The Red Cloud chief., 1906-06-08

They're all fools, d%octors."' exclaim-
ell Nanrcvel ficrccly.
mo, no. And l know that nothing
can be done. You all see it, and you
want me to go easily, or you wouldn't
let me have my W way so much. 1t
frightens me, l own up, to think that
So soon I'll be wiser than the wisest In
the world. Yet l always wanted to
know. I've sought and I've sought
but now to go out alone on the search
1t must be the search, for the Holy
Grail-T'-
please don't talk" begged Tom in a
broken whisper, "for mercy's sake, lad.
1t wears on you SO"
Crailey laughed weakly. "Do you
think l could die peacefully without
talking "A great deal2 There's one thing
/ want. Toni want to see all Of them
once more, all the old friends that are
going down the river at noon. What
harm could 1t do? l want them to
come by here on their way to the boat,
with the band and the new flag. But
l want the band to play c~heerfully!
Ask 'em to play 'Rosin the Bow will
you? I've never believed in mournful-
ness, and l don't want to see any of 1t
now. It's the rankest impiety Of all!
And, besides, I want to see them as
they'll be when they come marching
home-they must look gay!'
"Ah, don't, lad, don't" Tom flung
n arm about the others shoulder. and
Cralley was silent, but rested his hand
gently on his friends head. In that at
titude Fanchon found them when she
came.
The volunteers gathered at the court
house two hours before noon. They
met each other dismally, speaking in
undertones as they formed in lines Of
four. while their dispirited faces show
ed that the heart was out Of them. Not
SO with the crowds Of country folk and
see the last of them, for these. when
the band came marching down the
street and took its place, set up a royal
cheering that grew louder as Jefferson
Bareaud, the color bearer, carried the
flag to the head of the procession. With
the recruits marched the veterans of
1912 and the Indian wars, the one
legged cobbler stamping along beside
General Trumble, who looked very de-
jected and old. The lines stood In
silence and responded to the cheering
by quietly removing their hats, so that
the people whispered that II was more
like an Odd Fellows Sunday funeral
than the departure Of enthusiastic pa
triots for the seat of a General
Trumble's was not the only sad face In
the ranks. All were downcast and nerv-
Gus, even those Of the lads from the
country. who had not known the COM
rade they were to leave behind.
Jefferson unfurled the flag. Marsh
gave the word Of command. the band
began to play a ~qulckstep. and the pro-
ccssiOn moved forward down the cheer
ing lane Of people, who waved little
flags and handkerchiefs and threw
their hats in the air as they shouted;
but, contrary to expectation. the parade
| was not directly along Main street to
the river. Fright wheel! March,!
commanded Tappingham hoarsely,
waving his sword. and Jefferson led
the way into Carewe street.
"For Gods sake. don't cry noww and
Tappingham with a large drop streak
Ing down his own cheek turned savage
" upon Lieutenant Cummings. THAT
isn't what he wants. He wants to see
us cooking cheering and smiling. We
can do it for him this once, l guess!
never saw him any other way"
You look very smiling yourself!'
snufied Will.
II will when we turn in at the
gates,'' retorted the captain. ION my
soul l swear I'll kill every shifting
idiot that doesn't! In line, there!" he
stormed feroclously at a big recruit.
The lively strains of the band and
the shouting Of the people grew louder
and louder in the room where Crailey
lay. His eyes glistened as he heard
and he smiled, not the old smile Of the
worldly prelate. but merrily, like 9
child when music is heard. The room
vas darkened, save for the light Of the
one window which fell softly upon his
head and breast and upon another fail
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 and the white hair
ed doctor who had said, "Let him have
his own way in all he asks" Ton
stood alone, close by the head of the
couch.
Hail to the bandv' Crailey chucklet
softly. How the rogues keep TIT
time! It's Rosin the Bow all right
All, that is as it should be, Mrs. Tan