Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-01-01

he read It again. A good strong woro
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 Ia
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
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 l 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 a 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
member felt, and 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 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 real live captain now. And
congratulate you"
Il feel like a man who Is going to
put on pair of boots that are too big
for him." remarked Frost.
"Oh, nonsense!" smiled Holton.
You're in every way qualified. Ill
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 q while"
Dinner that evening was rather
mournful affair, neither Holton nor
Frost trying to make light Of the 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 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 Holton made
the steps with flying leap. As he
did 80 a man who had been following
the two essayed a similar flight, but
his feet missed the steps and he chung
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
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.
If he had known the circumstances
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 up at the Metropolitan
club, Holton passed such time as had
to elapse before the assistant secre-
tary would be at his desk In the Navy
building IN a fever of i'm.
patience.
Having at length finished his cigar
and his morning paper-which bristled
with belllcose 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 Recretary.
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 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, be !
arose and paced up and down the |
length of his Office.
by George. Mr. Holton!" no said. |