Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-02
CHAPTER XVI.
,EYroY gr1cKs TO THE FLAG.

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 somehow and went to his own
 EM room. He threw himself up-
 on his knees before his bed, as he had done when a little child, stretched out his hands before him on the cover and buried his face between his arms. His body shook with tear- less sobs. He could form no words of prayer, but in that attitude the thoughts of his heart went up to God sn broken petitions. Into the agony of that soul the Master looked. To those uniformed prayers he made answer.
 He had come to decision final and irrevocable. He would do his duty and he knew now what it was-no mat ter what happened, whose heart broke, what appeals would be made to him. Friends, family. love = they were all cast into the balance in that human soul and outweighed by another claim. As he rose to his feet he picked up the letter. 1t was an official envelope ad- dressed in familiar hand. Eagerly he tore it open. Khere fell from 1t his long expected commission as ensign in the United States navy and orders re- voking his leave and directing him to report at once to Washington. Such an order could only be met by com pliance or resignation. With these of ficfal papers was a letter ill hand he knew. The name signed to it was It. tie known outside of naval circles, but in n year the world would be ringing with 1t. 1t was an appeal, an appeal to his conscience, to his honor, to his sense of duty, from brother officer, an old nan greatly his senior in rank, who had been a second father to him: an appeal to his loyalty, to his patriot ism as an officer, and finally an tnspir- ing expression of confidence which was balm to his soul, and the theme of the letter, the text of it, as it were, was, "Stick to the flag"
 'Thank Godv' he said, laying the let ter down. 'sThank God that decided before broke the sealr'
 The music of fife and drum came swelling up the road. He ran to the window and looked toward the gate The Light infantry was just turning into the avenue and coming toward the house. The soldiers were accom- panied by great multitude of people on foot, on horseback or in carriages. What had Willis said? They had elected him their captain! Him! He laughed, though there was little mirth in the sound he made.
 Well, he would meet them fairly and squarely now. He would tell them frankly and boldly before father, moth CT, friends and sweetheart. Thank God they were all there! It could all be done in one blow.
 He ran to his closet, drawing off his clothes as he went, and then put on others that he selected as quickly as possible. The troops were at the porch now. He could hear the rattling of musket stocks on the walk as they were brought to "order arms" and then to parade rest" Hastily buttening his coat, he turned to meet Willis in the door.
 Good heavens, Boydv' said the boy, glancing at him anxiously, "what did you do that for? Won't you take them off? They are"-
 "No," said his brother, brushing by him. Come on.''
 Followed by Willis, Peyton ran down the stairs through the hall, and out on the porch. There immediately before him were drawn up the company of rifiemen. Surrounding them was great concourse of people. On the porch stood his father and his mother and sister. The old mans face was flushed with pleasure, his eyes were shining with proud and happy light. On one side stood Bob Darrow, hand somer than ever in his becoming uni form. There, also looking more radiant and beautiful than he had dared even to dream of her, was Mary Annan. The color was burning in her dark cheeks; her eyes, too, were ashine. Her eager glance dwelt upon his face almost lovingly as he entered the porch, and the next moment compre- hended his clothing with a start of surprise. Following her example. they all looked at his tall, slender fg- ure and noticed with astonishment that he was clad in the full uniform of an ensign in the United States navy, even to his sword, which he held light ly by the scabbard in his left hand. But they had no time to comment on the singularity of his action, for an- other sharp command rang out:
 Company! Present arms"
 Colonel Peyton, ladies and gentle men, and especially Mir. Boyd Pey- ton,n Johnstone, the lieutenant Of the company, began, with an eloquent -ges- tsixe. cornnrehenninE z ayArxbcdy. ..as