Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10

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&ANaS handsome, stalwart, brown =
tanned Captain Bertrand, who seemed to be
much annoyed.
81 can't take you, Mabel. much as I wish
you TO go. It isn't to be a picnic. You
probably won't see a piece OF cake, a lady
finger, a plate Of ice cream or even a good
ndwich in the Phillppines-if you go
therc-and a fellow can't be on the firing
line with his wife with him. The TWEEN
tieth Is booked for the firing line. good and
hard, and you cant be there. Now don't
be a little silly! BE a woman and wait for
me, like a true sweetheart as you are"
The men of the Twentieth Kansas were
%storming the cars at Topeka which were
to take them to San Francisco. There,
after drill and Setting up" they were
to set sail. for the PARKWAY Philippines.
Good-byes had been said, and in a few
moments the train would be speeding west,
ward toward the Golden Gate.
Captain Bertrand, eager to see active
service, was quivering with excitement,
and pretty Mabel, some day to be his wife,
was quite secondary in his thoughts. Again
he said: Don't be a sweet little silly.
Mabel! or course, you can't go with the
regiment! Women are not allowed, you
know. II wouldn't be the proper thing
you. among such a crowd of rough mer.
Now wait for me, my darling, and well
be married the very minute the wars over.
That won't be long. Wen knock tie
Spaniards endwise."
As he spoke his eyes wandered rest.
lessly over the ~surging mass Of enthusiastic
men, his bright eyes shining and his face
ahame.
What IN you should get killed. zach? ?"
asked Mabel, her lips quivering with pain.
Il won't be near you. dear, and you'll lie
all alone!"
II won't die, Mabel. as long as | have
your prayers, my sweet pet; but then, many
q better fellow than l ever hope to be has
gone down. Then, seeing the lines OF
anguish in her face. he added lightly
But, dear, l can't be killed. have a
nascOt!"
The men were in the coaches, the train
vas ready to start, and still Mabel he'll
her sOldier-lover IN her arms.
you are setting a bad example, for your
men, Captain Bertrand" said a stern voice
behind them, and as they turned tho old
major Of Jacks battalion, his face dark AMI
severe, confronted them. II hope you whit
not lag in action In this way, sir!"
Jacks face crimsOned as he saluted his
superior, and hastily pressing the fair,
weeping girl to his heart, he kissed her
lips half a dozen times, gathered his sword
under his arm and ran TO the train. SprIns-
ing upon the lower step OF the platform,
he was fairly dragged aboard by willing,
lusty hands. LEANING far out from the
platform, he waved his hat to Mabel, who
stood huttering her handkerchief, and soon
the cheering regiment was out OF sight.
Mabel and Jack had been sweethearts
since early childhood, but her parents
would not listen TO q marriage. When Jack
volunteered for the Spanish-American war
Mabel's father, a stiff necked, positive OH
man, said: TITS she only .casible thing
Jack ever done in his whole darned life"
A doan' b1ieve Jacks a cowahd," said
the old man; but jes' wuthless. All 1T
for foah year int tn Rebellyum. an All
know a tghtin' man when All see him. Al
hope Jaekll find some Rghtin'!"
Il Just believe you want TO get JACK
killed sObbed Mabel.
'Ah want ter see wat stun's in i'm"
insisted the old man. stoutly. "Ef he's
wat All tnk he is, he can have yer. He's
Poplar, case they made i'm captain Of MS
eomp'ny, an Ah'n glad no cOwahd nevah
come cO'tin' nah daughtah. All At foah
year TO tn south, but ef All was a youns
man Aid fight fer tn flag now"
After Jack had gone with his company
10 Topeka, the state rendezvous. NJ
Browniee went around among his friend
praising Jack for his manilness, and said
he was les tn man All want fer a son
ia-law; JaekH hght!"
Jack was not, generally speaking. 9
young man Of PROMISE, although popular
the girls liked him. he was the leader IL
all manly sports land mischief, tool b.
he seemed destined TO succeed in nothing
When the government granted Kansas
appeal to raise troops for the Spanish
American war, Jack was among the frs
to volunteer, raised a company. and wa
elected captain. He loved a soldiers lI
The night previous to his departure 70
Topeka he called upon Mabel. His unIforn
set on his manly proportions, and Mabe
was so stirred she could do nothing bu
kiss aud hug him.
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