The Yale expositor., 1902-04-04

lie was strolling along very con-
tentedly by the side OF Miss Page How.
ard. with her fuzzy 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. II was one day within tho end
OF his graduation week and he had
managed 10 pull through so far in pref
~ good shape. His family had come up
10 see him leave the Point and had
brought with them the winsome little
piece OF the South who was his com
panion al the moment IL was "A perfect
day I'm sarly June and the path they
had taken was the prettiest one the
Point affords.
I'm The midst OF so many pleasant
things stanton was perhaps an un-
grateful fellow 20 feel disconnected
But the truth was ho had fierce de-
sire 20 smoke. lie waited until they
were well along in the thick OF the
path. and then he turned to little Miss
Howard desperately.
Il say" ne asked. would you care
n bit II smoked cigarette
She turned her chin up and looked
az him. Miss Towards 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 IL al
lowed?"
We'll. 20 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
convenient place. But you know" he
added. there are some things man
has 10 have whether they're allowed
or not"
Miss Howard gave n little laugh.
such weakness" she said. half con-
temptuously.
The man blew a big pun ont into the
ttill air with a momentary burst Of
impotence.
"Confound IT," he said. a girl can
understand what X means 10 n fellow
that longing to feel tobacco between his
lips, to taste the little bite that IL
leaves on his tongue. and 60 have the
smell OF the smoke In his nostrils. I'll
admit it's my besetting sin. my one
vice. I've done without IL here until IL
seemed as II I'd go mad for H. Got rest
less. grouchy. htful no good for work.
Then. hang Il ALL went and smoked.
Being caught and punished as though
I'd committed a crime was disgraceful.
= I..s ta.l 20,
II 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
.hat the law allows an offender"
He smiled 90 himself as he said IL.
Everybody knows that a record OF nine
~ dement's between January and June
Is enough 20 retire 90 civil life the most
promising aspirant 20 military glory.
mr.. stanton" queried the girl. tell
ne. please. how many demcrits you've
won since the first of the year"
Stanton looked down at her with a
twinkle In his eye
We'll" he replied. hantcrlngly. 81
counted up this morning. just for fun.
and found a score OF exactly eighty
eight"
Oh" said the girl with an Indignant
storm OF ordinations Il have no pa
t.ence 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 II all for n 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! think I'll report you
myself"
Stanton laughed lazily over her sud
den wrath. She was so little that II
always seemed funny TO him TO see her
enthusiastically angry.
Its too hot TO get excited. Miss
Tempestuous," he said. "Of course. I'm
delighted over your anxiety for my
welfare. but really I'm not running
such a risk as you think. II we should
meet an officer now. he'd sooner shut
his eyes and hold his nose than see
my cigarette or smell the smoke. That