Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-11-13


regiment, the man who had been nobody's
friend, nobody's chum, was lying in the
midst Of them with his back broken, waiting
for hurdle
They were all as sorry as men could be
who had never been moved by feelings Of
friendship. The proceedings were stopped
at once, and they went gravely back to bar
racks, those who had ridden to get into
morning clothes, and all of them to hang
about waiting for news.
But there was no hope, absolutely no hope
whatever. With all his faults, failings and
peculiarities, Gavor Gilchrist was pass ing
away from their midst by exchange, as Har-
tog had once wished-the exchange, not of
one regiment for another, but of this world
for the next
1t was about 8 o'clock that the senior OF
the two surgeons in attendance on Gilchrist
entered the anteroom, and, looking around,
beckoned for BOTTLES.
''What news?' asked several voices.
''He won't last the night. Bottles, he
wants you"
"rll come" said Bottles, rising.
''Sure to want Boobies" observed Preston.
ooh, yes; I should myself" returned
another.
"Won't last the night" remarked third.
ssWell, I never did like Gilchrist-never;
but, all the same, Pm deuced sorry for him
now, poor chap. For oh, by Jove! it's a
fearful thing when you come to that"
And then they fell into silence again, wait
ing for Bottles to come back. Half an
hour passed-three- quarters; then Boobies
did not comes An hour; then Bottles ap-
peared-came with white face and a
scared look in his blue eyes, followed by the
doctor who had fetched him. Every man
in the room was reused from a lounging
attitude to one of expectation and surprise.
''Bootles,n said Lacy, moving towards
him.
But BOTTLES did not even look at him. He
turned to the doctor and uttered words the
like of which none of his hearers had ever
heard from him before.
81 kept my temper, doctor-you think
did? I know the mans dying. Yes, know,
and I shouldn't like to think I lost my tenn
per with poor chap who was dying, but
but No; won't say word. I'll go
away and keep to myself until I've got over
it little. If stop here shall say some
thing shall be sorry for all the rest of my
ife."
''What is it, Bootless' broke in Lacy, in
his soft voice,
But Boobies did not reply for a moment.
He stood still, trying hard to control him
self; but Lacy, who had laid his hand upon
his sleeve, felt that he was shaking from
head to foot, and his very lips were tren-
bling.
Tell u.s." said Lacy persuasivsly. "What
is it?"
He is Mignon's fatherp BOTTLES an
swered. And then he broke from Lacy's
grasp and fed
''Impossible!" Lacy cried.
"Not at all; it is true the doctor answered.
'sHe is making his will now, leaving Bottles
sold guardian and trustee to the child''
1.-The brute!" burst out Preston, indig-
nantly, remembering Gilchrist's words not
SO long ago
'Hush, hush! The man is dying, and
death alters everything" the doctor cried.
''And Boobies Kept his temper? Said moth
ing?"
mot one word-of reproacb"
"Has he seen her?'
mo. He would not, though Bottles
asked him.
His own child-and she Miss Mignon!n
''All the better. she cannot endure
him.
by Jove But what blow for Bootles!n
Chow will he <lke its Will it make any
difference?n
Gas wregards Miss Mignons What wrot
you talk. As if Bootles-'' But there
Lacy broke off in disgust, and the babel of
surmises, questions and answers went on.
And that night Gavor Gilchrist died