The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-20
Copyright, 1901, by Charles King


Eric. what more do you need 10 keep
you from giving us all the slipr'
Almost impusively tho elder turned.
tears starting into his own haggard
eyes.
Did Melville say that Rodney DO
you--you're not making IL better than
he did-God bless him anyhow-in your
loyal effort to-comfort me"
Swear 10 a., Eric, II need be. and
know it's what you deserve to hear"
Then, with rueful smile: Even IL you
did try to pull out without giving any
follow a chance. / missed you just
after 1-just after the Brocktons' func-
tion broke up. Woodrow and l scooted
over to your room the moment we
could get away, and there was your
luggage all packed. but no sign OF you.
Couldn't find Hurricane either-wish
you could have seen that old Niger sit
ting on the back steps crying this morn
ing-so / started through the post, scout
ing everywhere / thought you might be
except-except'- And here an honest
blush went up TO the young fellows
brows. "Well. IT was o'clock when l
left note for you in the old roost and
s when / got I'm there again and found
my note there. but not you, only old
Hurricane boohooing at tho back.
Listen Yes. there goes adjutant's coll.
Eric / may tell Melville you'll conner
Steady there, Ronald" he interJected, for
the spirited charger well knowing tho
call, had whirled about and was paving
and snorting In manifest impatience. His
owner moved to his side, but his eyes
never left the form OF his friend.
IL was a moment before the latter could
speak Meantime the young lieutenant
had vaulted into saddle and was at once
caressing and controlling his pet, who
was fretting and plunging In his eager
ness TO gallop 10 his place IN battery.
May. tell the major / thank him with
all my heart ! shall be there"
And now Ronald sprang away Ike
deer, shooting up the slope toward the
west as though life had no higher Joy
than hand gailop. Lieutenant May
turned in the saddle 10 wave a friendly
hand to tho figure standing at the edge
of the willows. Then horse and rider
in long. easy curve rounded the shoulder
of the bluff and skinned out Of sight
Half an hour later a brilliant spectacle
lay before the eyes OF Eric Langdon.
IL was one to thrill and delight even an
unprofessional eye but this was the eye
of a practlced soldier, 10 whom every
| detail was familiar a soldier who many
| a time had taken active and up TO within
| three months prominent part In similar
pageants. Now IL was the VIII OF the la"
| that he should be cut from further par
| participation In scenes OF the kind. BY
| the stern edict of a court martial duly
l confirmed by the order OF the president
1 himself Iangdon stood summarily dis
missed from the military service OF the
| United States.
II was a sad, sad story. 1t has had It's
! parallels: II may have more. There was
! no finer young soldier In the battalion OF
! cadets and great were the prophecies OF
! classma tes--indeed OF instructors-when
Langdon's name came up for discussion.
! The corps rose up and cheered him on
graduation day when great public or
fetal in handing the handsome cadet cap
/ tain his diploma took occasion TO say that
n young gentleman who could ride and
! drill as he could ought to be most well
! come TO the finest regiment in creation.
| and n very pretty girl sitting close 10
! Senator SPOTS. a ponderous member OF
| the board OF visitors. whispered TO that
| veteran beau:
Now, there's man / should Ike 70
know"
And so II happened that before the
| graduating class were fairly out Of ca
det uniform and into their first "cits q
! messenger In the shape OF the official or
DERBY of the oommandant OF cadets came
TO Eric Iangdon to Invite" his presence
AT the quarters OF that high official. and
there he was presented anew 10 the dis
tinguished senator to whom he, In com
, pany with his classmates, had ALREADY
made the orthodox and conventions
homage required OF the graduating cade
10 the board OF visitors, and now tho
senator, all suavity. led forward an ex
tremely pretty and vivacious damsel
"Mr Langdon." said hes this young lady
has fallen I'm love with the corps I'm gen
ernI and your-hors enanship I'm particu
lar. and I know you will be delighted u
reciprocate."
1t was an odd moment for Langdon
He would have been at loss to Know
what 10 do or say had not the girl her
| mi, laughter.
neved the situation OF fits embarrassment
That was the beginning They me
frequently that summer they parte'
In the fall, when he went TO his regi
ment. he utterly infatuated, she half de
lighted. half regretful. She coudn'
think Of marrying in the army, sh
said She admired IL and him OF al
things, but that was all Twice In tina
| first year he managed to get leave an
TO go to her and plead again. He ha
some little money beyond his pay. III
felt that he could support her In com
fort. but he little dreamed OF the scop
OF her desires. He was kept blind
the fact that she had hopes and ambi
tions far beyond his. Then one day TN
sudden death OF a senator shocked Tn
community, and Lansdon. reading IN
news, never imagined the influence II wa
10 have on his life. HIS letter OF con
dolence 10 her brought an answer tina
/
sudden, but immensely swell" sh
came With him TO the regiment fe'
months. stunning" everybody by the ele
aance OF her toilet and the extravaganc
OF her IDEAS. Then she declared she ooul
: not bear garrison life ard pined fo
washington. She got him detail Q
stan duty, and he would not go. III
place, he said. for a few years at leas
must be with tho regiment She wer
without him. and presently he was BON
. barded with bills tho payment of while
swamped him--took his last cent.
| mattered little. she said. Senator Spott
I ! only sister. his elder by several year
was 10 leave her every penny and IN
deed I'm the hard times for him that 10
lowed more than once that he knew
and more than twice that he knew NJ
+: of that sorely tried maiden came 70 n
: rescue with checks OF startling size. The
! | there came rumors that the lovely
= volatile Mrs. Iansdon was hirtlng de'
perately at the capital. and one of ~
r very beot young duty" officers In ~
{ regiment was beginning TO look haggai