The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-07-11

buke, you don't absolutely mean
that"
so far as we are concerned" said
one Of the messengers. including his
companions with sweep OF his hand.
wed like nothing better. but they
won't let us go, and"
81 know they won't" said Caroline.
but so far as you two gentlemen are
concerned, / really mean It. Go and
fight the Yankees a few days and lie
in ditches a few nights until those
uniforms you've got on look as If they
might have been of some use to some
body II you are so anxious to do some
thing for me. that is what you can do.
It is the only thing / want, 1t Is the
only thing anybody wants"
Messenger here!" cried Lieutenant
Foray as the two young officers, humil-
lated beyond expression by the taunts
of the impudent young maiden. backed
away and finally managed to make an
ungraceful exit through the open door,
followed by the filters of the messen-
gers, who took advantage of the pres
ence Of the young girl to indulge in
this grave breach OF discipline.
Messenger" cried Foray impa-
tiently.
Here, sir" came the answer.
"Commissary generals office!" was
the injunction with which Foray hand
ed the man the telegram.
He looked up at the same time, and
with a great start OF surprise caught
sight of Caroline at the far end of the
long room.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Milford"
said the operator. scrambling to his
feet and making a frantic effort to get
into his coat. "I heard some one come
in, but was busy with an important
message and didn't appreciate that"
mo. never mind, don't put on your
coat" said Caroline. 81 came on busi-
ness, and"
You want to send telegram" ask
ed the Lieutenant.
YES"
II am afraid we can't do anything
for you here, Miss Milford, this is a
War Department Official Telegraph
ONCE, you know"
Yes, / know" said Caroline, but
it is the only way to send it where l
want 1t to go, and L"
At that moment the clicking of a
key called Lieutenant Foray away.
Excuse me-" he said. stepping
quickly to his table.
Miss Milford, who had never before
been in a telegraph office, was much
mystifled by the peremptory manner
in which the officer had cut her short,
but she had nothing to do but wait
Presently the message was tran
scribed and another messenger was
called
over to the Department. quick as
you can go. They are waiting for It,"
said Foray. Now. what was it you
wanted me to do, Miss Mitford?"
Just toto send a telegram" fal-
tered Caroline.
TITS private business, is It not7"
said Foray.
"Yes, 1t is strictly private"
"Then you will have to get an order
That is what thought" said Caro-
line, 80 here 1t is"
why didn't you tell me BEFORE" re-
turned Foray, taking the paper. "Oh
Major Selwin-"
Eyes, he-he's one OF my friends"
tits all right then" interposed the
lieutenant, who was naturally very
businesslike and peremptory.
He pushed chair to the other side
Of the table, placed a small sheet of
paper on the table in front of her, and
showed the pen and ink conveniently
to hand.
"You can write there, Miss Milford"
be said.
Thank you," said Caroline, looking
rather ruefully at the tiny piece of pa
per which had been provided for her.
Paper was scarce article then, and
every scrap was precious. She de-
cided that such piece was not suf.
1cient for her purposes, and when
Foray's back was turned
she took larger piece of paper of suf-
icient capacity to contain her impor-
ant message, to the composition OF
which she proceeded with much diff
iculty and many pauses and sighs.
CTO BE CONTINUED)