Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-11-20

the contents. HIS face cl0uded ana
he read 1t 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
no answer
AS the messenger departed Holton
handed the telegram to his second
without word.
you will proceed at once 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 that mean?" he exclaimed.
Hanged If know" growled Holton.
Isn't that just my luck! I've been
working on this old pot trying to get
her into shape and hoping and pray
ing for chance to make good. and
then when there appears to be some
thing doing. why | get skinned this
way"
Frost knew exactly how the COM
mender felt. and his natural exulta-
ton at being placed in command of
the destroyer was quite swallowed up
in his sympathy for man who was
his good friend as well 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"
Il feel like 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 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
kn- 80 o. 4.
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
II 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 Jap threw the bag into the open
doors of the rear one and Holtou made
the steps with flying leap. As he
did SO 4 man who had been following
the two essayed a 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
jure him. for as Holton peered back
along the rails he saw the fellow rise
slowly and shake his Hst at the de-
parting train.
IL he had known the circumstances
under which he was to meet this strnn.
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 st the Metropolitan
club, Holton 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.
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 ONCE. This man. however.
brushed out past Holton as the young
officer, with mingled emotion. walked
into the presence of Secretary Longs
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 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 moment, and then ap-
parenty satisfied with his scrutiny he