The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-11-28

was trembling on his lips, and ne was
about to crumple the dispatch IN his
hand when his eye fell on the meSseh'
ger standing at attention.
"Oh, thank YOU" he said; "tnare Is
no answer.
As the messenger departed Holton
handed the telegram to his second
without a word.
you will proceed at once to Wash
ington and report to me at the earliest
nossible moment. Lieutenant Frost
will assume command of Scorpion IN
your absence. ROOoENhhl'
AS Frost read the message aloud MS
| voice quivered with excitement. WHAT
does that mean?" he exclaimed.
Hanged if | know" growled Holton'
Isn't that just my luck! I've been
working on this old pot trying 10 get
her into shape and hoping and pray
ing for a chance to make good, n
then when there appears to be some
thing doing, why | get skinned this
way"
Frost knew exactly how the com
member felt. and his natural eXulta-
ton at being placed In command OF
the destroyer a quite swallowed up
in his sympathy for a mar 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
| congratulate you"
Il feel like a man who is going TO
put on a pair of boots that are too big
for him." remarked Frost.
"Oh, NONSENSE" 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 any,
one l know"
Well" laughed Holton, take il
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 &c
leave you for a while"
Dinner that evening was rather {
m%ournful affair, neither Holton no,
Frost trying to make light of the mys
FERROUS situation.
He shook hands with Frost at eigh'
o'clock, and with Koko carrying his
bag, started for the station. He hat
delayed rather longer than he should
have done in writing Supplementary.
letters to his parents and nov HI
found it was necessary 10 make hast
II he was to catch the tain for Wash
ington. Eventually, indeed. he an,
koko had to run, and as he reache'
the station the cars were pulling out
The Jap threw the bag into the opel
doors OF the cal n and Holton mad
the steps with a flying leap. AS h
did so a man who had been foliowin
the two essayed a similar fight, bu
his feet missed the steps and he clun
to the gilded rail with his left hand.
AS Holton reached down to assis
him the man lost his grip and wen
piunging head over heels into tn
gravel. Evidently his fall did not II
jure him, for as Holton peered bac
along the rails he saw the fellow ris
slowly and shake his fist at the d,
parting train.
If he had known the circumstance
under which he was to meet this stra,
ger at a time not far distant, his fee
ing of relief when he saw that tn
man was not seriously injured migl
have been tinctured by emotions {
various sorts.
=.
Having put up at the Metropolita
club, Holton passed such time as ha
to elapse before the assistant seer
tary would be at his desk il the Nav
Department building in a fever of ir
patience.
Having at length finished his cigs
and his morning paper-which bristle
with bellicose matter-Holton nut G
his hat and overcoat and sauntere
slowly toward the Capitol. AT te
o'clock he went over to the Navy D
partment and sent his card in to {,
assistant secretary.
d Presently his summons came viii
r. yet another mar was engaged in Il
Ir inner Office. This man, howeve
brushed out past Holton as the your
officer. with mingled emotion. wake
III into the presence CT Secretary Lone
Il assistant.
v Coed morning, Mr.. Hoit0n." &C
tainly no evil augury was to be dete,
u ed in the hearty cadence of the gree
ing. Sit down, sir. I'm glad V,
Of were so prompt. That's what we ne,
in these days"
T. Thank you, sir" said Holton d
ID oiously.
The assistant secretary obsery,
err him keenly for a moment. and then q
k parenty satisfied with his scrutiny,
arose and paced up and down L
H. length of his office.
by George. Mr.. Holtont" ha "a