Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-08-03
BY THE
"MONKEY"
DRILL ~
Michael james
Michael Jams4
Copyright, 1908. by Ruby Douglas

But there isn't room for all seven of
us In the wagon box" said Clement
when Rex Burgess had invited the par
ly to "pile In"
"oh, Gormley can ride on the front
seat with the driver" Burgess had re-
piled lightly enough, though Gormley
felt the undercurrent of malice In his
voice, up near the horses. These gal
liant cavalrymen like to be about
horses, you know"
A January thaw had left the clay
roads liquid, but hard freeze follow
ing had reduced them to smooth iron.
and the rumble Of the wagon on the
hard surface echoed far through the
breathless, glitterlng cold Of the moon
light.
1t was the night of the Changers
party at Mortified town hall. Ave miles
from Slocum, and week before Bur
CESS had invited half dozen young
people of Slocum to attend, riding over
In his sleigh. The thaw had necessi-
tated the change from sleigh to wagon.
II wish l hadn't come. wish
hadn't come" beat incessanty In
Gormley's brain to the steady clop- clop
of the horses feet. II had no business
to do 1t. Burgess ID boor, He never
forgets his money nor remembers his
manners What got into me, l won
derT and much more of the same sort
of self deception, for Gormley knew
perfectly why he was Drawing the nip
ping cold and Burgess thrusts. Moth
ing but sudden death could have kept
him away. Sylvia Gerrlsh was there.
But the JOY of being near her was
dashed by the thought that Burgess
was nearer still--beside her, In fact,
To secure that coveted place their host
had boldly ordered his rival to the
front seat
Any man with red blood in his veins
could scarcely blame Burgess for his
maneuvering. The girl was bewitch-
Ing little figure, mufiied In furs, a CO.
quettish red tam shanter setting of
her piquant face and mischievous eyes
Burgess had never seen her look pref
tier, and he glowed with satisfaction at
his neat disposal. for the drive at least
of his rival.
Meanwhile the sweet tempered CORN
ley, by nature almost too submissive.
was near to being reused. He was
lashing himself In bitterness Of spirit
1t had always been so. Fate had made
him the football of Rex Burgess, even
In schooldays. Burgess was big and
brave and handsome, while he was
slight and pale faced. The boys had
nicknamed Gormley molly" because
he had once tainted at the sight Of
blood. Burgess father was the wealth
lest man In Slocum, and every cent OF
the money would one day belong to
Rex, for he was the only child.
Regardless of the merry chatter and
the snatches of song from the others,
Gormley plunged deeper into his mel
anchoIy reflections. He, puny clerk 10
a dry goods store, to aspire to Sylvia
Gerrish's love against one no favored
Of gods and men as Burgess!
His cheeks burned, too when he
thought OF the others contemptuous
reference to "cavalrymen." Frankly,
he admitted, 1t was ridiculous that he,
molly" Gormley, should have martial
aspirations. Yet when the state mill
tary board had offered SlOcum the
equipment for troop Of cavalry for
the national guard Gormley had been
unanimously chosen captain. And he
was the man for the place. He could
ride. 1t had always been the sport In
which he excelled. He knew the mon
key" drill of the United States cavalry
as he knew the alphabet.
uhau faIk az CouaanLa and RaAnntn
Arabs and Indians and the way these
savages handle II horse, but the man
who follows the yellow guidon Ii a lit
tie the best horseman of them all And
Captain MOLLY" Gormley, Troop A,
First cavalry, state troops. rode like a
regular whether In the saddle, bare
backed over the hurdles or standing,
each foot planted firmly on the back Of
galloping horse. Besides the first
qualification Of cavalryman he had
the other requisite for an officer. the
gift of command, and even West Point
can't touch that SO despite the fact
that his body quailed at the sight Of
blood Gormley's spirit sang with the
notes Of the bugle when Troop A, two
long straight lines Of men and horses
moving beautifully In unison passed
In review at camp.
The thought of his creatlon-he had
made Troop A the pride of the national
guard In tho two years 1t had been or
ganized-gradually lightened the gloor
which had overspread GOrmley's spir-
It's He reflected with considerable com
fort that Burgess could not ride well.
IA taw RftiT a .1k "a
horses and feared them. The bully In
him cFept out, too, on horseback. He
thought 1t merely discipline to jerk the
head of his mount cruelty and without
reason. Burgess was not a member Of
Troop A. Maybe this fling at cavalry
men" had been due to envy.
Even the possibility that Burgess en-
Wed him was balm to Gormley's sore
heart. And II he could only plan 1t 30
as to sit by Sylvia on the homeward |
Journey now his cup Of JOY would be
full. 1t was mighty bound from the |
depths of despair almost to the pima
Gle Of bliss In one short half hour, but |
Gormley was young, and youth has
hope for q heritage.
Insensibly the young man was at |
traCted by the beauty Of the night |
The FURNISHED moon glistened on mil
lions Of tiny floating frost crystals TN
til they sparkled like diamond dust |
To the westward the black roadway
ribbon. Beaver creek crossed beneath |
IT hundred yards away. From the