The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-06-06

there lay behind a rope barrier, taut
stretched and guarded by a line of SEN
tries, an open space close under the
side of the greater steamer and be-
tween the two landing stages, placed
fore and aft. BY this time the north
tide of the broad pier was Uttered with
the inevitable relics of open air lunch
ing, and though busy hands had been
at work and the tables had been
cleared, and fresh white cloths were
spread and everything on the tables
began again TO look fair and inviting,
the good fairies themselves looked ask
ance at their bestrewn surroundings.
"Oh, if we could only move everything
bodily over to the other side" walled
Madam President, as from her perch
on stack of Red Cross boxes she sur
veyed that coveted stretch of clean, I'M
hampered flooring.
"And why not?" chirruped Mrs. Gar
rison, from a similar perch, tier or two
higher Here are men enough to move
mountains. All we have to do is to say
the word"
"Ah, but it isn't" replied the other,
gazing wistfully about over the throng
of faces, as though in search of some
one sufficient in rank and authority to
serve her purpose. 1--WE plead in vain
with the ofiicer-of-the-guard He says
his orders are imperative-to allow no
one to intrude on that space" and
madam looked as though she would
rather look anywhere than at the ami
mated sprite above her.
what nonsense!" shrilled Mrs. Gar
rison. Here, Cherry" she called to
pretty girl, standing near the base of
the pile, give me my bag. I'm army
woman enough to know that order re-
ferred only to the street crowd that
sometimes works in on the piel and
steals" The bag was duly passed up to
her. She cast one swift glance over the
heads of the crowd to where a hand
some carriage was slowly working its
way among the groups of prettily-
dressed women and children-friends
and relatives of members of the depart
ing commands, in whose behalf. as
though by special dispeusation, the or
der excluding all but soldiers and the
Red Cross had been modified. Already
the lovely dark-eyed girl on the near
side had waved her hand in greeting,
responding to Mrs. Garrison's en-
thusiastic signals, but her companion,
equally lovely, though of far different
type, seemed preoccupied, perhaps I'M
NXIIIInu for har do IL
thoughtful eyes were engaged with
some object on the opposite side-not
even with the distinguished looking
soldier who sat facing her and talking
quietly at the moment with Mr.. Prime
There was a CLEAN of triumph in Mrs.
Garrison's dancing eyes as she took out
a fiat notebook and pencil and dashed
off few lines in bold and vigorous
strokes. Tearing out the page, she rap
idly read it over, folded it and glanced
imperiously about her. A cavalry SER !
geant, one of the home troop destined
to remain at the Preside, was leaning
over the edge of the pier, hanging on to
an iron ring and shouting some part
ing words to comrades on the upper
deck, but her shrill soprano cut through
the dull roar of deep, masculine voices
and the tramp of feet on resounding
woodwork.
Sergeant" she cried, with quick de-
cision. Take this over to the officer
in command of that guard. Then bring |
a dozen men and move these two tables |
across the pier" The cavalryman
glanced at the saucy little woman in
the stunning costume, took i'm the |
gold crossed sabres, topped by regi-
mental number in brilliants that |
pinned her martial collar at the round. |
white throat, noted the ribbon and |
pin and badge of the Red Cross, and
the symbol of the Eighth corps in red |
enamel and gold upon the breast of her
Jacket, and above all the ring of ac-
customed authority in her tone, and
never hesitated second. Springing
to the pile of boxes he grasped the pa
per, respectfully raised his cap and
bored his stalwart way across the pier.
In three minutes he was back-half a
dozen soldiers at his heels.
'Where'll you have 'em. ma'am-
niss?" he asked, as the men grasped
the supports and raised the nearmost
table.
Straight across and well over to the
dge,' she answered, in the same crisp
tones of command. Then, with total
md instant change of manner, 81 sup
pose your tables should go first,
Madam President" she smilingly said.
1T shall be as you wish about the
others"
And the Red Cross was vanquished.
Il declare" said an energetic official.
moment later, leaning back on her
hrone of lemon boxes and tanning her
elf vigorously, "for whole hour I've
,een trying to move that officers
ieart and convince him the order
Iidn't apply to us. Now how did-she
do it?"
The officer must be some old-some
PERSONAL friend" hazarded the secre-
airy, with quick feminine compre-
ensive glance at the little lady now
eing lifted up to shake hands with
he carriage folk, after being loaded
With compliments and congratulations
y the ladies of the two favored tables.
Not at ALL" was the prompt reply.