Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-03

lies from home, who had vainly sought re-
trieval of name and fortune on the rim Of
the deathpit.
Young Wyvil stuck fast to the side of the
man whom first he had met at the canteen
on the border, the man of divers names,
who had introduced himself as Lawrence,
but had elected to join the raiders under
another appellatfon. The wallaber, even in
that short space, had made friends, and, if
he were reticent Of his past. that was no
uncommon thing in ranks wherein few men
stood save as last resource. Wyvil, him
self with past, and Corporal Dome, now
cold upon the veldt, had attached them
selves to one to whom their old school and
varsity traditions were fraternally famil-
lar. And now, without the light-hearted
outcast's support Lawrence could not have
finished the dismal journey to Pretoria
Strips from a torn shirt bandaged his face,
where Boer bullet had plowed his cheek
had lost blood, but, when still miles away
from their destination. he swayed In his
saddle more than the wound seemed to
warrant Wyvil pressed close to him and
thrust his arm under the others.
"Old man." said he, sis it bleeding
fresh?'
Lawrence steadied himself resoutely and
shook his head, but Wyvil, himself un-
scratched, looked anxious.
Look here" he sa1d that little Hol-
lander medicine man don't seem half bad
you know, but he was in a hurry when he
patched you up. I think we'd better get
this Boer fellow to let us drop to the rear
and have the doe make another examina-
ton. Honest. you know, you look pretty
| near dead
Rot, old boy" Lawrence almost gasped.
Thank you, all the same. I'll manage to
Pretoria, but 1t hurts-it hurts"
Farther on he spoke again with pain.
"Wyvil," he said, eff they don't shoot
you. you're going homer"
And you, too l hope"
Lawrence laughed with weak grimness,
Il can never go home," he said. But
wait a. moment|t hurts-it hurts, Why
didn't those beggars finish me quick like
book somewhere. There was an address in
| Tiny wife"
"Old chap"
II want you to see her-her address is
lost-but I can remember 1t. want you
to see her and tell her that I-died honor
ably, and-and. my God, how it hurts!''
wait until We are-wherever they. are
| taking us. What makes you talk of dying
from a cut in the cheek? Halloal Look
out! Wacht!'
Lawrence had turned gray, had swayed,
had fallen into Wyvil's arms, as the latter
leaped down to catch him. The guard rode
up, and the procession moved on passing
them. The doctor galloped to the prisoner
and made quick examination. The ban
daged wound was doing well. The trouble
| was not there. The doctor opened the coat
the side.
I'VE gods!' cried wyvil. HE never men,
toned this! No wonder he looked SO
CHASTITY. Why, he must have suffered ike
bazes all those miles!"
"VerdameterI" the Disguised doctor ex.
claimed He must be in a hurry to die,
His clothes are soaked with blood"
The man was patched up, placed In a Jolt
ing wagon, and so gained the prison at Pre-.
tcria, half dead. He tainted as he was car
ried in. and when he came to himself he
saw that he was In airoom crowded with
his comrades-some wounded, some utterly
| miserable. some recklessly Indifferent. He
lay in a corner, and next day the faithful
Wyvil was by his side with water.
why did you not tell Of that bullet
wound?' his friend asked, reproachf11lly.
mo wonder you nearly fell from YOUR sad
die. It's wonder You did not die in it.''
Its a pity" said Lawrence
Wyvil looked at him vexedly
Look here, Lawrence" he said orbis
is conSummate bosh, yOn know I have mo-
right to inquire into your private affajrs
Most Of the men in our ranks have done
something at home, and perhaps Won have
have. But, Oh, hang 1t, nothing ia had
| enough to make a fellow commit suicide.
and-that's what you seem to be UP to-"
1T Isn't suicide-it was an honest bullet !"
"Poppytalkl Sophistryi You're In a bad
way, but 1t might have been mended Now
| forget all about that thing at home. what.
ever 1t was Be man, get well, have an
other try for the stakes"
II was innocent Of any wrone-doine at
home. 1t was out here went to the devil.
Put your hand In my breast. Do you feel
a rubber packet Cut the string round NV
neck. Now open 1t. ;"
Wyvl opened the thin package, and pro-