Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-27
MAJOR Harrington"
A SrTSaxf

a SbT1ekl
Harrington took IN the situation at
once The shrek had come from Gen
ersl Snigson's aid, Miss LAraway. In
stead Of rising and salutng he
thought It would be less embarrassing
for Marcella II he lay stiIl. Besides, he
wished 70 hear the rest
HE isn't dead. Miss Iaraway, any
more than the rest OF his command.
They're all theoretically killed"
This was said BY the chief Of
star. The genera had colored and
turned away All that Harrington
heard after that was the tread Of
horses hoofs as the party rode away.
Hum" he exclaimed to himself.
''Bfethinks that other fight IN which
am more interested than this one is
decided. defeat being turned to victory
for my own long suffering self. If she
can avert disaster in consequence OF
this panic she'll do better than l think
she can"
Harrington sat up and looked about
him. Some distance away were the
general of the blue and his STAFF.
Near by the officers of the battalion
were standing in q group. They were
evidently waiting for him TO awake
from his sIumber. and from the ex-
preston of their faces they had evil
IDENTITY heard the cry Miss Laraway
had raised at being Informed that the
stiff and stark body lying on its lack.
the face covered with a handkerchief.
was their major. 4 second lieutenant
was rash enough to laugh and was
Inf Cd To hA.
funny. but Harrington managed to
forestall him with a reproof for
trumped UP error in the line of duty
during the fight that shut him up.
Then came the signal for the troops
to march to quarters. Harrington got
his battalion under arms and in ten
minutes was marching past the line Of
houses within the garrison inclosure
where lived the officers and their fam
lies. On the porches were the women
of the post, and as the major passed
he perceived that every eye was fixed
upon him and every pair Of lips wore
a smile. he looked for Miss Laraway
and saw her standing surrounded by
group of women. But before he came
abreast of the porch on which she
stood she had broken away from those
about her and gone into the house.
The same evening Harrington called
upon Miss Laraway. She came down
with a hot pair Of cheeks and clear
eye defiant even at the moment Of
irretrievable defeat.
''Marcella," began the major, Il told
you yesterday when left YOU
yes, yes" she interrupted, you
told me. I suppose you have come to
tell me again"
This time I have come to arrange
with you some plan by which you
may appear in a proper position be-
fore this garrison"
Il care nothing for the opinion of
the garrison"
81 do. L do not care to have my
brother officers, their wives and others
who have witnessed my attentions to
you blame me for having won the
heart Of a simple, innocent
''Oh, go on with what you're trying
to say"
II don't care TO have them think
hat l have been trifiing with yOu."
Don't trouble yourself about that.
l can take care of my heart, and they
all know IT."
But you must admit that the incl
dent which occurred today has lost
you the star of brigadier general"
What do / care for She stopped
and bit her lip.
"Marcella, you have today placed us
both in a position from which there is
but one exit. One topic is being talked
of tonight in the married quarters
and at the officers mess. You know
very well what that subject is. Yes
terday it was supposed that the invi-
tation you received to take part in the
maneuvers as General Snigson's aid
meant the early announcement OF your
engagement with him"
ut did not"
''Never mind whether It did or did
not, the garrison so considered It
General Snigson is now lost to you.
Suppose that l leave you in the lurch-
where will you standY
She turned away with a shrug.
There is one way, end only one,
to save Us both" he added
whats THAR"
''For me 10 announce our engage
ment"
"You? Why your"
Under the circumstances I am the
proper person TO do go"
"You needn't trouble yourself"
He looked at her for a, few moments
and, seeing no sign OF relenting, con
cluded to be satisfied for the present
with the position ne occupied, rest on
his arms and later advance to take
possession Of the eneny's defenses.
Bidding her good night, he strolled
over TO his quarters He found them
occupied BY a Dozen or more Of his
brother officers. Every man advanced
with outstretched hand and congra tu-
lated him on his engagement.
who said I am engagedr' he asked,
surprised
"Oh. you're behind the times. The
lady gave it out as soon as the maneu-
yers were over"