The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-06-25
CHAPTER vl--contInued.

PitchOune, whose eyes had Followed
the cat out OF sight, sprang upon his
master and seemed quite ready for
the new departure.
II shall al least have you Sabron
said. Il will be your first campaign.
We shall have some famous runs and
shall introduce you to a 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"
Rrunet came In with the blue envelope
which Sabron tore open.
you wtn take with you neither horses
nor dogs
II was an order from the minister of
war Just such one as was sent to
some halfdozen other young officers,
al Of whom. no doubt. felt more or
less discounted
SAFFRON twisted the telegram, put II
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
nap
SO. nodded the young man aloud.
Il shall not even have Pitchoune."
He smoked musing. In the rigid dis
clpline OF his soldiers life he was used
to obedience. His softened eyes, how
ever. and his nervous fingers as they
fttlflad ar htu taa,of "a clo ohNutnA that
the command had touched him.
What shall do with you. old fell
low?s
Although Sabrons voice was low.
the dog. whose head was down upon
his paws, turned HIS bright brown
eyes on his master with so much con
fidence and affection that II completed
the work. Sabron walked across the
floor. smoking. the spurs on his heels
clanlsing, 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
woman
They want me to be lonely" he
thought "All that the chiefs consider
is the soldier--not the man--eyen the
companionship Of my dog is denied
me. What do they think / am going
to do out there In the long eastern
eyenings?" He reflected What does
the world expect an nncompanioned
wanderer to dog' There are many
things and the less thought about
them. the better.
A letter for Monsieur lie Capitaine."
Brunei returned with note which he
presented stiilly, 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
ne had used to light his cigarette.
Nor viii It be necessary TO take
personal servant The indigenes are
capable performances
AS he took the letter from Brunet's
saiyer he said curtly:
4 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.
his head lifted.
Nor you either. mon brave Bru-
net Sabron put his hand ON his
servants shoulder. the first familiarity
he had ever shown man who served
him with devotion. and who would
have given his life 10 save his mas.
ter's Those" said the officer CURLY,
are the orders from headquarters, and
the least said about them the better"
The rudy cheek OF the servant
turned pale. He mechanically touched
his forehead
Bien. mon Capitaine." he muir.
INJURED. With little catch In his voice
lie stood at attention. then wheeled
and without being dismissed. stalked
out OF the room.
Pitchoune did not follow. He re-
NAMED immovable like little dog cut
from bronze; he understood-who
shall say- how much of the conyersas
ton? Sabron threw away his ciga.
rette. then read his letter by the man.
tepiece. leaning his arm upon IT, He
read slowly. He had broken the seal
slowly. II was the first letter he had
ever seen In this handwriting It was
written in French and ran thus:
HoHsieur-My aunt wishes me to ask
ysA II you will come 10 us for a little
Dausicaae tomorrow afternoon. We hope
sou wild be free. and I hope, she added
1lsst seA wih Drinx P1tehoune. Not that