ss had been memorialized.
Congress had good naturedly listened to the successive readings of a
bill abolishing the system and forbidding the sale of either beer or
wine at any military post in the United States. Then, brimful, bustling
with excitement, and rejoicing, Priscilla read that her letters had been
largely instrumental in winning over certain of the opposition, and that
when the question came to a vote the noble leaders of a noble cause
would be present in force, and when the House sat, there--there would
they sit and watch, and woe betide the advocate of the arch fiend rum
that dare vote against their sacred measure. Before the army could
realize what was coming, the House sat in judgment on the bill, the
Society sat in judgment on the House; its members glanced casually at
the subject and fearfully at the galleries and--succumbed. "The Senate
will kill it, anyhow, so we might as well make ourselves solid,--it's
only the army, anyway," was the expression of one long-headed
legislator. Priscilla screamed--squealed rather--in ecstasy over the
telegram brought her at breakfast, threw the paper to Sandy and herself
into a _pas seul_ that fairly amazed Aunt Marion and scandalized the
cat. But, when a week or so later the Senate, too, quailed before the
basilisk eyes in the galleries, and the bill went to the President and
became at once a law, it is safe to say that, for one memorable day,
Miss Sanford not unwarrantably looked upon herself as of infinitely more
consequence than the commanding officer.

Then, in the midst of the amaze and bewilderment that fell upon the
fort, came sensation. Colonel Stone sent for Sandy Ray, nodded
"withdraw" to his adjutant, who closed the door behind him, and then
looked up with somber eyes at the pale-faced young fellow before him.

"Your occupation's gone, Sandy," said he sorrowfully. "They've pulled
from under us the best prop to order and discipline that ever we had. It
hasn't been a square deal. They won by methods we couldn't hope to meet,
and,"--drawing forth certain newspaper clippings,--"here are specimens.
For your father's sake, I liked you before I grew to like you for your
own; but if your father himself were here, and head of the house instead
of yourself, I'd have to hold him to account as I must hold you.
Read--that."

And Sandy, turning paler still, and quivering with mingled wrath and
shame, stood and read somewhat as follows:

At Fort Minneconjou the si