The sun., 1910-01-09
sRUFFUMS
d "REMINISCENCES
J The West Point Cadetship.


chair by Mr.. Gizer's desk l saw al she
raised her half veil lines of age and OF
care too in her face. though there was an
attractive gleam from eyes and teeth
and changing color.
MRS George b. Brayland?- Mr.. Gizer
read from her card.
@Yes, my husband is Col. Brayland,
4 now with his regiment out on the plains
she explained. leaving me in command
OF the home guard"
'And pray, madam, how. may l serve
you?"
sIn the easiest way in the world, though
the dearest, most obliging way for me
4 Listen. l was a widow with an only
son when married Col. Brayland. My
, FIRST husband was Capt. Guy Fitzhugh
/ In the cavalry branch. Guy-that's my
: boy--is just is. want you TO appoint
him to the West Point cadetship which
10 due your district in March"
4 Impossible. madam" said Mr.. Gixer
stifiy. -During the campaign pledged
my word TO make all such appointments.
whether to West Point or Annapolis
after and subject TO a competitive ex-
animation, open to all the eligible young
men OF the district. or course your
son wouldn't even be included among
themr
1oh., but you must, you will; I have
net myfheart on it. I never heard such
stupid objections No one pays any
attention to residence; half the army
women whose homes are here have got
their boys planted all over the country.
y An for your pledge. that was made before
election. wasn't it? VoiId tout"
sAll the more reason for me to show
my good faith, rs ! most assuredly will.
Really. you must excuse me-"
+, At this juncture the door opened with
hang. In swung the Hon. Galen Wales.
our next door neighbor. He gave one
glance from his reckless. handsome eyes
at the little lady. Then he pressed his
: point all the more confidently, l thought.
for her presence.
-By the way. Gizer old man.. he said.
sjust let me have fifty. will your Ihave
/. 70 run up 70 New York. and there's hardly
time TO catch my train. I'll send you a
check on the sergeant at arms for it,
While my Congressman was readily
counting out the bills Mrs. Brayland
turned her chair in my direction. She too
gave one glance. II said palmer than
words that she had no intention OF aban-
doning at first attempt possible helper
90 Ruliible as he.
shook my head decisively vet sympa-
thetically. In that frank interchange OF
views think she came to feel that l
understood trouble from having had
trouble. At all events she started away
directly after Wales had gone, the more
discreetly perhaps because Mr.. Gizer
remained standing.
-I'll see you later. Congressman" she
said. with gay little nod. we never did
believe in squirting a willing horse in the
cavalry service
"A dangerous person. Buffum. reflected
Mr.. Gizer when she had closed the door
after q theatric wave.
Two dangerous persons, sir" replied.
though I'm inclined to think her nerve is
not ignoble. OF course you never expect
to see that fifty aGain2 Wales's account at
the sergeant at arms is hopelessly over
AOh, can hold the check until it isn't"
Don't you know, sir, that his seat is
being contested and that the Committee
ON Elections is about TO report against
him2 He'll be out of the House within the
month. Oh, grant he is a fine, strapping
: big fellow. with a fund Of ma agnetism, good
humor and wit with which to balance his
accounts satisfactorily. to his own mind at
\ least. But he's utterly irresponsible; he
would spur a willing horse to death; he
never cares how he gets money 30 long
as he does get it; and
-Al right" sighed Mr.. Gizer. Il think
have more than got my moneys worth OF
good advice"
had a less weary listener that evening
wLen 1 went home and told my sister
Laura about Mrs. Brayland.
poor thing" she cried with that amaz-
ing intuition OF hers Don't you see;
She is driven by pride and devotion,
! pride in having her son follow his fathers
profession; devotion to his interests.
because perhaps he may otherwise be
disiiked and sat upon. No doubt too
she doesn't get along well with this
second husband OF hers. who leaves her
? tankerous the army set are-while he
plays poker out on the plains. II knew
Mr.. Gizer better I'd ask him myself to
help her out"
just then the maid raped on the door.
read on the card OF the lady who wanted
sHere's where dust" said Laura,
masking forianother room,
4 El,ssP .y-Y-< - III. rtte,
There Nas.an. earnestnsss so intense.
soStragic. about Mrs. Brayland as she
eB&ssred and came close to my side
that the sparkle was gone from her
faces leaving it the almost translucent
sheil.of an overwrought spirit.
( III know all about you. Mr.. Buffum.'
ehe began inpetuously. "You are an old.
experienoed hand who knows the ropes
the ins and outs OF official life. You
, are nurse and a mentor for this baby
Congressman of yours. who will follow
your advice. even though you say that
black iSwhite and wrong right.
@Very well. then. There is no need OF
two such practical persons as you and
beating around the bush. Here is
SlS. 900; it is yoursl Not II you get this
appointmenbnor my son, but if you agree
TO try to get it for him. which is identi-
cally- the samesthing.'
@Madami' faltered, pushing back
the crisp yellow centuries she was fairly
! forcing on me.
'"Oh, don't say II isn't enough" she
walled. Il tell you IL is the very best
I can rake andiscrape; it is my hearts
blood"
fsThenskeep it.ymadam. that your heart
may remain sound ard good
i"You must" she persisted. what
dtfference does it make. since no one will
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