The Coolidge examiner., 1933-04-21
They entered the hall.

| WISH anu cndnRe my linen.
General Washington came out of
his office There was grave look
in his face. He gave his hand to the
youg man. saying:
Captain. we nave been deeply
concerned for your safety. Come
into my Office and tell me what has
happened"
Il apolt gize for my appearance"
said the captain.
IL was a timely remark. His
face and linen, wet with perspira-
tion when he sci out from Roxbury,
were now smeared with dust. His
hair was matted.
"It is all part of the story. Let
me hear It."
Those penetrating blue-gray eyes
had been surveying him. They were
now looking into his lie could not
lie to this man. Those eyes seemed
to make 1t impossible. He must
tell the whole truth and be done
with It.
Lady Washington entered the
room. exclaim.ng Mercy on us"
She looked at him and went TO
his side anc having brushed his fore
head with her handkerchief. kissed
it. saying. MY boy. am glad you
were not captured. | have been sit
ting up late and praying for good
news OF you. told Billy to call
me II you came In before midnight
What has happened to you?"
She sat down and Colin told the
story OF the ambush and without
neglecting its romantic background.
He told OF the timely arrival of
Captain Farnsworth and his men. of
the duel and its wager and of all
that was said ana done 10 his foes.
II was vivid modest recital.
The Commander in thief list tened
with deep interest. Fm moment
his chin rested on mis- hand as he
leaned forward over his desk. Then
he sat back in his chair. his weary
legs crossed. A smile came TO his
face while he tapped his knee with
paper cutter. II grew stern as
the story advanced. There was a
rueful sadness In his eyes when he
asked:
You have heard me say that
will have no duels in my army?'
Yes. SIR
"Your duty must have been clear
TO you. The men were in your power
They should have been turned over
to General Ward for punishment.
They were in fact rniders."
Il thought that they had been suf-
ciently punished. tried to avoid
fighting. sir. He stung me with In
suits in the presence OF my sweet
+, hearts brother. The matter went so
far as ! should hav, felt like cow
ard IL ] had refused TO fight. Be
sides, sir. ! am in love The girl is
more than my life 70 me-"
Lady Washington had been deeply
interested in the narrative. Her
knitting had fallen from her hands
and was lying in her lap. Her dark
eyes were wide open and aglow with
sympathy as she sat looking al the
Inundated captain She turned TO
her husband: Good land, like II.
He had TO fight"
The General never argued with
his wife in the presence of other
people. He arose and answered her
only with a smile and a bow. Then
he addressed himself TO the young
man. His tone was kindly. "You
are young and IL is your first Of
i fcnse. You are just out of civil
life and have not learned that an
officer must have self-restraint. We
are in an army where vast issues
are AT stake. They depend largely
on the conduct of our officers. Go
] to your rest. will see you at seven
in the morning and meanwhile !
will think about it,"
u shall bow ia your will, sir.
1
Your displeasure is grief 70 me
and | am most unhappy | was TO.
meet my sweetheart OF the road to
Roxbury in the morning and bring
her here to be introduced"
II must see her = Lady Washing
ton declared
,'olin went to his room. The lady
walked up the first fight with him
and spoke word of encourage
ment.
Captain Cabot was weary. He
slept in spite of bis unhappiness.
The drums and flies awoke him as
hey were wont TO do ~ six O'Clock
He dressed with unusual care and
hurried into carp for q word with
Amos before the hom of his dread
ed talk with the Chief Colin was
walfng ir the office when the Gen,
eral entered and sal down at his
desk saying: