Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-29

come
Woodhouse studied the face of his
superior in a swift glance as he shook
hands. A broad full face it was, kind
ly, intelligent, perhaps not so alert as
to the set of eyes and mouth as IT
had been in younger days when the
stripes of service we're still to be won.
General Sir George Crandall gave the
impression of a man content to rest
on his honors, though scrupulousIy
attentive to the routine of his posi-
ton. He motioned the younger man
10 draw up to the desk.
I'm yesterday on the Princess Mary,
l presume, Captain?"
Eyes, General. Didn't report to you
on arrival because l thought 1t would
be quite tea time and I didn't want
to disturb :
Right" General Crandall tipped
back in his swivel chair and appraised
his new oficer. with satisfaction.
Everything quiet on the upper Nile?
Germans not tinkering with the Null
lab yet to start Instruction or any
thing like that?"
Right as a trivet, sir" Woodhouse
answered promptly. "Of course were
anticipating some such move by the
enemy-agents working in from Fry
threa-holy war Of a sort, perhaps,
but I think our people have things
well in hand"
"And at Wady Halfa, your former
commander The general hesitated.
Major Bronson-Webb, sir" Wood
house was quick to supply, but not
without a sharp glance at the older
man.
eyes yes; Bronson-Webb knew
him in Rangoon in the late nineties-
mighty decent chap and a good exc
cutive. He's standing the sun, war
rant"
Captain Woodhouse accepted the
cigarette from the generals extend
ed
NO complaint from him at least,
General Crandall. We all get pretty
we'll baked at Wady, I take It.
The governor laughed, and tapped
a bell on his desk. Jaimihr Khan
was instantly m~aterialized between
the double doors.
MY orderly, Jaimihr," General
Crandall ordered, and the doors were
BLU OIC0 lHOIC. q" u ~ aoOAOA~1 0SASNSA
ed a hand cross the desk.
your papers. please, Captain. III
receipt your order Of transfer and
you'll be a member Of our garrison
forthwith" ,
Captain Woodhouse brought a thin
sheaf of folded papers from his. breast
pocket and passed it to his superior.
He kept his eyes steadily on the gen.
erals face as he scanned them.
&c. G.. Woodhouse-Chief Signal
Officer Ninth Grenadiers -Wady
Halfa-" General Crandall conned the
transfer aloud, running his eyes rap
idly down the lines Of the form.
Right. Now, Captain, when my or
derby comes" III,
A subaltern entered and saluted.
This is Captain Woodhouse.'' Gen
eral Crandall indicated Woodhouse,
who had risen. Kindly conduct him
to Major Bishop, who will assign him
to quarters. Captain Woodhouse, we
LADY C~randall and will expect
you at Government House soon, to
make your bow over the teacup. One
of Lady CrandalTs inflexible, rules for
new recruits, you know. Good day,
sir"
Woodhouse, out in the free air
again, drew in a long breath and brac-
ed back his shoulders. He accompan-
led the subaltern yer the trails on
the Rock to the quarters Of Major
Bishop, chief signal officer, under
whom he was to be. Junior In com,
mand. But n regret marked his
first visit to Government House-he
had not caught even a glimpse of the
little person calling herself Jane Ger
son, buyer.
But he had missed by a narrow
margin. Plotted by Lady Crandall,
Jane had left the vaulted breakfast
room for the larger and lighter library
which Sir George had converted to the
purpose of an office. This o was
a sort of holy of holies with Lady
Crandall, to be invaded If the presid
ing genius could be caught mapping
or lulled to complaisance.