Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1919-02-13

II suppose I didn't realize how big
you were getting" said Mark penitent-
ly. But you can't think how glad
am to see you. anyway"
TITS . shame sticking you for years
out In that horrible DESERT" said the
girl. II wish. Uncle Marx, you hadn't
stayed in the army after the war"
"Why. my dearr
Because then you could have gone
into business in New York. IKE Gap
tain Murray and Captain Crawford"
I've been thinking about a. much
myself. Eleanor. But guess the army
got hold Of me-"
But they haven't treated you right
". Uncle Mark. They haven't promot-
ed you for years, and they have
Jumped all sorts Of officers over your
head. Major Howard was saying 20
only before he left for Alaska. But, Of
course, he's out Of favor, and he
wouldn't have any influence. anyway.
It's years since he was In the army
Il suppose I'm back number, my
dear. Some Of us have to be. Per.
haps I'll get my chance. I'm not thir-
ty yet, you know. and thirty isn't con-
sidered awfully old in the army. At
least. 1t isn't the retiring age"
Don't be 20 absurd, Uncle Marx
You don't look an old man at an. Il
was just that your photograph was
taken 30 long ago. and didn't rs1lsct
that you must have changed"
"And II ever another waf comes I'm
sure my experience will count for a
lot. And I'll probably have command
over Captain Murray and Captain
Crawford II ever the National Guard
10 called ON for serious work. And
then you1l have your function a. our
mascot, you know.
he Wi kurprised at the girls sud
den responsiveness to his words. She
grey very ssrSoue
i've 6ftsa &odsht about that. On
Gle Mark" she answered.
But. Of course, 1t may never hap
pen"
Il suppose not. But II ever It does
mean to try to be what you meant
me to be when you made that condi-
ton 10 the major. How I wish-how
I wish"
Eyes. my dearf"
'That we knew who my father was.
Sometimes think he was only an
American planter, perhaps, who lived
in Cuba and was forced to fee when
the war began. And then again !
dream that he may have been a brave
soldier who was trying to serve his
country by going into the Spanish
lines in disguise, and I hope that ]
may be worthy Of him."
you don't remember anything
Eleanorr
Eyes. Uncle Mark. I'm sure do
and yet I've thought so much about II
that I'm not sure how much Of It is
memory and how much Is Just child's
inventions. Perhaps I invented all OF
1t. and made myself believe remem
bered It. And yet am sure part Of II
II memory"
what do you rememberf" asked
Mark rather fearfully.
"Well. Uncle Mark. my FIRST connect
ed memories are Of Major Howard'i
home. Of course. And I have a very
vivid impression Of being brought into
the dining room and toasted at tina,
dinner which the Major gave to tn,
officers after the war. But before al
that seem to have memories, as 4
they were pictures"
what Is the first thing you remem
bert"
II see q woman lying In q bed In Z
strange room. Her face II whittier thar
any face I have known; man sits be
side her. with his head in his hand
and, though death has no meaning fol
me. am afraid for know that sh,
was my mother"
'Was this In Cuba, Eleanorr
II don't know. but I think 30, Uncl'
Mark. because I remember running Il
the window and seeding . great palm
tree outside. with spreading. branches
And there are other cities, and VI
seem to 60 from place to place. alway,
watching for somebody, and yet, ~
were. hiding from people. know w
avoid people, but It u IN instinct onl,
that tells me 30.
| rAnd again am with my father II
the Jungle. don't know how we 60
there, but I see the trees all arount
J me. and I am afraid. We walk ON an