St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-08-05
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi
Rodney Merriam and Morris Leigh
ton walked up High street TO the Tlp-
pecanoe Club. which occupied n hand
some old brick mansion that had been
built by the Merriams who had after
ward lost his money. Merriam usually
went there late every afternoon TO look
over the newspapers. and, 10 talk TO
the men who dropped In On their way
home lie belonged also 10 the Ham
ilton. a much larger and gaycr club
that rose 90 the height OF ave stories
In the circular plaza about the sol-
diers' monument at the heart OF the
city. but he never went there. for it
was noisy and full OF politics. Many
young men fresh from college belong.
ed TO the Tippecanoo. and Merriam
liked 20 talk TO thcm. lilo was more
constant TO the club than Morris,
though they often went there together.
A number OF men were sitting about
the fireplace In tho iounglng room.
The lazy blazing logs furnished the
only light. A chorus OF sood-evenings
greeted tho two men In unmiatakable
cordially. and the best chair In the
room was pushed toward Rodney Mer-
rlam.
"Air Merriam. Captain Pollock; and
Mr. Leighton"
A young man rose and shook hands
with the newcomers Merriam dld not
know most OF the group by name. He
had reached the age az which II seems
unnecessary 20 tax the memory with
new burdens. II was. he held. good
club manners 10 speak TO all the mon
you meet In a club. whether you know
them or not. The youngsters at tho
Tippecanoe were for the greater part
college graduates, just starting out IN
tho world and retaining Jealous hold
OF their youth through tho ties OF the
club.
Captain Pollock has been telling us
about the Philippines" said one OF the
group. We've been trying 20 ind out
whether he's an imperialist or how
about Il. but he won't tell"
THAT shows his good Judgment"
said Merriam.
1t shows that I want 10 keep my
lob" declared Pollock. eheerfully.
and IN be eashiered now for certain.
II I don't get back 20 the Arsenal, Ma
jor Congrieve expects me for dinner"
Baker. who had brought Pollock TO
the club, shook himself out OF his chair
and the others rose.
"Pn see that you ind your way back
20 the reservation" said Baker.
That's very kind OF you. And I'm
glad 90 have met you. Mr, Merriam"
IL was a soft voice, and as they went
out into the hail. Merriam looked az
the owner OF II with interest lie was
sim young fellow, with friendly
blue eyes. brown hair, and slight
mOustaehe. His carriage was that 81
the drilled man. West Point does not
/ give a degree In the usual academic
sense; but she writes something upon
her graduates that Is much more use
/ ful for purposes OF identification. Frank
Pollock had been the shortest man In
his class; but his scant inches were ali
soldieFly. The young man with whom
he had spent an hour at the Tippeca-
noe club had been gathered up by Bd-
ker, who had met Pollock somewhere
and taken a fancy 20 him. They all
left the club together except Merriam
and Leighton. who went 20 the news
paper room. But Merriam stared az
the evening paper without reading II,
and when he got up 10 go presently, he
stopped at the club register which lay
open on a desk IN the hah lie put on
his e-glasses and scanned the page.
The ink was fresh on the last sigma
ture:
Frank Pollock. u. s. A."
Rodney Merriam then walked to-
ward his own house. tapping the side
walk abstractedly with his stick.
The next morning he called for his
horse early. He kept only one horse,
for he never drove; but he rode nearly
every day when II was fair. His route
was usually out High street toward the
country; but to-day he rode down
town through the monument plaza ana
then struck east over the asphalt OF
Jefferson street. where a handsome old
gentleman OF 60. riding horse that
was remembered with pride at Lexing-
ton, was not seen every day. Rodney
Merriam was thinking deeply this
morning. and the sharp rattle OF his
horses hoofs on the hard pavement
did not annoy him as Il usually did.
Arsenal Is a word that suggests dire
ful things, but the Arsenal that had
been maintained through many peace
ful years al MariOna, until the town In
its growth leaped over the government
stone walls and extended the urban
lines beyond IL. was really a pretty
park. The residences OF the officers
and several massive storehouses were,
at least, inonensive 10 the eye. The
native forest trees were aglow with au-
tumn color. and laborers were collect
ing and carrying away dead leaves.
Merriam brought his horse 10 walk
as he neared the open gates A pri-
vate came out OF the little guard-house
and returned Merriam's salute The
man gazed admiringly after the mill
tary figure on the thoroughbred,
though he had often seen rider and
horse before. and he knew that Mr.
Merriam was a friend OF Major Con-
grisVe, the commandant The soldier