The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-06-27
! Everyday
i ----COurage.
! By ETHEL WRIGHT.
~ ~ -; -; - -. - - sy. - -


Polite" grumbled Lieutenant VIII
loughby to himself as he entered the
hallway of his friends apartment in
response to q summons bawled out
from some part of the interior. "What!
Breaking up?" the caller asked, peering
through lighted doorway. He had
been obliged to announce himself in
some way, for the occupant of the
room sat on the floor with his back to
the entrance and evidenced no inten-
ton of turning to greet his visitor.
Scott. your manners are beastly,"
was the intruder's next remark as he
threaded his way through the maze of
household wreckage that made ingress
difficult. At this the broad shoulders
turned quickly, and In q moment Scott
was shaking his friends hand in a
manner so hearty that Willoughby for
gave the boorshness of his first greet
Ing.
'Sit down, old man, II you can find a
place. Yes. we are breaking up, as you
call It," and the speaker swept his
arms In hopeless way over the con-
fusion of books, pictures and bachelor
bric-a-brac.
Where is the boyT" asked the call
er.
Cleared out" was SCOTS short re-
ply as he turned to light his pipe and
rummage about for another for his
friend.
''You haven't quarreled, have your"
Willoughby inquired quickly, for when
he left the city year ago Scott and
'the boy" had just taken the apart
ment that was now being dismantled,
and the two were apparently settled
for some time.
How long have you been In town."
Scott asked instead of answering Will
loughby's question.
Got here at o'clock. | had to stop
at Washington yesterday to make a re-
port and came over this morning.
tell you It's good 10 get back even for
80 days. The fun of soldering in Cuba
is all over. There is nothing but man.
ual labor to do there now" Then he
added after a moments hesitation, Il
wouldn't have left, though, on any
other errand than the one that brought
me here"
"Oficial. suppose?"
mo" replied Willoughby; ION the
contrary. quite the reverse"
Scott mumbled something and look
ed so absurdly unhappy that the young
soldier laughed outright.
what is the trouble, old man? Has
some one bothered you with a retainer?
You say Harrison has cleared out.
What Is 1t all about? Don't sit there
looking at me In that lugubrious fash
ion. Out with it."
1.-THE boy and | haven't quarreled, I"
Scott answered after few futile pulls
at his pipe. 81 jawed him a bit for
leaving me with these COMPOUNDED
rooms on my hands. but there was no
row. He has changed his plans-llving
over in Jersey omewhere-Cranford,
believe"
ooh. Crawford" was the lieutenant's
observation, seemingly to himself, as
he recalled that the object of his err
rand lived at the next stop" And
that's what makes you so glum, is itW
Not exactly" Scott spoke now with
the tone OF a man who has formed a
resolution to perform a hateful duty.
"If you will find seat somewhere and
light that pipe. I'll tell you about It,
Fact Is, my boy, you are In this story
in a way"
Willoughbys expression was a COM
posite of mystifcation and uneaslness
but he only waved bis hand as signal
that his friend should proceed. This
was just what be did not seem ready
to do.
"For heavens sake. II you have any
thing to say" Willoughby finally re-
marked rather peevishly. SAY itp'
Harrison is going to marry Miss
Mead" Scott said suddenly, being care
full, however, not to look at his listener
When he had impaired this informa-
ton, he seemed to be able to go ahead
without any further delay. "I'll tell
you how it happened-the engagement,
! mean. The boy has known her
long time; ever since he came to New
York. First girl he ever met, and he
was In love with her from the moment
he was introduced. Says he was, any
way. But Harrison, you know, is a
queer sort of chap. Has no idea Of his
worth and all that. He isn't half push
full enough to get along in this world
with men, let alone women. He
thought Miss Mead would never look
at him, and suppose she took him at
his own valuation. Women are apt to
do that you know. At any rate, he
made no progress. You know what
mean. l am telling you the results Of
my observations. Harrison never said
anything about it.
well. after Miss Mead met you at
Tampa last year the boys chances
seemed to dwindle to nothing"