The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-16
WHAT HAPPENED
 AT THE PRESIDIO
BY L. O'CoNNELL.

' glorious day for the athletic tourna- ment at the military post of the Presidio. The grand stand glows with gay colors. and quivers with noddinR plumes, relay race Is The band plays wild ly. To and fro dash the horsem n. snatch ing excessively from each other the dis patch, supposed to imply death or victory on some distant battlefield. In the grand stand dainty. goiden-haired girl. all chif- ion and roses. leans over the ratl and whispers to handsome. coarse man in captains uniform: 'will you be at the hop tonight? I must speak to you" He Elances boldly at the earnest face. Your asking a favor Is 50 unexpected-" "Oh. Captain Cadman." broke in the girl. Pray don't refuse. you must know what wantr'
 Certainly. Miss Everett if you can ask a favor I can readily grant 1t. will meet you at the hop."
 His tone was coldIy insoient. although his eyes dwelt admirinEly upon her flushed cheeks.
 Grace, Grace Everett!" Called merry voices, we're going home"
 She gaxed snxiously into the captains faea.
 Please don't fail mer she whispered
 young man knocked roughly at a bed room door iL a handsome house.
 Sister, Say. Grace! Did you see Cap tain Cadman at the tournament! Did he give you that paper?"
 The door opened and a golden head peered out
 II saw Captain Cadrnan. John. hut had no chance to speak to him alone. I've ask I hated to do that! I couldn't have done it for anyone but you" Her pretty Fps tremblad.
 The loutish dissipated youth looked at the girl imoatiently. Well all right" he responded. 'If that story gets known, we may as well clear out of town"
 Whats in that paper. John?'
 If you must know. Sam cadn1an. and some other fellowA were in saloon one night. The whole outfit was pretty gay, there got to be e row and one man-well- he-he-passed in his chips"
 "oh John! How can you? Do you mean the man."
 .I mean he got a bullet in him." said John, with brutal frankness The crowd of us were loaded into the police patrol wagon. I lost my nerve. scrtbbed some fool words to Cadman. He gives yellow bill to the policeman. tells him theren he trouble if he arrests an army officer and his friend. and set down at the next corner. Now. Cadman. who pretend ed to be my chum. tells me at the club last night that if my sister asks him for that internal scrap of paper. he'll give it up If she doesn't. hell make what use of 1t suits him. That means. he haul me up before the grand jury on my written statement that had shot the man. and then--l 'n we'll ne gave maudlin choke and sniffle, Let 1t alone. It you like I don't carer And the young ruff fan turned away with a defiant whistle.
 ''oh. I'll ask bim for 1t. I'll do as YOU wish," she cried.
 She clasped his arm fcndly. It was cu- rious to the pretty creatures devotion to the heavy lout, who barely tolerated her caress.
 well. well! Hurry now there's the carriage Don't let Cadman fool you about the paperi"
 Assembly hall at the PrAsidio wore the aspect of melancholy froiic peculiar to a mon night" The military band ground ont dance music mechanically an orchestrion.
 Tn an alcove near the dosr stood Grace Eyarett crimson cheeks and restless eyes hetraying her strained gayety. She glanc- s1 eagerly at the open door. indifferen'iv snswering the young officer. Vaughan by name beside her.
 ,soir waltz Is almost over. Miss Everett .na we have not had a turn" he said proaehfutiy.
 ..T.Ii dance another instead" she replied ..Kxas Captain cadman come yet"
 "Tsealiy. haven't noticei." returned Al. a young officer. coldly.
 f.-sne xianced at him. then turned away 13ts mAansnE was evident. 70. how you