The Cook County herald., 1902-05-03
GRADUATE
THE
By G. w. HARTLEY.
Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Publishing Coz

He was strolling along very con-
tentedly by the side of Miss Page How
ard, with her fluffy parasol swinging
from his hand. They made the usual
West Point trio.
There was every reason why Stanton
should be contented that summer after
noon It was one day within the end
of his graduation week and he had
managed to pull through so far in pref
ty good shape. His family had come up
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. 1t was perfect
day in early June and the path they
had taken was the pTettlest one the
Point affords.
In the midst Of SO many. pleasant
things. Stanton was perhaps an un-
grateful fellow to feel dscomtorted
But the truth was he had fierce de-
sire to smoke He waited until they
were we'll 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 if smoked a cigarette?'
She turned her chin up and looked
at him. Miss Howard's head was ex-
actly the height Of the third shiny but
ton below his shoulder. That button
was just over his heart.
Il certainly shouldn't mind" she
said smiling but can you? Is it al
loWed?'
We'll! to be candid" he answered,
taking off his cap and carefully pull
ing an Egyptian cigarette out from un-
der the inside band, lit isn't. That
why have to carry them in such an in
convenient place. But you kuow," he
added there are some things man
has to have whether they're allowed
or not
Miss Howard gave a little laugh
such weakness.' she Said, half con-
temptuOusly.
The man blew big puff out into the
still air With a nomentary burst Of
impatience.
"Contound It. he said. "A girl can {
understand what It means to 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 bcsetting sin, my one
vice. I've done without it here until it
seemed as if Id go mad for it. Got rest
less, grOuchy. fi;ful no good for work
Then. hang it all! went and smoked.
Being caught ana punished as though
Id vOm1:l:tted a crime was disg:aceful.
Of course but | was more resigned to
it because Ia had lny smoke
"Nhot did they do to you?' inquired
Miss Howard.
20. guard house a2;l do!ncrits and
thinGs.' he answered. lightly. But l'v,.
been careful not 20 exceed the limit
that the law allows al offender
He smiled to himself as he said it,
Everybody knows that a record OF nine
ty demeNits ttiN;1u:l January and june
IS enough to retire 20 civil lie the most
promising asp;rant to military glory.
"Mr. Stanton.' Qucried the girl. tell
nc, please, how many demerits you'
Won since the first of the year,
Stanton looked down at her with a
twinkle in his eye.
"Nell,' he replied. baLteria5iv. Il
counted UP this morning, just for fun
and | found a score Of exactly eighty
eight
Oh said the girl with an indignant
storm of eXclamatiOns. Il ave no pa
tience with you. You are 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 foolish bit Of self
indulgence like this! A fine soldier,
YOU are. \ splendid example Of dis