The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-02-16

later orders. Every time stay-at-homt
hove in sight he was made the target
for a volley of chaf about his status
as a son of Mars.
III 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 lou If you kin
run fast enough" said Billy.
/ Three cheers for Lootnant Bates,
somebody howled as the tall young Of
| ncer 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
He failed to materiallze 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 eomposure
You people so ahead" said Mar
gerry, "and I'll stay here. I'm absolute
ly SO tired can't go another step"
30, don't be unsociable, Margery,
come on" they urged, but Margery
was obdurate.
IN go over there with Mrs. Brooks
and Captain Stiles she said, land then
you can fad me when you come back
IAN 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
here 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
Al rs "a foil off -
well, I've said goodbye to all of |
hem but you-so now guess-I'l |
TO-" and a little hand futtered out to |
him. He took it and as he raised his |
zig campaign hat with the other, Bates |
vas at a loss just what to say
rs that all?" he pleaded what |
have / done that you are not going to /
wish me a safe return?"
II do, though" Margery said.
''Well, that helps" Bates said lame
Y, because when a fellow is thou
ands of miles away from-from-
it's good to know that-er-
will be glad to see him
iack"
I'm afraid hurt you the other
light" Margery blurted out, forget
ing all her resolutions of Indifference.
But l didn't mean to-" she added
Lastily.
"Tm sure of that" the young of
Icer said.
He was so near and his very near
less made her deIiriously happy.
'ates saw the others returning from
heir search for him and his last
nance slipping away. His determine :
ion to never again speak to Margery !
f love took flight and he began another
asty plea. When she showed no sign
f even interrupting him he told it all
yer again and begged that she would
OF send him away without at least .
ne word of encouragement. :
"I've been fighting so hard to make !
lyself believe | didn't care but it !
ont do, Margery. It's so hard to go c
way from you, dear, and-but here | I
m saying the whole blooming thing S
YER again." 6
"Well, don't you mean it?" Margery s
Duted. s
Mean it? Mean it, little girl? / z
ean it so much that l." "
you awful man." chimed in one of !.
lie. girls as the post crowd came up, y
he trains about to go and we haven't !,
minute to talk to you" q
I'm mighty sorry" said Bates, "but 3,
We been busy" Of
"How busy?" asked one of the parry S
Id everybody looked at Margery. W
you'd better get aboard, Bates" said I,
,ung Somers, one of the officers left b
hind. "Shes about to go. Take n
re of yourself, old RAN, and don't tt
It the fever" u u
Lieutenant Bates had eyes only for 81 -
lie. Needless of everybody and every ~
ing he took Margery in his arms and g.
e chung to him for one brief, happy ~
oment. Amid the cheers from hun
eds of Threats Bates leaped on the
ar platform of the last car as the
ain moved swiftly out of the yards.
le bell changed, hats and handker-
iefs were waved vigorously and the r
st band burst forth with the stirring d.
rains of "The Girl Left Behind Of
e." r
Margery stood with both hands ie
essed convulsively to her lips watch n
g a soldier form on the rear car as 4,
held his big campaign hat high "A
owe his head and went from her to A
swer the call to arms. ~
he President and the Emperor. Il
There is a considerable difference W