The Huttig news., 1913-09-27

tuc uSollOytI NdS Qulib SNdllOWGu up in his sympathy for a man who was his good friend as well as his superio, officer
 Hoiton sat for willie blowing blue clouds of smoke to the ceiling. out wardly calm, but inwardly seething. ie went over every act in the past month or so. but could think of noth- ng he had done that would warrant is recall in disgrace.
 Well, Bobby" he said at length, you're a real live captain now And congratulate you"
 '1 feel like a man who is going to nut on pair of boots that are too big for him. remarked Frost
 "Oh, nonsense." smiled Holton. You're in every way qualified IA vouch for you, Bobby"
 Frost smiled
 Thanks" he said; "I'd rather have that from you than from almost any one l know"
 Well" laughed Holton. take 1t 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 while"
 Dinner that evening was rather mournful affair. neither Holton nor Frost trying to make light of the mys- terious 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 feuad it was necessary to make haste if he was to catch the train for Wash ington Eventually, indeed, he and Koko had to run, and as he reached the station the cars were pulling out.
 The Jan threw the bag into the open doors Of the rear one and IIolten made the steps with flying leap AS he did SD man who had been following the two eesayed similar flight, but his feet missed the steps and he clung 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 , iure him. for as Holton peered back along the rails he saw the fellow rise slowly and shake his fist at the de- parting train.
 If he had known the circumstances i 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 mp at the Metropolitan club, Ilolton passed such time as had to elapse before the assistant secre- tary would be at his desk in the Navy Department building in a fever of i'm patience
 Having at length finished his cigar and his morning paper-whieh brstled with bollicose ratter-IIolton put on his hat and overcoat and sauntered | slowly toward the Capitol. At ten o'clock he went over to the Navy De Dartmest 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 Holton as the young officer, with mingled emotion, walked into the presence of Secretary Longs assistant
 Good mornin, Mir. Holton." Ger ainly no evil augury was to be detect l in the hearty cadence of the greet ,l,I gere so prompt. That's what we need in these days
 "Thank you, sir said Holton du- .iously.
 The assistant secretary observed aim keenly for moment, and then ap- earently satisfied with his scrutiny, he rose and paced up and down the length of his ofIicc
 By George. Mir, Holton!" he said, When you realize that war Is coming coming as sure as guns, and then consider our unpreparedness for it-it makes you glad it's Spain and not omeone else."
 T think the navy's pretty fit, sir" ventured Holton.
 "Ah, the navy! And the army" The words came out like bullets "rhe navy is all right, and the army, too, yhat there is of it. The fighting men If both arms Of the service are the best this world ever saw: getting things started, that Is the trouble. We'll thank Heaven, Dewey's--" the ssistant secretary stopped short, and raning his neck forward. character stically, thrust his square Jaw close 70 the off cer's face. We've all got to io the best We can and be sure that when the blow comes it will come l rom and not toward. us.''
 Holton podded slightly.
 T liked your action in diving over board and rescuins two of your men st summer resumed MT. Roosevelt. And l may say that study of your acord has convinced me that just at -esent little respite from duties board the Scorpion will accrue to our .atual advantage"