The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-01-19
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81

change Of name. but with 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 it twenty times
bat at every second turn in his nervous walk
he read it again. The telegram was dated
Chicago. and this is what it said: Leave
Thursday for Florida Uncle Frank i'll. Stay
indefinite. Norah Desmond"
Lieutenant Bob Kavanaugh and Norah Des
mond were engaged They were to be mar
ried soon as few accommodating superior
officers would consent to be killed off or die
in their beds and thereby give Bob a chance
to write captain instead of lieutenant before
his name on official papers. The young officer
had fixed the limit of his waiting at about
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 one Of the kind who never
dies and never gets we'll, and NorahIl stay
down there until the old man is willing to let
her go. She's more of stickler for duty than
Old Mugs, the commanding officer and that's
saying lot He won't give me leave. I've
had too many. Great Winneld Scott, but
would like to Norah before she goes"
And Lieutenant Robert Emmett Kavanaugh
sighed.
KaVanaugh couldn't keep anything to him.
self, and in five minutes he was telling his
woes to Captain Percy Lanyard of the artil-
iery corps Brace up, Kayanaugh," said Lam
yard; Mugs is going to send a general pris-
oner through Chicago to Fort Sherman to
stand trial He was going to send sergeant
IN charge. 1t isn't a very pleasant duty, but
III you'll volunteer, I think Mugs will send
you, and you can stop of on your way back
drom Sherman-it Is only few miles from
Chicago-and your blue-eyed Norah be-
aore she gets on the Florida limited"
Twelve hours from that time Bob Kaya-
naugh was sitting in the smoking car OF Chi
cago bound train, with big Colt revolver
strapped around him and an enlisted man.
with downcast look, sitting alongside of him
Bob Kavanaugh had a soft nearr. The soldier
at his side had seen eight years of service and
had never been in trouble before. He had
assaulted the top" sergeant, serious offense
an the army, as may go without saying.
Cheer up, Spencer" said the lieutenant:
you've been good soldier, as I know. and
4 don't think it will go very hard with you
six months at the most-and then you'll be
restored to duty"
II hit him, all right, lieutenant" answered
Private James Spencer. "and he deserved It IL
ever a man did, but you can't do such things
lin the army, no matter what the top says to
you, and so I am good for two years and
'bobtaiP discharge It's tough. never saw
the inside of the mill before in my eight
years service, except when I on guard"
Part of freight train went into a ditch
ahead of the Fort Grady passenger train.
IKavanaugh and his prisoner were delayed five
hours The lieutenant fumed and said things
under his breath. Finally the way was cleared
land the train ran on to Chicago. II was Thurs
day and in four hours Norah's train would
leave for Florida 1t was utterly impossible
49, 30 % rin 30 ork
man and to return in time TO say good-by to
his iancee.
Kavanaugh and his charged stepped from
the train into the Chicago depot. Bobs heart
was sore. 81 must see her." he said to him
self. 81 can't stand 1t for six months" At
that instant he saw at the depot cigar stand.
making purchase. Jack Bacon a Chicago club
man and an intimate friend. Kavanaugh hur-
iried his charge over toward the young fellow.
Jack, old man, glad to see you You have
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
to walk ahead, and the three went on half
ltrot into the office Of a hotel across the
street Kavanaugh threw 81 bill before the
clerk and ordered room. He hurried the
Iastounded Bacon and the prisoner into the
apartment on the second floor.
Jack" said Kavanaugh. in low tone. as
YOU love me, watch this man. I must see
Norah Desmond She's of to Florida. Take
this gun and don't fail me-" and with that
First Lieutenant Robert Emmett Kavanaugh
showed a revolver into Jack Bacons hand,
bolted through the door. out Of the hotel and
on to a trolley car. In twenty minutes he was
with Norah Desmond. who was In the midst
Of the last hours of preparation for her Flor
ida trip.
In twenty minutes more the doorbell OF the
nat rang violently The maid opened 1t and
in rushed Jack Bacon, flushed and fairly be-
side himself. Bob" he yelled. your prisoner
skinned He kicked open a door into the
next room and jumped onto low roof and
then into the alley. I took shot at him.
but missed, and when got down he was clean
gone"
Bob Kavanaugh sank into chair. his face
pale "Norah" he said. this means court
martial and dismissal for me unless I can
catch the fellow. It's a clean case of neglect
of duty. awful neglect Of duty. and old Mugs
doesn't love me any too well. anyway. It's
all up dear IL don't get him. and II I am
kicked out of the army don't know what I'll
do | can't even dig ditch. though I'd try
willingly enough for you. But this won't
catch him. I'm off, but I'll be at the train to
say good-by." and Kavanaugh was out of the