The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-10-13

iutlI DHChS D6lOIb
@A9 />oRS~ their tent doors--the
W1NSA one, Major Copleigh
~ = of the Black Lancers,
the other, mere
STRIPPING, Edward Tarrion, or Teddy,
as his brother subalterns called him.
The major was about forty, stalwart
and handsome, but his hair was whiten-
ing at the temples, and his eyes were
usually clouded with care. Teddy
Harrison was fresh from school, tall,
slight, almost callow in his blandness,
but full of the vigor and Joy in lifo, and
he had come like breath of clear,
crisp air to the older man, hardened
and disenchanted by sorrows and dis
appointments. A curious friendship
had sprung up between them. Teddy's
love for his chief was at first talked of
among the younger men as n bit of
policy, n clever "bootlick." The ma
ior's brother officers looked and were
interested, for blase and cynical, Cop
leigh wasn't in the habit of forming
even acquaintauces when it wasn't
necessary. Still the fonduess grew
apace, aud the older man had just fin
ished telling the subaltern the story
of his life. 1t was a sad story-of his
lonely youth, without father or mother,
without friends, for natural diffidence
kept him apart from the gay young
fellows of the set in which he belonged.
At last he had met the one being to
whom he had poured out the pent up
love of his life, rich, passionate, all
absorbing devotion. The girl had
lovod him aud for two years they were
the world anl all to each other. Theu
she had died, leaving him little girl.
The major sighel. ''Poor little wo-
man." he said, "I'm all she has in the
world, and should anything ever hap
pen to me-"
"Great heavens, mani What's 60
ing to happen TO you?"
Tarrion sat up quickly.
Copleigh was silent for several
minutes. Then he spoke slowly: 81
don't quite know, Ted, but I've got a
presentiment--it been growing on
me for the past three days. L really
think my times about up for this
world?"
Tarrion's voice was intense with
emotion when he answered:
'Major, you're under the weather.
This uubearable heat aud dampness
isn't fit for man like you. Get leave
of absence and go north for a spell.
Mainwaring can take your place.
But Copleigh shook his head. "It
isn't the weather, old chap" he said.
"Besides there's going to be trouble
here before long and I've got to be
here. Nobody knows these dirty ma
tives as L do. Don't worry about
me-"
But Tarrion did worry. He tossed
most at the night, an indescribable
dread at his heart, horrible visions of
sudden death passing rapidly before
his vision.
And the next day the Black Lancers
made an attack on native band and
among others, Major Copleigh was
mortally wounded. Ten hours later
when Tarrion got back to camp, his
eyes suffused with blood, his face
blackened wich powder, he was met
by the majors orderly and requested
TO come at once to the officers tent.
In less than two minutes Ted Tarriou
was in the stuffy tent aud on his knees
beside the rude bed where George
| Copleigh lay dying. At the sound OF
the young mans footsteps Copleigh
opened his rapidly dimming eyes and
smiled family.
"Oh, my dear, old friend, I'm SC
awfully sorry the young man be
gan.
eyes" said the other softly, and
speaking with great difficulty, "Tm
gone this time. knew twas coming.
He stopped aud for Il few long mo
ments only his weakening breath
coming and going, could be heard in
side the tent
AT last, with greater difficulty, he
went on:
ST want to ask you favor, Ted,
he said, "a great favor. My little
girl, you know. She's all alone in the
world now-and, Ted, want you I,
be her guardian. Will you?" Cop
leigh's dulling eyes were gazing int,
his with wistful intensity not to b.
resisted He would have promised
him anything
"Of course, will, old man, but I'm
bit young-isn't it risky to trust he
to me?" The older man shook hi
head. "You're the straightest
strongest man 1 know" he said, "an,
God bless you for your kindness.
And then, after pause. ''Will yol
send Vincent?" he asked. Vincen
was the chaplain. In half an hour tn
will of George Copleigh was witnesses
aud signed, leaving Edward Tarriol
the guardian and sole trustee of Ethe
Copleigh, having $4,000 a year. Tn
girl was then at Mrs. McLain's seleo
seminary for young ladies, of No. 10
South Kensington Square.
Two years later Edward Tarrion wa
registered at a London hotel. II
was in England again for the frs
tine since he had become the guar
Gs&n of Major Copleigh's daughter