Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 37, Number 183, 6 June 1912 — Page 2

Only a SuibalterinL'

By Rudyard Kiplini

TIET made Bobby' Wick pass an examination at Sandhurst. He was a gentleman before he wm gazetted, bo, when the Empress announced that "GentlemanCadet Robert Hanna Wick" was posted as Second Lieutenant to the Tyneslde Tail Twisters at Krab Bokhar, he became an officer and a gentleman, which is an enviable thins; and there was joy in the house of Wick, where Mamma Wick and all the little Wicks fell upon thir knees and offered Incense to Bobby by virtue of his achievements. Papa Wick-had been a Commissioner In his day, holding authority of three millions of men in the Chota-Buldana Division, building works for the good of the land, and doing his best to make two blades of grass grow where there was but one before. Of course, nobody knew anything about this in the little' English village where he was Just "old Mr. Wick" and had forgotten that he was a Companion of the Order of the Star of India. He patted Bobby on the shoulder and said: "Well done, my boy!" "India." said Papa Wick, "is the place. I've had thirty. years of It. and, begad, I'd like to go back again. When you join the Tail Twisters you'll be among friends, if every one hasn't forgotten Wick of Chota-Buldana. and a lot of people will be kind to you for our sakes. The mother will tell you more about outfit than I can;' but remember this: Stick to your regiment. Bobby stick to your regiment; You'H see men all round you going Into the Staff Corps, and doing every possible sort of duty but regimental, and you may be tempted to follow suit. Now, so long as you keep within your allowance, and I haven't stinted you there. Stick to the Line the whole Line and nothing but the Line. Be careful how. you back another young fool's bill, and if you fall in love with a woman twenty years older than yourself, don't tell me about it; that's all." With these counsels, and many others equally valuable, did Papa Wick fortify Bobby ere that last awful night at Portsmouth when the officers' quarters held more inmates than were provided for by the regulations, and the liberty men of the hips fell foul of the drafts for India, and the battle raged long and loud from the dockyard gates even to the slums of Longport, while the drabs of Fratton came down and scratched the faces of the Queen's officers. Bobby Wick, with an ugly bruise on his freckled nose, a sick and shaky detachment to manoeuvre in-ship and the comfort of fifty scornful females to attend to, had no time to feel home-sick till the Malabar reached mid-Channel, when he combined his emotions with a little guard visiting and a great deal of nausea. The Tail Twisters were a most particular regiment Those who knew them least said that they were eaten up with "side." But their reserve and their Internal arrangements generally were merely protective diplomacy. Some five years before the colonel commanding had looked into the fourteen fearless eyes of seven plump and juicy subalterns who had all applied to enter the Staff Corps, and had asked them why the three stars should he, a colonel of the Line, command a dashed nursery for double-dashed bottle-suckers who put on condemned tin spurs and rode qualified mokes at the hlatused heads of forsaken black regiments. He was a rude man and a terrible. Wherefore the remnant took measures (with the half-butt as an engine of public opinion) till the rumor went abroad that young men who used the Tail Twisters as a crutch to the Staff Corps had many and varied trials 'to endure. However, a regiment had Just as much right to its own secrets as a woman. When Bobby tame up from Deolali and took his place among the Ta'l Twisters it was gently but illrmly borne in' upon him that the regiment was bis father and his mother and his indissolubly wedded wife, and that there was no crime under the canopy of heaven blacker than that of bringing shame on the regiment, which was the best'shooting, best-drilled, best set-up, bravest, most Illustrious, and in all respects-most desirable regiment within the compass of the Seven Seas. He waa taught the legends of the Mess Plate, from the great grinning Golden Gods that had come out of the Summer Palace in Pekln to the silver mounted markhor-horn snuff-mull presented by the late C. O. (he who spake to the seveir subalterns). And every one of these legends told hii: of battles fought .at long odds, without fear as without support: of hospitality catholic as an Arab's; of friendships deep as the sea and steady as the fighting line; of honor won by hard roads for honor's sake; and of instant and unquestioning devotion to the regiment the regiment that claims the lives of all and lives foreVer. But best of all was the occasion when he moved with the Tall Twisters in review order at the breaking of November day. Allowing for dutymen and sick, the Regiment was one thousand and eighty strong, and Bobby belonged to them; for was he not a Subaltern of the Line the whole Line and nothing but the Line as the tramp of two thousand one hundred and sixty sturdy ammunition boots attested? He would not have changed places ' with Delghton of the Horse Battery, whirling by in a pillar of cloud to a chorus of "Strong right! Strong left!" or Hogan-Yale of the White Hussars, leading his squadron for all It was worth, with the price of horseshoes thrown In; or "Tick" Bolleau, trying to live up to his fierce blue and gold turban, while the wasps of the Bengal Cavalry stretched to a gallop In the wake of the long, lollopping Walera of the White Hussars. They fought through the clear cool day, and Bobby felt a little thrill run down his spine when ha beard the tinkle-tinkle-tinkle of the empty

OVER THE TELEPHONE

JAMES RUPERT LEIGHTON yawned and lit a cigarette, only to throw It away after the third whiff. He had just had his morning bath. He felt strong and refreshed and the reflex in the mirror showed him an unusually handsome young man. with dark curly hair, blue eyes and clean cut features. The thin white silk pajamas could not conceal his athletlo figure. A waiter appeared, placed a breakfast tray on the table and retired in silence. The young millionaire threw himself into a big, comfortable chair, rested his elbows on his knees, his chin on his hands, and began to think of the violent scene he had had with nts wife the night . before. v Had he gone too far? He did not think so," although he knew he had been drinking. Surely her behavior had been beyond endurance. He was no model husband; he knew he had been flirting with many women In society or outside, but his was no reason why he should permit her to make him appear ridiculous by her sudden whims, her eccentricities and her too, open flirtations with men like handsome Billy Rutherford or a professional lover like Cecil Harvey. Of course, he knew that ha had neglected nr, that he had placed temptation In her way more than once. Just because he knew that Ellen could be trusted In everything. Even now something told him that It waa more than likely that her flirtations were nothing but an attempt to arouse bis Jealousy, a ruse to win him back. He could still see her pale, unhappy little fac as she was kneeling before him the night before, sobbing: "Oh. you know very well. James, that I love only you and never will love anybody else;

"Beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but would you mind shakin' hands with me?' ' cartridge-cases hopping from the breech-blocks after the roar of the volleys; for he knew that he should live to hear that sound in action. The review ended in a glorious chase across the plain batteries thundering after cavalry to the huge disgust of the White Hussars, and the Tyneslde Tall Twisters hunting a Sikh Regiment, till the learn, lathy Singhs panted with exhaustion. Bobby was dusty and dripping long before noon, but his enthusiasm was merely focussed not diminished. He returned to sit at the feet of Revere, his "skipper," that is to say, the Captain of his Company, and to be Instructed in the dark art and mystery of managing men, which is a very large part of the Profession of Arms. "If you haven't a taste that way," said Revere between his puffs of his cheroot, "you'll never be able to get the hang of it, but remember, Bobby, "t isn't the best drill, though drill Is nearly everything, that hauls a Regiment through everything and out the other side. It's the man who knows how to handle men goat-men, swinemen, dog-men, and so on." "Dormer, for Instance," said Bobby, "I think he comes under the head of fool-men. He mopes like a sick owl." That's were you make your mistake, my son. Dormer isn't a fool yet, but he's a dashed dirty soldier, and his room corporal makes' fun of his socks befpre kit-Inspection. Dormer, being two-thirds pure brute, goes Into a corner and growls." "How do you know?" said Bobby admiringly. "Because a Company commander has to know these things because, if he does not know, he may have crime aye, murder brewing under his very nose and yet not see that It's there. Dormer Is being badgered out of his mind big as he is and he hasn't intellect enough to resent it. He's taken to quiet boozing. Bobby, when the butt of a room goes on the drinks, or takes to moping by himself, measures are necessary to yank him out of himself." "What measures? 'Man can't run around coddling, his men forever." "No. The men would precious soon show him that he was not wanted. You've got to" Here the color-sergeant entered with some papers; Bobby reflected for a while as Revere looked through the Company forms. "Does Dormer do anything, Sergeant?" Bobby asked with the air of one continuing an interrupted conversation. "No, sir. Does 'is dooty like a hortomato," said the Sergeant, who delighted in long words. "A dirty soldier, and "e's under full stoppages for new kit. It's covered with scales, sir." "Scales? What scales?" "Fish-scales, sir. "E's always pokin' in the mud by the river an' a-cleanin' them muchly-fish with 'is thumbs." Revere was still absorbed in the Company papers, and the Sergeant, who was grimly fond of Bobby, continued, " 'E generally goes down there when 'e's got "Is skinful, beggin' your pardon, sir, an' they do say that the more lush In-he-briated 'e is. the more fish 'e catches. They call 'im the Looney Fishmonger in the Comp'y. sir." Revere signed the last paper and the Sergeant retreated. "It's a filthy amusement," sighed Bobby to himself. Then aloud to Revere, "Are you really worried about Dormer?" "A little. You see he's never mad enough to send to hospital, or drunk enough to run in, but at any minute he may flare up, brooding and sulking as he does. He resents any interest being shown in him, and the only time I took him out shooting he all but shot me by accident." "I fish," said Bobby with a wry face. "I hire a country-boat and go down the river from Thursday, to Sunday, and the amiable Dormer goes with me If you can spare us both." "You blazing young fool!" said Revere, but his heart was full of much more pleasant words. Bobby, the Captain of a dhonl, with Private Dormer 'for mate, dropped down the river on Thursday morning the Private at the bow, the that you are my happiness, my life; that I despise tnose men who think themselves irresistible charmers of women; that I want nothing better than always to be your own little girl, your wife, if you will only stop driving me mad, leaving me alone or taking me into the mad whirl of society, which I loathe." ' But he refused to listen; he had called her hard names, and he had said that he was determined to get a divorce, leaving her sobbing her heart out, and he went to spend the night at a hotel. Suddenly the telephone bell rang. Wlth smiling lips, James unhooked the "receiver. He knew there was only one person who knew his present whereabouts. "Hello. Is It you?" whispered Ellen's voice so faintly that he could barely hear it. "With whom have I the pleasure to talk?" he asked, coldly. "Oh, James, you ' don't mean to say that you don't know, my voice!" "I beg your pardon, the instrument is not very good." "Did you sleep well?" "Yes, thank you." "It is more than I can say. Z have not been In bed at all." "You have not?" He tried to make his voice Indifferent, to treat her like a stranger who bored him. He could see before him her pale little face and the big brown eyes all red with crying, her hair still dressed for the night and her lace-ruffled dressing gown. She was having her punishment now. and be enjoyed the thought of It, picturing to himself the sweetness of their reconciliation. "And you are not ashamed of yourself, you big

Subaltern at the helm. The Private glared uneasily at the Subaltern, who respected the reserve of the Private. After six hours Dormer paced to the stern, saluted and said: "Beg y pardon, sir, but was you ever on the Durh'm Canal?" "No." said Bobby Wick. "Come and have some tiffin." They ate In silence, As the evening fell. Private Dormer broke forth, speaking to himself: "HI was on the Durh'm Canal, jes' such a night, come next week twelve month, a-trailln' of my toes in the water." He smoked and said no more till bedtime. The witchery of the dawn turned the gray river-reaches to purple, gold and opal; and it was as though the lumbering dhonl crept across the splendor of a new heaven. Private Dormer popped his head out of his blanket and gazed at the glory below and around. "Well blast my eyes!" said Private Dormer in an awed whisper. "This 'ere is like a bloomin' gallantry show!" For the rest of the day he was dumb, but achieved an ensanguined fllthiness through the cleaning of big sh. The boat returned on Saturday evening. Dormer had been struggling with speech since noon As the lines and luggage were being disembarked, he found tongue. 'Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but would you would you min" shakin' 'ands with me sir?" "Of course not," said Bobby, and he shook accordingly. Downer returned to barracks, and Bobby to mess. 'He wanted a little quiet and some fishing, 1 think." said Bobby. "My aunt, but he's a filthy sort of animal! Have you ever seen him clean 'them muchly-fish with "is thumbs'?" "Anyhow," said Revere three weeks later, "he's doing his best to keep his things clean." When the spring died, Bobby Joined in the general scramble for Hill leave, and to his surprise and delight secured three months. "As good a boy as I want." safd Revere, the admiring skipper. "The best of the batch," said the Adjutant to the Colonel. "Keep back that young skrlmshanker Porkiss, sir, and let Revere make him sit up." So Bobby departed Joyously to Simula Pahar with a tin box of gorgeous raiment. "'Son of Wick old Wick of Chota-Buldana? Ask him to dinner, dear," said the aged man. "What a nice boy!" said the matrons and the maids. "First class place, Simla. Oh, rl ipplng!" said Bobby Wick, and ordered new cord breeches on the strength of It. "We're In a bad way," wrote Revere to Bobby at the end of two months. "Since you left, the Regiment has taken to fever and Is fairly rotten with it two hundred In hospital, about a hundred In cells drinking to keep off fever and the Companies on parade fifteen file strong at the outside. There's rather more sickness in the outvillages than I care for, but then I'm so blistered with prickly-heat that I'm ready to hang myself. What's the yarn about your mashing a Miss Haverley up there? Not serious I hope? You're over-young to hang millstones round your neck, and the Colonel will turf you out of that In double-quick time if you attempt it" It was not the Colonel that brought Bobby out of Simla, but a much more to be respected Commandant. The sickness in the out-villages spread, the Bazar was put out of bounds, and then came the news that the Tail Twisters must go into camp. The message flashed to the Hill stations: "Cholera Leave stopped Officers " recalled," Alas, for the white glove in the neatly soldered boxes, the rides and the dances and picnics, that were to be, the love half spoken, and the debt unpaid! Without demur and without question, fast as tonga could fly or pony gallop, back to their Regiments and their Batteries, as though they were hastening to their weddings, fled the subalterns. Bobby received his mandate on returning from a dance at Viceregal Lodge where - he had . . . but only the Haverley girl knows what Bobby had said or how many waltzes he had claimed for the next ball. Six in the morning saw Bobby at the Tonga Office in the drenching rain, the whirl of the last waltz still in his ears, and an intoxication due neither to wine nor waltzing in his brain. "Good man!" shouted Deighton of the Horse Battery through the mists. "Whir you raise dat tonga? I'm coming with you. . Ow! But I've a head and a half. I didn't sit out all night. They say the Battery's awful bad." "My faith! It'll be more bally corpse than bride, though, this journey. Jump In. Bobby. Chalo Coachwan!" On the Umballa platform waited a detachment of officers discussing the latest news from the stricken cantonment, and It was here that Bobby learned the real condition of the Tail Twisters. "They went into camp," said an elderly Major recalled from the whist-tables at Mussoorle to a sickly Native Regiment, "they went into camp with two hundred and ten sick In carts. Two hundred and ten fever cases only, and the balance looking like so many ghosts, with sore eyes. A Madras Regiment could have walknd through "em." Bobby pressed his forehead against the ralnsplashed window pane as the train lumT;red across the sodden Doab, and prayed for the health of the Tyneslde Tall Twisters. Bobby fought his way through the rain to the Tail Twisters' temporary mess, and Revere could have fallen on the boy's neck for the joy of seeing that ugly, wholesome phiz once more.

By Rene Maizeroy man, to have made me suffer so cruelly?" "Whose 'a the fault?" "I have done nothing bad enough to make you leave the house." "Oh, you will find plenty of friends who will cheer you up." "James, I forbid you to talk like that." "You have only to choose between Harvey and Rutherford." "You will be sorry, James, for treating roe the way you da" "Do you think so?" "James, I can't bear this any longer. My head is splitting and my heart feels like breaking. You must not treat me like this when you know I have done nothing. You drive me mad. I will do anything you ask, James. Let us leave New York together and go far away by ourselves. I love you so much, James, dear; do tell me this is nothing but a horrible dream and that you are coming back to me." There was a moment's silence and he could hear her sobbing. "James." she began again, "I am going mad. Why don't you answer?" He smiled and said sternly: "It will be as I told you last night. Nothing can make me change my mind. It Is my last word. Ellen." He hung up the receiver and began to dresa The telephone rang again. "Hello! hello! Please stay at the telephone! Listen perhaps this will make you com home." There was a loud report, then her voles cams faintly: "I am dying. James! Won't yon corns home and close my eyes?

"Keep 'era amused and Interested." said Revere, "They went on the drink, poor fools, after ths first two cases, and there was no Improvement. Oh. it's good to have you back. Bobby! Porkiss is a never mind." Delghton came over from the Artillery camp to attend a dreary mesa dinner, and contribute to the general gloom by nearly weeping over the condition of his beloved Battery. Porkiss so far forgot himself as to Insinuate that the presence of the officers could do no earthly good, and that the best thing would be to send the entire Regiment Into hospital and "let the doctors look after them." Porkiss was demoralized with fear, nor was his piece of mind restored when Revere said coldly: "Oh! The sooner you go out the better. If that's your way of thinking. Any public school could send us fifty good men 1b your place, but It takes time, time, Porkiss, and money, and a certain amount of trouble, to make a Regiment. 'S'pose you're the person we go Into camp for, en?" Whereupon I-orklss was overtaken with a great and chilly fear which a drenching In the rain did not allay, and two days later quitted this world for another where, men do fondly hope, allowances are made for the weaknesses of the flesh. The Regimental Sergeant-Major looked wearily across the Sergeant's M;i tent when the news was announced. "There goes the worst of them." he said. "It'll take the best, and then, please God. It'll stop." The Sergeants were silent till one said: "It couldn't be him!" and all knew of whom Travis was thinking. Bobby Wick stormed through the tents of his Company, rallying, rebuking, mildly, as Is consistent with the Regulations, chaffing the fainthearted; haling the sound Into the watery sunlight when there was a break in the weather, and bidding them be of good cheer, for their trouble was nearly at an end; scuttling on his dun pony round the outskirts of the camp and heading back men who, with the Innate perversity of British soldiers, were always wandering into Infected villages, or drinking deeply from rainflooded marshes; comforting the panic stricken with rude speech, and more than once tending the dying who had no friends the men without "townies"; organizing, with banjos and burnt cork. Sing-songs which should allow the talent of the- Regiment full play; and generally, as he explained, "playing the giddy garden goat all round." "You're worth half a dozen of us, Bobby." .aid his keeper in a moment of enthusiasm. 'How the devil do you keep it up?" Bobby made no answer, but had Revere looked Into the breast-pocket of his coat he might have seen there a sheaf of badly written letters which perhaps accounted for the power that possessed the boy. A letter came to Bobby every other day. The spelling was not above reproach, but the sentiments must have been most satisfactory, for on receipt Bobby's eyes softened marvellously.

mm n smwmgm

"A doctor stood in the doorway, using language unfit for publication.'

and he was wont to fall into a tender abstraction for a while ere, shaking his cropped head, he charged into his work anew. By what power he drew after him the hearts of the roughest, and the Tail Twisters counted in their ranks some rough diamonds Indeed, he a mystery to both skipper and C. O.. who learned from the regimental chaplain that Bobby was considerably more In request In the hospital tents than the Reverend John Emery. "The men seem fond of you. Are you In the hospitals much?" said the Colonel, who did his dally round and ordered the men to get well with a grlmness that did not cover his bitter grief. "A little sir," said Bobby. "Should go there too often If I were you. They say It's not contagious, but there's no use In running unnecessary risks. Wo can't afford to have you down.y' know." Six days later it was with the utmost difficulty that the post runner splashed his way out to camp, with tho mail-bags, for the rain was falling In torrents. Bobby received a letter, bore if off to his tent and. the program for the next week's Sing-song being satisfactorily disposed of, sat down to answer it. For an hour the unhandy pen toiled over the paper, and where sentiment rose to that more than normal tide-level, Bobby Wicg stuck out his tongue and breathed heavily. He was not used to letter-writing. "Beg y' pardon, sir," said a voice at the tent door; "but Dormer's 'orrld bad. sir, an" they've taken him orf, sir." "Curse Private Dormer and you too!" said Bobby Wick, running the blotter over the halffinished letter. "Tell him I'll come In the morning." "E's awful bad. sir," said the voice hesitatingly. Thera was an undecided squelching of heavy boots. "Well?" said Bobby Impatiently. "Kxcusin 'Imself before'and for taktn' tho ' liberty, 'e says it would be a comfort for to assist' im. sir. If" "Tattoo lao! Here, come In out of the rain till I'm ready. What blasted nuisances you are! That's brandy. Drink soma You want it. Hang on to my stirrup and tell me If I go too fast." Private Dormer was certainly " 'orrld bad." He bad all but reached the stags of collapse and was not pleasant to look upon. "What's this. Dormer?" said Bobby, bending over the man. "You're not going out this time. " You've got to come fishing with me once or twice more yet." The blue lips parted and In tho ghost of a whisper said,' "Beg y pardon, sir-, disturbln of you now, but would you rain' 'oldin' my 'and, sir? Bobby sat on the side of tho bed, and tho Icy cold hand closed on his like a vise, forcing a lady's ring which was on the little finger deep Into the flesh. Bobby set his lips and waited, tho water dripping from the hem of his trousers. An hour passed and the grasp of the hand did not relax, nor did the expression of tho drawn face change. Bobby with Infinite craft lit himself a cheroot with the left hand, his right arm was numbed to the elbow, and resigned himself to a night of pain. Dawn showed a very white-faced Subaltern sitting on the side of a sick man's cot. and a doctor

la ths doorway using language unfit for publication. "Have you been hero all flight, you young ass? said the doctor. . -. , "There or thereabouts." said Bobby roefuniv1 "He's frozen onto me." Dormer's mouth shut with a click. Bo turned his hesd and sighed. The clinging- hand opened and Bobby's arm fell useless at his side. ...... "He'll do." said the doctor quietly. "It roust have been a toss-up all through the night. Think, you're to be congratulated on this case." - "Oh. bosh!" said Rob by. "I thought tha man" had gone out long ago only only I didn't car to take my hand away. Rub ray arm dowmj there's a good chap. What a grip the brute hasf I'm chilled to the marrow!" Ho passed out of the ; tent shivering. - Private Dormer was allowed to celebrato his rs--pulse of Death by strong watera Four days later, he sat on the side of his cot and said to the patients mildly: "I'd 'a liken to a spoken to lm so I should." But at that time Bobby was reading yet another ' letter he had the most persistent correspondent of any man In camp and was even then about t write that the sickness had abated, and la another week at the outside would bo gone. Ho did not Intend to-say that the chill of a sick man's hand seemed to have struck Into hi heart, whoso capacities for affection he dwelt on at ouch length.' He did Intend to Inclose the Illustrated program of the forthcoming Sing-song whereof ho was not a little proud. He also Intended to write on many other matters which do not concern us. and doubt less would have dono so bat before the slight feverish headache which made Kin), dull and ua responsive at mesa .. .. , "You are overdoing it, Bobby, said his sstpper; "'might give the rest of us credit of doing a little work. You go on as If you were the wholo mess rolled Into one. Take It easy." -r "I will." said Bobby. "I'm feeling dono u somehow." Revere looked at him anxiously and said nothing. .... There was a flickering of lanterns about the camp that night, and a rumor that brought men out of their cots to the tent doors, a paddling of the naked feet of doolie-bearers and tho rush of a galloping horse. "Wot's up?" asked twenty tents: and througa twenty tents rsn tho 'answer "Wick, s's down." They brought the news to Revere and ha groaned. "Any one but Bobby and I shouldn't have cared! Tho Sergeant-Major was right." "Not going out .this Journey." gasped Bobby. ss ho was lifted from tho doolie. "Not going out this Journey. Then with an air of supremo conviction: "I can't, you see." "Not If I can do anything!" said tho Surgeon. Major, who had hastened over from tho moss where he had been dining.- - -.: He and the Regimental Surgeon fought together with Death for the life of Bobby Wick. . Thei ministrations were Interrupted by a hairy apparition In a blue-gray dressing-gown who stared

In round-eyed horror at tho bed and cried : "Ow, 'eaven! - It can't be 'rm!" until aa indignant hospital orderly whisked him away. ; , If care of man and dealre.to Jive could have done aught. Bobby would have been saved. 1 As It waa he made a fight of three days, and tho Surgeon-Major's brow uncreased. "Well savo him yet." ho said; and tho Surgeon. 1 who, though ho ranked with the Captain, had 4 very youthful heart went out upon the word and pranced Joyously In the mud. . - 1 "Not going out this Journey," whispered Bobby Wick gallantly, at the end of the third day. "Bravo'" said the Surgeon-Major." ' "That's the way to look at It, Bobby. v t As evening fell a gray shade gathered round Bobby's mouth, and he turned his face to tho teal wall wearily. Tho Surgeon-Major frowned. "I'm awfully tired." said Bobby, Very faintly. "What's the use of bothering nte.-with tae - -I don't want It Let sJan"" '"" The desire for life had departed. a was content to drift sway ea tie. easy Death. Av . "It's no good." said the Surgeon-"IaJor. doesn't want to live. . He's meeting It. poor child. And he blew his nose. - ..t iT ' Half a mile away tho regimental band was playing the overture to the Eing-soag. for tho men had been told that Bobby waa out of danger. The clash of the brass and the waif-of (he horns reached Bobbys ears. . . . ,, An expression of hopeless Irritation crossed tie boy's face, and ho tried to shake his head.' The Surgeon-Major bent. down: "What Is It, Bobby? "Not that -waltz." muttered Boy. "That's our own our very ownest own . . . Mummy, dear," With this oracular sentence he sank Into the stupor that gave place to death next morning, lng. ' - . . . .-- Revere, his eyes red. at the rims su4 nla nose very white, went Into Bobby "tent -to write a letter to Papa Wick which should bow tho whlto head of the ex-Commissioner of Chota-B uldaaa In the keenest sorrow of his life. - BobVy little store of papers lay In confusion on the table, and among them a half-flntshod letter. Thf laat tence ran: "So you see darling Khars' la'raajlr no fear, because as long; as Z knowj-yo care fob me and I care for you, nothing can'todeh tarn." Rever stayed in tho tent-for aa hour. Whes) he came out hi- eyea were redder than aver. jo J Private Conklln sat oa a trnad-dewn TsaektfV' and listened to a not unfamiliar, tuna. Private -n Conklln was a convalescent and should have aaaa tenderly treated. i'. "Ho!" said Private Conklln. "There's another The bucket shot from under him, ae)T f' filed with a smithyfnl of sparka - A. ta . V'a blue-gray bed-gown was regarding hi. (V deep disfavor. - - - --t ' . w1f.' "You ought to take shame fen yourself. CoakrfM Orfcer? Bloomln' orf cer? 111 learn you to snlsA name the likes of 'lm. Bang-el! Bloomla' Hang ell That's wot Is! " V? And ths hospital orderly was so satisfied. w4t'.. the Justice of the punishment that ho did net even T order Private Dormer hack to his cot.

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