Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-08-23

GEtss beralu suU,uOneu tnein 10
strict attention.
Fellows" he announced, "we've got
a draft dodger among u.s."
"And who may that be?" questioned
his close chum, Dick Hardy.
Vance Dalton"
Sure of it, are your"
81 should think so. While he has
been away on some mysterious errand
he has got married-of course to claim
exemption. He's Stacker that's what
he is, and we want to make him know
what we think of it,"
Geralds auditors looked impressed
and serious.
Besides that" resumed Gerald hot
ly, "the nerve of the fellow, coming
back to the town where he professed
such interest in my pretty cousin,
Nina !"
at looks bad" muttered Hardy.
IL propose that we hunt him up this
evening and give him piece of our
mind" suggested Gerald.
"That's the idea !" piped in chorus
unanimous. He'd ought to be run out
Of town."
So a committee OF six was appoint
ed, with Gerald its chairman. 1t was
just about dusk when the determined
sextette met each one wearing the
badge that told they had joined the
service and were awaiting orders from
the city.
They visited the house where Dali
ton was boarding, to learn that Dal-
ton had left there an hour previous.
Then they went downtown, but failed
to come across the object of their
quest.
They were passing the Hoyne home
when Gerald came to a dead stop with
q wild stare.
'The cheek of him /" he boiled over.
whats the occasion?" inquired
Hardy.
Look There he is. And Nina, too !
She must have just come home. How
dare she tolerate the graceless
wretchY"
I'm go in and intimate we wish to
have few moments conversation
with him. suggested Harry.
mo, you won't!' cried Gerald fu-
riousy. wen all 80 in and face him
right before Nina. Come on"
Nine and Dalton, looking quite Sc
rene and happy were seated on a rus
tic bench. Both arose at the sudden
invasion
"Why Gerald" began Nina, extend.
ing her hand in cousinly welcome, but
Gerald almost rudely brushed her
aside.
ut is this fellow we came particu-
larly to see" he burst forth, facing
Dalton with flashing eyes-''this draft
dodger, this Stacker :"
"Hellow interrupted Dalton, calmly
"Where did you get that stuff" and
then he smiled with amusement, and
Nina burst outright into a peal OF
merry laughter as Gerald fairly shout
ed out the story of his remarkable dis.
coveries. Something in the faces OF
Dalton and Nina checked him as he
was about to hurl at the latter his
scathing arraignment as traitor
cousin Gerald" began Dalton, with
apparent astounding impudence, you
utterly mistook your city friend. re
call him-a genial high liver, who, by
chance, was assigned to the same room
as myself at a hotel. / had Il severe
cold and told him so, and the obiging
fellow allowed me to close the win.
dows, contrary to his usual sanitary
custom, loosely calling me a 'draught
dodger'"
'D-r-a-u-g-h-t, Gerald" warbled Nj.
ma, mischievously.
AS to the marriage, Cousin Gerald"
continued Dalton, Mrs. Dalton here
-"
"Mrs.-who?" bolted out Gerald.
"Yes, as Pm going ASA nurse, and
he is full-fedged captain, We
thought 1t best to go together 10 the
front, If we can" Nina broke in
sweetly. you see, while Mr.. Dalton
WINS away those two months he was
at training camp, and he expects his
captains commission next week"
"And, to have you men in my com.
pany" interrupted Vance, would ill
the cup of joy complete"