The San Francisco call., 1904-02-21
CHAPTER XVIII
THE UNIFORM.

all day that each accustomed thing he
did was done for the last time. Many
OF his comrades went about with
Farewell old friend. in their hearts,
not only for the people. but for the
usual things OF nfe and the actions OF
habit. now become Unexpectedly dear
and sweet to know or to perform. So
Tom VanreveI. relieved Of his hot uni
form, loose as to collar wearing a
big dressing-gOWn, and stretched in q
chair. watched the sunset from the
western window of the dusty Office.
where he had dreamed through many
sunsets in summers past, and now took
his leave OF this old habit OF his In
silence. with long cigar. considering
the chances largely against his ever
seeing the sun go down behind the long
wooden bridge at the foot OF Main
street again.
The ruins Of the warehouses had been
removed. and the river was laid clear
TO his sight: it ran between brown
banks like a river of rubies, and. at the
wharf, the small evening steamboat,
ugly and grim enough to behold from
near by, lay pink and lovely IN that
broad glow, footing imminent depar-
ture, although an hour might elapse
before it would back into the current
The sun widened, clIJng briefly to the
horizon. and dropped behind the low
hills beyond the bottom lands; the
stream grew purple, then took on a
luster OF pearl as the stars came out
while rosy distances changed to misty
blue; the chatter Of the birds in the
Main street naples became Quieter, and
through lessening little ehoruses OF
twittering. fell gradually into silence.
And now the blue dusk crept on the
town, and the corner drugstore window
lights threw mOttled cOlors on the
pavement From the hall, outside the
closed office-d door, came the sound or
quick, light footsteps; it was Crailey
going out; but Tom only sighed to him.
self. and did not hail him. So these
light footsteps of Crailey Gray echoed
but a moment in the stairway. and
were heard no more.
A few moments later a tall figure,
wrapped from neck to heels IN a gray
cloak. rapidly crossed the mottled
lights, and disappeared into Carewe
street. This cloaked person wore on
his head a soldiers cap, and Tom, not
recognizing him surely. vaguely won
dered why Tappingham Marsh chose
to muffle himself so warmly on q June
evening. He noted the quick, alert
tread as unlike Marsh's unusual gait,
but no suspicion crossed his mind that
the figure might be that Of his partner.
A rocket went up from the Rouen
House, then another. followed by a
salvo OF anvils and a rackety discharges
of small arms; the beginning OF no
BILE display of fireworks IN celebration
Of the prospective victories OF the
United States and the utter discomfit-
ure Of the Mexicans when the Rouen
Volunteers should reach the seat OF
war, an exhibition OF patriotism which
brought little pleasure to Mr.. VanreyeL.
But over the noise OF the street he
heard his own name shouted from the
stairway, and almost instantly a vio-
lent knocking assailed the door. Be-
fore he could bid the visitor enter. the
door was flung open by a stout and ex-
cited colored woman, who. at sight OF
him, threw up her hands in tremulous
thanksgiving. It was the vain Mamie.
She sank into a chair and rocked
herself to and fro. gasping to regain
her lost breath. Bless de good God
'lmighty you ain gone out!'' sho
painted. II run an run, an come SO
fas' got stitches in de side rum head
to heel" a.
Tom brought her a glass OF wats1,
which she drank between gasps.
IT nevah run so befo' anduin' my
livin' days" she asserted. You knows
me, who I am an whum cum fUms
highs wells know who you IL
reckon, MAZE vanrevel?"
Yes. yes, I know. VIII you tell ma
who sent your"
"Miz Tanberry. sub. dat who ssnded
me. an in a venomous hurry she dons
de same!"
YES. Why? Does she want me7"
Mamie emitted a screech. Deed she
mos everlas'in'ly does notl Dat dc
ve'y exacbindes' Iivin' ting she does
not wantl"
Then what Is It. Manner"
"Lemme git my bref, sub. an you
hole yo'ne whiles I tell you'll She say
to me, she say: Is you 'quaintsd
Maze vanrevel?' s she. an I up'n'
ansuh, Not to speak wild. but dey aim
none on 'em don knows by sight. an
none betterer dan him. I say. Den shs
say, she say: You run all dc way an
fin dat young man. she says. 8 she.
an if you don git dab 70 he leave, er
dom stop him on de way, den God
1mighty fergive you'll! she say. But you
tell him FUN Jane Tanberry noe to
come nigh dis house or dis gyahden dis
night. Tell him dat Jane Tanberry
warn him he mus keep outer Carsws's
way ontel he safe on de boat to-mor-
rer. Tell him Jane Tanberry beg him
to stay in he room dis night, an dat
she beg 1t on her bented knees!' An
dis she say to me when I tols her
what Nelson see in dat house dis
evenin' An hyuh is. an hyuh you is,
an de blessed Jesus be thank. you II
hyuhl'
Tom regarded her with a grave attsn-
tion. What made Mrs Tanberry think
I might be coming there tonight"
"Dey's curious goin's-on In dat house.
sub. De young lady she aim Ike hsr-