The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-07
THE ROANOKE TIMES, SATURDAY.. ooToBER.7. 1898.


to have himw
"The boy always got what he wanted
confound him." her father grumbled
good temperedly, and when he said that
Vlolet knew that her case was won.
Her mother, after the manner of
mothers, sympathized with the young
peoples romance and hopefully assured
her that Jack would win promotion in
some miraculous way without seeing
much dangerous service.
So when Violet said: "Mother, dear,
don't want a swell wedding I don't
even want Il wedding dress-Jack likes
me in sailor serge better than anything,
but do want to go out and be as near
him as can. Take me to Cairo and let
the chaplain marry us as soon as the
fighting is over" Mrs. Kellar agreed
to do so, and all their acquaintances
declared that the mother was as great n
fool as the daughter.
Violet's letter was keeping his heart
warm this day at Tamai. He was feel
ing unaccountably happy and light heart
ed, as after Il sharp tussle with half u
dozen Arabs, three of whom he killed
w
ing time for few minutes, during which
he cut the word "Suakin'' on the little
black pipe that had been his inseparable
companion during the whole of the cam
paign.
Suddenly just as ne had lighted and
returned smoking it, he heard frantic
shout, and glancing up he saw young
Kellar dash forward and fire at some one
behind him (Jack). simultaneously he
felt Il sharp agonizing pain in his back
and knew that he was struck by a poi
soned spear. An Arab, who had been
concealed in a bush, had crept out and
stabbed him before young Kellar could
intervene.
He had staggered and then fallen on
his face, and they thought that he was
dead for minute. But when they lifted
him and were carrying him away faint
flicker of the old fun came into his fad
ing blue eyes as he said:
81 wanted Violet and the ". c. so
much. S'pose twas Satan"-
Before he could finish the sentence the
fading light went OUT; and the blue eyes
closed forever i'll this world.
Who shall tell her? The whole regi-
ment knew the story of Jacks love, and
not man in it but felt heartsore for the
girl who had loved and been SO proud
of her young hero.
ut will break my heart to go to Vio-
let with such tale" her brother
moaned. I'D rather take a revolver
and blow my own brains out than have
the task"
You shall not have it." his colonel
promised. "Ill 80 to her myself with ms
bitter tidings rs I've had to convey
Colonel Branksholme's mouth twitch-
ed, and his steady, fearless gray ewes
filled with tears as he spoke. But this
was more for the fine young soldierly
life which had been cut short in its glory
than for the desolate girl who was left
to mourn it. However. he fulfilled his
task SO sympathetically that Violet soon
found her greatest comfort in talking of
her lost lover to his gallant chief.
Time treads on the grave of affec-
tion!' Kind, merciful Time. Two wears
after Jack fell at Suakin Colonel Branks-
holme. who had been away on leave for
month, telegraphed to the second in
command of the regiment, "My wife and
will be back tonight
we'll give them grand reception.
Have the band to meet them, take the
horses out and drag the carriage along
the parade" some of the more enthu-
siastic of the juniors declared. But
when young Kellar said: Better not.
The bride is my sister," the regiment
felt that the less demonstration they
made OH the occasion of her joining it
the better. Jacks memory was too green
with them still for them to give her any
thing but Il silent and rather sad vel
come.-Montreal Star.