The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

THE OTHER TRENT. “IT am sorry that there should be so much trouble,” said the young woman, “but—oh, thank you so much, sir, for protecting me!” “It is an honor, madam!” declared Cap- tain Soames. ‘“ Gallantry to ladies should be one of the first duties of a soldier.” Five minutes later the captain came to Trent in the company room. ‘“‘ You're a disgrace to the regiment!” he declared. ‘‘ You are very keen about regu- lations, aren’t you? Well, it’s a pity that you couldn’t defend yourself against a frail young girl without injuring her. I shall make a full report of the outrage to head- quarters, and I’ll have you court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.”’ First Sergeant Rayson stepped into the room suddenly. ‘“‘ Captain Soames,” he said, saluting. “* Well, sergeant?” the captain responded, with a scowl. ‘* Beg pardon, sir,”’ the sergeant went on, ‘“‘ but I happened to see the whole trouble from one of the lower windows.” “What trouble?” growled Soames. “Who asked you anything about any trouble?’’ ‘“‘ Nobody asked me, but I felt a little bit interested,’ Rayson replied dryly. “Id like to say, sir, that Private Trent behaved like a gentleman, and the woman.didn’t get half that was coming to her by rights. She was probably one o’ them female spies that are sent out by somebody to trap the poor boobs that don’t know the regulations. Down in Pennsylvania the other day a poor young lad gave up his rifle to a soft-spoken jade that wanted to examine it; then she reported him and got him jugged for a year, for violating the regulations.” “ That’s a very interesting story,’’ mut- tered Soames, ‘“ but when I want any in- formation from you, sergeant, I’ll ask for it.” “* Yés, sir,” responded Rayson. “ I’d just like to say, sir, that if Private Trent has to face a court-martial, I’ll be ready to appear and give my testimony as an eye-witness.”’ “‘ Get out, will your” the captain growl- ed. ‘I can’t be bothered with your tales. All you fellows stick up for each other. I know well enough that the lady was not a ’ 111 spy, sent to try out the sentries. She was a well-bred young lady, and evidently a per- son of some consequence.” A captain of another company suddenly appeared in the doorway and called out jovially: ‘“‘ Hello there, Soames! You here to- day? Say! I just saw that pretty little stenographer of yours out on the street. I was joshing her the other day in your office down-town, and I recognized her just now in spite of her being dolled up like the queen of the May. She was all upset, and she said that one of our sentries insulted her and jammed her hand with his rifle.” “The damned little fool!’’ Soames cried explosively, losing his head completely. The other captain laughed and passed on his way. ‘““It seems that the ‘ well-bred’ young lady was sent here by somebody, to try out one sentry,” observed Sergeant Rayson. Soames sprang up, hands clenched, and eyes glaring. “Tf you enlisted men think that you can put anything over me, I’ll show you!” he roared. “I’m not here to explain any- thing, or to argue with you. I’m going to run some of the low-down muckers out of this company and I know who will go first!” ‘* Shall I go back to my post, sir?” Trent inquired, trying to conceal a smile. The captain thundered at him that he might go anywhere he liked, and suggested a much talked-of mythical region. ‘““There’s a regulation against officers using strong language to their men,” Ray- son said quietly. ‘I think Ill have to write to the adjutant-general and find out about it.” The captain commended the adjutant- general to the same region, as he snatched his cap from the table and flew out of the room. CHAPTER XVI. PUNITIVE MEASURES. N the 6th of April, Congress declared the existence of a state of war with the German Empire, and directly the armory of the 31st Infantry was a scene of official oO Comicbooe S CO