The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

100 end of the war which is about to be de- clared. ‘“T am so tired of the whole ridiculous business, that I want to forget it. You may report to Judge Waring and he may report in turn to Hartley Stuart Trent, that I have dropped the whole matter. I do not intend to visit Mr. Hartley Stuart Trent for the purpose of beating him up, and he may now come back to the city and have no fear.” “You're a funny guy!” Hallock ob- served with a sickly grin. ‘“ Just for that I'll send that message to his highness. But you needn’t expect to get away with §it. He’ll be mad clean through when he hears that—and he’ll be likely to show you just about where you get off. He’ll show you just how much protection a uniform is against the Trent millions and the Trent influence. If he and old man Waring don’t finish you off by getting you court-mar- tialed for treason, you'll be a lucky boy!” ‘* Let it go at that,” returned Hal Trent. ““But please don’t bother me any more with your visits, Mr. Hallock. You may stand across the street and make faces at me, if that will do you any good, but don’t continue these little friendly chats.” “Young man!” Hallock exclaimed oracu- larly, ‘ you’ll wish a thousand times that you had listened to me and had ‘a little sense!” CHAPTER XII. HARKING TO THE TRUMPETS. "THE Trent mansion was open for the convenience of its master, who had re- turned suddenly to town, and the first caller to greet the young millionaire and welcome him home was Judge Waring. ‘“‘'You have dropped in so soon after my arrival,” said the millionaire, “that I al- most suspect that you were informed of it.” The two men neglected to shake hands, either through carelessness or by mutual consent. Both sat down in the large draw- ing-room, and Judge Waring chuckled good humoredly. ‘“‘ Let us say rather that I calculated to a nicety the time of your home-coming,” THE ARGOSY. returned the judge. ‘‘ You see, my dear Hartley, I know how irksome it is for you to stay away from New York, and I knew how quickly you would come back when you learned that your dangerous namesake had promised not to lay violent hands on you.” ‘You carry your jests too far by half,” Hartley retorted with obvious irritation. “Tl admit that I did receive your letter, but its arrival was coincident with my preparations to return. Frankly, I didn’t care for your humorous insinuations that I left town on account of that fellow’s threats. You know that I did nothing of the sort!”’ ‘“ Why, of course, of course!” agreed the judge soothingly. ‘I always like to have my little joke, you know.” ‘When it comes to a question of cour- age,” Hartley went on spiritedly, “I will not step down for any man. If you are at all curious about the cause of my return to town, I’ll tell you something: I have watched the progress of our trouble with Germany, and the prospect of war interests me very much. I wish to put myself at the disposal of my country, and I am think- ing of taking the command of one of the National Guard regiments.” ‘“ Bless my soul!” cried Judge Waring in mingled consternation and mirth. “ My dear fellow, you don’t think you can get a colonel’s commission!” “And why not?” Hartley demanded gravely. “I have money, which is very useful in recruiting and developing a regi- ment; and I have had some military train- ing. You may remember that I spent sev- eral years in a military academy while pre- paring for college, and, as a matter of fact, I am quite ready to face the technical ex- amination before a board of officers.” ‘‘T believe,” said the judge dryly, “ that the commands of regiments are not usually in the market, to be picked up by the first passer-by. Have you decided to honor any particular regiment by announcing yourself as its colonel.” “Tam thinking of accepting the colonelcy of the Thirty-first Infantry,” Hartley answered coldly. Judge Waring laughed immoderately. oO comicbool< CO