Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-12

might be engaged, learned the local names
OF common articles OF food, and ascertained
particularly what provision nature made
to sustain life. The study interested me.
Once. during the Soudan campaign. It was
really useful, and procured me promotion"
Tel me about IT,"
During some operations in the desert II
was necessary for my troop to follow up
small party Of rebels mounted on camels,
which as you probably know can go with
out water much longer than horses. We
were almost within striking distance. when
our horses completely gave out, but |
luckily noticed indications which showed
that there was water beneath portion OF
the plain much below the general level,
Half an hours spade work proved that l
was right We took up the pursuit again,
and ran the quarry to earth, and ! got my
captaincy."
WAS there no fght?"
He paused an appreciable time before
replying. Then he evidently made up his
mind TO perform some disagreeable task
The watching girl could see the change in
his face, the sharp transition from eager
interest to angry resentment.
Yes" he went on at last, there was
fight II was a rather stin affair, because
troop of British cavalry which should
have supported me had turned back, owing
to the want of water already mentioned.
But that did not save the officer in charge
of the Twenty-fourth Lancers from being
severely reprimanded"
THE Twenty-fourth Lancers!" cried Iris
Lord Ventnor's regiment ~
Lord Ventnor was the officer in ques-
ton"
Her face crimsoned. Then you know
him?" she said.
II do"
rs he your enemy7"
"And that is why you were so agitated
that last day on the Sirdar, when poor
Lady Tozer asked me IL l were engaged to
him?"
Yes"
How could 1t affect you? You did not
even know my name then?"
1T affected me because the sudden men
ton Of his name recalled my own disgrace.
I quilted the army six months ago, Miss
Deane, under very painful circumstances.
A general court-martial found me guilty of
conduct unbecoming an officer and
gentleman. I was not even given chance
to resign. l was cashiered."
He pretended to speak with cool trucu-
lence He thought to compel her into
shrinking contempt. Yet his face blanched
| somewhat and though he steadily kept the
pipe between his teeth, and smoked with
| studied unconcern, his lips twitched little
And he dared not look at her, for the
girls wondering eyes were hXed on MIN
and the blush had disappeared as quickly
as II came.
"I remember something of this" she SAID
| slowly, never once averting her gaze. There
was some gossip concerning 1t when frs
came to Hongkong. You are Captain Rober
| Anstruther?"
| 81 am"
| "And you publicly thrashed Lord Ventno
as the result Of a quarrel about a woman?
"Your recollection is quite accurate"
who was to blame?"
'"rhe lady said that was"
was 1t true?"
Robert Anstruther, late captain of Benga
Cavalry, rose to his feet. He preferred t
take his punishment standing.
THE court-martal agreed with her, Mis-
Deane and 1 am a prejudiced Witness" h
| replied,
who was the-lady?"
THE wife of my colonel, Mrs. Costobell.
| "Ohw
Long afterward he remembered the agon
| of that moment, and WINGED even at tn