The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1902-05-09

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He was sirolling along very con-
tentcdly BY the side OF Miss Page How.
ard, with her fluffy parasoi swinging
from his hand They made the usual
West Point trio.
There was every reason why Stanton
should be c~ontente6 that summer after
noon. Il was one day within the end
Of his graduation week and he had
managed to pull through so far ia pref
" good shape. His family had come mp
TO see him leave the Point and had
brought with them the winsome little
piece Of the South who was his COM
panion at the moment. Il was a perfect
day In early June and the path they
had taken was the prettiest n the
Point affords.
In the midst Of so many pleasant
things, Stanton was perhaps an I'M
grateful fellow to feel disconnected.
But the truth was he had a fierce de-
sire to smoke. He waited until they
we're wen along In the thick OF the
path, and then he turned to little Miss
Howard desperately.
Il say" he asked. would you care
a bit II / smoked a cigarette?"
She turned her chin up and looked
at him. Miss Towards head vas ex-
actly the height Of the third shiny but
ton below his shoulder. That button
was just over his heart.
II certainly shouldn't mind" she
said, smiling. but car you? Is it al
lowed?"
We'll, to be candid" he answered.
taking of his cap and carefully pull
ing an Egyptian cigarette out from un-
der the inside band, 1t isn't. That's
why ! have to carry them in such an in
convenient place. But you know" he
added, there are some things a man
has TO have whether they're allowed
or not"
Miss Howard gave a little laugh.
such weaknessi" she said, half con-
t%emptuously.
The man blew a big puff out into the
still air with a momentary burst Of
impotence.
"Confound it," he said. "A girl can't
understand what 1t means to a fellow
that longing to feel tobacco between his
lips, to taste the little bite that it
leaves on his tongue, and to have the
smell OF the smoke in his nostrils. I'll
admit it's my besetting sin, my one
vice. I've done without it here until It
seemed as II I'd go mad for it. Got rest
less, grouchy, htful, no good for work.
Then, hang 1t ALL l went and smoked.
Being caught and punished as though
I'd committed a crime was d%isgraceful,
Of course, but l was more resigned to
1t because I'd had my smoke"
What did they do to your" inquired
Miss Howard.
20, guard house and dement's and
things" he answered, lightly. But I've
been careful not to exceed the limit
that the law allows an offender"
He smiled to himself Is he said It.
Everybody knows that a record of nine
ty dement's between January and June
is enough to retire to civil life the most
promising aspirant to military glory.
"Mr. Stanton" queried the girl, tell
me, please, how many demerits you've
won since the first of the year"
Stanton looked down at her with a
twinkle in his eye.
We'll" he replied, banteringly, II
counted up this morning, Just for fun.
and / found a score Of exactly eighty
eight"
'Oh!" said the girl with an indignant
storm Of EXPLANATIONS. Il have no pa
tience with you'll You ara to graduate
tomorrow. You've been shut up here
four years waiting and working for
that day. And at the last moment you
can risk It all for a foolish bit Of self
indulgence like thisl A fine soldier,
you arel A splendid example of dis
cipline! You don't deserve to belong
to the army 1 think I'll report you
myself"
Stanton laughed lazily over her sud
den wrath. She was so little that It
always seemed funny to him to see her
enthusiastically angry.
TITS too hot to get excited, Miss
Tempestuous," he said. "Of course, Pm
delighted rel your anxiety for my
welfare, but really I'm not running
such a risk as you think, II we should
meet an uulceI noWi ne sOOuSI smut
his eyes and hold his nose than see
my Cigarette o. smell the smoke. That
u.s." he added redectively, most Of
them would. But II he did see me he'd
have to report me, and then"
you would deserve ii" said the girl
holly. II think I'd be right glad"
You don't mean that, do your"
asked the cadet.
They turned a corner sharply as he
spoke. and Miss Howard gave a cry Of
surprise. They were face to face with
the man whom all the Point knew as
Captain Bobs."
With a movement that was a fash.