd, and reached the blue-coated
quartette in the center. Up went the
hands to the shouldered rifles in salute,
and the young soldier, the cause of the
gathering which the police were now
trying TO disperse, whirled quickly, and
with something suspiciously like tears
in his fine dark eyes, was seen to be
eagerly speaking TO the veteran officer
There was brief colloquy, and then
the colonel said something to the ser
geant at which the crowd set up cheer
The sergeant looked pleased, the young
soldier most grateful, and away went
the four along the sidewalk, many OF
the throng following.
And then the colonel caught sight OF
the ladies in the carriage, saw that one
was signaling eagerly, and heard his
name called. fastening TO their side
he raised his cap and smiled cordial
greeting.
ooh, I'm so glad you came, colonel
we are SO interested in that young sol
der Do tell us what ii all means. Oh!
l beg your pardon, Mrs. Frost, l surely
thought you had met Col. Crosby-le
me pre- Why, Nta! What's Ar'
you i'll? Here, take my salts, quick!
"No-no-go on--I-I want to hear
Where are they taking him?" family
murmured Mrs. Frost"
''rry to control yourself" said he
companion. "lll tell you in one mo
ment." Meantime from without The
carriage the colonel continued, address
, ing Nita's companions:
"Ile tells perfectly straight story
Tie says he has an old friend who is Sc
desperately i'll and out of money-tha
he got "A doctor for him and had beer
nursing him himself. Those things h,
J carried are medicines and wine that tn,
= doctor bade him buy. All he asks is t.
/ take them to his friends room and ge
nurse, then he is ready to go to cam
: and stand for his trial, so l told tn,
} sergeant I'd be responsible"
"Oh, thank you so much! Do see tha
the poor fellow isn't punished. Wei
drive right round. Perhaps we can dt
! something. 1t is Red Cross business
e YOU know. Good afternoon, colonel
' Please tell our driver to follow them"
But, to her CONSERVATION, no soone
had they started than she felt Nita'
. trembling hand grasping her wrist, ant
! turning quickly saw that she was in al
almost hysterical condition.
= my poor child, had forgotten yo,
, were so worn out. I'll take you hom
y at once-but then Wen miss them en-
) tirely. Oh, could you bear"