Catoctin clarion., 1917-08-30

cises Gerald summoned them to
strict attention.
Fellows" he announced, "we've got
draft dOdger among u.s."
"And who may that be?" questioned
his close chum, Dick Hardy.
"Vance Dalton"
"Sure of it, are yOu"
II 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,"
Garald's 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!"
ut looks bad" muttered Hardy
81 propose that we hunt him up this
evening and give him a piece of our
mind" suggested Gerald.
"That's the idea !" piped in a chorus
unanimous. He'd ought to be run out
of town."
SO committee of six was appoint
ed. with Gerald its chairman. 1t was
Just about dusk when the determined
ScXtcttc 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 dead stop with
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
wretch?"
"rll go in and intimate we wish to
have a few moments conversation
with him." suggested Harry.
"No, you WON'T" cried Gerald fu-
riously "Well all go in and face him
right before Nina. Come on"
Nine and Dalton, looking quite Sc
rene and happy, were seated on 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"
''Hcllo" interrupted Dalton, calmly.
"Where did you get that stuff" and
then he smiled with amusement, and
Nina burst outright into Il 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 a 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 hotel. | had a severe
cold and told him so and the obllging
fellow allowed me to close the WIN
dows, contrary to his usual sanitary
custom, jocosely calling me '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?" boted out Gerald.
"Yes, as I'm going as a nurse, and
he is full-fledged captain, we
thought it best to 60 together to the
front, if we can" Nina broke in,
swectly. "You see, while Mr.. Dalton
was 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 I'LL
the cup of JOY complete"