Oxford Democrat., 1906-04-24
rcONTINUED.1

That was not the last song Of the
night. General Trumble and Mr.. Chen.
oweth had invited their young friends
to attend. after the ball, collation.
which they chose to call a supper, but
which, to accord with the hour, might
more aptly have been designated q
breakfast. TO afford private retreat
for the scene of this celebration they
had borrowed the offices Of Gray &
yanrevel. and Crailey Hospitality an
Eoulced that any guest was welcome
10 stay for year or two, since prob
ably neither of the firm would have
need Of an office for ut least that length
of time. Nine nen gathered about the
table which replaced Toms workaday
old desk-the two Chenoweths, Eugene
Madrillon, Marsh, Jefferson Bareaud,
the stout general, Tom Vanrevel, Crai-
ley and Will Cummings - the editor
coming in little late, but rubbing his
hands cheerfully over what he declared
was to lie the last column from his pen
to rear its length on the Journals
front page for many a long day-a de-
scription of the presentation Of the
flag.
This convivial party made merry and
tried to forget that most Of them had
"been mighty teary," as Marsh said,
an hour earlier, while Mr.. Chenoweth
sat with his hand on his sons shoulder,
unconsciously most Of the time, apollo
getically removing it when he observed
it. Many were the witticsms concern
ing the difference in rank hencefOrth
to be observed between the young
men, us Tom was now a major, Marsh
captain, Will Cummings second
lieutenant and the rest mere privates,
except Crailey, who was a corporal.
Nevertheless, though the board was
festive, it was somewhat subdued and
absent until they came to the toasts.
1t was Tappingham who proposed
Miss Betty Carewe. 81 know Tom
vanrevel will understand-nay, know
he's man enough to join u.s." said
Marsh as he rose. "Why shouldn't /
say that we may hail ourselves as pa
triots, indeed. since at the call Of our
country we depart from the town
which is this lady's home and at the
trumpet's sound resign the gracious
blessing of seeing her day by day, and
why shouldn't we admit Loyalty and
openly that it is her image alone which
shines in the hearts of most Of US
here?"
And no man arose to contradict that
speech, which appears to have rung
true, seeing that four Of those present
had proposed to her again that same
evening.
$50 1 give you" cried Tappingham
gallantly, 1.-The health Of Miss Betty
Carewe, the loveliest rose Of our bou-
quet! May she remember us when we
come homer
They rose and drank it with shout.
But Tom Vanrevel, not setting down
his cup, went to the window and threw
wide the shutters, letting in ruddy
shaft of the morning sun, so that as he
stood in the strong glow he looked like
man carved out of red gold. He lift
ed his glass not toward the table and
his companions while they stared at
him, surprised, but toward the locusts
Of Carewe street.
ITO Miss Betty Carewe," he said,
"the finest flower of them all! May she
remember those who never come
home"
And without pausing he lifted his
rich baritone in an old song that had
been vastly popular with the young
men of Rouen ever since the night OF
Miss Betty's debut. They had hummed
it as they went about their daily work,
they had whistled 1t OH the streets,
they had drifted into dreams ut night
with the sound of it still Ginning IN
their ears, and now with one accord
as they stood gathered together for
the last time in Rouen they Joined Tom
Vanrevel and sang it again. And the
eyes of Crailey Gray rested very gen.
tly upon his best friend as they sang:
believe me-. II all those endearing young
charms.
Which gaze on so fondly today.
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet
from my arms
Like fairy rifts fading away,
Thou woulC;t still be adored as this mo-
meat thou art.
Let thy loneliness fade as 1t Will,
And around the dear ruin each wish OF
my henrt
Would intwine itself verdantly STILL"