Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-03-16
THE CRIME OF PRIVATE MASTERS

"Halloa, who's there?' sang out Capt.
Bannerman, an officer in her majesty 5
| 10th regiment of the line.
ME, sorr. I've brought up the orders,
sorr"
IAN right, come in. Any crimes this
morning, Nolan?'
Yes, sorr, a good half-dozen," was the
| reply. And the order sheet was laid be-
| fore his master.
"Confound the fellows! Who's in trou-
ble now?'
There's three ordinary 'drunks.' cap
| tain" replied Nolan. who was the cap
tain's servant; two disorderlies, and
Private Masters is up again, sorr.'
What for?" The query was put
sharply, and rang out through the little
| room like a word of command. That
| fellows always giving trouble" he said
to himself, Il shall make an example of
| him this time"
absent without leave, sorr."
Capt Bannerman's brow darkened.
Give me my sword, Nolan, and my
gloves. What time, orderly room?'
Ten o'clock, sorr; it's 8 now
The third Offense within the last
month" muttered the young officer, as
he made his way from his quarters 70
the mess room, there to fOrtify himself
with an excellent breakfast.
The moment Guy Bannerman entered
the officers mess he was greeted with z
cheer and u roar of congratulation by his
brother officers.
wish you good luck, old chappie"'
"When's the wedding to come off. old
man? Give us time to buy the presents"
by Joye! Guy, you're the luckiest
fellow in the garrison and so on. for
the engagement of the handsome captain
was just announced TO no less lady
than the colOneFs sister-in-law, pretty
Mabel Vivian, with whom the whole
regiment had been more or less in love
ever since she had taken up her resi-
dence with her elder sister some months
THANKS. thanks, old man; spare my
bushes. Courtenay Yes, I'm indeed
lucky fellow. and now let me eat my
breakfast. I've no time to lose, orderly
room 10 sharp" said Capt. Bannerman,
who was nevertheless much gratified at
his comrades enthusiasm.
THAT fellow, Private James Masters.
been absent again" he remarked 20 his
subaltern, BERTHE Wingate, a fine, good
looking boy about oneand-twenty.
He's a sullen brute" answered the
lad. II hate EN- when they're sulky.
| say, Bannerman, I'm sorry for the
chap, though. Hou'l let him down light
ly this time; won't YOU? / heard tale
about him; hes"
Capt. Zimmerman looked coldly at his
young sub.
You're very young and very foolish,
Wingatc,' he said. why should | give
light sentence to man who sets au-
thority at defiance, who's an out-and-out
bad lot?'
Il don't quite think Masters tx that"
veutured BERTHE He's a queer-tempered
fellow. | know. I've kept my eye ON
him lately"
That will do" interrupted his superior
officer, shortly. You've a great deal to
learn, my hoy, that's very evident. Good
gracious, it's five minutes to TO- | shall
be Late And huckling on his sword he
hurried to the orderly room. there to sit
III Judgment on the delmquents. The
DRINKS and disorderlies We're soon dis
posed of, and then Private James Mas
ters was brought before his captain.
Guilty or not guiltyF" In military life
little time is wasted in settling these
small breaches of the Queens rcgula-
| tons.
Guilty. sir" was the quiet, almost
sulen reply.
How long was Private Masters alb
| sent without leaveT' was the next Ques-
ton put to the sergeant who was in
charge of the prisoner.
| From : O'Clock last night sir, till {
O'Clock this morning. replied Sergt
Lamb, Saluting.
Have You anything to say" Capt
! Zimmerman asked.
Private Masters remained silent
| Three days in the guardroom an6
twenty-ore days confinement TO bar
racks" was the sentence pronounced up
on the prisoner by the captain of hi,
| company, and then came the order
March the prisoner away. sergeant"
But Private James Masters wrencheC
| himself away from the Sergeant's detain
| Inn han h IL
! Sunken eyes had in them a wild desper
ate light He turned and faced the little
| group of officers who sat AT the orderly
room table, the adjutant taking hriet
notes of the proceedings.
Sir. Capt Zimmerman" he cried
hoarsely; let me off this time, only this
once. Ye nivir arst me what | was ado
! in last night. why | was absent without
| leave Captain I've Il wife-a young
wfc--a hit o a gal not II till next
! month. an last night ! 'ad a child. I've
| got none now, and maybe tonight Ill not
ave wife. Captain, let me off: let me
see the last q BeSs. They say as 'ow
| you've a sweet'eart q yer own, a hcauti
| full good lady. but not better than my
BeSS-sweet cart an wife in one. | was
married tout leave. She's not on the
! strength, sir. hut she's my wife all the
| same-mY lawful welded wife. Let me
off this once only this once. that | may
! Try ah save my hcSS me. fu" the love
| of Heaven, let me off,
Now, whether the mention in such rude
! terms of his engagement angvred Cant.
| Bannerman, or whether the fact that
| Private Masters had married without
leave proceeding to which he had the
utmost objection. very certain it was that
ms brow darkcncd ominously. This is
| what comes Of going against the Queen
regulations he said. No, Private Mas.
terS' your excuse is worse than useless.
Sergeant, march the prisoner away"
Wen for the Young officer that ne did
NOT see the expression in Private Jane,
| Masters eyes as he left the orderly room.
Hatred; revenge. murder WIS in his face.
Sergt. Lamb noticed il aud Shudlered
Iaat day Bess Masters lied.
Abon, l o'clock in the morning the
! guardroom was found empty as far aS