Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-07-13
Everyday
-Courage.
BY ETHEL WRIGHT.

Polite" grumbled Lieutenant Will
loughby to himself as he entered the
hallway of his friends apartment in
response to summons bawled out
from some part of the interior. What!
Breaking upE' 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-
tion of turning to greet his visitor.
Scott, your manners are beastly,"
was the intrudcr'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 moment Scott
was shaking his friends hand in a
manner so hearty that Willoughby for
gave the boorishness of his first greet
ing.
'Sit down, old man, If you can find
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 ScOtt's short re-
ply as he turned to light his pipe and
rummage about for another for his
friend.
you haven't quarreled, have you?
Willoughby inquired quickly, for when
he left the city a year ago Scott and
'the boy" had just taken the apart
ment that was now being dismantled,
and the two We're apparently settled
for some time.
"IIow long have you been in town."
Scott asked instead of answering Will
lOughby'S question.
Got here at 3 o'clock. had to stop
at Washington yesterday to make re-
port and came over this morning.
tell you it's good to get back even for
30 days. The fun of soldering in Cuba
is all over. There Is nothing but man.
u'i idboi w bo INV. hell lt
added after a moments hesitation, IL
wouldn't have left. though. on any
other errand than the one that brought
me here"
"Official. | suppose"
"No," 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 retainer?
You say Harrison has cleared out.
What is it all about? Don't sit there
looking at me in that lugubrous fash
ion. Out with it,"
'"The boy and l haven't quarreled,"
Scott answered after a few futile pulls
at his pipe. II jawed him a bit for
leaving me with these cenfounded
rooms on my hands. but there was no
row. lie has changed his plans-living
over In Jersey somewhere-Cranfo |
believe"
"Oh. Crawford" was the lieutenant's
observation, seemingly to himself, as
he recalled that the object of his er-
rand lived at the next stop" "And
that's what makes you so glum, is tt"
Not exactly" Scott spoke now with
the tone of a man who has formed
resolution to perform 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 Il way"
Willoughby's expression was a COM
posite of mystfication and uneasiness,
but he only waved his hand as signal
that his friend should proceed. This
was just what he did not seem ready
TO do.
"For heavens sake, If you have any
thing to say" Willoughby finally re-
marked rather peevishly, SAY it!'
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. "l'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 lie ever met, and he
was in love with her from the moment