Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-23

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 eeyec. --.----...--J "1here Is greatnesrs. Fighting has begun." and at others such a monkeyish mirth and malice were sparkling excitedly and gleefully.
 "You, Picpon? What is itY'
 "My corporal, there is great news. Fighting has begun, the Arabs want skirmish and Rake has run a spahis l through the stomach, that is all. I l don't think the man is so much as dead, even. He always does something when he thinks promotion is coming something to get himself out of its way, do you see? And the reason is this: He's good friend, and loves you, and he will not be put over your head. l Me rise afore him?' said he to me once. He's prince, and I'm a mon- I grel got in Q gutter! owe him more'n | I'll ever pay, and I'll kill the general himself afore I'll insult him that way. 1 So say little to him about the spahis.' He loves you we'll, does your Rake"
 "Well, indeedi Good God! What nobilityT
 1 Picpon glanced at him; then with the tact of his nation, glided away and busted himself teaching Flick -Flack to shoulder and present arms, the weapon being long chibouque stick.
 "Is this true, Rake that you inten- tionally commit Vthese freaks of mis- conduct. to escape promotion?" Cecil asked of the man when he stood alone with him in his place of confinement.
 Rake flushed a little. 'tMischief's bred in me, sir; it must come out It's just bottled up in me like ale.. If I didn't take the cork out now and then, l I sho1Idfy a-pieces!' Il But many q time when you have tbeen close on the reward of your splendid gallantry i'll the field you have frustrated your own fortune and the wishes of your superiors by wantonly proving yourself unfit for the higher grade they were going to raise you to. Why do you do that?', :ssiy s,ssss
 Rake fdgeted restlessly and, to avoid the awkwardness of the question, re- piled like a parliamentary orator by. Q flow of rhetoric. see FNsa l
 "Sir, there's many chaps like me- They can't help nohow busting out | when the fit takes lem. 'Tain't reasona- ble to blame lem for it. They're just made so, like chestnut's made to bust its pod and chicken to bust It's shell. ,"
 "But you wander from my question:" said Cecil gently. "Do you avoid pro- motionT SI
 "Yes, sir, I do," said Rake, something sullzily, for he felt he was being driv- en up corner.'' ,'I do. I ain't not one bit filter for an officer than riot ing pup is fit to lead them crack packs at home. I should be in straitwaist- coat if I was promoted. And as for the cross, Lord, sir, that would get me into world of trouble! should pawn it for a toss, of wine the first day out or give 1t to the first girl that wjnked her black eye for It."
 Cecips eyes rested on him with a look that said far more than his an- swer. Rake, I know you better than you would let me do if you had your way. My noble fellow, you re- ject advancement and earn yourself an unjust reputation for mutinous con duct because you are too generous to be given step above mine In the regi- ment."
 Who's been telling you that trash, sir?" retorted Rake, with ferocity.
 "No matter who. It is. no trash It Is splendid loyalty of which am ut terly unworthy, and it shall be my care that 1t is known at the bureaus, so that henceforth your great merits may be-
 "Stow that, sirv' cried Rake vehe- mently. "Stow that if you please! Promoted I won't be-no, not if the emperor hisself was to order it and come across here to see it done! A pretty thing surely! Me officer, and you never a one; me a-eommanding of you, and you a-saluting of me! By the Lord, sir, we might as we'll see the camp scullions a-riding in state and the marshal a-scouring out the soup pots! If you den't let me have my own way and if you do the littlest thing to get me step, why, sir, swear as I'm liv- ing being that I'll draw on Chateauroy the first time see him afterward and slit his throat as I'd slit jackal's! There, my oaths tookv'
 And Cecil knew that it was hopeless either to persuade him to his own ad- vantage or to convince him of his dis obedience in speaking thus of his su- preme before his noncommissioned of- fcer. He was himself, moreover, deep ly moved by the mans fidelity.
 He stretched his hand out.
 "I wish there were more black guards with hearts like yours. can- not repay your love, Rake, but I can value it."
 Rake put his own hands behind. his back.
 God bless you, sir, you've repaid 1t ten dozen times over. But you shan't do that, sir. told you long ago I'm too much of scamp Some day. E.-nerhaps. as I said. when I've set