Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-08-28

WllnID week, ana tHey lett without
flourish of trumpet. with hardly the
futter of a handkerchief: for, since the
battle of the 5th of February, neither
had been seen upon the Luneta. Their
women friends were very few; the men
they knew were mainly at the front.
The story got out somehow that Garri-
son had asked to be relieved from fur
Their duty as aid-de-camp and returned
to duty with his regiment, and that
Drayton would not have it. The gen
erals manner toward that hardwork-
ing staff officer, though often preoccu-
pied as of old, grew even kinder. He
did not see the sisters off for China
he was 'far too busy" was the expia-
nation; but he offered Garrison a fort
nights leave and urged his taking it,
and was obviously troubled when Car
rison declined. "You need rest and the
change of air more than any man
know" said he; but Garrison replied
that change of scene and air would not
help him.
There were two young fellows in
khaki uniforms landed from the hospi-
tai launch on the back trip from Correg-
idor one warm March day. One wore
the badge of subaltern of the --teenth
regulars. the other the chevrons of a
corporal and the hatband of a famous
fighting regiment of volunteers; yet
the same carriage bore them swiftly
through the sentineled streets of the
walled city, and the guards at the Ayun-
tamiento sprang to their arms and
formed ranks at sight of it, then dis
persed at the low-toned order of its
commander when it was seen that, in
stead of stopping at the curb and dis
charging an elderly general officer, it
whirled straight by and held two youths
in field uniform.
Zone of ems young Gray, of the
-teenth; he that was hit in the charge
on the Panay road" said the officer of
the guard to a colnrade. but who the
devils the other? He had corporars
chevrons on. Some fellow just got
commission, perhaps.' And that was
the only way the soldier could account
for Il corporal riding with a commits
stoned officer in a generals carriage
They had a long whirl ahead of them,
these two; and the corporal told Gray,
as he already had the general and Col
Armstrong. much of the story of, his
friendship for pat" Lntrobe, of that
poor fellows illness at San Francisco
and all the trouble it cost his friend
and chum. There was a strong bond
Ir To-. u.
blush of shame that stole up in the face
of the narrator found instant answer
in that of Billy Gray. Determined to
see service at the front and not return
to punishment in his regiment, never
dreaming that, in quitting corps
doomed apparently to inaction at home,
and Joining one going straight to the
enemy scountry. he was committing the
grave crime of desertion, "Gov" Prime
had spoken to some men in Stewards
regiment and was hidden to come alCng
and fetch his friend; for they were Just
as ignorant as he. Having still consid-
cradle money, Gov" had bought civil
ian clothes and all the supplies they
needed while about town, and hired
boat that rowed them, with certain
items contraband of war, to the dark
side of the transport as night fall came;
and they were easily struggled aboard
and into uniform, and then, during the
few days stay at Honolulu. were for
mally enlisted and no embarrassing
questions asked.
And now poor Pat was gone and
Irlme.s father had been cabling for him
to return home; but there was that awli-
ward matter about the desertion. Gen.
Drayton was trying to have it straight
ened out at Washington. for he had
been kindness itself the day of his visit
to the hospital, where almost his first
act had been to seek out the wounded
young soldier who had been his beloved
nepheW,s boon companion, and at one
time sole support. The sentry was re-
lieved of his surveillance, and Corp
cuperate; and now that both lads were
well on the road to recovery, Drayton
had sent for them. Strictly speaking
some one should have seen to it that
Corp. Norton, of the volunteers, was
shifted back to Private Morton, of the
-teenth, and the chevrons stripped
from his sleeves; but no one had cared
to interfere where the worsted was con-
cerned, especially as the boy had won
such praise for bravery at CoEcordia
Bridge. So there the chevrons stood
when the two were ushered into the
presence of the gray-haired chief, and
he arose, and, stepping forward, held
out hand to each.
Il want yo,l, boys" said he, "to be