The Washington herald., 1906-11-19

world had gone awry with his formerly
sunny-faced friend. At Eton, Gore had
always been happy and good-temPeTed,
Commission himself formed a contrast to
his companion. He was not tall, but
slightly-built and wiry. alert in his man
ner, and quick in his movements. AS
/ fair as Gore was dark. he wore small
/ light mustache, which he pulled restlessly
when excited. In his smart, tight-ftting
uniform he looked a natty jimP soldier,
and his reduced position did not seem TO
affect his spirits. He smiled and joked
/ and laughed and bubbled over with de-
| light on seeing his school chum again.
/ Gore was also delighted but being quiet
/ er, did not reveal his pleasure so openly.
| When they were seated, the lancer pro-
/ duced an ornate silver case. far too ex-
/ travagant for a private, and offered Gore
a particularly excellent cigarette. II have
a cOnfding tObacCOnist" said Commission,
I who supplies ne with the best, in the
| hope that I'll pay him some day. I can
stand a lot, but bad tobacco is beyond my
powers Of endurance. I'm a self-indulgent
beast, GOrel"
Gore lighted up. How did your tobae-
Conist know you?" he asked.
Because a neWly-gTOWn mustache
D walked
into the shop one day, hoping he was out.
But he chanced 10 be in, and Immediately
knew me. I made him promise to hold
his tongue, and said 1 had volunteered
for the war. He's a good chap, and never
told soul. Oh, my aunti" chatter6d
Commission What would my noble rela-
tiyes say if they saw me in this kit?"
You are supposed TO be in California? p
That's sO-shoOtin. But I'm Quartered
at Canterbury, and only come up TO town
every now and again. OF course. 1 take
care to keep out of the fashionable world,
so no ones spotted me yet"
Your officers."
There's no one in the regiment I know.
The Tommies take me for a gentleman
who has gone wrong, and I keep to their
society. Not that a private has much TO
do with the officers. They take little no.
tice of me. and I've learned to say. Sir"
quite nicely" grinned Commission
What on earth made you enlist?''
4 might Dut the same question to you.
Bernardo"
''Pn tell you my story later, Out with
yours, old boy"
Just the same authoritative manner, A"
said Conniston, Struggling. Il never did
have chap order me about as you do
If you weren't such a good chap you'd
have been a bully with that domineering
way you have I wonder how you like
knuckling under to ordeTs?'
He who cannot serve is not fit to COM
mand." quoted Gore, sententioUsly. Go
OF with the story"
IT'S not much of a story. I came in
fOI the title three years ago when I was
rising twenty But I inherited nothing
else. Ny respected grandfather made away
with nearly all the family estates, and my
poor father parted with the rest. Upon
my word" said the young lord, laughing
with two such Tascals as prOgenitors it's
wonderful / should be as good as I am
They drank and gambled and"
Don't, Commission. After ali, your father
is your father"
Was my father, you mean. He's dead
and buried in the family vault. l own
that much property-all have"
Where is it,"
AT Cove Castle. in the Essex Marshes"
4 remember. You told me about it at
school Cove Castle is ten miles from
Hursetoa."
And HursetOn is where your uncle, Sir
Simon, lives"
Gore looked black. Yes" he said short
~. Go on!''
Conniston drew his own conclusions from
the frown, and ratified on in his usual
cheerful manner. Il came into the title.
as said, but scarcely an acre is there
attached 10 1t, save those Of mud and
water around Cove Castle. I had a sum
OF ready money left by my grandmother
old Lady Tain, you remember-and l got
through that as soon as possible. Il
didn't last long" added the proAigate,
grlnningi but had a glorious time while
1t lasted. Then the smash came. took
what was left and went to America.
Things got worse there, so. on hearing
the war was on. came back and
enlisted as Dick West ! revealed NY