Amador ledger., 1906-02-23

Department were compelled to wait for
later orders. Every time a stay-at-home
hove in sight he was made the target
for volley of chaff about his status
as son of Mars.
t.Hi there, Billy" called out a
tousled headed soldier from one of the
windows to another strolling by.
They'll never send you to the Islands.
The 'Pinos would ketch you fust
thing"
They'll never ketch -ou if you kin
run fast enough" said Billy.
"Three cheers for Loot'nant Bates"
somebody howled as the tall young Of
ficer hurried past. A flush rose to the
roots of his hair when he touched his
campaign hat in acknowledgment of
the three lusty cheers that rang
through the yard. Bates was popular
with his men and his detail had much
to do with their good nature in leaving
for the Philippines.
Everything was in confusion. Shouts
of Goodbye" mingled with the laugh
ter and tears from many hearts. Of
ficers hurried here and there getting
things in readiness to start and when
the young people from the post ell
bowed their way through the crowd
Bates was nowhere to be found.
He failed to materialize as starting
time drew near and it was decided to
institute a search for him. Margery
was not the only post girl who had
been casting sleeps eyes at the young
officer and while she absolutely refused
to move, saying she would wait for
them to return, she could not view the
other girls solicitude With composure.
"You people go ahead" said Mar
gerry, "and I'll stay here. I'm absolute
ly SO tired can't go another STEP"
80, don't be unsociable, Margery,
come on" they urged, but Margery
was obdurate.
'I'll go over there with Mrs. Brooks
and Captain Stiles" she said, "and then
you can fad me when you come back"
Gail right" they said and OFF they
went.
Instead of seeking Mrs. Brooks and
Captain Stiles Margery stayed just
where they had left her and there she
was when Bates lodging here and
there through. the crowd almost knock
ed her down.
81 beg your pardon, Miss-Margery!"
he gasped.
"Yes," she said, looking about her in
evident confusion.
Pardon my awkwardness, but
where are the folks? I've been looking
all over for them"
They're looking for you, too," said
Margery. 81 was just going"
Going? Where?"
Home"
Surely" said Bates, "you were
going to wait and see the fellows off %
"Well, I've said goodbye to all of
them but you-so now guess-I'll
CO." and little hand futtered out to
him. He took it and as he raised his
big campaign hat with the other, Bates
was at loss just what to say.
"Is that all?" he pleaded. .What
have I done that you are not going to
wish. me safe return?"
81 do, though" Margery said.
'eWell, that helps" Bates said lame
ly, because when a fellow is thou
sands of miles away from-from-
everybody it's good to know that-er-
everybody will be glad to see him
back"
I'm afraid I hurt you the other
night" Margery blurted out, forget
ting all her resolutions Of Indifference.
But / didn't mean to-" she added
hastily.
I'm sure of that" the young Of
ficer said.
He was SO near and his very near
ness made her deliriously happy.
Bates saw the others returning from
| their search for him and his last
| chance slipping away. His determina-
tion to never again speak to Margery
of love took flight and he began another
hasty plea. When she showed no sign
of even interrupting him he told it all
over again and begged that she would
not send him away without at least
one word Of encouragement.
"I've been fighting so hard to make
myself believe I didn't care but it
won't do, Margery. It's SO hard to go
away from you, dear, and-but here
am saying the whole blooming thing
over again.
"well, don't you mean it?" Margery
pouted.
'eMean it? Mean it, little girl? I
mean it so much that L"
''You awful man." chimed in one Of
the girls as the post crowd came up,
"the trains about to go and we haven't
a minute to talk to you"
"I'm mighty sorry" said Bates, ''but
I've been busy"
"How busy?" asked one of the party
and everybody looked at Margery.
you'd better get aboard, Bates" said
young Somers, one of the officers left
behind. "She's about to go. Take
care of yourself, old nan, and don't
get the fever"
Lieutenant Bates had eyes only for
one. Needless of everybody and every
thing he took Margery in his arms and
she clung to him for one brief, happy
moment. Amid the cheers from hum
dreds of throats Bates leaped on the
rear platform of the last car as the