The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-04
A GAY CHAPLAIN.
BY CHARLES B. cAssADY.


 sstcopyrigh,. 1902. by Daily Story Pub. Col a% < < < s: * ! The chaplain having passed the even. ing with his friends, little versed In mil. itary techniealities, returned without be
 "wer boys. this beats my record. T said Captain saner. with laugh, after
 ths spore aP st ha navaaa cver psyss across in the preaching line. Why. he olt-drank. out-swore and out-played Us from the very start aud. dear knows, we
 The discussion Following was anything but complimentary to the chaplain of the -th, nor did it's rehash at their noes tend to help matters. Unfortunately the story did not reach Colcnei Howgate He would have sifted the affair at once and beyond a good joke sn the rarson 1t would have gone no farther. | Upon arriving home Southcote lost no time in questioning his sister afout the Rev. PayJon. He suspected that Alice cared for the new prstor, but when she lblushingly acknowledged her engage inent he was dismayed.
 The same evening, Paul received the folc wing note: -.s-. s. l. MT. Paul Payson:
 Your behavior during camp Is known to me and as 6 matter. of course our
 Alice southcote."; '; The ring is encl "es sst The distracted lover read and re-read this several times Naturally he could not realize what had occasioned such an | action on her part, That there was horrible mistake somewaere he was con f1dent but his pride forbade him asking for an explanation. @ | Two days later on Howard Street. Cap tain Payson accidentally encountered Bert South ,ote. who failed to recognize him.
 T say there! Don't you intend to shake hands with fellow?" Payson
 "Pcrhaps nip of wangenan.s whisky will aid your memory" continued Phil as he literally pushed the perplexed Southcote into convenient restaurant. When do you and your friends want revenge for the drubbing gave you the other, night? An! I see you remember now" sf W
 Then you are the Reevrend Paul Pay- saeT sepsq Wsas stesny sra talking about. anyway? Did my saintly conduct at the club give you that inn pression?'' Phil answered iaughingly, Most decidedly not. but the uniform you wore and the cards you handed around certainly stated that fact;" and Nhis temper rising, he added. and for two pins I'd wipe up the floor with you" | You are laboring under some deiu- sion." said Payson calmly. and before | you try to use me for a fioor-mop wish to state that l am Philip Payson. Cap
 
 lawyer by profession. have had the pleasure of meeting you but once and outside of winning few dollars from you. can't imagine what you have against me-
 "If what you say is true" and his un- enviable position began to dawn upon him. why did you wear a chaplains i blouse? And moreover. why did you give me this card?"
 | Captain Psyson looked at the bit of l pasteboard doubtfullv then at the speak , CT. and after puzzliny q moment burst out laughing. ! "Oh. what a joke! How the boys will roar when they hear of this. see it ! all. I must have worn my cousins coat. i You know We tented together. That ac- counts. for my strange reception that 1 night. l Lieutenant Southcote did not laugh far from it. He waited until Phil calmed down somewhat
 1 "I fail to see anything to laugh at | Whether you purposely masqueraded or | not makes but little difference. By that nights work you have done your cousin and my sister, who was his betrothed l probably an irreparable injury. I expect l you as man to helu me right this | wrong"
 | Phils face grew serious and he pu. down his glass untouched. 'I will do | so most willingly" he said gravely, If you will give me your word of honor that l really wore chaplain's blouse that night, for believe me, I was unconscious ! of it. Paul must necessarily have worn | camp before ] returned from parade: yet strange to say he has never referred I to it.
 That same night a rejected ring played ] d leading part.
 ' hv Ehen F Roxford