Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-08-24
CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUEp.

CHAPTER Nl.-CONTINUED.
Over at the Palace, where so many
of the general officers and their staffs
were CHARTERED, he had dozens of
friends. Here at this favorite old
resort of the regular service he stood
alone, and to his proud and sensitive
spirit it seemed as though there were
a barrier between him and these pro-
fessional soldiers.
There was the whole secret of his
trouble. Absurd and trivial as it may
seem, Stuyvesant shrank from the
enterprise, even at the very threshold
-shrank even from sending his card
and asking for Lieut.. Ray, for no
other or better reason than that he
did not know how a volunteer would
be welcomed.
And so for nearly half an hour he
lowered irres olute about the Office,
unconscious of many glances of in
terest and admiration from the keen
eyes of the officers gathered in laugh
ing groups about the marble floor.
Not one of their number was his
superior in form and feature, and his
WAS lIlc ldIuIa OIh VI oOUl1-
ANS best military tailor. They saw
that the instant he threw off his cape.
One of their number whispered that
it was Mr.. Stuyvesant, Gen. Vinton's
aide, for everybody knew Vinton, and
more than one would have been glad
to take the aide-de-camp by the hand
and bid him welcome to their coterie,
but for that same odd shyness that,
once away from camp or garrison
and in the atmosphere of metropol-
itan life, seems to clog and hamper
the kindlier impulses of the soldier.
Presently, as Stuyvesant stood at
the desk looking over the register,
he heard himself accosted by name,
and turning quickly, hopefully, found
to his disappointment only a stocky
little man in civilian dress. Yet the
face was familiar, and the trouble
in the honest brown eyes looking up
to him, as though for help and sym
pathy, went right to his heart. Even
before the man could give his name
or tell his need, Stuyvesant knew him
and held out cordial hand:
'Why, you're our brakeman! I'm
glad to sec you What's wrong?"
1--WE lost me job, sir" was the an
swer, with little choke. 'sThey let
me out two days ago-for sayin' their
rotten old car caught fire from the
boxes, [ reckon"
''You don't tell mel" exclaimed
Stuyyesant in honest Indignation.
Now, how can I help you? What
shall we do?"
''Take me to Manila, sir. I don't
need this place. There's no one de-
won't list a fellow with only two
fingers" he held up MANNED hand.
Lost the others in a freight smash
up six years ago. But there's rail
way out there that'1l be ours in few
months. Then you'll want Yankee
train-hands. Can you do that much
for me. lieutenant?"
"Come to me at the Palace at eight
o'clock in the morning." answered
to talk to my general by that time.
Meanwhile"- with a blush he be-
gan drawing forth his purse.
The brakeman smiled. "I've got
money enough, sir. They paid me off
and l had some put by. Thank you all
the same, Mr.. Stuyvesant-Oh, yes,
sir, I'm ready" he broke off sudden
ly in addressing some other person,
and Stuyvesant, turning quickly to
see, was confronted by Lieut.. Ray.
ooh, how-de-do? Going to be here
long?" promptly. queried that young
gentleman. Haven't seen you since
the night at the Preside. 'Scuse me,
will you, I've got to take-er-my sis
ter wants to see the brakeman, you
know. With you the night of the
fire." And with that Mr.. Ray hoped
briskly away to the elevator, the ex-
trainman following, leaving Stuy-
vesant standing enviously at the coun-
ter.
Even brakeman could GO to her
and hear her pleasant words and re-
ceiye that beaming smile and perhaps
a clasp of that cool, slender little
hand, while he who so longed for it
all stood without the pale.
Then an impulse that had been
mastered him. The parlors were pub
lie. At least he could go and take
a peep at her.
He started for the elevator, then
changed his plan, turned, and, with
his cape still thrown over his arm,
assembled the stairs. The clerk at
the Office desk glanced curiously at
him, but the uniform was sufficient.
In moment he found himself in the
broad corridor and almost in front
or the doorway to the parlor. Half
dozen groups, women and officers,
were scattered about in merry con-
Versatlon, but Stuyvesant's eyes were
flVeteds instantly on little party
close by the elevator shaft. There.
hat IN hand, bowling and blushing,
stood the brakeman. There. with a