Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-06-04
A DESERTER'S FATE.

n ECIL BUTTERWORTH and Guy
J = Chadwick had been chums in col
~ lege. The acquaintance formed
there was cemented by time into fast
friendship, and when war was de-
eIared against Spain both offered their
services to Uncle Sam. But this friend
ship, so strong, was one of diametrical-
~ opposite natures. Equal oppOrtuni-
d1es had been given the two men to Sc
cure shoulder straps.e ButterwOrth
alone took advantage Of them. The
Government has need of educated men
as officers" he said, in accepting lieu
tenancy. The sentiment of his friend
wzs: IF the country has need of my
services, 1 give them gladly, but gun
shall rest upon my shoulder; care not
fer the nOnOrs of war" For this speech
Private Chadwick was highly esteemed
by his comrades in Company B, of the
Ninth.
life in the home camp was drudgery
u Lieut.. ButterWorth. Chadwick, as
y eager as any to strike blow at the
dirty Spaniards," as he termed them,
took the matter more philosophically.
E5e submitted to the inevitable grace
fully. When, at last, the order to break
camp was given, there was some regret
that the Philippines were the objective
E7Gfut. Nevertheless, it was jolly
crowd that unpegged their tents and
rolled their blankets, preparatory to the
departure for the coast.
The trip across the continent and the
life on the transport, lessened in
measure, their eagerness for action. To
stand once more on firm, steady land
with no longer the pitching. rolling
deck beneath their feet was content
e1ent for time. Barrack life in Manila
was begun. Then a new element came
into the lives of Lieut.. ButterwOrth and
Private Chadwick.
Nina was a Filipino girl She was
tEe daughter of an insurgent leader.
Lieut. ButterwOrth and Private Chad
wick had fallen prey to her swapping
black eyes and pretty face, smiling CO
c11cttishly beneath a crown of inky
2yack hair. She fascinated one, charmed
the other. Butterworth was head over
heels in love with the girl. Chadwick,
less impetuous, was caught by hek
sReet simplicity. Yet their friendship
did not suffer; rivalry, rather than jeal-
t1slsy. was the keynote of their rela-
lions.
Guy" said the lieutenant, one day,
Forgetting rank in hurst of confidence,
- can't get away from those black
eyes, they follow me everywhere, they
are in everything l see, but, sOmeway,
doubt her sincerity"
81 have my doubts, too" returned
Guy, but knowing how much you care
FOR Nina, l have refrained from men
eiouing them. have a fancy myself
for the girl. Nevertheless, l believe
that she is trying to inveigle us into
fleming the inSurgent cause
@-Oh, Guy" exclaimed Cecil, Nina is
aCO loyal a girl to cOnSpre for our ruin
IN such manner. l laud her strong
belief in her fathers cause. But no,
not that from little Nina"
Private Chadwick said nothing. He
73rayed for call to the field to sever
chs attachment. His hopes were real
EEcd-but partially. The Ninth was
! ordered to join in the chase of the in
Xe-t-4ltSs btt iAAC ANbANAtN AdAltN 10 IT,
store 10 Lieut.. Butterworth his euuilib-
-ium of mind. Military duties now
s~ccIuded further intercourse between
she two friends. In the excitement of
battIc Private Chadwick gave the black
eyed Nina but q small place in his
thoughts.
Private Chadwick lOunged careleSSly
sn front Of his tent admiring the beau
ties OF the setting sun. which painted
ehe horizon with glory. He was think
sur of Manila and, for the first time
since he had taken the field. of the
sl~isht-eyed Nina. He wondered If But
es,rworth had forgotten her. 1t was
,pIeasaut to recall those happy days.
'sS-S-S-S-t."
The sound interrupted his revery. A
dirty. ragged individual stepped from
behind the tent. Looking cautiously
~ the right and left he slipped a grimy
att Of paper into Chadwick'S hand.
Guy hastily tore open the note. He
read.
Ny Dear American Soldier; Prove to
r1e that you love me. Join us tonight
Papa will make you big officer,
NINA.
a pang went to his heart. 4 Smoul-
eseFing fire famed up. In spite of this
evidence Of her insincerity, Guy now
-e2lired that his feeling for her was
unore than mere interest in the girl. He
vvas disguised to discover his weak
ness.
Get out Of here" he said in harsh
~ A.
shat my flag is dearer TO me than all
the world. and before leave il | will
die. Co"
Ehe effort cost him pain. He crawled
Back into his tent miserable man The
sun had set
Private Chadwick's sick" comment
cd his comrades.
One ran with the news TO Lieut.. But
1eEworth's tent 1t was empty.
The lieutenant went or with dirty
aeckIng beggar." said she guard. "One
.sT his charities, guess. Said he'd be
hack before long"
Private Chadwick knew otherwise.
E1e was torn one way by jealousy to-
wand his erstwhile friend. another by
anger at the girl who had played him
xalse. He worked himself into fever.
lis comrades attributed it 10 sorrow
1or his lost friend. for, after fruitless
ssearch. il was said that Lieut.. Butter
worth had been trapped into an am
I z1Sc1de.
In the gray dawn OF morning Private
Chadwick paced slowly up and down.