The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-14

IN MS sympathy IOT uau WIZ va"
his good friend as we'll as his superior
officer.
Holton sat for while blowing blue
clouds of smoke to the ceiling. out
wardly calm, but inwardly seethins.
He went over every act In the past
month or SO, but could think OF moth
ing he had done that would warrant
his recall in disgrace.
We'll, Bobby" he said at length,
you're real live captain now. And
congratulate you"
Il feel like a man who Is going to
put on a pair Of boots that are too bic
for him." remarked Frost.
"Oh, nonsense!" smiled Holton.
You're in every way qualified. III
vouch for you, Bobby"
Frost smiled.
Thanks he said; I'D rather have
that from you than from almost any.
one I know"
WELL" laughed Holton. take It
then; it's sincere" He arose and
called to the steward.
"Oh, you, Koko," he said. come in
here and help me pack. I'm going to
leave you for a while"
Dinner that evening was rather a
mournful affair. neither Holton nor
Frost trying to make light Of the mys-
FERROUS situation.
He shook hands with Frost at eight
o'clock, and with Koko carrying his
bag, started for the station. He had
delayed rather longer than he should
have done in writing supplementary
letters to his parents, and now he
found 1t was necessary to make haste
If he was to catch the train for Wash
ington. Eventually, indeed, he and
koko had to rum and as he reached
the station the cars were pulling out
The Jap threw the bag into the open
doors, of the rear one and Holton made
the steps with a flying leap AS he
did so man who had been following
the two essayed a similar flight, but
his feet missed the steps and he chung
to the gilded rail with his left hand
AS Holton reached down to assist
him the man lost his grip and went
plunging head over heels into the
gravel. Evidently his fall did not In.
jure him, for as Holton peered back
along the rails he saw the fellow rise
slowly and shake his fist at the de-
parting train.
II he had known the circumstances
under which he was to meet this stran.
ger at time not far distant, his feel.
ing Of relief when he saw that the
man was not seriously injured might
have been tinctured by emotions of
various sorts.
Having put up at the Metropolitan
club. Holton passed such time as had
to elapse before the assistant score
tary would be at his desk in the Navy
Department building In fever Of i'm.
patience.
Having at length finished his cigar
and his morning paper-which bristled
with bellicose matter-Holton put on
his hat and overcoat and sauntered
slowly toward the Capitol. At ten
o'clock he went over to the Navy De |
partment and sent his card in to the |
assistant secretary
Presently his summons came while |
yet another man was engaged in the |
inner Office This man, however,
brushed out past lotion as the young
o. Ger, with mingled emotion, walked !
into the presence of Secretary Longs
assistant.
Good mornin, Mr. Holton." Ger.
tainly no evil augury was to be detect.
cd in the hearty cadence of the greet.
Ing. sit down, sir. I'm glad YOU
were so prompt. That's what we need
In these days"
THANK you, sir" said Holton du.
biously. /
The assistant secretary observed
him keenly for a moment, and then an.
parently satisfied with his scrutiny he
arose and paced up and down the
length of his office.
by George. Mr.. Holton." he said.
When you realize that war is coming
coming as sure as guns, and then
consider our appropriateness for it il
makes you Glad it's Spain and not
tomeone else
i think the navy's pretty ft, sir"
ventured Holton.
All. the navy! And the army,"
The words came out like bullets. "Tha
ravy is all right. and the army ton.
what there is OF it. The fighting men
ct both arms OF tie service are the
bost this world ever saw. getting
things started, that Is the tronb,a
Well, thark Heaven. Dewpy's-" the
resistant secretary stopped short. and
craning his neck forward. character.
tTtlcally, thrust his square law c}ose
- the officers face. We've all cot 10
90 the best We can and be sure thar
Nhen tie blow comes it Will come
rom and II toward u.s.
lotion nodded slightly.
: liked yonr action in diving over.
] "a ari res uing two OF YOUR mon
summer, resumed Mr. Roosevel,
e a | niay sa% that 4 study OF your
.rrd Vas convinced ue that jus, NJ
-,r mt Il h;;ie res,iia f~cm d,ios
- d tho S-prniUr VII au.fue i. o,r