Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-05-18
THE BELLE OF THE GARRISON.
By P. F. w. RYAN.

"'You are right. Something has
happened, l cannot go into particu
lars, George, but it's a woman-Molly
Prltchard. love the girl-but she is
not Indifferent. / should have gone
long ago, but she seemed such a flirt
Who could have guessed that She
"He hesitated, but my knowledge of
his honorable nature made his emotion
his reserve, his resolve to quit the sta
tion, more eloquent than words.
| could have sworn that there had been
a scene, that in moment of uncon-
trollable passion the girl had in some
way betrayed her love for him, and
in the delirium Of the moment he, too,
| had been weak. 1t was all as clear to
me as day.
"Don't be fool, Haughton. Marry
the girl
Marry! Be my wife's pensioner!
Never" and the proud spirit famed in
his eyes. Excuse me, George, for the
| heat he continued, ashamed Of hav-
ing shown temper, but it is impossible,
even If the old nabob were willing.
Poor men must pocket their pride be-
| fore money bags; I cannot do it.
II knew he was as proud as Lucifer,
| but 1 tried to reason with him; 1t was
quite useless, however. His mind was
fully made up, and have no doubt
the thing would have ended in COM
mOnplace fashion enough but for q
chance stroke of i'll luck.
"That night half q dozen of us sat
late over our cards, and we were all
more or less excited with wine and
| play when Haughton strolled in and
began to watch the game while he
smoked a cigar. l well remember
the look Of hate that flashed from
Barnets eyes when some one invited
him to join us, which Charley excused
himself from doing.
Barnet had been losing all night,
my own luck was just as bad, which,
considering the skill of my antagonists,
was hardly surprising. We doubled
the stakes; Barnet lost again. Again
we doubled, and again he lost. For
the third time We doubled. 1t was our
last game. 1 noticed Barnet's hands
looked at my own and found a hand
full OF trumps. 1 glanced at the pile
of gold; nothing could beat me.
81 led off with my worst trump;
won the trick, and the next, and so
on. AS was about to throw my last
card Barnet made some remark about
'onlookers' which was plainly meant
for Haughton.
IF there is any objection I shall
be happy to withdraw said Haugh-
ton.
Don't be fool, Barnet said one
fellow.
Don't croal; if luck's against you,
said another.
60 L object to any communication be-
tween players and spectators
'All eyes We're fixed on Barnet. He
was making q serious charge. 1 looked
at Haughton. The proud blood man
tied his face for moment, then re
treated, leaving him as pale as marble
GAS I am the only spectator, I de
mand an explanation The calmpesS
with which the words We're uttered
We're in striking contrast with his
blazing eyes and bloodless lips.
Demand" sneered Barnet. Haugh
ton said nothing. He was not the maj
to handy words like q woman.
"'What do you mean, Barnett sale
the senior captain.
:" mean that Haughton directed {
player by glance
Nonsense Barnett exclaimed thu
whole board as one man. You ar,
mistaken
Haughton smiled at the heart!
unanimity OF the chorus. Then hi
eyes flashed like those of tiger as h,
, turned on Barnet.
Barnet, you have spoken what yol
t know to be false" he hissed, and
turning on his heel he left the room.
| Il don't know how you manag
these things now, but IN my servic
| days we laughed at regulations
t man went on a hunting expedition
r and was brought home dead or pei
e haps he was found in his quarters wit
l a bullet in his head. Nobody aske
! inconvenient questions.
= 81 followed HauGhton to his quar-
ters to talk the matter over with hin
. l found him examining his pistols
= I never thought to turn them on
4 comrade,' he said. tried to hope tina
t Barnet would not fight. but my heal
n told me that he thirsted for his rival
: blood. Any doubt l had on the ma
S ter was set at rest next morning. Bal
net came to me, and with the utmos
x sang froid detailed plan for a NEE
n ing. I said something about not iii
S ing the business He laughed an
y jeered, and in the end so exasperate
j. me that wanted to shoot him mysel
S And 1t ended by my agreeing to secon
J. Haughton.
e "Next morning we drove from tn
Y station to the completion Of this, m
r life's tragedy"
l. George paused while. apparent
overcome by emotion. Then he col
It tinued:
o '"Thn meeting place WAS n fe-