The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-03-01

would even under ihe tent ny 'tl"'
there was no suggestion Of panic In Der
lelsurely retreat
But the sentry did not as expected,
pursue her to the friendly fly. Il can't
leave this path" he gloomed.
"Oh, indeed And whyT
According to general orders l am
to quit my post only when properly
relieved" he quoted.
The girl tossed her head and pursed
her tempting red lips can right Tom
Kennedy. II any old general is more to
you than r.
There was a thud OF horse's hoofs up
the parade ground, and General Barry
rode up. He was commander OF the
Second brigade, and as he swung
gracefully from his horse he looked the
part thoroughly. The general was
young handsome and unmarried. 1t
could be seen that officer and enlisted
man had one point IN common Both
loved the coloners daughter.
GOOD morning, Miss Grace. You're
up with the birds" Then TO the sentry
who. having presented arms, started to
resume his beat, Hold my horse, or
Derry"
The sentry was an astute young man.
He knew that the general had OWNED
something from the manner Of the In
terrupted conversation. The request
was merely to humillate him before
the girl Yet his manner was respect
ful, even meek, as he came to port
arms again and replied. "I'm not the
orderly, SIR; I'm sentinel on this post"
"Well, hold the horse, anyway"
"The regulations don't require me
to, was the composed reply.
General Barrys anger arose as a
CLEAN Of merrlment kin6led in the
girls eyes. Nevertheless command
you to do It."
The sentry apparently was deeply re-
gretful General orders say that ]
shall receive. transmit and obey all or
dcrs from and allow myself to be re
leved by the commanding officer, the
officer Of the day. officers and noncom.
missloned officers Of the guard only.
You're not any Of those, sir
Indeed" was the sarcastic response.
And II you know your general orders
so well, how about the one which says
to hold conversation with no one ex-
cept In the proper discharge OF my
duty? Hold this horse or I'll put You
In the guardhousep'
The sentry's reply was to resume his
beat Almost bursting with rage the
general took a step or two toward Ken
nedy, but .as the relief came ploddlng
up the hill he decided, a smile Of tri-
umph on his face, to await its arrival
Corporal" he said sharply to the
noncommlssioned officer in charge,
place that man under arrest"
The corporal saluted. why. STRIP
HE was impudent, and he refused
TO hold my horse when asked"
"If he was disrespectful you can pre-
fer charges, sir. You're not Of our bril-
gade are you, generalT'
mo; but what Of itT'
Then you had no right to ask him
to act as orderly. General orders say,
To receive -
Hang general orders" was the OF.
acer's explosive interruption You re-
fuse to obey toO2 III have you re
duced TO ranksV'
"All right, sir" came the cheerful re-
ply. I'm Corporal Kelly Of B com
pany, Second Infantry, If you don't
happen to know me. Fall in, Kennedy.
Relief, forward, marchw And the grin
ming files struggled down the hill.
Pardon me, but General Orders
seems to have defeated General Barry
this morning" smiled the girl.
And General Barry will do his best
TO turn defeat into victory" was the
grim response as the man climbed into
the saddle
The general cursed himself for fool
as he galloped back to his tent. A dc
sire to punish the sentry for his pre-
sumption In speaking to an officers
daughter had not caused his outbreak
as much as a desire to appear well be
fore the girl.
He had met her the winter before
While she was visiting in his home
town. The general in private life was
successful young attorney who had
believed himself too busy to fall in
love, but at sight Of Grace he had
eapitulated, During the fortnight of
her stay he had made ardent love and
did not doubt that in time his suit
would be fayOrably received. The girl
liked him, for he was frank and hand
some and not quite spoiled BY success
Yet there was a barrier to her heart
which he could not pass. She would
not allow him to visit her at the little
city where she lived. and he was forced
to be content with thehalf nromiee thot