Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-12-25

Holton took it hastily and ran owe
the contents. His face clouded and
he read it again. A good strong word
was trembling on his lips, and he was
about to crumple the dispatch in his
hand when his eye fell on the messen.
ger standing at attention.
oh. thank you" he said; there is
nc answer
AS the messenger departed Holton
handed the telegram to his second
without a word.
You will proceed at nee to Wash
ington and report to me at the earliest
possible moment. Lieutenant Frost
will assume command of Scorpion in
your absence. ROOSEVELT"
AS Frost read the message aloud his
voice quivered with excitement. What
does hat mean?" he exclaimed.
Hanged if know" growled Holton.
Isn't hat just my luck. I've been
working on this old pot trying to get
her into shape and hoping and pray
ing for a chance TO make good, and
then when there appears to be some
thing doing, why l get skinned this
way"
Frost knew exactly how the COM
member felt. n his natural exulta-
ton at being placed in command Of
the destroyer was quite swallowed up
in his sympathy for a man who was
his good friend as we'll as his superior
officer.
Holton sat for a while blowing blue
clouds of smoke to the ceiling, out
wardly calm, but inwardly seething.
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 a real live captain now. And
l congratulate you"
i feel like a man who is going to
put on a pair of boots that are toe big
for him." remarked Frost.
oh, nonsensei" smiled Holton.
You're in every way qualified. I'll
vouch for you. Bobby"
Frost smiled.
Thanks" he said; I'D rather have
that from you than from almost NY
N know"
Well" laughed Holton, take 1t
then; it's sincere. He arose and called
to the steward.
"Oh, you. Koko," he said, come in
mere and help me pack. I'm going to
leave o for a while"
Dinner that evening was rather a
mournful affair, neither Holton nor
Frost trying to make light Of he 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 it was necessary to make haste
IL ne was TO catch the train for Wash
lngton. Eventually, indeed, he and
koko had to run, and as he reached
the station the cars were pulling out
The Jap threw the bag into the omen
doors of the rear one and Holton made
the steps with a flying leap. AS be
did so a man who had been following
the two essayed a similar flight. but
his feet missed the steps and he clune
to the si)dec rs:l with his left hand.
Az 1Siton reached down to assist
I'm 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 lie had known the circumstanoa
under which he was to meet this stron
ger at a 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 q,
various sorts.
Having put up at the METROPOLITAN
club. Holton passed such time as bat
to elapse before the assistant secre
tary would be at his desk In the Nav,
Department building In a fever of i'm
patience.
Having at length finished his ciea,
his morning paper-which b~ristlet
with bellicose matter-Holton nut mr.
his hat and o~vercoat and saunterel
slowly toward the Capitol. At fer
O'CLOCK he went over to the Navy De
partment and sent his card in to the
dsSiSldHt secretary.
Presently his summons came Will,
yet another man was engaged in IN,
inner office. This man, however
brushed out past Holton as the youn,
: officer. with mingled emotion. walked
into the presence of Secretary Long,
assistant.
Good morning, Mr.. Holton." Ger
: tainly no evil augury was to be detect
= ed in the hearty cadence Of the greet
ing. sit down. sir. I'm glad yo,
I were so prompt. That's what we nee,
0 In these days"
. Thank you. sir" said Holton du
biously.
Inc assistant secretary observe,
r MIN keenly for a moment. and then ar
parenty satisfied with his scrutiny. h
1 ROC md