The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-06-26


that's any comfort to you. For the
Collinses are not only going to have
those quarters, but they're going to
have them quick. Even the c. o. got
at Collins. But 1t wasn't any use.
My wife likes the quarters says he.
And that's ALL"
They sat in meditation for some
time. Then Drayton spoke.
II like those quarters, too. I'm GO
said.
Bartlett did not understand, and
Drayton undertook to explain.
"Well--see here" He took his feet
down from the rail. in his earnestness.
and Strengthened his cap. It's like
this. You and | have got one room
each In this house. haven't we, same
as the most of the other bachelors ?"
Such was the case. And we're en-
titled to two rooms each, aren't we?"
Bartlett agreed that they were. And
we've been keeping these ones because
we've been too lazy and good natured
to ask for more, haven't we? Well we
won't be lazy and good natured any
more. IL the Collinses move into the
Lawrences' set, I'll vacate my room
turn it over to you-and I'll apply for
the upstairs floor of the Lawrences
house. Oh! I'm entitled to 1t, all
right" he chuckled IL know my
rights as a citizen of these United
States and as a first-lieutenant of
cavalry. The Collinses, the whole
sweet seven of 'em. may have the low
er floor. It's all they can claim under
law. That's four rooms, including the
kitchen. dare say they won't mind
living like that any way. They're
pigs"
Pigs, too?" asked Bartlett.
Drayton went on unfolding his plan.
"Once have that top floor, you watch
the interest in life I'll provide for
them. I'll make their days pleasant
and their nights-particularly their
nights-beautiful. I'll have suppers
up their every evening. and do songs
and dances until reveille, If | have to
hypothecate to pay my commissary
bill, and if my health breaks down.
You watch!" He stood UP and began
to button his blouse. 80 you are
warned. If the Collinses move in, such
is my devotion to them that I'll move
in. too. And I'll put in my formal ap-
| plication for those two rooms. No
other two in the post will suit, either,
you understand"
And il all came about exactly as he
said. There was hegira of Law
rences and an ingress of Collinses,
and great was the latter's wrath when
II, they found Drayton taking possession
of the upper floor. They protested to
everybody in general, and to the COM
particular. And the commandant and
the Guartermaster said they were
sorry. but that Drayton was certainly
within his rights. He had applied for
the quarters in virtue of the general
turning-out that ID troop was causing
ing the post, and he was entitled to
occupy them. There was nothing more
to be said.
81 can't pretend to be sorry for them
exactly" Mrs. Lawrence confded TO
Drayton, when he advised her not to
try to settle in her new quarters very
deliberately; "Im only human, after
all. and my house did look so sweet
and my garden. But I'm sorry for
you. | think those children are the
very imps of evil"
Drayton nodded There are Others
he said.
1t was emigmatical, but Mrs. Law
renee looked doubtful and ready to be
hurt. You don't mean mine?" she
said.
mo, my dear lady" Bartlett reas-
sured her, ''hc doesn't mean yours
He thinks yours are all that tender
infancy should be. ! don't know what
he does mean. however. And prob
ably he doesn't know himself"
Don't II" queried Drayton, enigmat
ical still. Don't l just?"
Perhaps" said Bartlett, you near
Jimmy O'Brien. | saw you hobnob
bing with him today. Would 1t bt
Jimmy now?'
Drayton would not commit him.
self. But is was Jimmy and one other
nevertheless. Drayton had come upor
him when he was playing duck-on-a
rock all by himself, near the suffers
store. The duck was beer bottle, ant
Jimmy was pitching stones at it. will
Indifferent aim. The father of Jimm.
was first-sergeant of Drayton's troop
and so the lieutenant felt they haC
enough in common to warrant a con
yersation.
1t began by suggestion as to ;
better way to throw stone. and 1
ended with bargain struck. Then,
said Drayton, "if promise to pay yol
two bits for every centipede, four bit
for every tarantula, ten cents for ever.
lizard, nickel for every toad and
cent for every big spider, you viii
catch all you can and bottle them 70
me?"
Jimmy nodded solemnly.
"And you won't say anything abou
1t to any one?' A quarter was presse
into n channel and grimy hand