The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-02-01

or TOUR years. and as lie can't marry
on his pay you will be left behind to
mediate on your folly in having en-
gagged YOURSELF"
Il shall marry him as soon as this
affair is over in Egypt. papa. and if no
can't give me bread and water enough
to support me I'll beg it from some
one VINO can. don't want good es-
Establishment or husband who'll stay
at home in ease. l want Jack, and |
mean to have have him!"
"The boy always got what he want
ed, confound him." her father grum-
bled, good temporarily, 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 as
sured her that Jack would win promo
ton in some miraculous way without
seeing much dangerous service. p:
So when Violet said. "Mother, dear,
I don't even want u wedding dress
Jack likes me in sailor serge beltel
than anything; but l do want TO 60
out and bc as near him as | can. Take
me to Cairo and let the chaplain mar
~ us as soon as the fighting is ever"
her mother agreed to do so, and all
their acquaintance declared that The
mother was as great Il fool rs the
daughter.
Violet's letter was keeping his heart
warm this day at Tamal. He was feel
ing uncon,fortably happy and light
hearted, as after :. sharp tussle with
half dozen Arabs, three of whom he
had killed with his revolver, he was
allowed breathing time for few min
utes, during which he cut the word
.Suakin" on the little black pipe that
had been his inae parable compan ION
during the whole of the campaign.
Suddenly just as be had lighted and
returned smoking il, he heard a frantic
shout, and glancing up be saw young
Kellar dash forward and fire at some
one behind him (Jacls). Simultan-
eously he felt sharp pain in his back
and knew that he had been struck by
poisoned spear. An Arab, who had
been concealed in bush, had crept
OuG duu hSluUUCt o0AOAc
Kellar could intervene. ~
He had staggered and then fallen on
his face and they thought he was dead
for minute. But when they lifted
him and were bearing him away faint
flicker of the old fun came came into
his fading blue eyes as he said:
IL wanted Violet and the V. G. 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. .
Who shall tell her? The whole regi-
ment knew the story of jacks love and
not man in it but felt hcartsore for
the girl who had loved and been so
proud of her young hero.
at will break her heart to 90 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. "I'll go her myself with
as bitter tidings as l ever had to con-
vey." o..,....
Col. Branksholme's mouth twitched
and his steady, fearless, gray eyes fill
ed with tears as ne 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 alphabetically
that Violet soon found her greatest
comfort in talking Of her lost lover to
his gallant chief. .. j..
Time treads on the grave of affec-
tion!" Kind. merciful time. Two
years after Jack fell at Suakin Colonel
Branksholme, who had been away on
leave for month, telegraphed to the
second in command of the regiment:
my wife and will be back to
night" a.-
well give them great 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 it
the better. Jacks memory was too
green with them still for them to give
her anything but a silent but rather
sad welcome.