Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-16
By ELEANOR GATES,


NdlI
 Here there was a colloquy. Firs I.ounSbury held forth, next the troop CT protestingly. When the lieutenant broke in two phrases were frequently repeated Ito the guardhouse" and "'won't if you will"
 At last the three went back to the window
 Remember" cautioned the store, iaeper, we don't want all these she, b5ngs stirred up"
 Needn't worry" said Fraser. "Just listen to that rumpus down the street. ''
 The disjointed music of a wheezy accordion was rending the night. With dt sounded the regular stamp of feet.
 Now the trooper rounded the corner. A moment and through the window Lounsbury and the officer saw him en- ter the door.
 He slipped down to a seat beside old Michael. There he stayed for awhile. Whenever a brother trooper looked his way he called him up by the crooking of finger and whispered to him. Be fore long a knot of men had again sur rounded him. But this time their at tention was all for the table at the rear of the room.
 There the game was going on. Mat thews' chip pile showed where the winnings were gravitating. In the dim light there was q strained look on the faces of the players.
 Deal after deal passed. Finally one of the five, having no more disks be- fore him, pushed back his chair and got up.
 AS he stood dazed and dismayed, the trooper who had been ejected ap- peared at his side, clapped him upon the back and spoke At their elbows was the knot that had gathered at the stove.
 The next moment the trooper turned to the table and snatched the pack of cards from Matthew's hand. He held up one. pointing at it's back, snapped it down, pointed at q second, then scattered the pack in the air.
 Lounsbury and Fraser whipped round the corner and in through the door.
 An uproar greeted them. "Cheat!' "Clean him Outi'' Do him like Sog gy did!" Before them was a jostle of blue backs. Across these, on the far ther side of the plank bar, they saw Matthews facing the crowd. His left hand held the cigar box against his chest, his right was up and empty.
 Hold on, boys." It was LOunsbury.
 As if he had caught cue the fore most troOper-he who had been the disturbing element-repeated the cry and directed the eyes of his comrades to the door.
 There was q sudden lull. The men in blue wavered. Here and there a revolver was cOvertly returned to place.
 Lounsbury pushed forward to the stove, Fraser beside him. Hold on. boys"' he said again and pointed at Matthews. Hold on-Ive got mes sage for that man.
 The lull became q dead silence. To the troopers the sight of shoulder straps was discomfiting, for the officer at once became the personitication of the guardro0m-chilly. poorly bedded and worse proyisioned. of all places the one to be dreaded in raw weather To Matthews the Interruption was well come His right hand slowly lowered to join its mate.
 I'm going to ask you to call your little differences with that gentleman pff." continued Lounsbury.
 Matthews fairly blinked. The store Keepers voice was soft, confidential. ingratiating.
 MT. Fraser and have come to say that Mir. Matthews is wanted to serve as interpreter for Colonel Cummings" "Interpreter:" queried Matthews.
 A bullet head made itself visible from behind a barrel. Don't let him bluff '. Nick" called a voice.
 The other looked round. shut y fiytrap, Babe" he commanded.
 Thank you" said Lounsbury pleas antIy. interpreter k right. Two white women are held as captives in an Tn capapa camp somewhere west of here. It's been learned that you understand and speak the tongue. So We present Colonel Cummings compliments. He would like very much to have a talk with you at BrannOn."
 It was a solution to Matthew's "Yes? YesT' he said approyingly. then hesl- tated in suspicion as he measured the st0uekeeper
 "Oh. I guess don't want to 10 no interpTeter- hc said Louusbury smiled Just as you say. just as you say. Boys cheerily- ''sorry if cut ia al the wrong time. Don't lei us stop your fun Mr. Fraser Is not here officially
 \ murr1Ur ran around The dis turbing trooreT advanced toward Mat theas agZressivply
 Up went NattbewS' hand again -Jus' a minute he said
 The trooper fuietesI Matthews turned to Fraser. muster fnc an expression of importance ~Liezteaaut-~ he Said- -you give me your word this E so-rha1 there amt ID put EP iob about itt--
 Put up j0by- Fraser reSideneL keeaIzE a straight fare with difficulty T Eive my word ha said snEamnIy. that vou-rs wanted as interpreter and that I'll eoadurt rg1 safely 10 haadquarTsrs- Mztrhews pat down tbe efzsr boN cxd szIuted