HIS MILITARY DAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10628, 3 December 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

HIS MILITARY DAY.

(13v Joseph. Ivors Lawrence.)

Adventures ale contingent events anyway. .- .• .-...., .- • - •. • One may haunt the slums and quays and daik alleys of a ..big .city, year-m and year-out 111. vain,'-.and smack into the adventure of. one's.-hie 011 a quiet murnmg' walk along, a respectable residence row. | Gnihil was rumbling along oxi -a-dull, cross-continent" business: trip, when he sighted the "flag flj lhg over 'Fort Dangei field fiom the car, window. 'His old iiiend', Lieutenant Walbridge, was exiled there, and he had not seen.him for five years. - - •• "By Jove; I'll stop off," said the impulsive Griffin aloud, and he forfeited bis Pullman reservation and alighted: at:; the station a mile farther on. . It was "just "after nocin and Griifiir stopped at the little hotel opposite; station for luncheon, . inquiring the 'way 7 to the iort. ■ The town was a small one, and owed its position 011 the map largely to the. army post. .there w~as tlie. suggestion of military lite.:' quartermasters' wagons were loading at the fieighthouse; men" in,uniform lounged' about the hotel rand station; and about the town, in the shop windows,- and in.the lobby, of the! hotel, were faded -yellow lithographs of battle scenes, and old ' Indian-lighting generals who had at some time honored the iort with their presence. • -The Dangerheld Hotel-was one oi the typical old "American plan" houses, and Griffin had to register at the desk before negotiating for a meal. Giiftin was a square-shouldered, well-set-up chap, and-the clerk looked him over criticallv as he turned the legistei laround and glanced, at tlie name. "111 the service, s;r?" lie inquired 'courteously.'. ./ •\ Griffin looked' slightly, for."an instant,' and then smiled and nodded 111 an ofi-hand manner. To be sure, ho .didn't stipulate what service he was in, but every active citizen is practically "in the service" and his little shaie of hiimaii : vanity kept' him. 'from denying the subtle compliment the cleik paid him. But he was startled and ill at ease when tlio clerk casually applied his ■ pcir to the page and -scribbled "LI. S. A.'' after the name. "Oh, 1 say—" faltered Griffin, and then he weakened and laughed awkwardly. "Surely," he -thought, "I'll never be seen here .again, and it can do. no harm, anvway." The waitress m the dining-room looked him over approvingly. "Vegetable soup er fish chowder, captain?" she inquired .over his shoulder, in a friendly manner. ... ■ And-"Griffin.-again-felt flattered. r Out in the bar of the liotelsome men were talking loudly and excitedly, -andthrough' a half-open door Griffin could see a stout, muscular man in the uniform of a sergeant of infantry. The sergeant was middle-aged. He had a ruddy, sunburrit complexion, and ; a fierce yellow moustache; and-on t|ie sleeves of' his jacket, below the clievTons, were no less than five service stripes, of different colors, advertising the proud fact that Ire had. served several terms, of enlistment in the various branches.of the service. • • . • . The voices igrew louder presently, and after a- while the sergeant and"a private citizen of the farmer type came through the dining-room, , walking ■ unsteadily and quarrelling heatedly. 'As they passed the solitary guest, the sergeant looked at him curiously through bleared eyes. He looked at the immaculate clothes of the stranger and met his steady eyesfather sheepishly. As lie neared tlie-door leading to the village street, lie stopped and,turned', as though on a sudden- impulse, and saluted Griffin in the military manner. It was quite a new experience for the civilian, but he smiled and returned the gesture in imitation of the soldier. "Surely,"t said Griffin tp himself, "I. have missed my calling. I should have been a soldier; that is .plain.". He ate patiently through the various courses of the provincial meal—the boiled fish, over-done beef, mashed potatoes, canned corn, muddy coffee —and he was at the rice pudding when the friendly clerk entered the dining-room and came, to his table. "'Scuse me, sir," he said apologetically, "but I thought you might like to know that one o' the men'from the fort has just licked a man outside; an' the constable's arrested 1 him; : He's-a sergeant, an' I guess it'll cost 'im his .stripes all right when he gets back to the fort." Griffin was staggered at this sudden and utterly unexpected access of resnonsibility. He flushed arid looked at the clerk helplessly for an instant. Then he collected himself and smiled. "Thanks," lie said uneasily. "I'll run out and see what's doing." ' Out in front of.tlie village post office the. burly infantry sergeant was expostulating against the interference of tlielaw in liis private affairs of honor, and threatening to lick the constable, and the whole town, if need he.

ce 1 "What! you arrest me?" : lie cried - derisively. "Why, bo jabbers, ye littio monkey-faced' sliriuip, "yo haven't the. nm'i've ner th' size to' arrest a chiny- , man. G'wan wid ye!" ' ' .v. i 7 And with the. last word, he pushed the fuming constable so violently that be toppled over backward and 'sat liimI self upon the-ground at a.' great • loss i, I ,' to the serious dignity of the la^y. £ It was unquestionably a. humorous IV scene, and Griffin looked on for-a,.few moments with lively amusement. Then a lie thought of the stripes of honor,lipoir a j the. tipsy soldier's arms, and vaguely remembered that these non-commission-t ed officers frequently lost their rank and u military standing:for sucli lapses of dist. eipline as this. The Irish sergeant had ' no look of dissipation aboiit him-; this d was, very probably; an. unusual ,occa[e sion, and it might easily cost him what t, lie had worked years to acquire. it Griffin baulked ,at the thought of sail1, ing under false colors,. but lie had airy ready committed himself' to the hotel 1. clerk and the waitress, and even the l. soldier had rendered lum military ,e honors. Then whv not'pay tor his quiet fun by turning the mild deception to e good account for an erring and itnfor-, e tunate-brother? ■ :: "v • ' . I He drew himself up an'd' stepped "for- | e ward. . . "What is this all about?" -lie mquired with some dignity.. ;; e . The soldier pulled himself together, ' l balanced tipsily upon liis heels, an<j, ° saluted with respected gravity. e '.'l arrest tliat maii fer distnrbm' tlie ueaoe!" fumed the constable, tluowing ' back his coat to disnlav his badge of II authoritv. "="He's' ' drunk . an' lie je.st ? licked the stnffin' out o' Jake Daggett fc over there. I arrest 'im." ■ / a The sergeant, laboriously standing at * attention,* could not repress: a smirk pi 7 contempt. v . ; Griffin - had no idea of- -the 'relative, 3 powers of the civil and military authorii ties, nor the mode of procedure in such, cases, but there was- certainly no time j 'or opportunitv to seek :CQiinsel, so Jiotook a chance: : "Look here.. mv mnn," he.saicl loftily to the. constable, '.-I'll take>-tliis man- | back- to itbe fort with me: and attend; . ,to his -case there." , ~ , "That's all well enough,';' said the i constable, whose dignity had -suffered, sorelv at the ungentle liands'iof the serrj. geant.„"but these fellers fr'in,:the fort, getting altogether too obstreperous round "here. ■Tliev seem to think they .

can do-'most anything s'long &S they've got a-uniform on. an' I'll i show 'cm " thev ..can't;-: you. bet!" ■ vi:- " Never mind that now. !1 /haven't time to discuss it with you," said' Griffin lather sbarplv "I « ant '-this -man. -liflfk at'tlip fortuiowvqnd 'Fllsee-fhat: "lie's "properly dealt with fnr tills 6ffencc.. Don't let it orry you. officen;'we l have pretty good ideas m the matter of 'discipline.'' 2 J- '" The constable .started another- whine of niote'tt, hut Griffin turned on'lus heel an'd walked awm v "Come"'with me," he said to the sol-" 1 dim-. over his shoulder. - .- ■- "Vrv good, snrr," mumbled tlie sergeant, starfino;. along and. gfmnnigjiappilv ai-the discomfited and nonplussed rustic policeman. r Griffin returned to the hotel, naid his score, and rented a rig to take him out to the fort,"where rich adventure awarded him. ' ' • - ' « ! "Get- said sharplv'tn the ser'geant,- and "the .man* obeyed with alacrity biit not? without difficulty,' - >■ silence'until tjhe stocks •ide of l the post appe»red<at tlie end "£• f tl>r. r road - -The -serreaiit became visibly iinliafpy. and finally sT>oke, after long deliberation, a-clumsj- salijte.

"1 s'posc, surr—l s-s'pose I'm undiier arrist, surr." he said ruefully. ; "W(ill," now, how did it all happen:-" demanded Grifhn sevorelj.

■""Well, now, that 1 don't know eggsaskly",surr," answered the man. "I lift: the forrt this marrnin' fer th' day, suir, I had me pay 111 me pocket, an' I do raymember- mee'tin' some bhoys ir'm tli' tcav'lry; outfit.'» They're- a .grrand lot To' f 'bhoySj ; surr, an' ;it were me birthday, .y'see. - t 1 "Now, I may have let that fac' drop, surr; leastnvise the blioys ■ seemfed to know 'about it, <?i they mintioned it, like, .-y'see, an' I couldn't .rayiuso ter jme 'e'm in diinbin' me own healf, now," could I, surr 9 I m a sobei, stidy suOT^:'an,'''.stliis'll s -be oth'- first time I've let me foofc'shlip in months, surr." ■They were quite near- tlie gates of the fort by that time. ' "Will you v pledge yourself not to drink'for -a year?" asked Griffin. "Shure, that--I will!" cried'/the sergeant, .with the light of hope shming 111 ■ his face. ' '■ t "AVell, then, remember said Griffin. -"Go to vour quaiters now, and '■« don't 'let any one sec you -till you're ;in better condition." . : ■« : "It's : meself that's-thd- thankful man:, surr," dried the soldier. "Ii ye'll allow me> surr, yer "a. moiglity..white ;off?cer. Me two-eyes niver had tli' honor o' lookin' .at ye bayfore; but I'm ■ think--111' ye'll be the new le'tinent -that was cOmin' fr'm the Pr'sidio, surr." ■ "Never mind who I. am, 1 ' said Griffin shortly. "Go to your quaiters now." "V'ry- ■■good,o-. suit: Thank . ye! Heaven blessvyey surr!"?said the grateful Irishman; and disappeared. - ■ Griffin- smiled • broadly .to himself. The joke seemed a pretty good one,- and it was certainly abeneficent sort of a joke -if it saved an honest'soldier man his chevrons earned by long and honorable service. .■: .. . . >- .. ■ :

.. "Where aro the "officers''' quartfers here?" he asked the the hotel rig.. ■ "Right over there, captain," answered .the.( jehu,- pointing -with his whip.,' - And'Grifhn lauglied again as. lie paid the man and started off;to seek his :old friend, Walbridge, and tell him the joke.

There was a sentry at the.gate of tlie • fort-"and-:a : • detail ot prisoners, at work on the lawns under guard, but-not another soul in sight. Army ' -posts arc-, lonesome-looking places; one can hardly help wondering li the garrison is;kept locked in underground vaults all day, But "for a forlorn-lady darning socks oil" one-of, the verandahs, the officers' houses seamed bare and uninhabited; but Lieutenant Walbridge -was at home, sweating in his pajamas in a. wicker 'chair, and reading a weekrold New York newspaper. , .'— "Gad, what an exciting life!"' cried Griffin, bursting in upon him suddenly, unflnuouiiced. The officer was thunderstruck. Ho marvelled greatly that a luxurious city man like Griffin - should appear in so re■mote and dismal a hole with no better reason than that of visiting him. '•But I'm dern glad to see you," said the host, after tlie 'first friendly ex-' • plosion.. "How long can you stay ?" -lie added, with a worried look. " 'Bout twenty-four hours, I guess, if I'm hot in the way," answered Griffin. '"I'll pay .tlie costs and damages, old man ,if you're busted. You don't have to give me a dinner at the casino, or anything like that, you know." Walbridge laughed wearily. "Don't -worry," lie said. "I'm no more strapped than usual. But I'm awfully afraid I'll have to treat you shabby, old boy. There's a dance* on here to-night, and—-well, I suppose I might stay away all right, but—but there's a girl staying here —niece o' the colonel —and she's leaving to-morrow — so I'd kind o' like to go. She don't like army men; anyway, and -I'd like to talk to her again about'it. Butj then, I suppose I can stay away." "Don't be a fool!" snorted Griffin. "Don't you know rile, yet, Bert? I never kept my worst enemy away from a dance or a girl. - But what's the matter with met Ciiiijt I go to the bloomin' . dance ? CaiiTt I borrow some duds?" .! "; ... "No,_ you can'-t," said the lieutenant conclusively. "I'm sorry. -It's an >army affair. They haven't, invited a .single civilian or outsider; aind I've no right to invite any one. Sorry." "I'd'like to go to that dance," said' Griffin, with one of his slow, winning smiles. "I haven't- been to a dance for months, and I always liked army hops. The girls see so few. real men that they're quite interesting to dance with 'and.-talk to, you know." Walbridge laughed with much amusement. . ; "Well, I'm sure r don't know how to fix. it," lie said. ~"I could ask tlie colonel's lady, and get turned down cold 1 . That's all. I'm not on her good books, anyway, and she'd Jove the chance." ' . • .."All; .-right.- : Let -it. go' at that," sniff-Gel Griffin.. "I'll stay here and enjoy. your -palatial quarters and extensive library, till you get back." "I'm mighty sorry," repeated the per.plexed officer: "It'll be ghastly here, won't it? You can smoke. I've g6t about a peck of those stogies-—" "These ?" inquired Griffin, with the deadly frankness of friendship, looking ■at-tlie long, slim cigar in his hand with an unfriendly leer. ' 'No, thanks! I've got i.a pipe and tobacco in my bag; thank you." Tliev smoked and chatted busily for half an hour. Suddenly Griffin "threw away his stogie and 1 sat up straight, with a keen brightness ill his snapping eyes. ~ ■ ■ '-'Sav, Bert! I believe I'd like to go to that dance," he cried, as though tlie thought were entirely new. Walbridge frowjied a bit impatiently. ' "Why, I tell you, you can't da it!" he replied bluntly: "I simply can't work, it in any way. You know I wouldif T- could." . . ' - Griffin smiled complacently.

' Remember the-time von and I butted. Mito a Schutzenfest ball at the Terrace Garden and got bounced into Fiftyeight ; street for our pains ?" he asked retrospectively. The pfficer's eyes brightened with the memory of gayer days. - "I Purely do,"" he laughed. "We'd have, carried that, oft' all right,--too, hut they thought your Dutch dialect was too good to -be true." "I bouncer we were from Eckstein's 'brewery, and there weren't;any brewers allowed at the ball, you khpw," recalled Griffin. ~ "Say, Bert, why can't I butt in at. this bloomin'. hop? Why can't -I ?" "That would be a fine, canny thing !" snorted the officer, ivitli something like alarm in his face. . "By gad, if-I'd let you have your -way, you ? d queer me here ; good and plenty in about : ten minutes." ;-

I "Oh, ; don't you worry vour precious t self," retorted Griffin. "I'll go it alone. I've none o' your dog-rotted shoulderstraps to risk. I don't owe any respect to the bally cloth. . No one knows I'm here with you, and I'll: swear I never saw -you before if. it comes to that.' Just give me a cast-off, misfit-uniform, .and "I'll go •to your exclusive function and be the belle of the 'ball.".-; .; Walbridge smoked on, and : shook his head giavely. ''lt 'won't do," lie declared. "My clothes would fit you -all riglit^—l'm going to wear white, -ducks, and' I've got an-extra, suit; -but'it won't, do, old

man " ...'"That's all right," cried' Griffin gaily. "Go ahead.; yoj.i always-liave-your: objections and protests "to L get Just get out the duds; and I'll be tryin'em 011 while"you ,'teiid to the objections." - , * "I "No, by gad, I; mean ; it, Howard," said Walbridge firmlj * "I'll have nothing 'witli-ench a game, togs are, in that "cliest over there,- but—Oil, no—l >won't stan<L-for itV a limit to* all things." 'Bless • vour dear; - innocent heart!"

dried '' leaping .from his: cliair; «icv- make field-marshals-out: of stuff like you, my bov. Now don't let . me bother you at all. I can dress myself without anv help." He had the chest open while -he was ■ sneaking, and in five minutes his own clothes were off, and he stood 1 , trim and soldierly, in the white tropic uniform of a lieutenant- of infantry. - In one corner of the room was a.collection of belts and a sword. He examined them carefully. "I sny." he querie.d, "this is the bWmin' little belt-, ain't it? And it on under the jacket, don't it?" The officer sprang to his feet. "J/ook here now, Howard, you can'.t:

walk ofl with my sabre and everything, I you know," he protested nervously. ■ "I not onlv -6an, but will, iny dear 1 bov," replied the masquerader. "1 •wouldn't 'ask you,- for the world-, -to I go and borrow *a sabre forme, but I'll I use yours and'vou can borrow one tor. yourself. There's- surely some ossiter. away-onr-leave .whose -sabre you can lift tor. the'evening." - , Lieutenant Walbridge exhausted him- i self with -vainvprotests and-:throats,:.and-•his ' foolhardy friend' stood before the mirror - ;iiid plumed himseli vast, satisfaction.

"I'll just keep dark -till the iMuny begins, Beit," he said. "Yon l-un along 'to mess,"and just stick a snack in your, pocket-forme when- you come back." - "Plague take the niess;!"*'moaned the officer. "I'm blest ,if■ I' feel, like eating; ■ There's trouble ■coming-.-' out of this.- You'll be "a centre-of cimosity the'. minute you yourself. And ' a ne\v- officer • due here [to-day from- the Presidio—Lieutenant/ Kobertout there Ton -detail —just. as'signed to. this .'regiment: They'll tako you for-himv and you -will be 111 a gliastlv t mess before-you know it." "H-111, Koljertson," mused Gnfhn. "That's lucky, isn't , it?. Theie's 110thiiig'.like havmg ! a part to play, Bert.'' •With despa'inng groans and sighs, Walbridge dressed' himself for -the. evenmg. "I can't believe it j 7 ct, Howaidy. he said once: "I hope you'r.e fooling ntie. I hope it's one- of your beastly jokes. You can't- have the...nerve to go out there and run such a. risk. : If you got caught there'd be no fun. 111 it 1 can tell you. Impostors aren't well received in 'Dangerfield. The colonel's lady has no sense Of humor, and the colonel daren't have any;" "You run along, and find your girl, old man," chuckled Griffin; "I'll bide here for a while.: Remember, now; you never saw me bffore. If you. happen to itieet me, you'll surely think I'm the new Lieutenant Robertson."

. About nine o'clock the uninvited guest sauntered across the parade to"WTird tho-barracks, round whicli the •lawns were'gaily lighted with Chinese lanterns.- 'He was startled when a lone sentry faced toward him find- snapped his rifle down to present -arms. ..: /It:Hvas nothing, bxit it suggested ,the •limitless difficulties of ;liis position, for he -knew not what to do in; response to the evident salute. He quickly rejected that the salute with- the hand seemed.to be the stock gesture of officers and-men for all occasions, and,accordingly .lie touched the visor of his cap as he passed the sentry. Luck seemed to be with him, for the sentry appeared satisfied as lie brought the rifle back to his shoulder and resinned his weary pacing. A subdued sound of music came from the: barracks and he bent'his steps toward the large central door. He wanted but "ten 'paces of the distance, when a- group of officers in w~hite uniforms like his own came out into the courtyard. The forentost was a young subaltern and lie started with surprise at seeing "Griffin. He stepped forward and peered into the stranger's face with a courteous smile. "I beg pardon," he said. v "I don't think I've had the honor —" . ; "It is I who have no't had the honor, sir,", returned Griffin elegantly. "My word," exclaimed aii older officer, stepping forward, "this must be Lieutenant Robertson. I didn't know you'd .arrived, Mr Robertson." Griffin bowed ceremoniously and said simply: ■ - " ' _ "I iiavte only arrived, thank you. You see I've made myself very much at home. I couldn't find any one round tlie quarters, so I dressed up and came out to do as the Romans. tlo, you know. I hope I slia'n't intrdue'?" "Not a bit," declared the officer, a ! little doubtfully. "I'm Captain Howe, Mr Robertson.. Let me introduce you hto these fellows." The amenities being disposed of, the officers returned to the barracks to present the new member to some of the ladies. The colonel's wife elevated herbrows with unconcealed surprise when he was presented. , /'Really, Mr Robertson, wo didn't knOw"you'd come.' It's very odd. You surely didn't call upon tlie colonel?" said the lady sententiously. Griffin Was scared, but he kept his nerve. „ ;''l'm . very sorry, niy dear Mrs Aiken," lie fnurmured, "but you sec Ihardly knew ivhat -to do. I arrived so. late, Every one was over here, you know. I suppose I ought to' have stayed over at the quarters until I could call upon the colonel more - regularly. But the lights over here, you know—the music—everything. I'm sure you'll forgive me for trying to dodge a touch of homesickness mv first night here." "Oil, it's all right," allowed the lady. "But Colo'nel .Aiken ought to know you're. here. There he is over there. Take Mr Robertson over to the colonel, please, Captain Howe. • "And, oh, by the way, Mr Robertson, poor Miss Brown is ouite indisposed this evening. She said if you came tonight she couldn't possibly sec you before to-morrow, so you may be quite sure;-she's ill."

And tlio lady finished with an almost gracious laugh. Griffiu'was taken almost off his guard. Brown?" lie said, scarcely concealing his mystification. "Why, to he sure, Margaret Brown," responded.the lady, also-with mystification.^ •Griffin caught himself. v ' T Why, of course," lie said quickly: ."Margaret; to be sure. You see I knew' 'her better by that name. By Jove, I'm awfully sorry, Mrs Aiken. It's a great disappointment. I hope she's not very ill?" •

"A mere headache, I believe," said Mrs Aiken, beginning to move ,awav. "Oh, but you men are the most indifferent wretches!" -

"Now, who the deuce and" what the deuce is Miss Brown?" thought Griffin to himself, as Captain Howe took liis arm in a friendly manner, and piloted him toward the imposing figure of the colonel.

The trying introduction was soon over. Colonel Aiken was a milder officer than his wife and made 110 cross-exam in;ition.

"How's the old Presidio?" 110 inquired pleasantly. ' "Oh quite the same old place," answered Griffin, who had never set eyes on it. '■' And how did you leave my old crony?" asked the colonel. ' "You mean- —?" faltered Griffin, grimly conscious that lie was-supposed to know who-Was'meant.

"Why; General Maxwell, of course!" said the officer a bit impatiently. "Didn't lie send'me.any'word?"

"Gh, yes, ot -course.- •••.General -Maxwell, of-course." said' Griffin. "Why, now that 1 it, Colonel Aiken-. I believe the general didn't mention your name to me."

"Well, I'll be blessed .'" blurted the officer, his face lengthening with disappointment. "Didn't mention mv •nameP-.v.-'Why,. what's the matter with the old fool? Is his losing his mind? Is ho iick ?" ."I don't think he is quite up. to .form," ventured Griffin, v "Just between you and me, Colonel: Aiken, I feanvtlie. general is crooking, the -elbow just,a bit too freelv." "Bless my soul!" cried the older -man.- ''You must bo crazy, young man. Maxwell never drank -in v -his life. He!s;been an T example -to the army." Griffin - 'flushed nervously, he had thought the ;play a-safe one.- 'Rallying i his nerve, ho leaned closer -to the officer. "That's the worst of it, sir,'' he said regretfully. "It's bad business to "begin at his time of life." "He's 110 older thin I am," said the colonel testily. "I liope/ Mr Robert'son, .you're«Tiot running about spreacl-, i ing.this report?" > .Qriffin drew himself up. - - "I should be sorry - to'.-think you suspected me .of such a .thing,?? She" said stiffly. "I thought I might feel freeto mention it to an old friend of the general. I —l thought something might bo done, you see—" , "I'll write him," said • the .'•.officer, slightly mollified. "I'll with all discretion, Mr'Robertson ; and ! assure you I won't drag in your-'name, sir, or suggest that you said anything to me." . ■ - i ■ ' •

"Thank you very much," smiled-Grif-fin, and wished that he might catch' a glimpse or two of tlie coming correspondence. It was vastly more comfortable dancing. The women were favorably impressed

-■with- tho handsome new officer wjth the twinkling --eyes trim brown beard and-moustache. • ' - . They asked him numberless questions, about friends at..tlicPresidio, and about hfe own-lmhtary history; but lie replied «ith gay% banter, and tcfused to take anything sepouslj. IV,. IJetwcoii. 1 dances tliero were more mt:6diictibns, and presently Griffon.found huusciin-btnng maue acquainted with his. Old cllUirij-:Av ; albndge, .whom he had but latdy letti at the ■ quarters. • Tliey treated each other, rather ,distantlv' ilirtil .tliev -were left alono lor a moment,. and tlien' Walbndgo freed his •mind. ■.•■■■'.' > , .• , ■ ■ ■"Well, you'vG done it; liaven't you? ' ho snapped?" "\\ hat do you flatter yourself will' como of it all? , Do-you know vou can bo "arrested and turned over to "the' civil aifthori,tiets to bopunished tor impersonating an officer:'" Griffin lafiglied,, but with rather doubtful luimor. "Never mind all that, old man," he said: see to it that you get into no troiiGle,'* anyway. But look iiere—l want to'know" right -away: ' who Miss Brown is S" ■ Walbridge started suddenly, and. then laughed. "fell me," lie said, -aro you ndW Lieutenant'Robertson?" "Well, they tell me I I [Jrif-

Walbridge continued to laugh. "Theii;-'l'll tell 4 you who Miss Brown is," . lie /said/V tfith apparent relish. "She's your fiancee, old boy I forgot .to tell you that .this new man, Robertson, is : engaged to a young .-woman named Brown, and she's visiting here at the post, to be here to give him a welcome." ' " Griffin'sighed. ; "Thank goodness, the poor girl is ill to-night. 1, was told I couldn't see her till to-morrow, and I guess licr illness saves my neck. Who is the gfirl, Bert? I knew a Margaret Brown in the East years ago." Walbridgo smiled. - "I knew two or three John Browns, and Tom, Dick, and Harry Browns in the East, too," he said facetiously. "1 don't know muoli about this girl, except that she's engaged to this Robertson, who is late in reporting to his detail, bad luck to him ; and that she is goodlooking. She has only been here three days—Visiting: -Major. Dunton's wife." Griffin sighed retrospectively. . "Tho. Margaret Brown 1 knew was good-looking;, too," he said. "But 1 suppose there is nothing in the name to" preclude than in all tho Margaret Browns." "Just to leave the Browns and their Robertsons alone for a moment," said AValbridge, "may I ask how you intend to get out of this dangerous and idiotic "Why, I think a westward-bound train will be a fairly simple solution," laughed Griffin. "I shall fade out of the pjcture, and presently the genuine Lien term lit Robertson will drift in. K» planations will be sought and not found,, and your busy, metropolitan community here will have something to talk about for at least three days." As they talked, a dapper little officer came hurrying up to them.- Walbridge turned and greeted him, and introduced "Mr Robertson" to "Captain Turner, the regimental adjutant." :"I'm no end sorry, Robertson," said tho adjutant, when the courtesies were over, "but you've already been placed on tlio service roster. Now, you see, Lieutenant Fales was officer of the day. but lie has been taken suddenly ill.You, 1 regret very much, are next on tho roster, and I've got to ask you to take his place. I admit it's rather rough on a man. with uo rest after a long trip." . Griffin was positively white with terror. Walbridge was red with suppressed laughter, but lie rallied to the support of his friend. "I'll do what I can to assist Mr Robertson, captain," he said. "I can, at least,- show him the way to the guard-house." . "Yes, please do that, won't you, Walbridge?" said the adjutant. "You'll report right away, Mr Robertson?" Griffin started out of his. trance. "Oh —oh, yes—to be sure! Of course! Thank you!" lie said. "Now yon are ill for it!" chortled Walbridge, as the adjutant' walked away. " 'Oil, what a tangled web Wo

weave !'■" -•"B-liut —but what'll I have to do?" quavered Griffin. His friend continued to chuckle. ■ "Oh, nothing much," he said chok"Only inspect*the guard, make, •up the report books, act your little part at guard mount, and just a, few other things." "Lord love us!" cried Griffin. "When doos the- next train leave this hole?" "Nothing going west till to-morrow afternoon," said the other pleasantly. "There's aii eastward train earlier, however." _ . _ "By JoVa, I can't jjto east!" said Griffin, with' an anxious look. "If I don't keep a business date in 'St. Joe' tomorrow night I stand to lose ten thousand dollars. I really took chances ir; stopping'off here at all." "Bather expensive little ■ larks you indulge in Howard," said his friend. "But, come, Mr Officer-of-tho-day, to your duty!" • He had fairly to drag Griffin out of the barracks, and they wended their way across the parade, and approached the guard-house with shrinking reluctance. "Now, keep a stiff upper lip, and. do as I tell you," ordered 'Walbridge, as the sentry at the guard-house challenged them. ''"Now, you've got to answer,• 'Oflicer-of-the-clay, and friend,' " instructed Walbridge. s Griffin repeated the formula, and the sentry called the corporal of the guard. The latter appeared promptly and looked at the two men. Then lie turned about and shouted: "Turn out the guard! Officer of the day!" "Salute the beggar—quick!" whispered Walbridge harshly. Griffin mechanically brought his hand to the vizor of his cap, and instantly the corporal called out : "Never mind the guard!" "What"..was that all about?" asked Griffin. . "Well, the mere action of saluting in answer to-'the"corporal's order relieved' yon of the pleasant duty of inspecting the guard," said the instructor. "Gad! I'll salute everything in sight," said Griffin. "Wliat ; clse will it get mo out of?" • "Nothing else," answered "Walbridge. "You'll need more than a salute to 'get out of all the trouble that's coining." They entered the guard-house, and were deferentially welcomed >by the sergeant of the guard. The latter was a husky, good-natured. Irishman, and Griffin started with surprise something like pleasure when he recognised in him his friend of the village episode earlier. in- the- day., The sergeant had in nowise forgotten the incident, and he beamed upon tile new officer with great and expansive friendliness. s "You give Lieutenant Robertson any assistance you can, sergeant," said Walbridge. . "Lieutenant Robertson has been on detail for office work for a number of years, and he has forgotten some of the details of guard duty, etc. - ' "Ah, leave utter me, surr," responded'the sergeant eagerly. "It's moighty. easy ter get Tustylike oil the book, surr. But leave "utter me, surr. It's proud I'll be ter do anything for ye, le'tenant." , ■ _ For a time Griffin sat helplessly .at the.desk 111 the guard-house, making shift toflotik over the report books, but, in reality, formulating plans for an early escape. After a while Major Dunton come in to see him, and lie reflected that-it was with that officer's wife that Miss Margaret Brown, "his fiancee," was-staying. ■ ~ "I merely want to hand you a small -•packet from Miss -Brown. Mr U'qbert;soni" said the major. "She wishes you to open -.it.before• she sees you. You'll [ understand :it, I fancy." . I "What shall I do with this?" demanded Griffin of Walbridge, when the mdior was out of hearing. • ; -. ''YoU-11 Certainly have--to open it," ■ said'-Walbridge. "It may., require an answer." ■ 1 Griffinuntied xlie ribbon which bound the. packet and. unwrapped some five or sis old letters. ' "Bv Jove—pending'back your letters, old chap," laughed Walbridge. "Oh, I say," cried Griffin presently, "I can't read, anything of this sort, Bert. Great Scott, but I'm -getting into deep water. I've butted straight into another poor devil's troubles. These are apparently some anonymous letters to the" girl, telling her that her

knight and- true love lias ;i mi,, some brats in the East Why, this is- awful, Bert; 1 "iii iiti,'!' have opened any snch bnsim»> ,| ' ' "Ca;vt be'helped," said \\';ilK,..'!"; ."'Foul deeds will rise.' It'., nH ' other littlfc senndal in tli«- '!' armv, I suppose. We'll jn-i |n '' we sa\t' the tilings. That's all •• "Sergeant,"- said' Griffin. take this packet to Major Om i,,,,' ill A' compliments and tell li : m Miss Brown that Mr Robert-.nn 1 1-eel tlmt he 'can read the- U<i:.>r» •"I fear that may tipsei i|,„ ladv, as well ns mystify her." «• . bridge. "Well, I guess the pour • K set already," said Griffin. ' All [ is to get her away from h.-r,.. ,'j" 1 ■friend -Robertson, when lie iv a || v rives, will apparently have all' n 1 trouble ho needs 'without m double to complicate luall.i " 1,1

.Early in the morning, before the dreaded cerenunn ni Dl '• mounting, the bogus Lieutenant u„|, son, attired in one of \\ ..Ibrijv khaki Uniforms, made tlie i.ini.h" tho sentries in 'company wii ! :1.,,,,j1' cer of the guard. ' 11 Though embarrassed and \m, ji| ease, lie felt like J-larmi;:- i! visiting his subjects with (; r;l| ': Vizier," and: liis remarks to il vaij,,'. sentries gave the officer «if il .• materials for yarns for main a <lav.'' "How far does your posi .a■ lie asked pile sentry (a on- -! inn >1; . gested liy the helpful Walbr.d ■ The sentry indicated the l:u,;i ; , „i ] post. . "U-um," said Grilliu. "I' ■■nin~ il . l vou married, my man?"

"Yes, sir—got four cliiMivn. >lranswered the sentry, strivim- t,. Ml ., press a smile. "That's bully," remarket "I shall remember you." As he was returning acres*, ili»>t*»rn«!i toward the guard-house, a an im Mi , from one of tho officer's limine ;11 , stopped him. "This is Lieutenant Robert-em;" inquired rather haughtily. Grilliu whipped oil' his He had not yet claimed to l-e by word of mouth. ' " I,nm Mrs Duiiton," said ti... "I only know you, Air I!m!«ti through what I. have heard n,. m M.,,] garet Brown ; but I think m know that the poor girl is in •1,.|ii..,. able menta! state, through i»r mij.,l, of yours which I know liothue-. almm, '"'lt seems to me, if you regard vm,. self as her,fiancee, that it i n|i to'y.iu, sir, to see her at once and -In ,n lv . tiling you can to relieve her mind, l can't understand your lu-iif. in il,, post since yesterday altenn<eu am] m,: seeing her." Griffin had grown very red. "But, my dear madam, sh,- ,aid couldn't see me at nil vester.la>- ,|„1 was ill, you know." he pruie-t.-l. "Few 'lovers would have >i»p|«h| that," declared-the lady, ".'.ml n „«- Margaret is sitting in my r.ini. and you've got to come and speak te her." She took Griffin by the arm with firm authority. He grew rudder siwl lima; back like a shy schoolboy, "But, madam —" lie i iai!iin,av<l weakly. "No 'huts' about it, s.-iid fill- J-piru-ed ladv. "If you are goiiiji in M-a the dear child at all, you hum -r.. Mnow." GrifTin felt himselL' drap ed imvai |! the awful garden, iln ,| r ,„ Mlll> v seemed useless. j "My dear lady," lie gaspeil. "il ili.,i must be,- will you kindly allow ihm,'| tho lady alone r" "Why, certainly," she said, and Vi go his arm. He went past the house and intf il-.,-garden at tlio side. A girl »';n Mttiiig oil a settee under the shade nt an bor. As he caught sight of her inutile lie'gasped, and drew back, Inn sinlooked up and met his eyes. Just tlien, from the garden giile, tlio voice of Mrs Duiiton was uaiiid in. ward them. "Lieutenant .Robertson has ™im> tn see vou Margaret," it said. The girl sprang up from tin- m-li.-o and looked lit the man for :i M-nml. "Howard Sjrilfin!" she r-sriainw/ chokingly. , "How do you do, Mar'gaivi: he smd hoarsely, and shook hands with Vv. "What does it mean?" she demaniled. I did not know you uvre in the army. And where is Mr "i .am not in the army, Maraarei, said Griffin, frankly. "This i- all a joke. I can hardly tell ymi all die details. But it began a- a toiilidi lark. I am impersonating -Mi- llolii-rl-son, who is expected here heinh. Wi can expose nie if you wish, but I n-Mire you it started purely as a juke. And I never dreamed of seeing ,\»ii "Don't fear that I shall expo-'- ,vo". she said wearily. ."1 have 1 u» part in j jokes nowadays. I've had a very mi-, happy -time, Howard." "\Ve have both grown out nl enr - av youth," he said sadly, "j l"'|' 'could never bo happy again «l"'» >" u sent me away. And 1 lievei- have imu happy." . She caught her breath with .'"H l ' thing like a sob and could net speak i>t a moment. Then: , . "1 have regretted it, llmvanl. said bitterly. "Since tho.-e <!:.>* I 1,1 had ratlier more trouble and :-"i-iira than falls to the average I'-i. » 1 ' were both very young, weren i »•••' _ "Is it too late now in " IM ''' again. Alargaret?" he a.d.i-i , She dropped her eyes and ninained silent for a wiiile,' but fcl«rie«. up deuly. , , il . "Yes," she said with I'-ri-.-d m,'

"it is too late. I am ' Robertson. lie knows ! <>" him. hut —well, wo urc onga;"'■ m ' l! ' theless." - | Griffin looked at her solemnly "I naturally <li(l nut read ' tors vou scut to tin; guaH-l>t>»-<' ,l ' l night," ho said, "but 1 n"i M seeing their purport." The girl turned very pan'. "That is a matter entire!) Mr Robertson and me." r-lir .. "You arc right, I siip|" lM ' "J ruefully. "Hut' 1. wish I could l';' ! !> Margaret —for old times , • "You'd better go mvsi.v. I -.j slie whispered brokenly. >" belter go. Good-bye." "This is very hard hear "■< ■; vet," he said. It would ha\e Ifl u _ ■ ter if I had never seen JXow the woutul is re-opened "Good-bye, then," In' said. ImM her haiid again. "1 shall <:" Vou hoc, Ivo really got. J n Jp" • .1, because" —mul n wearly ' i|lr ' struggled to his lips 1 i"' 1 " 1 mounting is at nine, an<l I 'i ; 1 *»' sire to take part iii 4 tin? cimviii"' 1 . She also smiled faintly. "You were always getting in '".. ' s |,,. mischievous escapades, 'i ,„ rl . said. "But I —well, lam lon old t ■ . (i predate them now. Iheiv > 1 " fun for .mo." .. T |, "Nor for me, lie sa if 1., 1 ~ don't work out right nowaday - ] Thov shook hands like old In' ; 1 lie walked out of the garden covered head.

VI. Lieutenant Wal bridge was ''."""Jk in his quarters. He was t" . "new officer of the day : ill( ' ■ mounting was a half-hour oil. Suddenly his Irientl and duel . of anxiety' burst into tin* loom '""Give mo my .civilise"! quick, Bert!" his cried. 'J m beat it." "Hut the guard mount— 1 with it! Wln't '1" JjJ about .your blasted guard moinu < • to get away from it? 1 s,/. everythmg to my . bosom. In" yea lit •Hallonin —given him •' ' | |;|S sional fee ol ten dollars and In ; L [,,. a saddle-horse waiting rear of the old bomb-prool. "I want an honest man s cioin b v then I'll be out ol' your way. •«> and your hloomin' <>«tfit „ other'blooming officer ot the'la \ . as it likes. See!' .... .. v»n "I know you'll do jolly w«'!' jj, please, Howard,", groaned \\»\ ' v , "This is'ilio most liair-bntim-d i (i If you walked out the mam g.j • , lf , as'a lion, probably you """I , noticed, hut- . Oh, no, >'^^;,iprosaic for you. \on must lop away..'on a ; liorsc that ,v> i||( | more than half know how to • ])V it's ten to quo you get cm ~ rousing-suspicion." . , y , i.mnli"Walk away from this place • „ ed Griffin. ''Never! I monl lj a horso because I cant get « . faster." ~ , ~ + i ]o lepHe threw the khaki clothes, (] oo r gings, sword and belts upon j Si and scrambled into his own tw

••Good-bye, old man," lie cried heavtiV. "Much obliged, really, for all the hospitality. ' Come to civilisasome time and I'll give >' ou t' lo ,' r ,of the city. Good-bye! 7 ' And

y.:!.s gone. ' 'j'v.vnty minutes later, Colonel Aiken, \[ : ;ii>r bunion, and a small detacli',.',l of cavalry troopers were pursuing . in,runted civilian over the open plain t x -ho direction of Dangerfield village. ' flio farm horse ridden by the civilian |.,(1 n start of a good quarter-mile, but pace was nothing to that of the .'.,'valry chargers, and the race was over ■►i'siiro" the village was reached. ' Griffin pulled up his wheezing horse the soldiers surrounded liirn, "and coolly at the ,colonel. ■■■ - ■ I'm sorry to interfere with your morning ride, Robertson, but I /nought you might like to. see this wire j from the Presidio this morning," sl id Colonel Aiken with elaborate sar-

C3SIII- - held a yellow telegraph form out .„ Griffin, but retained it in his hand jliilc the latter read it.- It was .addressed to the commandant of Fort Oanu'ii'field and read: ■ Arrest Lieutenant Robertson, if lie rf r,ort.s at your post, for duplication of , a v accounts. Fraud just discovered." was signed by the commandant of I'rcsidio. "••Great Heavens!" cried Griffin, with ,-fiuiinc interest and consternation. " C,'!o!icl Aiken laughed drily. -H-m," he said, "that's what I said T !icii I got the wire, Robertson. And on', as you've shown such a decided : ro liiKition to leave this neighborhood, jll have to oblige you to dismount and Pill; back to the fort." • ■But- I'm not Robertson, my dear uloiH'l," cried Griffin. ' -Not Robertson ?" shouted Colonel "Oh, my word, man, but your i4sp of humor is strong even unto jatii. isn't it? Well, I can arrest you •at as effectively by any other name, gat you'll have ito come along now. I .jVoiVt had my breakfast." '•■ Nor I," sighed Major Dunton unpnii'iirtably. . ' \s Griffin wajked back into the fort, grounded hy a guard of troopers, the iiure population turned out to see him !j(J assist in making his humiliation less -durable. Soldiers, women, and children lined •lie roadways," and comment upon the jgsonal appearance of the prisoner was ;; r r tree and expressive. They took him to the old barracks, j iist- outside the door was a ..knot i> officers and members of their families, jjrs Aiken was conspicuous in the •roup, and as Griffin passed near her, said quite audibly: "-I tell you I took an instinctive disrje to the mail as soon as ho entered Je ball-room last night. He had a bansr-dog look." Griffin smiled and bowed to the lady j appreciation. ••What impertinence!" she cried airily. ' ■ Suddenly a young woman pushed amidi the group and touched Colonel jfon on the arm. That isn't -Lieutenant Robertson ron've arrested," she said excitedly. That is Air Howard Griffin, of New f,irk ' r: , . " ii" A\]iy—why, my dear young lad.-, setl the gallant colonel, "what in the rrW do you mean?'"' Tool" child," said Mrs Dunton, "she ; ; trying to shield her lover, and I ilnk it's brave and noble of her." Ti;r- prisoner stopped and addressed i? colonel. ! The lady is right," he said. "She to know me in the East. I am ! i rrard Griffin of New York, and I do v; pn.ll know this Robertson • you are >kini: for."

Yim'ri' a bad case, Robertson.'.' -:dod tho colonel with grim disfavor. 1 limn that'll hide behind the inanity and cleverness of petticoats is isity far gone." He's an ass and a cad!" said Major inton.

Griffin was on the. point of sending ::Wnlbridge to come to his relief, but •i«<xl in time that he had pledged stlio event of trouble.

iself even to disclaim acquaintance, Tory well, gentlemen," he said at si. I can stand the hrfmili:;n and discomfort for a few hours, •J expect you to allow me to wire v.- friends in St. Joseph." io as far as you like," laughed he •M. "It's a very pretty story, this sojs about- a Mr Griffin of New Li coming here to play at being kenant Robertson, and then riding wlike a horse thief. I suppose New j-k men amuse themselves in that ":o? way." r . Is they had been speaking a wagon "3 the village drew up near them, a a slender young man got out and is over to the-group. "Margaret 1" he called out gaily, iv'niiig toward Miss Brown, and lookat the same time, around :? circle of people. li:f girl scarcely looked at him, but VHtd coldly toward the' colonel and si simply: Iliis is Lieutenant Robertson, Colo-~-i Aiken." .. How do you do, Colonel Aiken," ::i ilii- newcomer cheerily, and held ■' a cardial hand to the commandants I'm quite well, thank voii, sir." nnte.l the old officer, putting hi-s fflls safely behind him. •'We all -ire in this salubrious climate, sir, ' it's notoriously had for book-

-Tors like yourself, sir. I have a wire 'a your late commandant at the -•idin; he wants yon back there--K little matter of accounts I be-

ft'wrtson turned white and his knees -shod together. "There—there's some mistake" he

!l"Take him away. I hate scenes!" J the colonel to the officer of the -rf. ' And now we've got another Story on our hands to settle. What Sour Xcw York friend doing here * nhht. in United States uniform, Aran assumed name? Just for fun, aiH-y he'll say. He's got a- grand "I humor."

t you'll permit mo to speak, ■Efl Aiken," said Miss Brown, "I Jpfii id know that that was Mr "Sn's only reason for being here — sti»r fun."

Id take your word in a minute, .said the colonel. So far

!• ifSKvriicd personally. But it's my v tu look into this business a bit -I'm afraid Mr Griffin will have to -2:11 here for a day or two. But I'll l;im in vour custody, if that's -f-abl-.-' ' ... "ftill you take my parole. MarW asked Griffin, stepping close to * girl. 1 always took your word for everyHoward," she faltered pathetics am! ijave him jher hand trustfully f: '- r o i'.H the people.