The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-10-04
I want Jack. and I mean

home in ease. Iwant Jack. and mean
to have him"
1.-THE boy always got what hewsnted,
confound hira," her father grumbled
good tempereily, and when he said that
Violet 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
fome miraculous way without seeing
much dangerous service.
So when Violet said: Mother, dear,
don't want swell wedding. / don't
even want wedding dress-Jack likes
me i'll sailor serge better than anything,
but do want 70 so 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 acquaintance
declared that the mother was as great a
fool as the daughter.
Violet's lettsr was keeping his heart
warm this day at Tamai. He was feel
ing unaccountably happy and light heart
ed, rs after sharp tussle with half a
dozen Arabs. three of whom he killed
with his revolver, he was allowed breath
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 sharp agonizing pain in his back
and knew that he was struck by poi
soned spear. An Arab, who had been
concealed in 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 We're carrying him away faint
flicker of the old fun came into his fad
ing blue eyes as he said:
II 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 in this world.
II
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.
1T will break my heart to go to Vio-
let with such tale," her brother
moaned. I'D rather take II revolver
and blow my own brains out than have
the task"
".ryu shall not have it," his colonel
| promised. "I'll go to her myself with as
bitter tidings as I've had to convey"
Colonel Branksholme's mouth twitch-
ed, and his steady, fearless gray eyes
| 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-
tionr' Kind, merciful Time! Two years
after Jack fell at Suakin, Colonel Branks.
holme, who had been away on leave for
a month, telegraphed to the second in
command of the regiment, my wife and
will be back tonight.
wen give them a 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 on the occasion of her joining il
the better. Jacks memory was too greer
with them still for them to give her any
thing but silent and rather sad wei
come.-Montreal Star.