The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-06
A Deserter's
Fate.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IL BUTTERwORTH a,

Suy Suau"1S1 e
= chums In college. The ac-
uusintance formed there was
cemcnted BY time into q fast friend
ship, and when war was declared
against Spain both offered their SER
vices to Uncle Sam. But this friend
shlp, SO strong. was one Of diametrical'
~ opposite natures. Equal opportuni'
ties had been given the two men to Sc
cure shoulder straps. Butterworth
alone took advantage Of them. "The
Government has need Of educated men
as ofiicersr" he said. In accepting q
lleutenancy. The sentiment OF bis
friend was: "If the country has need
Of my services. I give them gladly.
but q gun shall rest upon my shoul'
ders: care not for the honors Of war"
For this speech Private Chadwick was
hishly esteemed by his comrades In
Company b. Of the Ninth.
Life In the home camp was drudgery
IN IIeutenn ,utterworth. Chadwick,
a. eager n. my to strike a blow at
them.
the dirty Spaniaris." as he termed
them, took the matter more philosoph'
ically. He submitted to the inevitable
gracefully. when at last the order to
break camp was given. there was some
regret that the Philippines was the
objective point. Nevertheless. It was
e Jolly crowd that unpeGged their tents
and rolled their blankets. preparatory
30 the departure for the coast.
The trip across the continent and
the life on the transport lessened. In
q measure, their eagerness for action.
30 stand once more on firm. steady
land, with no longer the pitching. roll
Ing deck beneath their feet was con-
teptment for q time. Barrack life IN
Manila was begun. Then a new ele-
ment came into the lives Of Lieuten-
ant Butterworth and Private Chad
wick.
Nina was Q Filipino girl. She was
the daughter Of an ipsurgent leader.
Lieutenant Butterworth and Private
Chadwick had fallen prey to her snap
ping black eyes and pretty face. smll.
ing coquettishly beneath a crown Of
Ink black hair. She fascinated one.
charmed the other. Butterworth was
head over heels in love with the girl
Chadwick. less impetuous. was caught
BY her sweet simplicity. Yet their
friendship did not suffer: rivalry.
rather than Jealousy. was the keynote
Of their relations.
Guy" said the Lieutenant one day.
forgetting rank In burst Of conf
dence. II can't get away from those
black eyes. they follow me everywhere.
they are In everything see: but, some
uay, I doubt her sincerity"
II have had my doubts. too" re-
turned Guy. "but knowing how much
you care for Nina, I have refrained
from mentioning them. have q fancy
myself for the girl Nevertheless. I
believe that she Is trying to inveigle
us into joining the insurgent cause"
"Oh, Guy" exclaimed Cecil. Nina Is
too loyal q girl to conspire for our ruin
In such q manner. I laud her strong
belief In her fathers cause. and I say
myself. without reserve. that with
such leaders as we have. the insurgents
could drive rs from the island. But
no. not that from little Nina"
Private Chadwick said nothing. He
prayed for q call to the field to sever
this attachment. His hopes were real
tzed-but partially. The Ninth was
ordered to join In the chase Of the in
surgents. but the activity failed to re-
store to Lieutenant Butterworth his
equilibrium Of mind. Military duties
now precluded further intercourse be-
tween the two friends. In the excite
ment of battle Private Chadwick gave
the black eyed Nina but small place
In his thoughts.
Private Chadwick lounSed carelessly
In front Of his tert admiring the beau.
ties Ct the setting sun. which painted
the horizon with glory. He was think
ing Of Manila, and. for the first time
since be had taken the field. Of the
bright-eyed Nina. He wondered II But.
terworth had forgotten her. 1t was
pleasant to recall those happy days.
'S-s-s-s-t-"
The sound interrupted his revery.
"A dirty. ragged individual stepped from
behind the tent. Looking cautiously
to the right md left he slipped grlmy
bit OF paper into Chadwlck's hand.
Guy hastily tore open the note. He
read:
MY Dear American Soldier: Prove
90 me that you love me. Join US TO-
night. Papa will make You big Of
6cer. NINA"
A pang went to his heart. A smoul
dering fire famed up. In spite Of thl,
evidence OF her insincerity, Guy now
realized that his feeling for her was
more than mere interest in the girl
He was disSusted to discover his
weakness:
Get out Of here" he said. In harsf
voice. go tell the one who sent yor
that my dag IL dearer to me than al
the world and before ] leave It I VII
die. Co."
The effort cost him pain. He crawlet
back into his tent miserable man
The sun had set.
"Private Chadwick's SICK" com
mented hia comrades.
One ran with the news to Leutenan
Buttefworth's tent. Il was empty.