The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-10-02

stupid enough without trying to imitat
them here
How about the military parade then?
ventured the Major.
I'm rather fond OF military things, 70,
know, she said.
HAh, ? said the jor delightedly, 81
thought so. | can't help wishing / had a
part to play in it, Sitting In reviewing
stand is pretty tame business for soldier
What shame that Wyeth isn't an officer
isn't it2 l don't see how fellow of his
spirit can be contented in the ranks"
II guess sergeant-major is pretty
important thing in his regiment, said Kitty
taking up Billy's defense, although she Sc
cretly held him in some contempt for not
being at least general. A man whose
father had steam yachts and castles and
things, and was content with being a SER
geant-major of militia was rather difficult
of comprehension.
Now if Wyeth goes to the Duke Of
Halbertstone's dinner at the Hotel Mona
ton, he'll see the disadvantage of not hold
ing rank, said the Major pityingly.
Why" asked Kitty with interest.
bNAducC ~ = w Dt Il IllllidIl anu naval
affair, said the Major "The Duke is over
here privately, and he's just giving this
little dinner for some OF the visiting British
naval officers, and as compliment to some
Of his American friends. He's only inviting
Wyeth, you know, because he knew him
somewhere over there.
+" He knew Billy" said Kitty grandly,
when his father was our ambassador at
Rome"
"Yes, I've heard so, said the Major
shortly. But, as | was saying, it'll be a
milit'ry affair with all the rules OF prece-
dence and all that, and poor Wyeth'll be
mere nobody. He pretends to be so proud
of the exclusiveness of his regiment; but at
milit'ry affair Of this sort, you see, he'll
have no standing at all just because he
ism an officer. He'll be sort of walking
gentleman, in conventional evening clothes,
among all the handsomely uniformed army
and navy chaps"
Isn't it nice your regiment has such a
gorgeous uniform said Kitty banteringly
The Majors conscience made him to
flush as he thought of her probable yelled
reference to certain humiliating episodes in
bis military past.
believe have tried to wear my sword
worthily = he said in slightly injured tone.
"Of course you have, Major cried
Kitty, beginning to wonder how the rules
OF military precedence would affect the
ladies at the Halbertstone dinner. She had
little inclination to go in to dinner on an
ordinary black broadcloth arm if the Widow
Tindale and young Minnie Ryder were to
have epaulettes and gold braid Her eyes
became bewitchingy round and shone upon
the Major with girlish ingenuousness.
Isn't it splendid to be a Major2 she
cried Why, guess you'll go in to dinner
pretty near the Duke himself, won't you?p
The Major was almost embarrassed. Il
believe there are to be several officers of the
regular service there. he said, and they
take precedence over National Guardsmen,
but fancy | shall be the ranking Guards
man there
How do they manage about the LADIES'
asked Kitty in tone of merely casual
The Major looked at her intently for a
moment. He was easily fattered and
gullible, but for once the sud
der girlshness and rare iriendliness made
him suspicious.
Why, he said il s only small affair;
nothing very formal | hardly know who
The ladies will be. Mrs. Tndalc is goings
Poor dear, I'm 50 glad she's Invited,
-ried Kitty.
Why poor dear ? asked the Major.
" On, nothing. said Kitty, only I'm
dad she's to have a good time. She tries so
lard TO be young, you know, and really,
Major, after a certain age its ns use, you
,now. But she's dear thing just the
anne
The Major shivered slightly and buttoned
lp his jacket We all have to grow old.
sven you viii come to it. Miss Kitty"
Oh, Major, she laughed, what in the
World are you thinking about age for? A
ay bachelor never grows old. and Id like
o see anyone that would associate you with
&c after all your exploits in the war game
nd up in the ST. Lawrence"
Um-m--th thanks very much, mur-
lured the Major dyly, thinking darkly to
imself OF certain not altogether pleasant
xpenences in his short acquaintance with
le dangerous and clever young person.
] must get you to tell me some of your
ilitary adventures, said Kitty warmly
In. sure you've had some exciting expe-
ences
Him. really, my life has been
ute unege1tful, said the Major guard
ily-
dWell." sighed Kitty irreievantly, Il
ist hope they wont send me in to dinner
In any stupid man. You see. Major. all
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