The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-12

practice had begun to be lucrative before
the outbreak OF the war and bade fair
10 become moro SO as soon as he could
resume work. All the old debts. with In
terest had long since been paid. lie had
bought land and was drawing plans for
pretty home when the trumpcts sounded
10 arms. He had even begun TO dream
OF a chatelaine for that chateau. Cerr
tain batteries of the old regiment were
stationed I'm the harbor, and officers who
were his contemporaries I'm the old days
at Pawnee, seniors and juniors both, now
came 20 dis disciplined, well ordered
camp and looked with appreciative eyes
upon those stalwart, seasoned battalions
and envied him his experience and OPP
portunities. Torrance had got his double
bars at last and gone on 10 Manila as the
volunteers were coming home. but he nad
long since broken with Nathan, and the
soldier IN him sought reconciliation with
the man who had won such honors In the
campaign. The full realization of the
wrong ne had done Langdon long since
dawned upon him. and yet how horribly
awkward was his position! other men In
the regiment who had quarreled with
their kind and wanted TO end the strain OF
long misunderstanding could go to Mel
Vile. sure OF sound advice and sympa-
thetic aid Melville could harmonize
where others only meddled But Tor
rance was barred. Melville was the only
man 10 whom be could not go, for In
his rancor he had so far forgotten him
self and what was due a woman as TO
name one of Melville's household in his
deNnnciation Of his brother lieutenant.
Langdon had cordially greeted and re-
ceived certain OF the old regiment who
had held aloof In his days OF trouble, but
who came to him frankly and told him OF
their contrition and regret. They had
wronged only Langdon. Torrance had
spoken disdainfully OF a brave girl whose
offence in the eyes of the small mob ele-
ment at Pawnee was that she stood by
the sorrowing man and thought him de-
spitefully used, and now would Langdon
be apt to forgive an affront TO Ethel
Grahame? Mrs. Torrance. after the new
captain sailed for Manila, wished TO take
rooms with these pleasant army people
at their favorite caravansary. She loved
society. but everybody knew her husband
had been knocked fiat by Langdon for i'm
pertinent mention OF Miss Grahame, and,
though II happened ten years before the
breach had never been healed. Torrance
had never sought pardon. How could she
go there? The Nathans were taking the
air up at Tahoe, waiting for
the volunteers TO dsperse. but the majors
leave was for only two weeks. The
were still in camp and the day
OF muster out not yet determined The
governor and his satellites were now less
clamorous for speedy settlement of their
papers and somewhat given to sugges-
tion that. after all. 1T wouldn't pay for
the regiment to come TO the capital They
have their arms and their equip
ments. etc, all having to be turned in
at the Presidio, SO IL would hardly be
like military parade. All things con-
sidered, 1t would be just as well for the
boys to scatter at Frisco and each choose
his own homeward way" So the milf
tary authorities bent their energies to-
ward getting rid OF those regiments
whose statesmen were clamorous, and
thus II happened that the Nathans re-
turned while the Washoes were still I'm
camp. and II might have been better had
that leave been extended
One glorious autumn morning the regi-
ment formed line FOR final review. and in
grca. numbers civilians. soldiers and wo-
men fair were assembled TO witness the
ceremony. The Columbias had been paid
of TO the last man and given their dis
charge. but several OF their officers still
fingered about the city. The Evergrecns
had been welcomed home and feted and
feasted 10 their hearts content Not a
company had gone on Its way without
stopping for a parting call and cheer at
Langdon's camp. The commanding gem
eral and his stan, escorted by n troop OF
cavalry from the barracks and greeted
by the thunder OF the garrison guns took
place In front OF the center OF the long
statuesque' line. For the last time the
Washoes came out In khaki and very n,
and soldierly they looked despite the rel.
axation OF the long homeward voyage and
the days OF waiting about the city. Tc
right and left OF the reviewing point
were scores OF carriages from town. ans
an abide camp had ridden 10 Genera
Melville's with the compliments OF tho
department commander and an Invitation
To draw up close to the stan. where fal
better view could be had. and so Il hap.
pened that Mrs Melville and Ethel Ora
hame sat smiling within the charmed cir
Gle. the space parceled of by sentries fo
the immediate party OF the reviewing
officials. a he general left his station ans
rode up beside them and dofred hts plume,
chepeau. Il had hoped 10 have you rid
with us today. Melville" said he. but
suppose the doctors must have their way
Miss Grahame. l saw you I'm saddle In tn
park yesterday. and ] envied your es
cort." The general was nothing IL no
gallant. Wonderful no wsome men re
cuperatc from wounds received in battle.
continued the double starred veteran an.
gazed impressively at Miss Grahame an
glanced at Lansdon, sitting erect hal
way across the uelu. III seemed 10 IN
commander that he h&d put II very neat
ly. though the lady failed TO appear pro
foundy impressed.
She wished TO know the cause OF tn
delay for the Wsshoes were now stand
ing at ease. "Oh. the governor and som
OF his people" explained the chief, wit
slight annoyance In his tone. IT seem
they have been entertained over at tn
post hut they're coming now" he adde
as two carriages. escorted by three o
four horeemen. came sweeping over tb
brow or the northward height Impatien
eyes glanced thitherward. and PRESENT.
half the waiting line In khaki and dozen
among the carriage loads OF lockers o.
were aware that there was a hitch o
somo kind up toward that end OF tn
field.
Hello said the general. what
amiss yonder7" for all on sudden tn
carriages OF the approaching dignita
riCs had stopped at the sentry line an
there were running and commotion. The
Iangdon was seen 20 spur rapidly TO tn
spot. ard I'm one minute after his ap
pearance on the scene OF violent SCUM
matters were stiaightened out. TIL
carriages. with some iustered lookin
civilians. were driving down 10 the re
viewing point. and the COLONEL gallope'
ba'-s to HIS post. Three horsemen pres
entity rode slowly back toward the gnr
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