The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-03-11
CHAPTER VI.
Ordered Away.

Ordered Away.
He had received his letter from the
minister of war. Like many things
we wish for, set our hopes upon, when
they come we find that we do not want
them at any price. The order was un.
welcome. Sabron was to go to Al.
giers.
Winter is never very ugly around
Tarascon. Like lovely bunch Of fruit
In the brightest corner Of a happy
vineyard, the Midi is sheltered from
the rude experiences that the seasons
know farther north. Nevertheless,
rains and winds, sea-born and Wig.
orous, had swept in and upon the lit
tie town. The mistral came Whis-.
Ting and Sabron, from his window,
looked down on his little garden from
which summer had entirely flown. Pit.
choune, by his side, looked down as
we'll, but his expression, different from
his masters, was ecstatic, for he saw
sliding along the brick wall, a cat with
which he was on the most excited
terms. His body tense, his ears for.
ward, he gave sharp series of barks
and little soft growls, while his
master tapped the window-pane to the
tune of Miss Redmond's song.
Although Sabron had heard it several
times, he did not know the words or
that they were of a semi-religious, ex.
tremely sentimental character which
would have been difficult to translate
into French. He did not know that
they ran something like this: RI,
Good keep you safe, my love, +
All through the night; y
Rest close in his encircling arms
Until the light.
And there was more of 1t. He only
6new that there was pathos in the
tune which spoke to his warm heart;
which caressed and captivated him
and which made him long deeply for
happiness he thought it most unlikely
be would ever know. ..r.
There had been many pictures added
to his collection: Miss Redmond at
dinner, Miss Julia Redmond-he knew
her first name now-before the piano:
Miss Redmond in a smart coat, walk
Ing with him down. the alley, while
Pitchoune chased flying leaves and 40
partitions Of rabbits hither and thither.
The Count de Sabron had always
dreaded just what happened to him.
He had fallen in love with 4 woman
beyond his reach, for he had no for
tune whatsoever, nothing but his cap
tain's pay and his hard soldiers life.
q wanderers life and one which he
hesitated to ask woman to share.
In spite of the fact that Madame
d'Esclignac was agreeable to him,
she was not cordial, and he understood
that she did not consider him q parti
for her niece. Other guests, as we'll
as he. had shared her hospitality. He
had been jealous of them, though he
could not help seeing Miss Redmond's
preference for himself. Not that he
wanted to help it. He recalled that
she had really sung to him, decidedly
walked by his side when there had
been more than the quartette, and he
felt, in short, her sympathy.
"Pitchoune," he said to his compan-
ion, I'VE are better of in Algiers, mon
vieux. The desert is the place for us.
We shall get rid Of fancies there and
do some hard fighting one way or an.
other"
Pitchoune, whose eyes had followed
the cat out Of sight, sprang upon his
master and seemed quite ready for
the new departure.
II shall at least have you" Sabron
said. 1T will be your first campaign.
We shall have some famous runs and
l 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 capitain4."
Brunei came in with tho blue envelope
which Sabron tore open.
You win take with you neither horses
nor dogs.
It was an order from tho minister Of
war, Just such q one % was cent to
some half-dozen other young officers.
all Of, whom, no doubt, felt more OF
less discounted.
Sabron twisted the telegram, put II
In the fireplace and lighted his ciga,
rette with it, watching Pitchoane who,
finding himself comfortable corner.
in the armchair, had settled down for
4 nap.
3d." noddsd the Young man aloud.
Il shall not even have Pitchoune:s
He smoked, mnsfng. IN the rigid Dis.
ciplins Of his soldiers ufe he was used
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