The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10

itl, almost screamed a tall captain. point
ing with his sword 20 the flashing block
house half hidden IN the trees. Hear
those fellows on the other road Don't
let them heat us. Come on, lads, and
out he darted into the open, an instant
target for score OF Mausers. Jut, TOO.
leaped half dozen men, one tall. 1.-THE.
afiame with resolution and rage or battle.
Out leaped Billy Gray from the corner of
called on others 10 follow. Down went
the captain. shot through The knee. Down
went the nearmost man. the eal youth
who was first 20 follow. Down went a
brawny sergeant, who hao stopped %
raise his captain. but on swept score %
others while the bamboo blazed with ths
fierce volley OF the krags. Forward ln
scores now, yelling like Apaches. rushed
the regulars; and somehow. ne never lust
knew how II happened. Gray found him
self a moment later straddling an old
field gun in whirl OF dust and dirt AMI
smoke and cheers, was conscious OF
something wet and warm streaming down
his side, and Of being tenderly lifted from
his perch by brawny blue-siecved arms
given "A sip OF cauteen. and then. half lsd.
half-suppOrted back 10 where thc surgeon
was already kneeling by the tall young
soldier on whose brow the last dew vaf
settling. on whose hne, clear-cut race tho
shadow Of death angels wing we're al
ready traced. The poor Fellows eyes
opened wearily as he slipped tn" stimuiant
pressed upon him by eager. sympathetic
though IN search Of some familiar face.
and so they fell on those OF ltll Cray
hurt. threw himself by the strangers
side and seized his ciammy hand. a half
smile fitted over the pale face. the other
hand groped at the breast OF his bluS
shirt and slowly brought forth a packet.
stained and dripping with blood that
welled slowly from shothole In the
Drayton- Promise" he gasped. and
and so they fell on those OF Billy Gray.
Then the brave eyes, closed. the weary
though in stupefaction into the pallid
face. found himself dropping. too grow,
ing dizzy and faint and reeling. but still
holding on TO his trust
Don't some Of yGu know him., him. asked sS
and he placed a little silver cup at Graya
"He came a-runnin' from over at Block
house u with a note from division head
quarters just as we went In" said a
veteran sergeant. drawing the back Of a
powder-stained hand across his dripping
as a young officer bent down and glanced
Much hurt. Bgy. old mani Nor THANK
God for thatl Look at who? Wheref
why, God OF heaven, it's Pat Latrobsi
Oh. Pat Pat! dear old boy-has It come
to this!"
CHAPTER XVII.
In the fortnight OF incessant action that
Sunday morning, there was no place TOT
Billy Gray. Sorely wounded, yet enVied
by many fellow soldier for the gIowilns
praised his conduct and urged MS Drevet,
the BOY had been carried back 10 the
great reserve hospital at Malate. Tho
breezy wards were filled with sick or
wounded and certain OF the rooms OF
the old convent once used Tor study ana
recitation had been set apart for ofncer5
There were three cots in the one 10 which
they bore him, and two were already Oc-
cupied. Even in his pain and weakness
he could hardly suppress a cry or as
may; for there, with his arm bandaged
and in splints. his face white from loss
OF blood, mis- eyes closed IN the steep OF
Time and again the boys heart and con-
science had rebuked him for the estrdnge-
ment that had arisen between MIN ana
this man who had proved his best friend:
Time and again he had promised himself
that he would strive TO win BACK that
friendship. but well he knew that nrst
he must reinstate himself In Armstrong 8
respect; and how could he hope Tor that
go long as he surrendered 70 the fascina-
dainty skirts OF Witchie GarrisOn2
oddly enough the boy had hardly both
cred his head with any thGusht OF WhaI
Frank Garrison might think OF MS atten5
tions or devOuOns. Whatever they coulQ
be called TO this very captivating ana
capricious helpmate. When "A husband Is
SO overwhelmed with other cares or con-
sideratiOns that he never sees MS Wils
from morn till night. society seems cor
I'm the depths Of his ncart the boy was
ashamed OF himself. he never hedrd
Armstrong mentioned tHal ne q, Gla 10y uot
vince. lie knew and she NneW tndt, CON-
ing suddenly upon them as Armstrons
had that trOpic night on the queen, no
must have heard her words, must udNs
realized that some compact or under
standing existed betwCcen them which
neither Cray nor Mrs. Frank could pail
late or explain. IL had not needed that
episode 10 tell her that Armstrong held
her in contempt and yet. when tney
hts eyes as beamusly- as sIllelessly. as
though no shadow OF sin had ever dark
ened her winsOme face. But not so Gray.
He moaned In secret over the loss or n
strong mans confidence and esteem. lie
longed TO find way 20 win 10 back. He
had even thought 10 go 20 the colonel with
his trouble. make clean breast OF 10. tell
him the truth-that he had fallen deeply.
as IL was pC. sble for him 20 ttll. In love
with Amy Lawrence. mad hoped his love
was returned; had found % was not-that
she had only a frank. friendly, kindly in
terest I'm him; and that, wounded and
stung, he had fretted himself into FEVER
at Honolulu aided by Caukcr's asper-
sions and theu-weil-auy man is liable.
said Billy 20 himself. 20 get smltten with
woman who tenderly and skillfully
nurses him day after day, and that's Just
what Witchie Garrison aid. But somehow
the opportunity 10 tell him never seemed
TO come: and now that Armstrong
and himself were thus thrown together
with the prospect Of being in the same
room day and night FOR the hest OF the
month, a third officer. a stranger lay
there. too. and In his presence or hearing
any condolences would be Impossible even
II Armstrong encouraged them. which hs
probably would not. In this embarrass-
mcut Billy's wish was that the colonel
were fifty miles away. II was fate and
hard one. thought he. that brought him
there-an eveT-prcsent rcprOach- 10 was
luck OF the worst kind that they should
, be confronted under such clrcuns ttnces.
since neither could retreat. He submitted
in anxious silence 20 the keen, quick ex-
animation OF the skillful surgeon IN
charge and 20 the redrcssing OF his wound.
He could have been proud and happy
but for that shadow on his life. or which
Armstrong; presence would so constantly
. remind him. He could not even think how
his dear old dragOOn daddy would re1oice
4 in the congratulations that would surely
greet him when the story OF the brave
/ dash OF the -teenth. Billy among the
2 foremost. should reach the States. He
9 could not even dream how 10 would AFFECT
ber-Amy Lawrence. He was beginning
, 10 be ashamed now In this presence to
think how that Othcr-hOw Margaret
: Garrison might he impressed. forgetting
that 10 the army girl who has lived long