The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-09-30

al HiS iCdhiiSs dStlusI tH0 wan VI lOCh,
looking as Private Billimore said, ''as
though ed ad a nasty, messy accident
with red paint.
Weary opened his eyes as he entered
the camp feet foremost
Warrington, V. c." he said, and
tried TO cheer: But the others did it for
him.
CHAPTER IL.
An afternoon in early November cosy
room, bright fire, big armchairs, piano,
pipes, photographs and decanters; male
figure extended TO enormous length in one
armchair. with feet stretched out on the
hearthrug; another male figure with back
turned toward the room, gazing out of the
window at the unceasing rain. Their
clouds of tobacco smoke and silence.
''Of all the brutal, filthy, miserable
depressing days, said the man at the
window, Suddenly.
Weather seems to worry you, old
man, said the man by the fire, settling
down little deeper into the depths Of his
armchair "Third time in twenty minutes
YOU We got up to look at it-and talk
about it,
Sorry, Vie, said the other, and,
turning, he came slowly toward the fire.
II must be lively company today, but this
weather seems to upset one altogether.
Not me, said Weary, blowing cloud.
II m pretty comfy, thanks Iprefer rain
in st. james to starlight in Chukundra. =
The other did not answer, but stood
neryously opening and shutting his hands
over the cheerful blaze
by George p said Weary, medita-
lively, lit seems almost ike dream now
all but the souvenirs we carry, eh,
Warry?'
Warrington band went up to the livid
hand that ran across forehead, nose and
cheek, and almost bisected his strong face
''One comfort, Weary went on, mime
don show Not but what that has its
drawbacks, he added, with chuckle,
mo enc seems to believe they touched me
think 20; my sick leave on the bounce
And | cant continually strip to prove it.
Still his senior was silent Weary edged
round a little to look at his face Then
his eyes opened aud his voice changed
Warrington, he said, I'd you remem-
Der that very first dust up we had the
second day out from Kir Wallah ?
Warrington nodded
That was my first taste Of the walk
up aud down as a target business, said
Weary, solemnly, and | was in blue
funk Couldn' helpit. Knees all aabby
and fase all twitching when those bullets
began whispering and pattering.
Warrington laughed nervously.
Il gave you the right sort of dressing
down, he said
IL pulled me through, said Weary
then, leaning forward, and still more sol
EMMY, II say, what did look hke-all
drawn up and ghastly p
A bit. admitted Warrington.
Look in the glass now, said Weary,
in an awestruck voice, for Warrington wa.
senion officer and brother and Ajax and
Wellington and Lord Roberts all rolled into
one, in the sabaltern estimation
Warrington started, and looked not a,
the glass, but at Weary.
You re right, young un, said he in
moment and dropped into the other arm
chair, II IN in an awful funk at this very
moment
tOh, breathed Weary, aud allowed
the amazing fac, to sink into his conscious
ness,
Pact, said Warrington, and dragged
a; his mustaehe aud gnawed the end.
In heaven name, said Ensign
Weary, what are you frightened Of?
"Of one little girl could pick up and
carry under Que arm, said Lieutenant
Warrington, V c.
Weary drew long breath.
You gave me quite turn, ne said
.Its serious, boy, said the other
man, bending his long, gaunt body for
ward, his gray eyes all alight. Il haven
the pluck to face her.
Name said Weary, judicially,
Rivers, said Warrington, with rev
erence; Catherine Rivers.
Pretty Kitty Rivers T cried Weary,
'Oll man, | congratulate you .
Don't be fool, said Warrington
augriIy and walking TO the window
On your good taste, of course, said
Weary, with a grin. Is it bad case?'
Il shall--ask her to be my wife, said
Warrington with rush, as soon as
dare call-w which | haven't done since
we We been back-more than a week, =
Weary whistled rose and strolled over
to the piano
"Wen, | should advise you to 90 and
have it out with her, he said, twisting
himself round ON the music stool. Come
back when it's over, and sparkle up a
bit. =
shut up + growled his senior.
Weary shrugged his shoulders and struck
few aimless notes. This sort of timidity
was strange to him. In matters relating
to the opposite sex his senior was a child
compared with that good looking boy at
the piano
Suddenly Weary grinned, struck a chord
aud broke into music hall song, accent
uating the twang of Cockayne to exag-
geration
o-ownly one gurl-in the world fer me;
o-ownly one gurl-'as my sympathee.
She m ynt be vairy pritty-
Shakespeare between the shoulder
blades cut his efforts short He twisted
round, chuckling and rubbing himself.
Steady on, old chap What's up?
II came here today for your help,
said Warrington, and stopped short.
Wary = said Weary, nervously. He
had never seen him like this before.
..Vio, I'm longing to see her-to say
it I've been longing for months, and
now-I simply daren' call. -
.Bulldog-heavy father-comic pa
pers, murmured Weary, quite uncom-
pretending.
Warrington glared.
IF you re going to be driveling young
idiot, he said, icily.
.'No-no Drive ahead, said Weary.
sit just her L m afraid of, said War
rington Il d rather go through week
of Chukundras than speak; but I'd 90
through lifetime Of them with her at the
far end -
but, Warrington, said Weary, puz-
zled, ''she's not such a Tartar.