The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-03-28

I
geant, do your duty.
| The lieutenant in command of the squad
stood with an open paper in his hand.
Ruby sat rigidIy silent in her saddle while
the inspection progressed from one pound
of tea to two bars of laundry soap, the
alpha and omega of Aunt Dora list. A
great many brilliantly cutting remarks oc
Cured to her, bat discretion carried the
day She tossed her pretty head angrily
as the sergeant threw her saddlebags back
into position.
II hope the Federal army is quite
satisfied, she said pertly.
The lieutenant in command made a sol
dierly salute aud smiled gravely. THE
Federal army is quite satisfied and only
regrets the annoyance adherence to orders
has occasioned the young lady. Military
necessity.
Ruby had the grace to feel ashamed of
her asperity. Perhaps if the rebuke had
not come from a strikingly handsome
young man she might have held on to her
bad humor more successfully. She rose
in her stirrups to make sure of the saddle
bags Her cheeks were rivals to her name
for ruddiness, and her eyes resolutely IL
nored the lieutenant : gentle regards
From the folds of her habit small
paper parcel fluttered to the ground. The
commo,ion it created was entirely dispro-
portioned to its size or the value of its
contents
The prvates sniekered openly, the ser
geaut grinned maliciously and the lieuten-
ant swore softly under his breath as he
stopped aud captured the parcel Ruby
elasped her hands before her face and
broke into stormy sohs,
''Its only a-veil; a-little bit-of a
miserable-yeil; 4 quarter of yard-of
gauze. haven had single new thing
to wear for two whole-years and |
should think you would all be ashamed of
yourselves
The lieutenant stood turning the small
parcel over in perplexity. For the first
time in his life he rebelled against doing
his duty. He glanced almost appealingly
a, his sergeant. The sergeant was man
Of serner mold or perhaps he was a mar
ricd man. He saw and frowned upon the
handsome lieutenant dilemma.
''Orders are, sir, that any or all parties
caught carrying anything through the lines
not on their permits are to be remanded to
the provost marshal and goods TO be con
hscated
Ruby blanehed and swayed in her sad
die. She bent toward the lieutenant with
;he frightened cry. The provost marshal
jail She tightened her hold upon the
bride If the worst came TO the worst
she would make Vixen ,rample that inso-
( lent sergeant under her hoofs aud run
Z fer it
Ii was already growing dark there under
the black waluuts where they had halted
her. Birds were twit,ering slespily over
7 her head as they settled themselves for the
night The qnietne>s Of absolute peace
wrapped the earth about With note Of
tense nervousness, she said sharply.
Well
The young lieutenan, raised the parcel
in his hand aud looked at her grayely.
II am inviting severe reprimand from
ms superior ofhccr. perhaps worse, by not
/ making you turn back, but if you viii
/ pledge me the word of lady that this is
/ the only eontraband article you have about
/ you | will le. You proceed on your way,
eommuting your sentence To oonhscation Of
/ the veil
I A smile Of radiant gratitude chased the
| shadows from Ruby's sweet face. In
/ deed. indeed, that Is alI After | got
through nay shopping, had just a little
bit of money left and | bought that veil
to wear with my new palmetto hat |
expected To look dreadfully ine in brand
new thing out of real store, but life con-
sists in going without. am sure | am
very much obliged to you for not hauling
me up before that horrid provost marshal.
You are welcome to INV poor little veil
You can keep it as war trophy.
The lieutenant flushed slightly under
the fling, but quietly pocketed the parcel.
If YOU will honor me with your name,
young lady, will see if the general will
let me forward this to you.
II would not think of giving either you
or the general so much trouble. Keep it;
it might come in handy as a wedding
present
Having sped her Parthian dart, she
touched Vixen ears sharply aud was soon
out of sight
x x = 4
The war passed into history and story.
Everyone who had any personal expert
ences of those dramatic days was at a
premium socially. Miss Ruby Simms,
visiting New York school day friend,
found herself always in requisition. She
had the fourfold attraction of beauty,
sweetness, wit and thrilling experiences.
1t was at the close Of dinner given in
her honor by her hostess that she was
called on to repeat her charming story of
the con6scated veil - 1t was always for
the behoof of some war veteran. This
time her friend was sure Major Wharton
would enjoy hearing it.
Ruby glanced shyly across the table at
her vis-a-vis, handsome, bronzed man