The Argosy — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

A Story of the Day. 31 morrow, but in fact it 1s this evening that it goes out. I cannot think how I came to make such a mistake.” They smiled inwardly. No man in the regiment, except the Colonel, could have made it ; for the coming in and going out of the mails was the one break in their monotonous life, eagerly looked forward to and calculated upon ; but the absent-mindedness of Colonel Deane was amusing, and always allowed for. “T knew the mail came in to-day from England—and, by the way, my letters and papers are this minute delivered—but I’m sure I thought to-morrow was the day it went out,” continued the Colonel. “ Will a week’s delay matter much to you, Douglas ? ” “There need not be any delay, Colonel,” answered Captain Douglas, ‘‘ There’s plenty of time to write the application and post it by this evening’s mail, if you have no objection.” “Is there? Well, let us get to it then,” said the relieved Colonel. “ My letter is already written.” The business was soon finished, for Colonel Deane was anxious to get to his letters and see what news the mail had brought him. Ronald’s signature, and those of his two brother officers, were affixed to the document which was to accompany the Colonel’s letter, and the whole was sealed in readiness. “Shall I send it to the post with my own despatches?” said the Colonel, in good nature ; and Douglas thanked him and acquiesced. The three young men then wished Colonel Deane good evening, and went out together. ‘‘ I am awfully sorry we are going to lose you, old fellow,” remarked Major Carruthers. ‘I suppose it is on account of Mrs. Douglas’s health.” “Yes ; entirely. Otherwise I should never have thought of leav- ing the dear old regiment, for I love it heartily, and sincerely wish I had at least once been called on to fight for its colours before I left them.” “Aye, yes; no doubt. Well, it’s a great pity.” As Major Carruthers spoke, he was opening a newspaper which he had taken from his pocket, remarking that he had not yet read a word of news, for the letters were only delivered to him as he was coming out. “T say, Douglas,” he exclaimed, after glancing at the paper for a minute in silence, ‘“ Did I see on your papers—TI hardly took it in— that the regiment you wish to exchange into is the —th ?” “Yes,” replied Captain Douglas. ‘“ Why do you ask?” “Well, I—I was wondering whether you know that it is ordered out to Egypt p—It says so here,” touching his Zmes. “Says what? I don’t understand.” “The —th, which you have applied to join, is under orders for Egypt,” repeated the Major, speaking gravely. “I was thinking of Mrs. Douglas. You will have to go straight to Egypt.” “Ordered to Egypt—what to the relief of Khartoum and all the GOMMGIO@ S >