Ensign Merrill — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

i ‘ me a ie fie. why hile GEA PA 4g apr 4 ‘ 4710 oe elm Opes vs wy 4 isa! % f cite TED ‘ENCO UNTER. pl: ye Ah! I have forgotten him,’’ answered the old gen- SS ee giles =" x > _ we - - continued: ‘‘He don’t amount to anything. The fellow hasn’t a thought above his duties and possibly a quiet game of kori orfan-tan. Anyway, he can hardly over- _ hear our conversation in this room.’’ Mark was not so certain of that, but another glance at the impassive figure gazing stolidly through ee _ glass doors allayed his half-formed suspicions. .“Well, I started to visit the Badger when. this note was handed me,’’ he said finally, preparing to take his departure. ‘‘I was hailed from the ship while passing, and—by the way, my leave has been granted. The admiral received a cablegram from Washington this morning. Hverything is all right, and it is dated from to-day. That leaves me free to devote my time to the shipment of the crew and other matters. I have de- cided to secure the service of Midshipman Gage, who ean easily obtain a vacation. Hewill makean efficient lieutenant.”’ | Bite: By request of the general and his partner it was ar- ranged that Mark should take up his lodgings with them until the following day, when he intended to move on board the steamer. They wished him to spend the evening with them, so the three could talk over the multiple details of the expedition. After promising to return not later than sundown the ensign started for the landing, intending to board the Badger at once. He had been so deeply interested in the events of the morning that the nearness of ‘‘tiffin’’ (midday lunch) had not occurred to him. Chancing to pass a well known restaurant, much in vogue with the officers, he. stepped 1 in,.and ordered a heh chara iotian reflectively, then with a wave of his hand he “+ ~ ¢ : — * 4 comicbooks:com +