Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
Short Story by Ella Freer In
COnkey's Home Journal

INV III 5ldNuIt, ut WAS never EeISTTeu lO as
Lengthy" 1t was feared he might resent
those familiar and endearing diminutives
common among soldier comrades, and as no
man in the regiment could draw" with
him, the Little Tough Sergeant was al
lowed to wend his way in peace and quiet.
Colonel Funston was tickled to death
when he heard of him. He'll be a treasure
when we get to fighting in the Philip
pines!" was the only comment of the little
red-headed commander.
The angry glance of the Little Tough
Sergeant was a death warrant.
Mabel was passing a squad bne day, the
Little Tough Sergeant being in command
He was a thorough disciplinarian, and the
awkward squad" under him was soon re-
duced to obedient, we'll drilled men. Mabel
smiled upon the men, and the order was
at once given present arms!'
Thank you" said Mabel, as she passed
along the line. May l give you a rose,
sergeant"
The Little Tough Sergeant, standing
erect and motionless, made no sign, and
then Mabel, with her own pretty fingers,
pinned the rose upon his breast. When
she had passed from sight the drill was
resumed. 1t was whispered about the COM
pany tents that night that the Little Tough
Sergeant was seen to carefully unpin the
rose, press 1t to his lips, and then hide it
under his coat.
Hes the best man in the company"
said Jack, land I'll bet he's the best in
the entire regiment"
After that Mabel never failed to smile
upon the Little Tough Sergeant when she
met him, and he always stood at "atten-
ton as she passed.
At last the wCssome order to sail for
Manila came, and the men of the regiment
were in a perfect frenzy of delight. There
vas one sad and heavy little heart, how
ever. Mabel knew there was an order
which prohibited women from sailing on
the transport. SoTrowful, also, were the
men OF Captain Bertrand's company. So
sweet and dainty a woman as the wife Of
the captain would be like a bit of sun
shine on board during the long and weary
voyage.
The day before the regiment sailed
Mabel met the Little Tough Sergeant. and
was seen to stop and speak TO him. He
said nothing. but she was much in earn-St
through 1t all. He stood at attention"
all the time--and when they parted he had
not said a word.
The day the regiment sailed was a mem
orable one for San Francisco. Down Mar
ket street from the Presidio to the wharf
the troops marched proudly, Jack at the
head of his company.
That feIIOw'll be a fine mark for some
sharp shooter remarked a gray-beaded
spectator in a plying tone. and many an
other lOOker-on thought so, too.
To Jacks surprise land relief. also)
Mabel did not take the parting so hard as
he feared. She was fearful. as might have
been expected, but not downcast.
You're a brave little one, after all" he
declared, and I want you to pray for me.
Your prayers will do for both OF us. I'll
be too busy for much else than hghting.'
I'll see you again, some OF these days,
Jack" she said, as she kissed him good
bye. But III be brave, as becomes a SOL
dier's wife, until We meet again, my darI-
ing"
Jack Rugged and kissed her heartily and
sprang aboard. He turned to wave his hat
to her, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Poor sweetheart" he thought, "TH bet
she's crying her little eyes out. She bore
mp before me, but when my back was turned
she flew to some quiet place to have a good
cry. / Just know che did"
Probably the transport had traversed 20S
miles when strange and startling rumOTl
regarding a stOWaway IA woman at that
began to circulate throughout the ship
She was pretty. too, 1t was said, in spit,
of her badly-httirg uniform.
I'm put up a months pay I know Wit
Is H." chBekIed the major in reply to al
inquiry from the colonel.
Well. cut with il. Who u sheg' de
maDSed the colonel, half laughing. bali in
digRant.
IF it's anbody. colonel. it's that ltt,
wife OF Captain BertTand!"
1T won't be so funny when ! get thFCugl
with him!" remarked the colonel unpIeas
Hntly.
Captain BertFard Was OrdcFed to apDea
before the colonel and he straightWa
Obeyed. On kis way to the esIonel's eabi
a great light broke in upon him. "Aabe
said she'd see me before long" he mUset
and I was a big fool not to know Wha
aLa rnaanI In N nnnNnh Inr hnrI 81,