Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-02-03

. = . ta1N 4 In AN
would never get it.
That evening Perkins took a train
for Atlantic City, and l shaved off my
mustacle, also making my hair Il dull
black. The mex morning | was out on
the parapct experimenting the inStruc-
ton of squads i'll handling the guns,
when the colonel came along. He was
showing the fort to some relatives who
We're staying at one Of the hotels out
side the walls. lie came up to where
| was standing near Il gun and began
to explain its workings to his friends.
Presently he asked of me:
Have these men been long under in
struction. Mr.
"perkins. Yes, sir; they are becom-
ing quite proficient"
The colonel stood not a dozen feet
away from me. The look he gave me
was, to say the least. searching. But
l kept a stiff upper lip. and without
noticing it walked away to another
gun and began giving the sergeant in
charge orders. The colonel passed on
With his visitors. but l knew that he
had noticed something about me that
did not look like Perkins.
Before the time for gun instruction
had passed went to Perkins quarters.
thinking it possible that the colonel
would send for him in order to get Il
closer inspection of him. I had scarce
ly arrived when there was a rap at
the door. and there stood the colonel's
orderly.
The commander desires Lieutenant
Perkins to report at the headquarters
office" said the orderly. saluting.
Very well,' I replied, and the order
ly withdrew.
l should have notified May of the
game l had to play. so that if occasion
required | might cur her assistance.
| had called upon her. but she was
dining out, and l did not sec her. On
my way to the colonies office | passed
his quarters ana found her sitting on
the porch. l Joined her and told her
of the critical position both of myself
and of Perkins.
DO you think your conscience would
permit you to vouch for me- l asked
Ter.
My conscience will permit Il white
lie if l can thereby benefit Il friend
was the reply.
VERY we'll; ] would suggest that You
90 to your fathers Office and be ready
when | enter to make him believe |
am Mr.. Perkins,"
Shn l,ft r,, TO ,,IIt ON n h0t ana
when she came back took the walk
leading to the office. | waited till |
saw her enter. then followed her.
When | reported TO the colonel lie had
his pocketbook in his hand getting out
some bills. which he gave to her. On
seeing me she exclaimed;
"Ilow do YOU do, Mir. Perkins: Where
have You kept Yourself for so long?
You have not been 70 see me in an
age
1t was plainly evident from the way
the colonel blinked mt me that he had
sent for me to find ont if | We're the
officer he had seen on the paTapet.
Evidently l did not look to him like
Perkins, and ! must have looked very
like myself. But he could not trust
his own cycsight and dared not take
issue with his daughter as to my
identity. Finally he looked an order
TO her to proceed on her way, but she
declined to leave mo unprotected and.
reSulning her seat. Indicated that she
would remain until her father had
transacted his buincsS with me. He
l.l ,>+ls-.. e b. .,,D,
municate. and after giving me some
~improviSed Instructions us to points he
desired the men instructed in concern
ing the gums he dismissed mo.
| walked in the direction May would
take on leaving the office and when
she came out Joined her, curious to
know what if anything concerning me
had passed between her and her father
after my departure. She told me that
he had seemed to be thinking of my
resemblance to myself instead of to
Perkins, but that to question her would
be to confess that his eyesight was
failing and he could not bring himself
to do so.
Fearing that l might be required to
pass Il second examination | invited
May to an excursion up the river that
would keep me away for the rest of
the day. | had no right thus to absent
myself, but il the matter We're raised,
having been ministerin@ to the pleas
urc Of the commanders daughter, !
felt assured that no notice would be
taken of the breach of discipline.
May was good enough to remain
away With me till the brightness Of
day had passed. ana her father could
not see in the dark. I thought that.
since | was aiding my friend Perkins
to propose for 4 wife. l might do some
thing for myself in IL like direction.
and during the day | told May my
story" Since the matter had been
pending between US for some time, !
was not surprised ut an acceptance.
Perkins walked me up before ~reveille
the next morning to tell me that he
had left Atlantic CITY and Mics Trnyv-