Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-04-04

LII r
IAIfA . and the regiment,
MlI/E-ts--ETA vi Il was raw, was
SS@-sss.s-a@S baaly mauled.
- Not until noon
were the Paythans forced under, and
a struggling remnant of "black imps''
He'd like an inky cloud toward the
bills. As the dark stain merged into
distance, the search for the living
among the dead began.
The sun licked with tongue of fire
the bullet ridden field, and from
throats dry MS ovens cries and groaps
went up on the fetid air, which fes-
tered the flesh of gaping wounds,
while the men sweltered helplessly
beneath the flaming sky. The con
tinual movement of the litters among
the stricken ones went on until even
ing, when the deep dug trenches were
thickly packed, and the tent-cloth of
the temporary hospital bulged with
the forms of the wounded.
Moaning and fevered mutterings
mingled with the breaths of the sleep
ers as the captain opened his eyes and
spoke, for tho first time coherently
since he had been borne from the field.
The man bending over him detected
llfe's last flicker in the burning ewes
and stopped lower to catch the feeble
murmur. Between these two men ex-
listed mighty friendship, Even in
the Sandhurst days they had been
nicknamed David and Jonathan, +"
and the joint sobriquet had followed
them to the barrack-room and into
camp. Now one of them was dying,
and didn't know it!
"Im only Clipped, painted the cap
tain. THAT confounded knife sliced
me from the shoulder strap to the
breastbone. P'raps they'll give me
sick leave; and while you're skirmish-
ing about the country, Dick, I shall
be petted at homeland Marion
Marion" His speech became inaudi-
BILE and he fumbled about his breast
among the bandages. At last, from
the ripped lining of the coat, he
brought to view faded photograph.
you've never seen her, Dick" he
whispered. "I've even been jealous
of her picture. But-you may look
at her now, old man."
Thrust under the others gaze was
the likeness of woman with deep
eyes and tender, smiling mouth.
''That's my girl, said the sick man
proudly. "You nsed to wonder why /
raved SO over one woman. Can YOU
now? Nine years she's waited, Dick,
for man with only captains pay
and vague expectations.
'As faithful as she is beautiful, "
sighed Dick, looking at his comrade,
and wondering how long this squirt of
vitality would last. Then an involun
tary pity for the patient girl in Eng.
land rushed into his eyes as the first
gray tint shadowed the tortured face
before him. "Philip, dear old chum, .
he said chokingly, "what message
shall take her?"
The captain stared up stupidity.
"Don't look at me-like that, Dick
Don't let me diel"
The soldier who had feared nothing
when under fire now prayed feebly for
his life, and in the brief subsequent
delirium shrieked piteously about the
horrors of death. When Dicks hands,
as tender as woman's, touched him,
the dying man kissed them and called
his friend "Marion." At nightfall
reason cleaned again for an instant
it was the final spark.
"Nine years she's waited, Dick, and
this is the end. Don't let her be lone
ly, Dick. I could trust her with you
you'll take my place, if you can
promise, if you can"
Dick groaned eyes" There was nc
woman's memory to prevent the
pledge, and in that moment of parting
he would have granted anything.
Marion Temple looked wonderingiy
at the visitors card, until flash OF
remembrance rendered the name in
telligible to her. There was the slight
est possible futter about her fingers
as she turned the handle of the draw
ing room door, but the man who rose
to meet her was far less composed.
"You will pardon my intrusion" he
faltered. I'll was Philips friend. "
81 remember" she said, with a
perceptible pressure of the hand.
"His letters always mentioned you as
Dick.
Captain Esmond, of the Forty-third
Light Infantry. shifted his glance to
tho window and back again to the
small, spare figure in front him.
So this was Marion
His second contemplation was long
one, and detailed her from head to
foot, and he questioned silently if this
woman and the photograph treasured
so reverently against his breast were
one and the same. The hair he had
mentally painted golden was in reality
colorless, and the pictured eyes that
had suggested fathomless blue were