, 1902-04-29
The Graduate.
BY C w.

Copyright, 1902, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
He was strolling along very on
tentedly by the side of Miss Page How
ard, with her fuzzy parasol swinging
from his hand. They made the usual
West Poin; trio.
There was every reason why Stanton
should be contented that summer after
noon. 1t 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 a perfect
day in early June and the path they
had taken was the prettiest one 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
were well along in the thick OF the
path. and then he turned to little Miss
Howard desperately.
II say" he asked, would you care
. bit IL smoked 4 cigarette?'
She turned her chin up and looked
at him. Miss Towards head was e1-
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 can 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. lit isn't. That's
why | have to carry them in such an in
eonvenient place. Blu 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 weakness" she said. half con-
temptuously.
The man blew a big puff out into the
still air with a ~momentary burst OF
impatience.
"Confound it," he said. "A girl al t
understand what it means to a fellow
that longing to feel tobacco between his
lips, to taste the little bite that 1t
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 If Id 20 mad for it. Got rest
less, grouchy, fltful. no good for work.
Then. hang it all! l wen and smoked.
Being caught and punished as though
ira committed a crime was disgraceful,
of course. but | was more resigned to
it 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 AZ he said 1t.
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 dement's you've
won since the first OF the year"
Stanton looked down at her with
twinkle in his eye.
WELL" he replied, banteringly, 81
counted up this morning, Just for fun
and l found a score of exactly eighty
eight"
oh" said the girl with an indignant
storm OF EXPLANATIONS. II have no pa.
tience with you! You are to graduate
Tomorrow. You've been shut up here
four years waiting and working fol
that day. And at the last moment yor
can risk 1t all for a foolish bit of self
indulgence like this! A fine soldier
you are! A splendid example Of dis.
cipline! You don't deserve to belong
to the army! l think I'll report yol
myself"
Stanton lauRhed laZilY over her sud