The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1899-06-09
! Back to Light and Love !
THE silent stars looked dt


clear. still night upon a host of
sleeping men, The brigade had adj
vanced by forced marches. and now lay
within two miles of the dervish camp.
To-morrows dawn would see the as
sault Two officers stood together.
talking in low whispers, for il WAS of
the utmost Importance that the enemy
should be taken by surprise. and the
orders as to silence were strict.
Buck up. old chap; you'll come
through all right. And if not what does
it amount to? You've got no women
folk to bother about"
No. thank heaven. Ii is in times like
this that one is glad never to have
married-=like poor old Harcourt."
why poor"
II was thinking of his wife. !
shouldn't care to be tied to an ugly
woman myself.
That's all rot, Hamilton" retorted
the other. Il don't believe il matters
a row of pins. so long, of course, as she
isn't repulsiye or umderbred.'
Think so?"
yes. The most unlikely women
sometimes attract most"
We'll. old chap, I'm precious thank
full I've no thoughts of woman to both
er me tonight. | shall try for "A lead
tomorrow. even il have got the route;
we've good chance of being first into
the zareba."
I'VE will give YOU n race for it, any
how. But we'd better try and get n
sleep, for this awful heat takes ii out
of fellow.
The two went to their separate posts.
And as he lay, sleepless. the thought
came to Hamilton that it was somewhat
lonesome TO think that no womans eyes
would fill NJ the news of his death; and
he looked upward at the stars above
him, wondering where his soul would
be tomorrow.
The shadow of death lay upon him.
as AT times il does upon the bravest
soldier: he would fight none the worse
for il i'll the morning.
The sun had risen.
In the previous short half-hour of
dawn the assault had been delivered.
the dervish forces had been driven
from their intrenchments. and now the
black. grinning "Gippys" were frater=
nizing and triumphing with their
and chatting white comrades
Backward. across the half-mile of
plain, the surgeons were busy. Away
to the southwark could be heard the
sounds of pursuit as the British laneers
chased the flying Baggara
\ field hospital at the front is not !
a pleasant place. neither can it be
described in cold black and white. War
as readers of the |
dailes have no doubt noticed. Judi /
ciously avoid more than the merest I
mention of such places.
There were some CHASTITY cases. and |
both surgeons and assistants had been
worked hard. But the pressure WAS
over. and at last there WAS time TO at
tend To the wounds which were not
deadly.
Now. Hamilton. let's see" said Sur
geon Maj. Murphy. approaching an otf-
Ger who lay motionlesS on Il stretcher |
who had so lain half an hour at least.
i ne DOCTOR lboktu HIS llilltilt pNti' |
gave a low whistle. and beckoned To
one of the orderies. who at that mo-
ment turned his head
Look, see. Dawkius, here's bad /
case, lie must go back to the hospital.
bad MS that. doctor" asked the mo-
tionless man family.
lis so, Now YOU keep quiet.
Lieut. Hamilton had been totally |
blinded by the explosion of ii shell in
an earthwork as. we'll in front. he Mis-
leading his company. He WAS sent To
the to hospital and Sister May |
was given charge of him.
He had not much pain, only he WAS |
blind. Treatment appeared to have no
effect on this; il seemed likely to be a
long business. The days began to hang
heavily. Then came the old story: Love
in idleness.'