The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-11-19

s,t's about Dicks promotion, dad"
at drunken angles toward one another,
the filthy windows winking blearily to
their neighbors, he paused before the
largest of these places. His hand
reached toward the bell pull. From
some distant part Of the house came
back an echo. Slowly, very slowly.
the door swung open. swallowing up
the figure of the thief butler And
there the butler and his employer
made their plans.
General Sumpter Love. U. S. A.,
smiled tolerantly to himself as he over
heard the low voices of his aid and
Lucille coming from the little coy cor
ner In which the young lieutenant had
hidden his sweetheart away from the
avid dancers who would have taken
her away from him. Then he sighed
heavily as he realized he stood on the
threshold Of another change; that the
courtship Of his aid had finally been
successful and another household
would soon be occupied in Officers
row. leaving him alone in this great
house.
He wondered if all fathers felt this
way. wondered if he could gladly give
his daughter to another man and be
happy watching that other remold her
world. And the time was so short
That very boat in the harbOr now
might bear the senate's confirmation
of young Gibson's promotion to the
Of fo;, TN
men had agreed that the marriage
should wait on that, and the general
had to admit that the aid had lived IN
to his word. But, then, Gibson always
did that.
Again the general shook his shout
ders, striding briskly to his private Of
flee. Only in work could he get relief
from these fits Of Depression And
there was always work to be done, fol-
the little brown people loved theil
fighting. We're never satisfied Will
peace and quiet. He pressed the an
nunciator on his desk, CURLY command
ing the soldier who responded to sen{
Lieutenant Gibson to him.
General Love permitted smile t.
play about the corners of his ster1
mouth as the rustic of wonan's Skin
reached his ears simultaneously will
the click of his aids boots Came {
brief whispered conversation outsid,
the door, then the aid stood upon tn.
threshold at attention. Lucille hidin.
behind him in an attitude of noel
timidity. The old man bit his mus
tache vicionsly. then smiled broadly.
"Well,' he demanded. fumblin:
among the papers that Uttered hi
desk. what have you got to say TO
yourself. young woman:"
Lucille slipped across the floor, twin
Eng pair of white arms about her fl
Tiers neck, the soft velvet of he
cheek smoothing his brown. leather,
one. 1t was the way she had coaxe,
him when child. the way she ha,
never outgrown or known to fail.
"Its about Dicks promotion, dad.
she whispered. 1T hasn't come on th
Empress, and that means wait at leas
another month. If there was an
chance of the senate's failing to COZ
firm it we wouldn't bother you, but
| AAoueh 4S SUCH Il lOUS time, GQu-aD
Dick has some money now
Yes, yes, yes," the general retorte
gruftiy, a twinkle in his eye that b
lied the tone. But from what l.,
seen tonight and the last week sin,
Harley started his aeroplane name
vers l thought there might be son
change in your plans
Lucille flushed prcttily, her ey
flashing hooking smile at the sts
t wart young officer, who stood no
: with her. holding her hand.
r Mr.. Harley's very nice man," 81
t defended. "even If Dick does get je:
q Gus. Besides, q girl has to be anus
3 somehow when busy old generals ke
o their officers working all day al
night"
"I'll think it over, DEAR" the gen.
: nj said kindly, Immediately e
) through with the orders that came ,
r night Lieutenant" he said brisk
q you put the orders and papers fire
Washington in the safe, as I told 70
! Will you get them for me?'
j. The aid flushed bit, his fing<
?. playing at the gold strap at his side