The daily Alaskan., 1916-10-06

guard, who, after brief interview, conducted him to the house consdtut- lng the barracks. The commandant was sitting in a 6 by g room before a table, on which were papers. Ferguson said:
 T received a telegram thls morning from the department headquarters or dering ne to inspect this post and ren- der any information or assistance you might need. am Lieutenant Charles Ferguson of the -th cavalry"
 q am very glad to see you, ieuten- ant" replied the officer. Had you an. nounced your coming or even appeared in uniform you would have been. re- ceived with military honors."
 Unfortunately. I was visiting a friend when received the order" re- piled Ferguson, land l never wear a uniform except when on duty. Ny baggage being a hundred miles away, was obliged to report here in mpfa, with the exception of this cap. which use for auto driving"
 The captain asked to see Ferguson's order to inspect the post. He had seat himself a telegram to that effect while on the mainland. and now pulled 1t out and handed 1t to the officer. Whether or not she was satisfied, she appeared to be so and, leading Ferguson out on to the parade, gave an order to turn out the company for inspection. The com mand was drawn up in line, the rear rank marched three paces to the rear. and the inspector, in company with the captain, walked along both ranks, each soldier handing him her gun for Inspection. Ferguson had seen an in- spection, so he cooked every piece and now and then wiped the metal with his white cambric handkerchief. When the inspection was over he returned to the captains office, and the latter began to ply him with questions.
 "We are weaker" she said, ''in the matter of guard duty than anything else. l should like to have you mount guard and instruct uS upon the duties of the sentinel"
 "The guard" replied Ferguson, ''is mounted at any hour of the morning that the commandant directs Tomor- row morning will be happy to per form the ceremony for you"
 Ferguson did not propose to be on the island the next morning unless tn his true character. He couldn't mount a guard for a potato patch.
 "Who mounts the guardT asked the captain.
 "The officer of the guard"
 (Which guard-the old or the neWT "The new guard" hazurded Ferguson.
 Now, Captain Mabel Hetherington knew that the guard Is under the or der of the officer of the day. Further more she knew that there Is no officer of the guard, which Is In command of 6 sergeant. But she said nothing Fer guson would have preferred that she would say something rather than wear the look which appeared upon her face.
 However, this look soon passed from her face, and, rising, she said:
 "Now that we have had some of your instruction, lieutenant, I propose that we should relax from military formal ity, and I shall be happy to introduce you to my officers, and if your ideas of the distance between officer snd Dri- vate are not too rigid I will introduce you to some of the latter. Please wait here while I announce the introduc- ton. You must remember that though soldiers We are still women, and e wo- man always desires to make herself presentable when about to be ore sented."
 Leaving the room, she soon returned with her lieutenants and several pri- yates. After little conversation one by one the soldiers retired, except & lovely girl with eyes like a summer sky, who. when the others were gone. brought them to bear on Ferguson in a way that made him doubtful whether be was on earth or in heaven.
 But presently this happiness was brought to an abrupt and humiliating end. The captain returned with ser geant and a dozen privates, whom she halted in the hall, six beyond the door and six In rear Of 1t. The captain ad vanced to Ferguson with the dignity of soldier and said:
 lieutenant, I'll trouble you to take position there" pointing to the inter- val.
 Ferguson's face fell. He knew that he had given away his ignorance Of military matters and was about to be elected from the post as an impostor A sergeant placed feather over each ear, and a drum and fife corps struck up the rogues' march. The order For wardw was given. and, the captain marching beside him, Ferguson was i escorted to the dock. There the cap tain asked him if he could swim. He admitted that he could.
 The Eveline had sailed boldly up to a position near the dock, cast anchor, and her crew were waiting the result of Ferguson's maneuver. When they
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