The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-28
CHAPTER x1x.-tcontinued.>

tones as they formed in lines OF fours,
while their dlssprited faces showed that
tho heart was out OF them. Not so with
the Groves OF country folk and towns
people who lined the streets to see the
last of them. For these. when the band
came marching down the street and took
its place. set UP royal cheering. that
grew louder as jefferson Bareal1d, the
color-bearer, carried the flag to the head
of the procession. With the recruits
marched the veterans of 1912 and the In
dian wars, the one-lcgged cobbler stump
Ing along beside General Trumble. who
looked very detected and old. The lines
stood IN silence. and responded to the
cheering by quietly removing their hats;
so that the people whispered that 1t was
more like an Odd-Fellow's Sunday funeral
than tho departure of enthusiastic patri-
OTIS for the seat of war. General Trnm-
ble's was not the only sad face In tho
ranks: all We're downcast and nervous
even those Of the lads from the country.
who had not known the cornrade they
were to leave behind.
Jefferson unfurled tho nag; Marsh gave
the word of command the band began 10
play quick-step. and the procession
moved forward down the cheering lane
Of people, who waved little flags and hand
kerchiefs, and threw their hats In the air
ia tons. the parade was not directly along
Main Street to the river. Right wheel!
commanded Tappingham, hoarse-
", waving his sword. and Jefferson LED
the way into Carewe Street.
For Gods sake don't cry now! ana
Tappingham, with large drop streaking
down his own cheek. turned savagely
upon Lieutenant Cummings. THAT isn't
what he wants. He wants to see us look-
ing CHEEKY and smiling. We can do 1T
for him this once, 1 guess. l never saw
him any other way" 49,.
You look damn smiling yourself!
sruft1ed Will.
II will when we turn In at tho gates,
retorted the captain. ION my soul.
swear I'll kill every shifting idiot that
doesn't! In line there" he stormed fe-
rcciousy at a big recruit
The lively strains Of the band and the
shouting Of the people grew louder ana
louder In the room where Cralley lay.
His eyes glistered s he heard, ana ne
smiled, not the old smile Of the worldly
prelate. but merriiy. like a child when
1nns1c Is heard. The room was darkened
save for the light of the one window,
which fell softly upon his head and breast
and upon another fair head close to his
where Fanchon knelt. In the shadows
at one end of the room were MISS Betty
and Mrs. Tanberry and Mrs. Bareaud ana
the whte-haired doctor. who had said:
Let him have his own way In all he
asks" Tom stood alone close by the
head Of the couch.
.IIail to the band" Crailey chuckled
softly "How the rogues keep the time!
It's ,Rosin the Bow" all right! All, that
Is as it should be. Mrs. Tanberry, you
and have one thing in common, II you'H
let me fatter myself so far; We've always
believed in good cheer, in spite OF the
= oil and eh2 The best
of things. even If things are bad. dear
lady, eh?"
"You darling vagabond!" Mrs. Tanberry
murmured, trying to smile back to him.
''Hark to 'ern!" said Crailey. They've
very near! Only hear the people cheer
them! They'll march away so gaily,
won't they-and how right that Isl" The
vanguard appeared in the street, and over
the hedge cleaned the oncoming banner,
the fresh colors flying out on strong
breeze Crailey greeted 1t with breath
less cry. "There's the flag! Look. Fan
clon your flag!-waving above the hedge:
and It's Jeff. who carries 1t. Doesn't 1t
always make you want to dance? Bravo!
Bravo!"
The procession halted for a. moment in
the street and the music ceased. Then,
with a j,lbilant flourish of brass and the
roll Of drums, the band struck up The
Star Spangled Banner" and Jefferson
Bareaud proudly led the way through the
gates and down the driveway. the bright
silk streaming overhead Behind MIN
briskly marched the volunteers. with
heads erect and cheerful faces, ms they
knew Corporal Gray wished to see them
their captain Furnishing his sword in the
air.
Here they come! Do you see, Fan
chon?" cried Crailey, excitedly. They
are nll there--Jeff. and Tappngham and
l,.ltl III fl,n 4 40
old fellow-he'll never write decent
paragraph as long as he lives, God bless
him! And young Frank-what devtltries
Two led the boy into-and there's the old
General, forgetting all the tifs we've
had. God bless them all and grant them
all safe return! What on earth arc
they taking off their hats for? All, good
bye, boys. good-bye!"
They saw the white face at the vim
cow, and the slender hand Tutoring
It's farewell and Tappingham halted his
men.
"Three times three for Corporal
Gray" no shouted. managing, some
how, to keep the smile upon his lips.
Three times three, and may no rejoin
his company before we enter the Next
can capitnlH'
He beat the time for the thunderous
cheers that they gave; tho procession
described circle on the lawn, and
then, with the band playing and the
colors flying. passed out OF the gates
and took up tho march TO the wharf.
1.-THE flag, the flag" whispered
Crailey, following 1t with his ewes. 1T
shows that you helped make 1t. Fan
chon. It's so beautiful All, Tom,
they've said We abused It sometimes
It was only that we loved 1t so we'll
we didn't like to see any one make it
look silly or mean, But after all. no
man can do that--no. nor no group of
men, nor partyn' His voice grow louder
as the last strains OF the music came
more family from the street They'll
take your banner across the Rio
| Grande. Fanchon, but that Is not all
some day It's stars must spread over
the world Don't you all sea that they
wil?"
After a little while, he closed his
eyes with a sigh the doctor bent over
him quickly and Miss Betty started
| forward uncopsciously and cried ont
| But the bright eyes opened again
and fixed themselves upon her with all
| their old, gay inscrutability.
"NOt vet - said C'ralley. "MisS