Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-07-21
CHAPTER VI-contlnued.

Pitchoune, whose eyes had followed
the cat out of sight, sprang upon his
master and seemed quite ready for
the new departure.
I shall at least have you," Sabron
said. at will be your first campaign.
We shall have some famous runs and
] shall introduce you to camel and
make you acquainted with several
dOnkeys, not to speak Of the historic
Arab steeds. You will see, my friend,
that there are other animals besides
yourself in creation"
A telegram for mon capitaine"
Brunei came in with the blue envelope
which Sabron tore open.
You viii take with you neither horses
Dor dogs.
It was an order from the minister of
war, just such a one as was sent to
some half-dozen other young officers,
all of whom, no doubt, felt more or
less discounted.
Sabron twisted the telegram, put it
in the fireplace and lighted his ciga-
rette with it. watching Pitchoune who,
finding himself a comfortable corner
In the armchair, had settled down for
q nap.
So" nodded the young man aloud,
4 shall not even have Pitchoune."
He smoked, musing In the rigid dis
cipline of his soldiers life he was used
to obedience. His softened eyes, how
ever, and his nervous fingers as they
!, pulled at his mustache, showed that
the command had touched him.
What shall l do with you, old fell
low?"
Although Sabron's voice was low
the dog, whose head was down upon
his paws, turned his bright brown
eyes on his master with so much con-
fdence and affection that it completed
the work. Sabron walked across the
floor, smoking, the spurs on his heels
clanking, the light shining on his bril-
liant boots and on his uniform. He
was a splendid-looking man with race
and breeding, and he combined with
his masculine force the gentleness of
q woman.
They want me to be lonely" he
thought. "All that the chiefs consider
Is the soldier-not the man-even the
cOmpanionship of my dog is denied
me. What do they think I am going
to do out there in the long eastern
eTenings?" He reflected. What does
the world expect an uncompanioned
wanderer to do?" There are many
things and the less thought about
them. the better.
"A letter for Monsieur lie Capitaine"
Brunei returned with a note which he
presented stif1y, and Pitchoune, who
chose in his little brain to imagine
Brunei an intruder, sprang from the
chair like lightning. rushed at the
servant, seized the leg of his panta-
looms and began to worry them, growl-
Ing, Brunei regarding him with adora-
ton. Sabron had not thought aloud
the last words OF the telegram, which
be had used to light his cigarette.
Nor Will It be necessary to take
a personal servant The indigenes are
capable Ordonnances.
AS he took the letter from Brunets
salver he'said CURLY:
Il am ordered to Algiers and shall
not take horses nor Pitchoune."
The dog, at mention OF his name,
Set Brunet's leg free and stood quiet,
ais head lifted
Nor you either, mon brave Bru-
net" Sabron put his hand on his
servants shoulder, the first familiarity
ne had ever shown a man who served
him with devotion, and who would
nave given his life to save his mas
teFs Those" said the officer curtly,
are the orders from headquarters, and
KS least said about them the better.
The rudy cheek of the servant
pTned pale. He mechanically touched
his forehead.
blen, mon Capitaine," he muir
INJURED, with a little catch in his voice.
1e stood at attention, then wheeled
and without being dismissed, stalked
Out OF the room.
TNcnoune did not follow He re-
N0laeo immOvable like little dog cut
- bronze; he understood-who
s S-al. say-how much of the eonversa-
- oaoron threw away his ciga-
80 80 'nen read his letter by the man.
ep,eee' leaning his arm upon it. He
go slowly. He had broken the seal
0lo"iS' 1t was the first letter he had
seen IN this handwriting. 1t was
"Al''en IN French and ran thus:
eo,, ,s curly aunt wishes me to ask
Sn,,sioa1s YOU VIII come to us for a little
gon Iii 'omorrow afternoon. We hope
fHst you gill bring Pitchoune ''t Not that