Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-11-05
CHAPTER III.
Comrades.

"By George, Mistley, this Is splendid!
Listen to this from the Cologne paper:
"'We learn from our London CORE
spondent that the Mayor of Dover, in
his robes of office, awaited, yesterday,
the arrival of the Calais boat, despite
the heavy rain to which he was fully
exposed on the pier, for the purpose of
an address to Colonel Wright and his
able coadjutor, Mr.. VINEYARD Mistley,
to deliver The translation here Is
somewhat literal. 'On the arrival OF
the boat it was, however, discovered
that Colonel Wright and Mr. Mistley
were not on board They parted from
the Indian passengers at Brindisi, and
no one appears to have learned by
what route they purposed returning to
England. 1t will be remembered that
these gentlemen have been engaged
upon an arduous diplomatic service on
the Indian frontier, and their daring
firmneSs and resolute defense Of the
acknowledged rights of the country in
the midst of treacherouS friends and
unscrupulous foes etc"
The speaker. or reader, was tall,
gray-haired man of military aspect.
His mustache was almost white, and
cut rather close to his lips. His fea-
lures showed signs of having once been
fine but wrinkles and hardships had
changed all that. His nose was long
and aquilne, true military feature,
but it was peculiarly thin; and the
skin, though brown, was transparent
and entirely free from that suggestive
ruddness which is somewhat fire.
Quently found upon the features Of
elderly military men. He laid aside
the German newspaper, and looked at
his companion with twinkle of
amusement in his grey eyes.
mo, no." said the younger man, gay
ly. go on-let us have it ALL like
It," and he returned gravely to the dig.
.cussion of piece of chocolate.
":And INSCRIPTIONS foes continued
Colonel Wright, reading from the paper
:, as it lay, INSCRIPTIONS foes'-oh, yes;
here it undoubtedly saved the In
dian Empire endless trouble and strife
upon the frontier, while graver mis-
hap has perhaps been averted, and the
peace of Europe preserved by the
prompt and consistent action Of these
two soldier statesmen. ---- --.,
Vineyard Mstley wagged his head
. very sapiently, and, addressing him
self b the piece Of chocolate In his
hand. he observed:
"Oh, yes! Rather disappointing for
the. Mayor of Dover, ell, colonel!'
,t,. "Rather," replied the old soldier,
folding the newspaper. .....
'''"Y6u Will be pleased to remember
This brilliant idea of lodging the Mayor
Of Dover and the rest of his kind
emanated from my fertile BRAIN"
This remark called for no reply, and
for some time the two men were silent,
Theyt were seated opposite to each
other in a first class railway carriage.
an airy, broad compartment lined with
bro%n linen. A fine dust floated in the
GfF and lay on every available space,
for the train was rushing over the bare
plains Of the Netherlands.
Vineyard Mistley was an eminently
practical young man. He was an
adept at mending his own clothes,
cooking his own dinner and grooming
his own horse. Practical people, how
ever, are not necessarily devoid Of SEN
Iiment. They hide it-that is all. What
dreaming they may indulge in is done
In private.
His was Il striking face, whether in
animation or repoSe, with dark gray
eyes Of singular penetraton eyes that
seldom smiled. despite the readiness of
the lips, which smiled perhaps too
easily. A great charm about him was
his peculiar unaffectedness. Whatever
he did or said was to all appearance
perfectly spontaneous and without
Gfter-tEought. Never Mt loss in the
most frying emergency, no one ever
saw Il, look of embarrassment or self
consciousness on Vineyard Mistlpy's
face. He was simply without vanity,
and therefore was fortunate enough TO
be unai illlcted by jealousy.
Colonel Wright wassa dipl9matist in