Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28
Copyright, 1905. by NJ. J. Phillips.)

The adiutant general entered the execu-
tive Office with a brisk step. Morning,
governor" he began. cheerfuily. There
q little matter of business l wanted to talk
over with you before the board meets
IAN right. Bob" The governor swung
round in his chair and peered up at the
adiutant general from kindly, near-sighted
ewes.
Company Z, 10th Infantry, of the state
troops. is Just on the ragged edge. we've
decided to muster it out, and take in one
OF the good independent companies on the
waiting list e has elected another cap
tain-the fourth In less than year. That's
the limit in Generalization
"Iah, yes" assented the governor, alb
systematically. You boys know best, Bob
Do as you like about it."
Il want you to be satisfied, governor. h
Company comes from RoSsburg, down in
your part of the state.
HIM; that's so, that's so. Who's the
new captain ??
The adjutant general referred TO some
papers in his hand.
Donald Thomas Nesbit," he said With
curious bird-like motion, sure sign that
he was interested, the governor plucked off
his nose-glasses.
why. bless your heart, Bob" he ejacu-
lated, that's Tom Nesbits boy Well,
well; good old Tom" He wagged long,
slender HnSer at the aQJutdnt general,
Tom Nesbit and | went to school together,
back in Crackett county; thick as thieves
We Were. too. And Tom always could lick
me. Why. say, Bob. his whippings made
man o me-
The general smiled in sympathy. Then
We won't muster E Company out just yet?'
Never, Bob, never! We've got to give
old Toms boy chance. Why, wouldn't
be able to look Tom in the face when 1
went down to Rossburg. Oh, he'll make
good. all right. a of Tom Nesbit
couldn't help it!'
And so E Company, because its captain
happened to be son of his father was
saved its place in the state service.
CHEEKY honey room it was, with a
Knowing little fire cracking on the hearth,
and its litter of books, magazines and mu-
sic on piano and table. An engraving or
two on the walls. the thick warm-toned
carpet and numerous easy chairs veterans
OF long service, blending perfectly to form
whole which fairly breathed of comfort
The two occupants of the room seemed
TO be thoroughly in harmony with it, The
man lay back luxuriously in one of the
easy chairs He was small and well
groomed His dark hair curled trife
His cheeks and lips were smooth, the
blood almost showing beneath the clear
olive skin. A jaunty, impractical little
mustache adorned his upper lip.
The girl was slender and handsome She
bore herself like a duchess; her eyes were
gray, her profile adorable.
foduy, she was saying, severely, will
you never learn to quit proposing? I've
refused you times without number, in all
sorts of surroundings and all kinds of
weather l can't conceive of any possible
combination of circumstances which would
make me more favorable to you. So please
quit bothering me-"
Impossible, Edith" replied the unabash-
ed Teddy. I'm going to ask until either
your resolve or your reason gives way"
1t Will be my reason. then. Ina CINE me
in a padded cell, saying, No, no, no, all
day long"
There followed a few moments silence,
broken by the young man. Il wish you'd
tell me what's wrong, Edith he said. Sc
riously- Anything 1 can do to make my
self less Objectionable? What's the draw
back to me as husband?'
I'm tell you, To-day" with sudden re-
solve. You've never been anything nor
done anything-just lived, and taken the
good things of life without asking where
they came from If you'd only do some
thing to make people sit up, Toddyr'
But I've never had to-" he responded,