, 1900-01-23
LUCKIEST MAN.

fghtin' and glory, an maybe promo
tom"
Corporal MacBean shook his fist
saVagely at the colossal barrier OF
mountain peaks that barred the hori
zon, rummaged among his pockets for
his tobacco and pipe. and sat himself
down to smoke f%uriously and to think
upon the Incompatible beauty of Miss
Janet Sloane.
Indirectly Miss Sloane was the
cause of the remarks with which my
story opens, remarks addressed not to
the mountains, but to the swarthy,
turbulent th~roat-cutting crew who in
habited them, for there was, for
once in a way, peace upon the north
western border of India, and Corporal
MacBean was thirsting for war and
bright eyes of Miss Janet Sloane, the
daughter and heiress of Sergt. Sloane
Of the Sappers.
Miss Sloane was certainly a very
pretty girl.
SO 1t happened that many gallant
'AA III h"hh
Der, and even a sergeant-maior, who
possessed house property at home in
distant WoOlwich, were all signing
more or less for the love of Janet
Sloane.
But Miss Sloane encouraged none of
them, but smiled impartially upon
them all, protesting all the time that
she rOul1n't a-hear sp1diars
And even to the most hardened and
callous warrior a smile from Janet
was an experience not easily to be
forgotten.
Corporal MacBean was not a recent
victim of Janet's wonderful smile.
over six months had elapsed since he
had first fallen under the influence Of
that fatal smile, and, unlike most Of
his fellow-victims, he had not recov-
cred.
On this particular afternoon he
could find 40 refuge in day dreams.
for that very morning he had seen
Janet smile with divine sweetness up
on the sergeant-major and the thought
OF that smile, and Of the legendary
NON'' Pi'pNl at w UNIV I'LL, laIhlSu
In his bosom.
In this inventory he was ungrateful
enough to forget a very important item
In his claims upon the attention Of
Janet Sloane.
"'Allo, Beano." cried a little voice
at his elbow.
Corporal MacBean turned, and the
careworn Fuckers in his bronzed face
smoothed out as his gaze met two
round blue eyes fixed upon him.
This was the forgotten item-Miss
Victoria Donelly, daughter II sole
heiress of Capt. Donelly, the special
charge Of Miss Sloane, and the darl-
ing of the whole garrison of Fort
Curzon.
Miss Victoria was Just three and a
half years old, and was already begin
ming to develop the faculty of observ-
alton to an abnormal extent. She
knew every man In the garrison pretty
well by name-even the Ghoorkas,
whose lanes We're beyond all pronun-
citation.
She was very much attached to
"Beano," as she called Corporal Mac
Bean. in accordance with the tradi-
tons of the garrison, and Beano
shared In the popular alteration &C
corded to this frail, motherless baby.
Beano was always good for a game
Of horses, and once in harness would
toss his head and paw the ground and
curvet more nimbly than any real
polo pony. Furthermore, he could
dress rag dolls better than any other
man in the garrison, the regimental
tailors not excepted.
Good afternoon, missile" replied
Corporal MacBean in answer to a long.
inquiring stare.
Private Doolan got the t~oothache,"
announced Chubby solemnly.
Has he, missle?" replied the cor
poral.
"Yeth." lisped Chubby, with import
ance. Il heard the doctor pull it out
in the 'othpital juth now. Private
Doolan did 'oller!"
Did he. missie?" inquired Corporal
MacBean absently.
He was wondering where Janet
Sloane could be, for her little charge
had evidently given her the slip dur
Ing their afternoon walk round the
environments.
Il don't think Private Dooln'th a
very brave man. continued Chubby,
judicially.
Why not, missie?" asked the cor
poral.
you wouldn't holler II you had a
tooth out, | know. Nurth said you
wouldn't, because you are too brave"
added Chubby emphatically.
Did she, thought"
Corporal MacBean sat up with sud
den interest.
when did she say that, missie?"
he added, his face growing pale under
the tan.
When Private Doolan said. Vow.
VOW, yow,' And | asked her II you
would 'oller like that"
Did she, though, now!" said Cor
poral MacBean with animation. "D'you
know what am going to make for
you, missie?"
"A wockin'-'orse?" inquired Miss
Victoria affably, as she sQuatted down
comfortably by his side.
Better than that. A whole bloom
In Noah's ark, full of lions an tigers
an camels an COWS an jackals. An
then there'll be Shem, Am and ia
cob, in green hats an yellow
breeches-"
San red coaths!" interposed Club