Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-01-10

urgency, and on the outside was writ
ten, in big. bold hand, Captain
Wood-speak.'
Hell do most Of the talking, 1 ex-
pect," went on Swete Thornhill MALI
ctously. He's fit to be tied. Go in.
man, at once, and take your punish
ment."
The distinguished officer at that time
head and chief of our department was
Major General Sir Charles Collingham,
V. c., X. c. b.. one of the most nota-
highly skilled. strong in counsel, fore
most In the field. who had served all
most everywhere, in all the wars, great
and small, of recent years and had
made close study of the science of his
profession as Well. He had Travelled
far and wide, knew men and many ci-
ties, was rs much at home at court as
In camp, popular in society, which he
cultivated in his spare moments. all
though he allowed nothing to stand in
the way of his work. The service came
fi1st. and first. in the service was the
all important, transcendently useful
department. as he thought 1T, over
which he presided
Sir Charles eXpected--nay, exacted-
a like devotion from us, his staff off,
GERS, whom in all matters of duty he
ruled with rod of iron. None of US
liked to face him when he was put out
which, 1t may be said, was not sell
dom, for he was choleric, although not
cross grained. Under a stern face and
rough manner he had kindly nature
far down, for he did not wear his heart
upon his sleeve. certainly not for an
erring subordinate, as he considered
me just then.
felt rather sheepish and uncomfort-
able as l appeared before The great
man. The general was tall in stature,
very thin and straight, while his
strong, weather-beaten face-the deep
bronze contrasting sharply with the
bristling white mustachios and long
projecting eyebrows, over fierce, steely
BILE eyes--commanded respect.
He began on me at once. "By the
Lord Harry, this Won't do, Wood!' he
cried, with amazing volubiity and
force. What have you got to say for
yourself? Slept late? OF course you
flirting and philandering with that lit
tie madcap devil, Frida Fairholme.
But, L tell you, l won't have the bust
ness of this office neglected. Now you
are late for parade, and you know i'm
sist upon punctuality. And 1 practice
what l preach. i was .here.as the clock
struck 10 this morning, and I'd already
Deen TO l1OunSlOW ana back on my
bike. But there, you'll end by putting
me out of temper. Don't do 1t again"
II won't, Sir Charles" l said meekly,
yet wondering why / a man of millions,
submitted to such slavery, and i
turned to go.
'Ah, by the way, Wood, bring me
that report of yours, will you, on the
defense of the Canadian frontier. 1t is
ready, l suppose?"
Well. no. Sir Charles, not quite. 1
have been delayed by
Great Scott" he roared, instantly
blazing into white heat. You lazy,
idle young villain! / believe you want
to drive me mad. You know as we'll
as do that the foreign office is press
ing for the paper that l promised 1T
to Lord Salisbury within week, and
here you, you oh, go away! 1 want
none of it. You shall go back to your
groveling, guard routine,
and when you are grizzling your soul
out in that beastly tropical hole, Ber-
muda, you may be sorry for the chance
you've lost. Go away. say. I've done
with you. hate the very sight of YOU"
CONTINUED Next Weell.)