PHE OMAltA A1LY BEE : SAttlVRDAY , APRIL 30 , 1808 ,
The Sergeant of the Guard ,
BY P. V. BIACK. /
Copyright , ISM , ly 8. B. McClure GJ. )
Corp Hcaly rose when the second bottles
tles of beer bad been opened , commanded
gllenco and loaned his fingers on the little
table of 'Mother KevcU'i kitchen In the man
ner of an accustomed after-dinner speaker.
"Yo'll axctiBu mo bowldnlm , " eilil he ,
"but ol'm after rolflln * to pcrpouse hllth on *
long lolfo to UUsthrcss Hevcll an , sure
ol'd betthcr be namln' her Mother Hovcll at
onct , fur It's that the whole rlglmlnt names
her , more power to her. "
"Heart hcarl" cried the newly-made per-
gcant , patting his mother's wrinkled hand ,
a hand of a boiled looking white from much
laundry work In the old troop.
flood boy , Healyl" cried old Kin Strait , the
farrier. "Walt till I get a pencil to report
that speech. "
"Vo'ro an Ignorant ould blatherskite , Kin ;
yez couldn't report nothlti' . Whutud the
lolko o' yoiieo be doln'W a plnclt1' the
rorporal asked , grinning. "Shut ycr face
till ol be through eptokln' . .Martin , mo won ,
yez bo young te bo a sarglnt , but faith U'o
natural yez shud Jump over me , who's bin
corp'rll an' l/rtik an' corp'rll an' bruk In the
rlBlmlnt tin tolmta over. It's Ivor bin mo
pllslnt practice , Martin , an' ycr mother' ? ,
too , to tache a promlsln1 young non-com the
rolght way to do his duty , which has bin
fruitful uv thrubblo an' tolghtln' owln' to
the ctoaatcd frlslmces uv young non-coma
glncrally , who think they know It all. nut
youso wuz * bor-rn wld the throop , an' cud
larn his drill to any Jolinnle-come-lately
frum Wist Tint. An' fur them manlfowld
lilcialn'a , Martin sure ol shud say Sarglnt
Kuvcll ycz'K thank yer mother , fur why ?
Sho's bin the blat frlnd uv Ivry. man In the
ould troop since youso wuz In frocks , me
eon. Slio's saved tnlny a wan frum a bob-
tall discharge , an' mlny a van frum hell ,
Oed bless her. ( An * what wo wudn't do fur
Mother Hevcll An' her boy alo't-worth-doln' ,
bcgab an' bcgob ! That's all , an' now yez
can blow off all the gag yo've a mind to ,
Fin Strait , fur ol'm through wld me
ep&akln' . "
"Hear hear ! " old Fin " '
, croaked. "I'm no
orator llko Hcaly , Mrp. Itevcll , because I've
nothlti' to say. Only we're here to wet
Martin's etrlpes , so we'll open another bottle -
tlo to his health. Ho was a bugler when ho
was 16 and a corporal at 20 , and now ho's
a sergeant at ! ! 2 , and tlicre's not a man
jcalouo of him cither. ( Martin , I thanked you
when jou was email for the love of you ,
and I'm proud to think them spankings
helped to make a man of you. Keep on , my
son , an * you'll be first sergeant of the old
troop 1n another year , like your father be
fore you. "
"Achool"
Healy wen seized with an attack of sneez
ing , so that ho burled hla face In his hsxid-
kerchlef. Little mother Itevcll'ti tanned and
wrinkled face whitened and nhe looked re
proachfully at the farrier with big , gray ,
sorrowful eyes. Fin himself turned red and
opened several bottles of beer in his con
fusion. .
"And I'll bet my father made a good one , "
aid the young rorgeant. "Eh , mother ?
You never tell me much about him' . "
"It was so long ago , dear , " the laundrczs
answorexl in a whisper.
There came a rap on the door , peremptory
and official , and Martin rose snd opetie.l it ,
letting into the room a shiver-compelling
gust of wind and a whirl of snow.
"Helloa , Seddon ! " he cried. "What's up ?
Come In I"
A snow-bespattered orderly , coated and be-
furrcd. entered with a stamping of ovcr-
hocs.
"With the major's compliments to Mrs. ,
Ilcvcll , " ho said , formally , "and h'o knows
when stripes should be wetted. "
The orderly grinned and placed two bet
tles of wine on the table , and dashed out
again to resume his post at the house of the
major commanding.
Tears sprang to Mother ItevqU's eyes , and
her son reddened with pleasure.
"How kind of the old major , " she said.
"Ho's been a coed friend to me. To think
ho should remember your promotion , Mar
tin. "
"Ah , It's you he remembers , mother , " cried
Martin. "Do you think he forgets how you
nursed him when the Apaches gave him that
bullet In .the ribs ? "
"Faith , " Hcaly muttered , "an" maybe ho
molmls further back , than that , me boy ,
when he wuz only a sarglnt hlsself in the
war , a * ycr mother nursed more nor him
through the bullet fever. "
"Healyl" cried Mother Hcvell , nervously.
"Mam , " Bald the long-legged , red-haired
corporal , "shall I be afthcr openln' a bottle
of wine ? "
"Is It shampecn ? " cried the farrier , ex
citedly , "or maybe sherry wine ? "
' 'Pass mo the bottle. Fin , av ye please , "
Bald Healy , "an1 oi'll be afther ellln' yez.
f MOTHER RBVELL RIVN OUT , WRINGING
t , HBR HANDS.
[ It's naytnur. It's port , an old-fashioned gin-
[ Neman'swine. , Mistress Revel ) , me grand
father had dozens uv it In his castle in 4V
| ould counthry. "
| "Give it here. " the farrier cried , waving
I a corckscrew ,
"Fin Strait , " eald the corporal , suddenly
I inatchlnz It , while lib frowned upon his
I friend. "In a matther of this glntlllty , ye'll
\ bo kolnd enough to remlmber me rank is
I eupherlor to yours. "
I And ho opened > the bottle , with dignity.
I They had but once sipped the unwonted
I liquor , and were beginning to comment
FT upon ite taste , when once again there came
I- a rap upon the door , a rap as peremptory
IBv and official as the first. Fin Strait , fearful
I of Intrusively thirsty .throats , hid the second
| r bottle p-ompty ! , and Mother Hevell drew
I * nearer the stove , away from the draft of the
I opening door. Again the snow drifted in as
Iv Martin Revell answered the knock , and
I' again a snow-bespattered orderly entered.
I This time It wai the orderly trumpeter from
I ( ho sergeant major's office.
I "Sorry to disturb you. Mrs , Revell , " he
I laid. "Order from the adjutant' * office , eer-
I gcant. "
I "Hc'.lo ! " shouted the cergeant , reading
I the order. "Paymaatcr coming up from Fort
I- , Nlckoreon , Healy , "
I "It's time , " growled the corporal. "It's
I atoDy , I am. "
I "Mother , I'm In charge of the recort .o
I meet him at Wolf creek tart right away
I meet him tomorrow noon. That break ?
I up our party , "
I "Ah ! " the farrier cried. "The icrgeant
I major don't know bow to run a rccter. lt'
I not four turn. "
I "Junior acrgetnt headi the Itot , " said the
I orderly , briefly. "Thank you , Mr . Revell
I your health ! My wordl Wine ? You're
I "I'll report at the offlco with my men
I * and escort wagon In hilf an hour , " Ball the
sergeant. "Good night , mother ! "
' "It' a bitter cold night for cacort duty , "
I uld Mother Rertll , anxiously. "Wear all
your furt , Martin , and take as many blanketn
as you tin manage for camp. Walt , I'll
flit a flask ot the major's port , "
"She knows It all , " Kin Strait murmured
admiringly , toasting his tote at the stove.
"Slio'a an old narhorse , la your mother ,
Martin. Goodbyl We'll finish the wlae
drlnkln' ; good luck to you. "
Mother Revell let her tall boy out , klwlns
him goodnight , and returned with a shiver
to the ( Ire ,
"Mam , " raid the farrier , softly , "I beg
your pardon for that slip about his fatlior.
I forgot. "
"Hush ! " said Mother Revell , paling.
"There's only you and Healy and the major
left that knons the truth of It. The boy
ni'cd never kiiow. Dome , you've all given
toaots but me. Here's mine. The new
sergeant ! May ho never know trouble. "
There waa a tear In her eye as she sipped
the nine.
Ifio harness of the six-mule team
ahoolc merrily In tha moonlight , but the
wheels of the escort wagon were almost | (
Boundless In the dectf snow. The wind I
tossed up great drifts , through which
tl.o mules plunged with snorting breath
breattt tlut pawed out on the freezing air
In whlto clouds Hound and round , all
about , west where ttlo foothills cuddlcil
clofio to the mountains , north , cast and eould ,
there waa nothing to bo seen but the oof , '
whlto moonlight , falling upon the bolder
whlto of the flat and snowy plains. The
escort , not yet appeased at their fortune In
being turned out for sued duty on so cold I 1
a night , growled"wlthl i ttio canvas covering
of the wagon , or tried to sleep. The night
passed thus , monotonously , and It was
nearly dawn when the junior sergeant awoke
and was softly called by the teamster in
front. They were fording an Icy stream
at a bend , where the creek epllt and broke
about a woodeJ IsUcid , . a bushy strip of lend
sccno twenty yards broad. The gray-bearded
citizen driver Jerked hla fur hat toward the
isle.
isle."D'jto
"D'jto mind. Martin , wCicn you was. a kid
at the poet school , and the paymaster's clerk
was brought in dead .and the money gone ?
'Twos hero they done it Wild Horse Bend. "
"I rememljcc something of It , " Martin
answered , "ten or twelve years back. One
f them wae shot. There's never been 'any
.rouble up here since , has there ? "
"Nop , " said the teamster , yawning.
All day they made camp and rested their
mulcn at Wolf creek ; lit a roaring flro and
ate steaks from an antelope a lucky thot
had gathered In. At noon there dashed up ,
wild a clatter of harness and a cloud of
rlsp enow , the paymaster's1 ambulance , and ,
behind it , the escort from Fort Nlckersoa.
The impa-tleat officer , anxloua to get on ,
nnounced hla intentjon , p ( resting just long
enough to feed and refresh his team and
lien riding through the night and paying oft
next day.
Once more the * escort climbed Into their
wagon. , shortly before .sunset , but now they
bid to dispense with the canvas shelter and
keep broadly awake , following closely the
paymaster's lighter ambulance , precious with
< the treasure of two months' pay for 400
men. The mocnllgtit was gone ; gray clouds
had sullenly been driven up by the scourging
wind. The snow drifted so thickly that the
air looked as in a snowstorm. Dy 10 at
night , when , they came to Wild Horse Demi ,
the teamsters were pressing forward their' '
teams and thinking of blizzards. The escort
cert was fifty yards behind , when the ambu
lance muleu slowed down and began to ford
the stream At the island. The soldiers' core
eyes were weary , facing the wind and pierc
ing the darkness , and the teamster was too
cold to swear much as he urged his wagon
after the lighter vehicle. They were but a
few yards behind , when from the bushes , of
the l.'le sounded the quick crack of a rifle
and the ambulance driver gave first a cry
of pala and then a tempest of curses. The
echo of the first shot still sang in the
wood , when "blng , bine" replied the revolvers
vers of the ready paymaster and his clerlt.
Somebody shouted a command , and four
dark forms leaped from the brush.
"Hands up ! Grab that bag , Jack , on the
front seat ! Hands up , d n you ! Quick ! "
"Drop that bag ! " cried the paymaster.
'Sergeant ' ! "
And then came a dreadful scream as a
plotol cracked at his eye and he fell back
dead.
The soldiers were out of the wagon , plung
ing through the drifts , and even as the pay
master fell , Sergeant Revell discharged his
carbine and dashed to the rescue , followed
by the men. At the ambulance the clerk was
fighting furiously ; the precious bag ho had
thrown between his feet. Then the soldiers
were unon them , and it was ail over. The
robbers had not been quick enough In their
darlnz dash. The man at the heads of the
plunging mules slipped oft first , and the
other three dashed across the half-frozen
water at the Bight of the. blue and belted
overcoats. The squad fired a volley after
them , futile In the storm and darkness , but
Sergeant Revell suddenly darted from the
others , plunging knee-deep Into the creek.
One of the outlaws had slipped and stumbled
in the stream. In a breath the agile lad wiJi
on top of him , and struggling , choking , halt
drowned , but clinging like bulldogs , the two
men rolled over the pebbly bottom. Martin
held fast , and quickly others came to his
assistance with ropes. In < a few minutes the
prisoner , bound cruelly tight , lay at the bottom
tom of the wagon , a mat for the soldiers'
feet , and the teams were away at a swift
trot for the post , the pay chest safe , but the
paymaster murdered.
II.
Mother Revell , old campaigner and fearless
of weathers , pulled on a warmly lined pair
of rubber boots that showed honestly be
neath bejr , sensibly short skirts , wrapped A
warm shawl aver her head and shoulders and
ventured boldly away from her little cottage
by the creek , plodding through tha knee-
deep snow. 'The blizzard which the teamster
bad scented afar had blown past , and again
the wind wSB"-a > .niea"both"at ; the drifts lay
motionless , freezing crisply in the moonless
night. Number One on the guard bouse
porch , beyond the lince of barracks and
officers' house * , lonely In Its grlmness , saw
her coming , a cloth-coveriJd'basket on her
arm , and .challenged her with smiling cere1
mony.
"Who cornea there ? ' . ' he cried , and ahe
answered cheerily , "A friend. "
"You bet you are-Mother Revell , " laid
the sentry , and helped hen on to the porch.
"Want ' - "
to'icVsorg-eant ?
He opened the guard , room door and pushed
her gently In.
"Another prisoner fet you , ergcant , " be
aid. and grinned.
"Holloa , mother ! ' * cried' ther sergeant of
U guard , comtafc toward from bla lltti *
office b/lroom. "What bring * you o'ut In the
snowf1
"It's Mother HfTclll" the troopers called
out- throwing aside card * and Jumping from
, lbclr bunks , "and a basket ! What's In ( he
basket ? "
"I thought , " eald the llttlo gentle-eyed
woman , who , for all her long , roilgh life
with the army , could yet blush pleasantly.
"I thought as It was Martin's first guard as
a scrzrunt. you boys wouldn't mind It I
just fixed you all a lunch , seeing It's so
cold. "
The sergeant laughed and gave the little
woman a boy's squeeze.
"You ought to bo breveted colonel ! "
screeched ihe young trumpeter.
"Achl Mutter Ilovcll ! "Why vas yon not
secretary of var made alrctty ? " a Dutchman
grunted.
Number two poked his head In at the door
anxiously.
"M.iko them keep some for me , Mrs.
Rpvell , " ho cried earnestly. " 1'vo half an
hour yet to freeze out here. "
Hot mlnco pics and n can of better than
mcssroom coffee came from the big basket ,
and the soUle > rs ate with boisterous good
1 humor. Mrs. Hevell ent on the edge of a
j trunk and eyed them comfortably. Clio knew
thorn all , knew many of their secrets , as
she h.id known recruit end veteran , private
and sergeant of the oil troop for twenty
years nad more. Her ( | tilck grey eyes
glanced from ono to the other motherly.
"Drown , " she said , "Is them sour best
boots ? Mr-ul you draw n now pair next
clothing Issue. You'll bo on the sick report
with pneumonia If you don't itako care. Hilly
' .McNab , how's your arm ? Thought you knew
bettor than let your horse throw you. Have
you got enough rodeo ? iMartln , boy. "
'How , mother ? "
Mrs. Ilevell glanced at the- barred and
'closed door'of the common prlsto roo.n.
"Mayu't they have some , poor things ? "
" 0 , we're empty tonight , mother. There's
only old Barney Constable the usual thing
and ho's sleeping It off. "
"Poor old Darneyl I doubt but they'll bob-
THB OHDKRL.Y ENTERED THE UOCL.I. .
tall him In the end. Where's the the stage
robber ? " she whispered.
"Sulklfig In hli3 cell there. I guess they'll
ship him off to the civil authorities goon , if
thp rrmls opeu up. If It hadn't been for the
blizzard they'd have sent him before tho. !
We've haM him. five days now , and the ad
jutant don't like the'responsibility Of keeping
such a desperate murderer In this old.wcoJen
shick. "
Mother Rcvcll had HttlO' ' of a women's
curiosity and a great deal of a woman's
"Ho must be cold In that dark cell , " she
murmureJ. "Won'f you give him a" mug of
hot coffee ? " - -
' 1HB , ' ( > only growl and refuss It. "
"Let me , " said mother Ilevell , with Innate
Red Crete proclivities.
She took the tin cup and filled It steaming
'nil , and took as welLa plcco of pie. With
.hcsesho stepped lightly along the dark corridor
rider to the furthest'cell , ark and-chilly
dungeou , utterly lonesome , secilrely barred.
She paused timidly a foot away from the
; ra/.lng. By the smoky light of the oil lamp
n the corridor she made out to see a bundle
of blankets In the far corner.
"Would you like a cup of coffee and a
piece of hot pie ? " asked Mother Revell.
The blanket was slipped from a shaggy ,
gray-haired , gray-bearded head , and two eyes
redahot , stared out.
"I've brought you a cup "
The blankets 'were tossed- aside , and
the prisoner made a spring at the bars. Hia
lips were apart In surprise ; bis' hands shook ;
his eyes wcro eager.
"Good Lord ! ( Are you still with the boys ? "
ho whlppered.
The mug of coffee- shook la Mother
Rcvell's hand until much of the draft was
spilled on the worn-out boards , but Mother
Rcvlll had courage and wit and presence of
mind , developed by her unusual training. She
neither screamed nor fainted , but her breath
came pantlngly.
"You again ! " she whispered at lopt , and
they were ellent , staring at each other , the
man with an astonished , half-pleated smile ,
the woman white and dazed. At last she
found liereelt and pushed the coffee and pie
between the bars.
" 'Drink It ! " she murmured. "I shall see
you again. "
Ho nodded to her and gulped the hot drink
down and took the pie.
Alother Revell had "been gone but two mln.
utes when she came back to the guardroom.
"Did that brute frighten you ? " cried Blar-
tln. "You are white as your apron. "
"Hush. Martin , " eald the old lady with a
shiver. "Don't call him that. It wao only
the dark and the cold of that lonely cell
that frightened me. "
" Ha , ha ! " " the troops laughed. "A veteran
of the war frightened by the dark ! O
Mother Revell ! "
The delicate flush , so readily provoked
on Mrs. Revell'6 check , saved her pallor
from being again noticed.
"Has the major seen him ? " ehe aeked
quietly of her eon.
"No , only the adjutant , but the fellow's
cute. He won't talk. Nobody IB allowed to
eco him. Angels of mercy are , ol course ,
excepted. "
Ho patted his mother'e cheek , and eho
tried to laugh , then took her 'basket and
bade them all good night and a quiet guard.
She walked etctidlly home , tramping bravely
through the drifts , answering cheerily
enough the greetings of a party of officers
fche met as they came out of the club , but ,
once home , she locked and barred the door
put , out the light , and sat , her < ace hidden
In her hands , until morning , by the stove.
Before th. ' bugles sounded reveille round
the whlto counterpahed parade grounds she
was up and busy , poking Into odd corners
for something she frownlngly sought. At
last ehe fouad It In the boeom of her dress.
She red the stove and made coffee again
and filled her can. Then , while the dawn
hung timorously la doubt , and the iky In
the east was very slowly trembling from
violet to srav , tlio pulled on her boots and
took her ehawl , and once more started "for
the guard bouse. There the men were
weary , * ad those not out on pot were
sleeping. The young sergeant wasnvrapped
In his blankets , sound and snoring , and a
drowsy corporal waa In cbargtt"He"brlrfht-
CDCH ! at sight of Mother Revell'e can.
'iBegum , but you'll spile the sergeant
with yer coddlln ! " he ald. "Shall I wake
him ? "
Mother Revell shook her bead , and
poured out a mugful for the
grateful cor
_ _ . . -
poral.
"la he asleep ? " eheaaked , noddln.to -
wards the prisoner' * cell.
"Nop. Just now b WM ewerln"-at'"tho '
cold. " I
"It Is horribly cold'Urttiere. " eherVa1d
"Won't you give him. a cupj" , , .
"Shucks , Mrs. Revell , yc're all heart.
'Twos him killed thepayma ter/i.
"That's not certain yet , " eald Mother
Revell , suddenly shaking. "But It would' bo
cold for a dog In there. Let me. "
Toe corporal shrugged hi * tb'ouTdwu. It
wu hard to refuse Mather Revell-anything.
Bo again she clipped along- the corridor. The
prUoner must have beard her-voice , for'he
wu already t ( be bar * .
"Beiele , " boanely whispered. "You'r *
he same overfeoaif old girl. And you ,
lavcn't forgotten tBo old man. A corner
f your heart for lilmmttll , eh ? "
She chrunk from bl bloated face for a
moment , the next aft i stepped determinedly
0 the grating.
"Listen , " ehe murmured hurriedly. Don't
ouch my hand. I'm going to help you , but
not fcr your sake for the eamb reason I
Ticlpcd you before , whcrr , In your drinking
rare , you nhot the cowboy In Dodge. 1
wanted to tave my boy the shame of hear-
ng tiln father was hanged. 1 want to ivo
him again. " . . .
"Llttlo Martin the taby ! Bessie , Is he
here ? Let mo see him llcsal"
"Never , " ehe cried fiercely. "He's doing
well , ho's a boy to bq proud of. Ho studies
and will pats for a commission In time ,
"le knows nothing of-your life , of you , and
never ehnll. 1'di die first. Do you think I'd
see the boy creep about In ahamo for his
ather , a deserter , twice a murderer ? Could
10 hold up his head among his comrades
vhcn ho's an officer and a gentleman , ns ho
vlll be , as ho deserves to be ? See you !
\cvcr ! You must go away escape , else
here are some here will recognize you. "
She w'aa trembling now , and ho gulped
ho sttamlng coffee sulkily. The men
snored ; the corporal nodded over his etovo.
"What name have you gone by ? You
dare not call yourself Rcvcll ? "
"Hardly , " he grluned.
"Take this , " she Mid , and gave him tne
001 from her drcs. < . "It's all 1 could find
a Rlmlet. You bore hole after hole In the
ilanklng of the floor , until a piece Is loose ,
t'a slow and you must bo cautious of thj
guard seeing you. Get through by night
after next If you can , for they ace caior to
send y6u to prison. There's n foot and a
i.ilf between the floor and ground. You
ccn crawl out. It was done once by a man
at Fort McKlnney. Look out ! for No. 1. Ho
passes round the guardhouse every quarter
of an hour. "
Ho took the tool eagerly and she turnel
away.
"Ilfflsle ! "
She paused.
"I saw In a paper that Pollock was made
i major. Ho always hid luck. You anl I
remember film as a big buck prlvato when
was a sergeant In the war. Say , Is he
he stuck on you still ? I cut him out for
fair then , didn't I. I half thought you'd
; et a divorce and marry him. "
She looked at him fiercely.
"Tho major's a good man , not fit for you
o name. Get away from here as quick as
ou can , and remember this there's only
ono thing I love In the world , and that's
ho boy. "
She ollpped quickly from dim and through
io guardroom , past the drowsy corporal and
regained her home before the sun was yet
above the plain's far rim.
III.
The young sergeant came to his mother's
Ittlc breakfaat table In a poor humor.
"Mother , can you give mo sctnethlng to
eat , " ho cried , "They've detailed a new-
cook , and he can't either bike beans or
make coffee. The mess breakfast was ruined.
This Is fiomolhlng like. Nobody , alive or
dead , ever made hash llko you , mother , and
hi * la coffee , not bootleg. Say , mother ,
you're pale. What have you been doing to
rourself ? "
"I ? " the answered , and the soft , sweet
link spread on her check. "I'm all right ,
Martin. Are you olt duty today ? "
Ho shook lii'i ' head.
"No such luck. Guard , " ho answered , and
lent hungrily over his plate.
Mother Revell paled again and trembled.
"Guard ! " she said at last. "Why , Martin ,
you were on the nleht before last. "
"Can't help It. Schledermann's gone sick ;
Foley's acting sergeant major ; McMillan's on
detached service , mending telegraph wires ;
falrlelgh's provcst sergeant and so on.
There's only lli > Otis and I fcr duty one
night In. "
"It's a shame , " she cried , Jumping up in
a rasslon of fear. "You can't ; you must
not ! "
"Why , mother ? "
"You , you I'll gonnd speak to tne major ! '
"What on earth ! Mother , you know such
lrs often happen. It's all in the five
years. Don't g < U excltod. "
"You you'll be 111 , " she began to cry
"It'll tire you out. "
"Mother , " hfi'sald/etepplng to her side and
pcttlrs her , "you are Hi : Why , you , of all
people , know ono night In. Is no hardship.
It won't last. Look here , I'm going to ask
the hospital steward to snd you down a
tonic , and don't you move from your stove
today. I'll run up and see you at dinner
time. Now , I must hurry and clean my
belts at bit. "
Ho left her shaking silently , but turned at
the open door.
"That hangdog road agent Is to bo sent
to the railway tomorrow. The sheriff will
taUo charge of him there. "
Mother Revell huddled up In her chair as
the door closed behind her and became a
nervous bundle of anxious fears.
"Tonight , " she muttered. "He m.ust es
cape tonight , and Martin on guard ! If he
should fall , if the guard shoots him a son
shoot his father down ! O ! O ! And If he
succeeds. Martin will be tried for allowing
the escape , for neglect of duty , and bo re
duced ! It will ruin his chance of promol-
tlon. O ! 0 ! "
She sat stunned , until the bugles on the
parade ground announced guard mount. She
stole to the window , and watched. Crash
went the band ; all the familiar , stirring
maneuvers were performed In the bright win.
ter sun. The band ceased ; the adjutant and
sergeant major saluted ; the shrill bugles ad
vanced , and the new guard marched off tc
the guard room , the tall and bright-eyed
young sergeant In command. She could hear
his clear voice even when he was out of
sight at the distant guard house "New
guard ! Present arms ! "
Evening stable call and the troops In
white stable dress , trotting at double time
through the frosty air of the falling day-
supper call retreat and the suntet gun
Martin ran In to see her and found her EO
white he resolved to bring the post surgeon
in the morning. Darkness , but she lit no
lamp , and at last came tattdo and taps to
usher in a windy night , with white clouds
swiftly crossing the half moonj Night the
final click of the billiard balls In the club
the final song at Captain West's evening
party , the first silent round of the officer o
the day. The sentry at the guard house
lifted up his voice : "No. 1 , 12 o'clock1 !
and from the corral , from the cavalry stable
from the haystacks and from the dlstan
sawmill came the swift replies of lonely
sentinels " 12 o'clock and all's well ! "
Mother Revell rose up , unable to wai
longer to bear suspense. She stole from the
house. Well she knew the old post and how
to hide in the shadows and how to avoid the
sentries. Unseen , filled with a shuddering
disgust at herself at having so to hide , sb
gained the rear of the guardhouse. There
there stood a little clump of ecrub oaks b >
A spring , of clear water , and in their shadow
the little woman crouched nnd watched.
Tramp , tramp , tramp , to the end of th
porch ; to the rear anarch ! and tramp , tramp
tramp to the other'end ; shift carbine tosth
other shoulder , and Its time ) to patrol rouni
the guardhouse. So went No. 1 , monotonously
onously , dlstractlngly. Once , twice , thrlc
and four times he 'passed round the build
ing , and It was 1 o'clock. ! Again he sang
the hour , and again came back the die
tant echoing sentries' calls , "All's well ! '
Mother Revell was In a fever ; she felt ni
cold ; her eyes Bought continuously th
yawning blackness between the walls of th
old guardhouse and the snowy ground
Again the faithful 'sentry passed arouni
and went back to : * the porch. A mlnut
passed , and something protruded from be
neath the guarhouie.-ircachlng out to tb
white snow , stealthily , on its belly , like a
great , sneaking cat , ' . Mother Revell claspe
her hands and shook and watched. Inch b.
Inch ho came the murderer , a big man
while the hole was narrow. The moot
glanced upon blm , and she saw the glltte
of his excited , determined eyes. Inch by
Inch , without a sound , he dragged hlmsel
to freedom , and No , 1 continued to tram ;
the wooden porch unsuspectingly. The mai
was out and oa bis feet , stooping low , glanc
Ing here and there to make sure of th
right direction to run.
"Quick , qulckl O , man , be off with you
quick ! " murmured Mother Revell , *
As if he heard her , he started to run
through the deep snow , soundlessly. On
step ho took , and Mother Revell closed he
eyes In despair. The man's legs , cramped
by confinement , < were uncertain. Ilia tot
struck a rock in the snow , and ho fell
noisily bumping against the wooden wall
At that he forgot himself , or became at one
reckless , and swore aloud.
"Sergeantof the guard ! " the sentry ahouted
and dashed round the houae , while insldo
tumult and clashing of eteol resounded
The prisoner picked hlmaett up , but slipped
and alld again before bo could "tart atroab
o that No. 1 , carbine loaded and rocked ,
was on hi * heels. It waa no Intention of
ho Bcntry'i to kilt , but rather to recapture
alive. Ho.brought the butt to the front
wlftly and thrust viciously to knock hla
man over like < i rabbit. The running blow
nlesed , and In an Inetant the prisoner
uraed , a shaggy , wild-eyed Imago of dcs-
'oration. They closed , but for a second.
The next Instant the tentry lay on the snow
And the prisoner had the carbine. Ho was
off again with a dish , but now the guard
came running out , Sergeant Revell ton
> acea In advance , revolver at the ready.
"Halt ! or I fire ! " he yelled.
Ths prisoner swung about and brought the
: arblno to hla shoulder. A scream came
rom the spring , and Mother Ilevell ran out ,
vrlnglng her hands.
"No ! no ! Both of you ! Don't shoot ! "
She nulled to her ton and flung hcraelf
intrcatlngly on his breast , but not before
ils revolver had cracked. The prisoner wao
a second later , t'ahurt by Martin's bullet ,
10 returned the flre as Mother Revell clasped
icr boy. Martin heard his mother cry out
n pain , and felt her fall heavily forward
upon his rescuing arm. The guard rushed
last , carbines ready , In pursuit of the fugt-
Ive , but Ihe- sergeant of the guard paid
no attention to them. He picked the llttlo
inconf.'oloua womca up In his arms , and
dashed away to the pest hospital , terror la
his eyes.
IV.
"How Is she ? "
"Is she better ? "
"Is there any chance for her ? "
All day long the men came slipping up
o the hospital anl whispered their anxious
nqulrkvs in the attendants' cans , and wont
> K In gloom when the steward pursed his
Ips and shook his head.
Toward evening she became sensible , and
'ound ' Martin In the room with the doctor ,
atvl a tall mustachcd figure In the shadows
ol a corner.
"Martin , " she whispered , "are you hurt ,
boy ? " I
"I wU'h I were , dear llttlo mother , " ho
cried , "so that you wore safe. "
"Huifi ! None of that , now , sergeant , or
you'll haVe to get out , " the doctor said , as
ho lad flung himself en bla knees by the
ied.
ied.Mother
Mother Revell petted her boy's hand
weakly , and her eyes sought the corner.
"Is .It you , major ? " she asked , softly ,
and the officer commanding , came silently
o her side.
"Mother Revell , " ho whispered , "don't
you wish to speak to me ? "
She paused , closing her eyes , and T7.cn
opened them upon the doctor.
"I've seen many of the poor boys go ,
lector , " she said. "Tell mo. "
And ho told her. The doctor took Martin
jy the shoulder and pushed htm out before
ilm gently , and the major and Mother
levcll wcro left alone. At once she
asked :
"Ho was caught ? "
"Ho was shot down , dead , Bessie.-
"And you recognized him ? "
"But nobody else , Bessie. Nobody shall
: now he wao Sergeant Revell. "
"Thank you , major , " she sighed with a
content that almost stifled her pain. "Martin
will never know when when ho's an officer
and a gentleman. Major , you've been very ,
very good and kind. "
"I'd have done more If you'd let me ,
Jessie , " ho answered.
"Do It for for Martin , " she pleaded.
'He's not llko his father. "
"No , no , Bess like you , dear girl , llko
you. Bess. "
She looked at htm with a faint shako of
the head.
"Bess , give mo a right to bo a fa.ther to
the boy. Thrice I've asked you , and you
refused , though Rcvcll was xood ai dead. "
'Tor your sake , major. I'm only a laun-
dress. "
"I roao from llio ranks , " he replied. "I
don't want to think lhaf thcVaecU Mio
polled your llfo woo to the ond. I've been
patient. Let mo remember you as my wife
take my rMmo. "
Again she motioned "no. "
" 1'vo money , Bc , and Martin will bo my
son f have Influence , and Martin , as my
eon , wilt draw on It naturally. "
"Yon attack the weaker wing , major , "
she amnvcrrd , and pressed his hand.
"Yes ? "
"Yes. "
Ho stooped ami klrscd her and hurried
out to send his orderly for the post chap
lain. Martin , bewildered , was ( hero , and
the doctor , nnd thevo alcno siw Mother lit"
veil acknowledge the mistake of her hasty
girlhood , and marry at last the man who
had patiently waited ,
A'ftcr ' that she lay In pain , slnklns
swiftly , and grew a little delirious and raw
Into the future , speaking of her boy ai
"Captain Revell , a gallant officer and pen-
tlettuiu. " At 9 o'clock she was very weak ,
but Bcrolblo , and sent messages to a num
ber of her children the grief stricken troop
ers. Shortly she whispered to them to open
the window , although It was very cold , and
they did so.
"I want to hear the bugles , " she said.
Soon they sounded the last , last , friendly
loving call to rest taps.
\VATBIl COMIMXV I3XTKMS Jl VIXH.
Severn ! H nilr Ml 'Men Arc lli-lni ;
Cttcti iiiii > 1oyin < Mit.
The Omaha Water company Is rapidly
completing the delivery of the new plpo to
the points where It Is to bo laid , and by
the middle ol next week It will have sev
eral hundred men nt work putting the new
mains In the ground. Men are now put-
ting In the slxtcon-lneh plpo on the cxppsl-
tlon grounds , and others are putting In ad
ditional facilities at ( lie South Omaha pack
ing houses. Monday morning another gang
will be started to lay the big main from
Twenty-fourth and Lake streets to the Wal
nut Hell reservoir , and a day or two later
another force will begin putting In the new
mains on the south sl'Je.
Intlti'ovlitu ; , | ) ( | Sprrlre.
Gaa Inspector Gilbert sajs that there lies
been a very radical Improvement In the gafo-
llno light service during thp month. The
lampa are now kept in better condition than
they have ever been bsforo and In a few
dajs more It la expected that the service
will be very satisfactory. That the lights
arc giving much better service Is also In
dicated by the fact that complaints have
almost entirely cca > " < cd.
rtlordinry StntlntlcM.
The following births and deaths were re
ported nt the health office during the twenty-
four hours ending nt noco yesterday :
Blrtbfi-'Frcd J. Larson , 4011 Seward street ,
boy.
boy.Deaths
Deaths Victor Herman Anderson , 1
month , Twenty-sixth and Laketfpaams. .
Mount Hope cemetery ; John Jchnson , 55 , 612
South Twelfth , Forest Lawn.
\o riunililnwr IiiNMT | < r Yet.
The delay In the appointment of a plumb-
Inn Inspector continues to cause incon
venience. Yesterday Building Inspector Ilut-
Icr had to engage a plumber to assist 'him
In gettl'ig the watering troughs and drinkIng -
Ing fountains Into shape to turn on the
water , a Job that has always been performed
by tbo plumbing Inspector.
ivelpcs me eerie of the icnsons why } uu ehould nrlto us.
Or , Kay's ' Renovator
Cuici the \cry worst rnses of Dyspepsia , Constipation , Headache , Liver nnd
Klilncy dUeatCB. hund for pioof of It. Wo Guiirnntro It. Wilto us about
nil of your Bytmitumn. Ur. Kny's Hunovntor Is sold by druggists , or Bent
I > .T nmll on icculpt of price , ! ia cunts and Sl.no.
Address Dr. B. J. KAY MEDICAL CO. . ( Western Office ) Omaha , Neb.
The Dogs of War
Are Loose.
With the war on , all eyes are turned on Cuba. Every
one Is interested In the brava struggle bainffnride by the pao-
1 pie of that famous little Island. The bast Information can
be obtained from the best books ,
Murat Halstead's
Story
of
Cuba"
Is entertaining , Interesting
and instructive. He is a tal
ented writer , distinguished
as a war correspondent ,
famous as a journalist ; brilliant in his descriptions. Ills a
graphic account of the struggles of Cubans for liberty.
Revised to Date. Containing a vivid account of the over-
whslming tragedy
Destruction of the Maine
New and splendid illustrations of Consul Gettaral Lsa , Cap *
tola Slgsbeo , Ex-Minister Do Lome , General Blanco ,
Battleship Maine as She Was and Is.
4
A splendid octavo voluma ; 625 pages ; 6x9Jnchos.printed } ;
on extra fine quality of paper ; in large , clear , perfect type ;
magnificently illustrated with 4O full-page original draw
ings and photographs , artistically and uniquely bound.
Elegant , Silk-Finished Cloth , Emblomstlo Ink and Gold Dc-
, Plain Edges , $2.00.
How to This Coupon ' -a oa *
Get It Free Murat Halstead's
Oally Secure and two Kundar new 'Boe cubicrlberi for § even to weeka the Qf "THE STORY OF " * "
each : or three new lubicrlbera for one
month.each. Urine or mall them tj Price $2.00.
the Circulation Deportment , Omaha ' Preitnt this Coupon and II.2 ( at Cir
Be * , with JS cent * for tacit vteek'a culation ,
Department U
The
t Fujlllih-
ubacrlptlon work and free. you can ; ct thl * > Ine Co. , Uee Uulldlnf.
O
\ * > /\SM
MANHOOD RESTOBED-
. .
WIBi.WVItallMrU > epF acilj )
tlon of famous French pbyaiclan. will quickly cure you of all ncib
oua or dUraaea ol tbeceneraUye urpaiia , aucb Lett Manhood.
? momiilaraliialDtbefiuckBcmlnal Emluluni , Nervous Ufblllty.
I'lropln , UanuiMS to Uury , lUliauiUnK IJraliia , Varlcoctle ai'4
Conitlpatlon. It stop * all loueabydar ornlfht freventa quick-
ecu of dlKharce , wlilcn If not chrrkrd leads to Hpcnnatorrluza and
all tneborroraof Impottncr. CDnDKNEcleauwcUiaUrfri Ut
kidneys and the urinary oriani of aU Impurities ,
CPMa KBfK trengUieniandrfitorsfmallwakoreana , . . . . _ . .
To * rvaaon aurrrrrn are not cnrd br 1'octora Is brcnuu ninety per cent art troubled wltn
fl ) i tlHa. OUl'l 1IBNK la the only known rrmrdr to cure wlilioul on operation. Moo iriilmnnt
la A written ( u ranirerlv aand mooer returned If alx bnzea dors pot effoci | > rniaa olcur .
{ UO boxilrJurVOUbrin U. UendforrBxicclrcularatidteatlmooUila ,
DltUQ CO , B. E , Coi , 10th and Pnmam , Omaha.
I
You Are
To Blmmo
If you do not get Whisky of
the proper Age and Purity. ' 'Six
Years Old , ioo # Pure , " Is the
Governments Guarantee on every
bottle of
OLDCROWand
RMITy
Bottled by W. A. GMNtS & CO. , FrunUoft , Ky.
TIio Government tntcrnnt Revenue
Oniccr * nt thu tl ! < tl11erlc < Inipcct the
contents ( e\cry bottle. In liuylnR bo
sure the Internal Kovcmio Stamp over
the Cork nmt Cnpxtlo l < not broken nnil
that It bears thu \\.A.GMMSACO. .
Kfr H ft it ( iftvrumeiil Guarantee
that sftt wttli this fettling.
ALL DEALERS SELL IT
DUFFY'S
PURE MALT WHISKEY
ALL DRUGGISTS.
oTirmu FAFU oosvci/r
DOCTORS
Searles & Searles
SPECIALISTS
Guarantee to/vnre BpccUllr and radl
eaiir KBRVOUS , cuitoNio xar
PRIVATE ! < ltaea ea of Men unil WOmcm ,
WEIK MEN SYPHILIS
SEXUALLY. cured for Ufa.
NUht Emlsatons , Loit Mnnhood , Hy
trocole , Verlcocele. Gonorrhea , Qleot , Syph.
Ills. Stricture , Piles , Fistula and Rectal
Uloiri. Dlabetei. Bright' * Dlieaia cured.
Consultation Free-
Stricture and Gleets at
br new method without pain or cuttlnr ,
Gallon or addrcu with stamp. Treatment
br mall.
w. mm s mm
DR. C. GEE WO.
wno is JiKf
He Is one of the most
skillful of Chlneso doc-
torn. IJCCilllSU Of Ill3
trout knowledge anil
cuies. Having been
t'ls'it ' years In the med
ical colliKO of China ,
ho unileratnnds t'no 1m-
niodlate action of over
n.OOu lemedles. Wltl
eighteen years of ex
perience unil over eight
years of that time lit
Omaha has Klven him
reputation backed up
Jiy thousands of tes
timonials In curing KVKKY CHAUACTKH.
of disease , whefncr C11HONIG Oil OT1IEK-
WISIC. Ur. C. Gee Wo guarantees a euro
In every case or the money will be refund
ed. Consultation fret. Send a two-cent
stamp for book and question blanks.
Dr. C. Gee Wo , 519 N. 16th St. . Omaha , Neb.
MADE ME A MAN
AJAX TABLETS POSITIVELY CURB
Illttatrt Vailing Mom *
otjrImpotencr > Hlooplo nesiota. caused )
br Abate or ether Kice as and Indis
cretion * . Thru oufoJUu and turtla
restore Lost Vitality In oljoryounn. and
fltamsaforstudr , bnslneuor marriage ,
irrerent Insanity and Consumption It
. Je. Xhelrese nhqws immediate improre.
menvand eSaeta a CUUE Where all other fall In-
lit upon baring tbe e nulno Air * Tablcta. The ?
hire eared thousand ! and wlllcurc TOO. We alre a DOS.
lure written guarantee to effect a rare Cft PTC In.
each case or refund the money. 1'rlcoOUUIOiper
packacei or sU pkeea ( fall tnatmentl for &GO. Br
mall , in plain wrapper , upon receipt of price , clrrnlar
' * 'AJAX REMEDY CO. . few.- '
For ule In Omaha , Neb. , by Jo. Foriyth , 20 *
N. ICtli ; Kulm & Co , NHIi and Douglas ; and
In Council Bluffa by O. II. Brown , Druggiiti.
JWVWWWV/VV
Relieves Kidney
& Bladder
troubles at once.
Cures In
48 Hours ail
URINARY
DISCHARGES
Trch Can-
sula l > enr tlio
n.imc /
Dewarr nf u < eles cnunlcrWu.
OR.
McGREW
IB THE ONLt
SPECIALIST
WHO T1IEATB ALL '
Private Diseases
n k i < Ulwrdf r f
MEN ONLY
20 Years Experlenoa
10 Year * la Umaha.
Bonk Krco. Consult *
tlonl'ree. Box7fl , o |
14th and Fanun Bth
OMAHA. NEU.
I Cklekestei'a Ea Usk DUmead Brsno , - .
Pi ENNYROYAL PILLS
erlctiaUadOBlrOennlae. *
earE , slwsri rclUble. LAOiKe bik
Drujiln for OHekultri CtiolliJt Din ,
\fnondSrunil la Ited Sfid tfclu niLtallia \
> l l with Uuo tlblHjfl. Tale
'Hunt anil imMUloru. AlUruicl.il , or Kll 4 * .
' - p for pinlCQlari , ititlmoBlftlt
T tor tpAln. " in laurel
Halt , OOO Tntl
ami
CM Big * > ' ' unnmrel
4UcbarM. In > * mmttloi2
trrttatlcif or ulc r tle J
ef maeou memtiraBee
. "d not Hlrtet
lHll a.OH , CUO. '
Carpenter's
South
American
Letters
WEI APKAR M
THE SUNDAY BEE