Willmar tribune., 1900-03-21

| when he had accepted for some pleas
ant function in town.
'Thought you were keen to go in to.
night-right after retreat" he hazard
ed.
"Well, was," said Gray, pulling his
| drab campaign hat down over his eyes
to shut out the glare of the westering
sun. But I've got-a new wrinkle"
'Some bid for Friday? That's your
tour, isn't it?" And Brooke began
counting on his fingers. "Wait till 1
look at my notebook. Friday7 Why.
that's the night of the Burton's card
party-thought you didn't know
Them"
II DON'T" said Gray, glad enough to
escape the other question. ''And you
hate card parties, you know you do.
It's 60, is it? I'll see Gordon at once" :"
And off he went, leaving Brooke to won.
der why he should be so bent on the ar.
rangement.
But Gordon proved an unexpected
foe to the plan. Cant be done, Billy"
said he, sententiously. "Canker watch
es those details like hawk. He hasn't
forgotten you only came off two days
ago, and if l were to mount you to.
night he'd mount me-with both feet"
''Think there's any use in asking
him?'' queried the boy, tossing a back
ward glance toward Canker's tent.
'Not unless you're suffering for an
other snub. That man loves to say no
as much as any girl ever asked, and
he doesn't do it to be coaxed, either
Best leave it alone, Billy"
And then the unexpected happened
Into the tent, with a quick, impetuous
step, came the commanding officer Him
self, and something had occurred to
stir that gentleman to the core. His
eyes were swapping and his head was
high.
Mr.. Gordon" said he, "here's more
of this pilfering business, and now
they're beginning to find out it isn't
all in my camp by damned sight. I
want that letter copied at once" Then
with glance at Gray, who had whipped
off his cap and was standing in respect
full attitude, he changed his tone from
the querulous, half treble of complaint.
''What's this you'd best leave alone?"
he suddenly demanded. ''There are
dozen things you'd best leave alone and
a dozen you would do we'll to cultivate
and study. When I was-however,
1 never was lieutenant except in war
time, when they amounted to some
thing. 1 got my professional knowl-
edge in front of the enemy-not at any
damned charity school. You're here
10 ask some new indulgence, suppose.
Want to stay in town over night and
fritter away your money and the time
the government pays for. No, sir; you
can't have my consent. You will be
back in camp at IL o'clock, and stop
and report your return to the officer
of the guard, so that may know the
hour you come in. Who's officer of the
guard tonight, Mr.. Gordoh?"
''Mr. Brooke, sir.''
"Mr. Brooke! Why, thought told
you he was to take those prisoners in
town tomorrow. He has to testify be-
fore that court in the case of Sergt.
Kelly and it saves my sending another
officer and having two of our lieuten-
ants away from drill and hanging
around the Bohemian club. Detail
somebody elsc:"
''All right, SIR" answered Gordon,
imperturbably. "Make any odds, sir,
who is detailed?"
Canker had turned to his desk and
was tossing over the papers with nerv-
Gus hand. Gray impulsively stepped
forward, his eyes kindling with hope.
1t was on the tip of his tongue to launch
into proffer of his own services for
the detail, but Gordon hastily warned
him back with sweep of the hand and
portentous scowl.
mo. Ones as bad as the other.
Next thing know some of 'em will be
letting prisoners escape right under
my nose, making US the laughing stock
of these damned militia volunteers"
(Canker entered service in '61 as q
private in city company that was mil
itia to the tip of its spike-tailed coats,
but he had forgotten it.) II want these
young idlers to understand distinctly,
by George, that the first prisoner that
gets away from this post takes some
body's commission with him. D'you
hear that, Mr.. Gray?" And Canker
turned and glared at the bright blue
eyes as thouS h he would like to blast
their clear fires with the breath of his
disapprobation. HAS that young fell
low, Morton, been put in irons We? %
he suddenly asked, whirling on Gordon
again.
"Thick not, sir. Supplies limited.
Officer of the day reported half an hour
ago every set was in use. Sent over to
division quartermaster and he an
swered we had dozen more'n we were
entitled to now. Wanted to know + we
meant to iron the whole regiment"
"The hell he did!" ragged Canker.
''l'll settle that in short order. NV
horse there, orderly! I'll be back by
four, Mr.. Gordon. Fix that detail to
suit yourself" And So saying the
irascible colonel flung himself out of
the tent and into his saddle.
"You young idiot" said Gordon,
whirling on Billy the moment the coast
was clear. ''You came within an ace
of running the whole thing. Never ask
Canher for anything, unless it's what
you wish to be rid Of. Tell Brooke
you're for guard, and he's to go to town
instead"
"Hopping mad," as he himself after
ward expressed it, Col. Canker had
ridden over to "have it out" with the
quartermaster who had ventured to
comment on his methods, but the sight
of the commanding general, standing