Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-03-30
THE TWO
VANREVELS
BY BOOTH HARRINGTON.
Author of THE Gentleman From Indiana
and Monsieur Beaucaire'
COPYRIGHT, 19os. bp S. S. Mcclure Co.
CHAPTER XVII.
COPYRIGHT, 1909, bv s. s. Mcclure Co.

I8I q Cummings final literary Of
EsIMSS1 fering to annoy one of the ed
SSsgssJ itor's friends. The Journal
was brought to the new corporal at
noon, while he was considering wheth
er he should rise from his couch OF
sleep another hour. Reclining among
his pillows, he glanced through Cum
mings' description with the subdued
giggle he always had for the good Will.
liam's style, but as his eye fell upon
one paragraph he started, sat upright
and proceeded to read the passage sew.
eral times with anxious attention:
"Only two or three sources of regret
occurred to mar the delight lin which
young and old participated) Of that fes-
tai and dazzling scene One was the
absence of Miss Fanchon Bareaud, one
of the donors; another, that of Corpo-
raj Gray; a third was the excessive
modesty Of Major Vanrevel, who, al
though present at the time, refused to
receive the ladies' sumptuous Offering
and insisted that Captain Marsh was
the proper person to do the honors, to
which the latter reluctantly, though
gracefully, consented. Also, we were
sorry that the major appeared in citi-
zen's dress, as all were anxious to wit
ness him in his uniform. However, in
our humble judgment he will be COM
PEELED by etiquette to don 1t this after
noon to receive the officers Of the reg
ular army, who will arrive by the stage
about 5 o'clock, 1t is expected, to In
spect the company and swear them in
to the service of the federal govern
ment at the courthouse. We, for one,
have little doubt that, owing to the
majors well known talent in matters
OF apparel, his appearance will far
eclipse in brilliancy that of his fellow
officers"
Crailey dressed slowly, returning to
the paper now and then with a per-
turbed countenance. How would Miss
Betty explain this paragraph to her.
self, and how account for the fact that
she had not seen Crailey. how for the
fact that she had seen Tom? 1t SEEM
ed unlikely that she could have over
looked the latter = Tom was one Of
those whom everybody saw wherever
he went And what inquiries would
she make? For Crailey had no means
of knowing that she would not see the
Journal Tomorrow he would be gone
1T would all be over-but he wanted
this last day to run smoothly. What
wild hopes he had of things that should
happen when they all came marching
nome no one can say; even if it were
not to be doubted that Crailey ever en-
tertained hopes Of any kind whatever,
since to hope is to bestow thought up
on the future.
But, however affairs ran with him
so far as hope was concerned, he sell
dom lacked an idea, and one came to
him presently, notion that put the
frown to rout and brought the old
smile to his lips, his smile Of the world
worn and tolerant prelate. he ficked
the paper lightly from him, and it sped
across the room like big bird in awk-
ward fight For be knew how to pre-
serve his last day as he wished and to
make all smooth.
He finished his toilet with particular
care, took flower from vase on his
table, placed it In his coat and went
down to the dusty street, where every
thing was warm and bright with sum-
mer 1t was JOY to be alive; there was
wine enough in the air, and Crailey
made up his mind not to take drink
that day-the last day! The last dayl
The three words kept ringing through
his head like minor phrase from a
song. Tomorrow at noon they would
be churning down the river, and this
was the last day-the last day!
Still not too late to make another
friend at home" he said. stopping to
pat the head Of a NANCY street cur
that came crouching and wabbling to-
ward him like a stayeless little keg
worried by scurries Of wind. Dogs and
children always fell in love with Graf
ley at first sight, and he never failed
to receive them In the spirit of their
approach. Now the mongrel, at his
touch, Immediately turned himself over
and lay upon the pavement with all
paws in air, to say: "Great lord, mag
nifcent in the graciousness which
deigns to cast glimpse upon this alb
ject cluster Of ribs. perceive that
your heart is too gentle to kick me in
my present helplessness. Yet do with
me as you WILL
II doubt if you've breakfasted, broth
err" Crailey responded aloud, rubbing
the dogs head softly with the tip of his
boot. "Will you share the meager fare
of one who is poet, should be law
yer, but is about to become a soldier?
Eth, but corporal! Rise, my friend.
Up and be in your own small self a
| whole corporal's guard! And If your
corporal doesn't come home from the
wars, perhaps you'll remember him
| indy. Think"
He made viyacious gesture, the
small animal sprang into the air, con-
voluted with gratitude and new love,
While Crailey, laughing softly, led the
| way to the hotel There, while he ate
sparsely himself, he provided munifi-
Gently for his new acquaintance and
recommended him, with an accompani-
ment Of silver, to the good offices Of
| the Rouen House kitchen. After that
out into the sunshine again he went
with elastic step and merry word
and laugh for every one he met. At
the old English gardeners he bought
| four or five bouquets and carried them
on round Of visits Of farewell to as
many old ladies who had been kind to
him. This done, leaving his laughter
and his flowers behind him, he went to