Smyrna times., 1912-04-03
.C0D|0ll Golfer 5 AQSCOI.

Eugene Coteer stared at the
papers before him, and as the
Colonel's daughter came into the
small dusty office at headquarters,
she felt strangely sorry for the
young Captain with the somber gray
eyes, and she wondered what sort of
experience had made the good look
ing young face too old for its years.
She wanted to see HIM enjoy him
self for she felt that he had the
right stuff in him. but all invita-
tions were politely refused and
Captain Cotter confined himself to
his duties.
"Good morning. Gene.' There
was always a feeling of restraint
hidden by childishness when Mar
garet Hayden addressed the Captain
most favored by her father.
Rising, Cotter welcomed her with
CHEEKY good morning, although
they were suffering the roughness
of camp in the wilderness during
fierce snow storm. "How is your
father, Peggy?"
"Oh, he's much better. The
fever has gone down considerably,
and he slept we'll last night. It's
wonderful how he has improved,
isn't it?" She looked up at him
seriously.
Eyes. he will probably be up in
a week or two, but that won't be
in time to aid me. 1 sat up all last
night trying to urge a certain man
to help me, but all my convincing
words were wasted.
"Gene, is there any way that l
can help?" The interruption was
unexpected and the suddenness of it
made Cotter stare unintenionallv at
the girl. She saw in his eyes the
worry and fear of losing his posi-
tion of Captain unless he was able
to do this thing now before him.
"No, you can't help. After five
tonight ne one on earth could get
me out of this fix. Look at the way
it's storming, and they are waiting
at Camp Ray for my message. Il
would be impossible for me to 60
and if they do not get word from
me by five tonight they will leave
camp, believing that they can be O.
no further aid to US. If they dC
leave, it will mean that we fgh
these wild men of Obamba alone, ant
Peggy, you as we'll as any man il
camp know the result" He watch
aginst the window by the stroni
gale outside, and he longed to fgh
his way against it over the noun
tain.
"There isn'e a man willing?'
She bent forward, regarding him
questionlngy.
"No, not one.'' Cotter avoide
her glance, and feeling that h
wished her to go, Margaret gladl
took advantage of the opportunit
and hurried to the soldiers quarters
There she hunted out the ma
Clotter had thought the most likel
one to make the dreaded trip owe
the mountain.
He listened to her dumbly as sh
deliberately ordered, "You are t
go to Captain Cotter now and tel
him that you will make that trip
Say that you want it kept secretiv
and that no one must see you start
not even he. Give no reasons
After you leave his Office come
the side door of our house and
will see that it is left open.
not intend that you shall go, merel
that you tell him this. That's a
l can say. Will you do it?"
Wonderingly, the man said ths
he would do as she wished; no or
ever refused the Colonel black-eye
daughter any OF her childish whim
The wind was at its height I
noon, and for a time the sno
: stoppd falling, but then begs
z heavier than before. Margar
: Hayden, clothed in the warme
= garments she could find, shivered I
: the bleak wind forced her horse
: stop from time to time.
q In -.