The Elk Mountain pilot., 1912-01-18

change OF name but Win no
change of circumstances
First Lieutenant Robert Emmett Kavanaugh
was pacing up and down his narrow quarters
in Fort Grady. Michigan. holding telegram
in his hand. He had read 1t twenty times.
but at every second turn in his nervous walk
he read it again. The telegram was dated
Chicago. and this is what 1t said: Leave
Thursday for Florida. Uncle Frank Ill Stay
indefinite. Norah Desmond"
Lieutenant Bob Kavanaugh and Norah Des-
mond were engaged They were to be mar
ried a few accommodating superior
officers would consent to be killed of or die
in their beds and thereby give Bob chance
to write captain instead of lieutenant before
his name on ofacial papers. The young officer
had fixed the limit of his waiting at about a
year.
"Norah's going to Florida" he muttered to
himself Il haven't seen her for three weeks
and won't see her for six months to come.
Uncle Frank is of the kind who never
dies and never gets well. and Norah'n stay
down there until the old man is willing to let
her go. She's more of stickler for duty than
Old Muggs. the commanding officer. and that's
saying lot He won't give me leave. I've
had too many. Great Winfield Scott but
would like to see Norah before she goes"
And Lieutenant Robert Emmett Kavanaugh
sighed.
Kavanaugh couldn't keep anything to him
self. and in five minutes he telling his
woes to Captain Percy Lanyard of the artil-
lery corps. Brace up. Kavanaugh." said Ian
yard; Muggs is going to send general pris-
oner through Chicago to Fort Sherman to
stand trial. He going to send sergeant
In charge. 1t isn't very pleasant duty, but
II you'll volunteer. I think Muggs will send
you, and you can stop OF on your way back
from Sherman-it is only few miles from
Chicago-and see your blueeyed Norah be-
fore she gets on the Florida limited"
Twelve hours from that time Bob Kava-
naugh was sitting In the smoking car of a Chi
caGo bound train with big Colt revolver
strapped around him and enlisted man.
with q downcast look. sitting alongside of him.
Bob Kavanaugh had a soft neart. The soldier
At his side had eight years of service and
had never been in trouble before. He had
assaulted the top" sergeant, a serious ofense
in the army. as may go without sayins.
"Cheer up. Spencer" said the lieutenant;
you've been a good soldier. I know. and
don't think 1t will go very hard with you
six months at the most-and then you'll be
restored to duty"
Il hit him. all right lieutenant" answered
Private James Spencer. "and he deserved It II
ever a man did. but you can't do such things
in the army no matter what the top says to
you, and so I am good for two years and .
'bobtair discharge. It's tough. never
the inside of the mill before in my eight
years service. except when J was on guard"
Part of a freight train went into = ditch
ahead OF the Fort Grady passenger train.
Kavanaugh and his prisoner were delayed nve
hours The lieutenant fumed and said things
under his breath. Finally the way was cleared
and the train ran on to Chicago. 1t was Thurs
day and In four hours Norah's train would
leave for Florida. 1t was utterly impossible
for the ofncer to get his prisoner to Fort sher-
man and to return in time to say good-by to
his nancee.
Kayanauxh and his charged stepped from
the train into tho Chicago depot Bob's heart
v.a sore IT must her." he said to him
.eIf .T can't stand 1t for six months" At
that instant he saw at the depot cigar stand.
making a purchase. Jack Bacon. Chicago club
man and an intimate friend Kavanaush hur-
r4ed his charge over toward tho young fellow.
.I.ck old man, glad to see you You have an
nour or two to spare, know you have Don't
say no." and with that the lieutenant grabbed
his friend by the arm. motioned his prisoner
~ walk ahead and the three went on a half
~, into the once Of a hotel across the
street Kavanaugh threw a 81 bill before the
clerk and ordered a room. He hurried the
.stounded Bacon and the prisoner into the
apartment on the second floor.
"Jack" said Kavanaugh in low tone, as
vou love me- watch this man. I must see
Nor.h Desmond She's OF to Florida. Take
.h,. aun and don't fail me-" and with that
Esrst Lieutenant Robert Emmett kavanaueh
hoved a revolver into Jack Bacons hand
so,ted through the door. out OF the hotel and
-. trolley car In twenty minutes he was
,,,th Norah Desmond. who was in the midst
-, the last hours of preparation for her Flor
ida trip. :. ~.
aat rang violently. The maid opened 1t and
in rushed Jack Bacon. flushed ana lair,y oe-
Ia. himself. Bob" he yelled. your prisoner
Linned He kicked open door into the
NEXT room and jumped onto low roof and
then into the alley I took shot at him
hut missed. and wnen I got down he was clean
gone ,,, ,.,.
I ~Norah" he said this means court
martia, and dismissal for me unless can
otch the fellow. It's a clean case OF neglect
NJ duty. awful neglect of duty. and old Mugs
doesn't love me any too well anyway
,.,o,ed ont of the army don't know what I'll
do can't even dig a ditch. though Ia try
.,',,,,rglv enough for you. But this won't
cotch him I'm on but I'll be at the train 10
say good by. and KavanauTh was out I" 'ne