The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-04-13
A Call To Arms.
BY ISABEL Joyce.


the guard. In spite of the early hour
the usual group of young people
had already gathered at the Colonels
when the band came swinging down the
parade. The instruments glitteredin the
bright morning sunlight and every man
ia line unconsciously moved in unison
with the martial music.
The girls over on the porch and several
young officers who joined them swayed
in time to the infectious strains and each
feminine heart wished secretly that one
day she might marry a soldier.
When the band had marched past the
commanding officer quarters 1t took TIP
its regular position short distance from
the guard and began its morning pro-
gram.
81 always love to have Mr.. Bates on
duty Helen Farnham said. He takes
such long time to mount the guard
and the band has loads of time to play"
lust think, he's going to the Philip
pines Katherine Markham, pretty
blonde, protested. We were just getting
him so we'll trained, too. WE'LL. some
body else will have to consent to mount
slowly or we'll never have more than
two pieces in the morning
Say, Margery,' Helen added, What
| do you think of the orders?"
Margcry Keene looked up from her EN-
| broidery rather nonchalantly. She
hadn't been watching and hadn't really
heard word the girl had said until
Katherine mentioned the Philippines.
There's one good thing about it, said
Margery. 1t will only take one officer
away from the post and that ought to
be some consolation
anybody would think you didn't care
at ALL" ventured katherine, and all the
the time you know you're just dying to
60"
"Now, Katherine, you're getting
foolish" Margery answered good
naturally. You know like MIR. Bates
awfully we'll but just because I've danced
with him few times that's no sign that
1 shall pine away when he's gone"
'Oh no! Katherine grimaced, and even
Margery joined in the laugh"
| Lieutenant Bates was only half way
down the line and the men were con-
scious of the closest scrutiny of their guns
Each was examined with the utmost care
but only the young officer and his friends
over on the porch knew that he was
killing time in order that the band could
play the longer.
When the little ceremony was over the
men were dismissed and to the rollickine
strains of Sousa march the musicians
filed to their quarters. Bates crossed the
parade and joined the group at the
Colonel's.
ITO think you are going way out tc
the Philippines, Mr.. Bates said kath
crime we only heard it this morning
and just imagine, you have to go tomor
row.
"You see, Miss katherine, what il
means to be a soldier. I've never beer
to the front and there's nothing to keel
me here so l think I'm pretty lucky
Nothing to keep you here, Heller
Farnham exclaimed. Well of all things
And this old army post flooded witt
girls Mr.. Bates you're dismissed"
Now really, Miss Farnham, though
I was lucky when l got my orders,
laughed Bates, but if l thought Their
was the slightest chance for me here
might be disloyal to my colors and con
denim orders to the bowwows. TIL
trouble here is that there too many of u
and not enough of you"
30 you fake" laughed Helen.
During guard mount Margery Keen
had sat composedlv in Il rocking chat
embroidering. When nobody was look
unfortunately for that young mans peac
of mind he was too far off to see. Nov
that he had joined the young people o
the porch Margery paid the strictcst al
tentiou to Mr.. Soners who was tellin
her story in which she wasn't the leas
bit interested.
Margery played herlittle game well bu
when Bates left with the other officer
without as much as coming to her to /
told she was sorry he had been ordere
off, Margery was not only annoyed br
angry with herself for caring.
: Nobody in the merry little group kne'
r: that two nights before Bates had agai
IT been refused by Margery. Nobody kne
, so we'll as Margery herself that he ha
5 made up his mind never to ask her agai
D. But that was all before his orders can
before the prospect of the great Pacit
l. stretching itself between him and her ha
presented itself. However, his mann
showed no change from the other nigl