Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-11-12
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
) LIEUTENANT
HINDS By VII!
A. PAGE

, p
imposing fight Of stone steps leading
to the northern entrance Of the state,
war and navy department building in
Washington paused at the watchman's
desk just inside the massive doorway
Il wish to send a card to Lieutenant
John Kinds of the navy department. y
she said, with just tinge Of the aris
tocratic arrogance often to be found
within the exclusive circles of army
and navy official society.
The watchman pondered Don't re
member the name. miss" he said,
scratching his head. Are you sure it's
the navy and not the army1'
"Of course | am-thc navy"
well. take u chair. miss, and III
look through the navy register. l
thought I knew most Of 'cm. but some
times new one comes from China or
the Philippines, where he's won a com
mission. without ever entering this
here department building"
Lieutenant Kinds has not been
away from Washington in four years, y
said ,ac young lady. 1t seems strange
ycG Go not know him"
'No auch name" declared the guard
lam of the door, slammiug the naval
register shut. And let me tell you,
miss. you must have the name wrong,
since if he Amt in the naval register
De afn't any lieutenant in the navy of
Your Uur.. Samuel"
The young lady became visibIy an
noyed
Kindly direct me to your superior"
She said decidedly. 81 have made no
mistake in the name. 1t is Lieutenant
John Kinds Of the navy. He told me
50 himself"
We'll, if you are SO sure, 1t amt for
me to say you're wrong, was the kind
IL answer. You might see the chief
clerk down that corridor to the left"
Thank YOU" was the reply, and the
young lady. evidently relieved, started
in the direction Indicated. She turned
the corner into the long and dimly illu-
minated corridor ON the navy depart
ment side and ran plump into young
man who was acting rs the motive
power for rubber wheeled truck load
ed with several stacks OF books
II assure you-I beg your par
dom he began.
oh forgive mc-it is so dark she
began. Then
why, Jack, here you are.'
The man uttered an exclamation Of
surprise and annoyance The deuce
he began why, Hcttio what are you
doing here"
Il wanted to see you" she COM
menccd, "and l couldn't wait until aft
er Office hours. You see
But, confound II" began the man
"I mean, forgive me. Only you know
I always said l hated TO receive visit
ors at the Office"
II know, jack, but mother is Ill. You
left the house before came down to
breakfast Mother was worried about
the boarders and was afraid they'd all
leave when they heard she was sick.
II you stay, they will all remain, be
cause they all like you Besides
Besides what, Hettie?"
"Well, I've been thinking about last
highland the future-and- you
know just couldn't stay away from
you"
The dearest little woman in the
world" ne responded tenderly. Il was
a brute to speak SO TO you, but | was
surprised at seeing you here the first
time and, besides, these books must
be taken Immediately TO the secreta-
ry."
why. John" said the girl, ARE you
carrying books and pulling that truck
always thought lieutenants and naya
officers had mCn to do things for them
And do you know that horrid man al
the door didn't know you and SAID
there wasn't any Lieutenant Kinds"
My dear girl" hurriedly calculated
the young man, do you mean to say
you have been asking in this build
Ing for me? Why In the world
"Oh, I'm sorry l came now" mur
INJURED the girl, with u suggestion of {
sob. Il thought that my own lieuten
ant OF the navy would be glad TO SEE
me-"
"Of course l am" said the maj
tenderly, yet anxiously. There, for
give me, and I'll explain this evening
why | must not have any one callin2
here at the office. The secretary be
comes simply furious If any Of th'
clerks-I mean any one-receives com
pany. Even now | am late, and th'
secretary wants these books Goodby
dear. until this evening"
The girl turned to 90 \ resOnan
footstcp on the marble floor Of the al
most deserted corridor interrupted
them \ tall ana dignited man strod
by them in the semldarkness. BY tn
feeble electric light he saw the tw'
people and the truck Of books
"Hlnds' broke in a stern and com
maudlng voice. take those books a
once to the Office When you have don
so. | wish to see YOU" And the sec
retary of the navy continued on hi
way.
"Oh, Lord"' cried the man. I'm don
for now, That was the secretary
Run along. quick. | must 20"
If you 20. so viii l. And | shaI
tell this secretary what | think OF hir
for being So rude TO you. | see moth
Ing wrong I'm your speaking to me"
The man turned wait for me here
might as well face the music a
once" And, grabbing the handle O
the truck. he strobe rapidly after tn
vanishing figure of the secretary. III