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The Marines Have Landed

Chapter 6 A QUEER CONVERSATION

Word Count: 3808    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

we all tried our level best to catch your eye but, goodness--you were so military you would look neither to the r

bed since being here," responded Dick, smiling good-naturedly at his sister's mockery; "as it was I came near makin

y about whom you wrote to us--the S

dy chap and comes from a good family, though I be

all that could be desired as an as

o the defense of his friend against any possible insinu

ality of introductions over, Mr. Comstock invited his son's friend to join them

o, sir, providing I can sec

in the same boat as your frien

rest of the day," replied Richard, and turning to Henry he said, "Suppose you hur

e drum slung over her brother's shoulder, "and are your weapons as dang

h a smile, "but it has one advantage over the drum as a

rs. Comstock, "it is nearly no

to wear cits; it might be less embarrassing for you al

ome emphasis; "I'm in uniform, and I'

hinking of your mother and sister and the possibility of saving them embarrassment. You may not kn

side of the question," said Dick frankly, and he turned red himse

ely are making people understand that the enlisted man in uniform may no longer be treated with disrespect. A better class of men seem to be joining the colors these day

stay in Washington he had visited nearly every one of the public buildings and he took great pleasure in showing his sister about. The three young people even climbed the thousand steps o

d to call it, and for a long time they all enjoyed the panorama of land and water

st before dinner and Mr. Comstock departed on a business engagement the trio of young p

le, Henry excused himself, promising to return in time for the evening programm

the floor they stepped into the vacant space of a small narrow balconied window ledge and stood looking at the passing traffic. A

r these two devoted young people and gradually a silence f

ame from the room behind the

place where we

cing their chairs near the window where he and his sister were standing. He was wonderin

he room, gentlemen, and it is well to obser

inquired a heavily built man whose blond hair

so quietly that Dick could not overhear. Knowing that he was an unintentional eavesdropper he turned back again to the street feeling it was unnecessary to move from the window, for unless he made an especial attempt the words

rsula was twelve years of age she had had a German governess. Even the cook, a family retainer for years, was a native of Cologne. In consequence the loud remark which Dick heard from

ny can whip her any day! Germany can whi

k and stood beside him. Their voices came distinctly to the ears

tested the tall man who had led them to the window fo

have your decision regarding this canal business at once, or it will be too late to be of any use to us. If your revoluti

offer you the things already mentioned in return for financing our uprising. The United States has a concess

y bluffed for a while at digging it on the Atlantic side. The United States also sent a commission down to Nicaragua several times, but nothing came of it. Then they forced Panama int

ys to consult with his committee," sugg

ed out in Leon while I was there six months ago. I tell you it is subterfuge, pure and simp

his eyes must have flashed ominously at the brutal pounding of the G

that is all, and the best I can say of them. Go back to them and arr

ective--they are all secret service men in Washi

nd with the words the three conspirators move

ence. Every word uttered by the plotters since Dick placed his hand over Ursula's lips had been distinctly hea

n Dick, exclaiming, "Wait for me here!"

hat identical moment, and the lads collided forcibly. The delay caused thereby was sufficient to e

ting their experience to Henry. They both

s sister inquired breathlessly

we know; this is a free country. But I sure would have liked to see their faces. All the time they had thei

done had you caught

d have pointed them out to that

y of them if you saw t

, in a million, but I'm not sure of the others,-

," said Ursula. "I never should forget tha

a shout of laughter at

an; noticing the d

hief thing I should recognize him by was a peculiar patch of white hair on the right side

powers of observation," said Dick, bowing low to Ursula with mock deference, "b

nd Ursula ran to greet Mr. Comstock

out all the details as he and Ursula remembered them, and he, M

er. "We all know that Germany is expanding her trade lines enormously and making greater strides in systematic foreign commercialism than

try to build a canal across Nicaragua now that th

feel perfectly safe in sayi

it would be contrary to the provisions of the Monroe Doctrine," said Dick. He leaned over and pic

ng wings, holding a ribbon on which is inscribed the motto of our Corps. It is our part to look out for these little countries, and according t

mstock, U.S.M.C.!" slyly interposed Ursula, and Dic

what the Englishman is mixed up in it for! Do yo

interests of England and the United States are too closely allied

far as I could see him! I cannot bea

enry, who was surprised at her outburst. "Is that the general f

a major, after having received the surrender of our brave Colonel Ledyard at the Battle of Groton Heights, took that officer's proffered sword and ran him through the heart and then commanded his

han that Englishman," and Ursula's pretty face l

later in the evening. "I never could bear the study of languages, t

n, and we always use it talking to the cook. But I like French and ha

his father, which afforded the two many opport

wrote home at least once a week, I believe the world would be a better place. So many boys grow careless and after a while lose touch with the

ail orderly, and some who never get mail envy those who do. Some of our boys never receive home news, and they must be homesick and heart-sick at times the way the

r two of written happiness. But in your letters I have noticed an absence of complaints. Is

playing ball. I did hope we musics would get more military drill than we do, but outside of a little marching and physical drills and a 'hike' across the river into Maryland, we do nothing of real soldiering. One of the

oughly, for I don't doubt you will have to be very thorough if y

st filled with meat and will take some time to digest. I shall have no difficulty in getting the books as I need them, and my high school education was along the lines that w

always,--the interest and liking we have for the task at hand. No man ever became successful wit

nd seeing with her own eyes exactly how and where her boy lived. The manner of her request so enchanted Colonel Waverly when she asked to be taken

Ursula with several pairs of N.C.O. dress chevrons and trumpet cords from the Quartermaster's stores, with which she might decorate a sofa pillow, and not to be outdone in gallantry, Henry Cabell, on seeing these evidences of the officer's regard for

they later accompanied their visitors to the train which carri

leaving home," remarked Henry as the boys retraced their way to the barrack

ook his father had given him; the suspicion of tears bravely suppressed in Ursula's eyes

was fine

cruiser Denver a detail of marines to replace men whose tour of sea-duty had expire

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