The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1901-06-22
Observation-Disclosures
HANDS UP! /
"I1YHAr pity Jack is not

n - bhhS eaNh 10 hOe =
w hero!" sighed Mary, laying
down q paper containing u list OF the
latest recipients OF the V. c. dad is
: SO awfu,ly gone on soldiers just now
-! She glanced towar! u dainty writing
table. where the photograph OF q
handsome curly-heuded young bar
rister occupied n prominent place.
Power WAS expressed in every one OF
those clear-cut featurcs-thc power to
clea,e u way through the world.
Bat Coz. Warwick could think OF
nothing but soldiers, and his dnugh.
ter. Mary, clandestinely carried ON
! her love affairs, ard concocted nll
sorts Of impossible plans to transform
her civilian lover into something like
man for TIE colonel. She even went
to the length of inquiring at the war
office IL lawyers, as well as doctors
and ciergymcn, were not attached to
the headquarters staff of the army in
South Africa, and, being disappoint-
cd in that, religiously set to work to
inculcate some martial ardor in her
lover by requesting him to take her
to all the military functions in town.
Yet the unconscious Jack would not
be hero.
"Why don't you help me. Beat?''
she cried, p!aintive'y appealing to her
cousin. who. gracefully reclining on q
velvet ottoman, was derourirg the
contents OF the latest novel from
Mudle's. Your affair is all settled,
and you've no troubles in the world.
Do put that wretched book away and
help me think of Juck!"
"Mary, you're n nuisance!" ex-
claimed the calm-minded young lady,
shutting her hook with slam. "AId
so is Jack! Why don't you think of
something else for few days? II
worried half SO much about Godfrey,
i should pine myself into . conva-
descent home."
ayes; but you don't have to. You're
engaged; and, besides. your dad isn't
mad on soldiers."
Miss Beatrice burst out laughing,
and her charming cousin assumed a
dlgnifed pout. My dear girl" she
said. patronizingly, and ignoring the
pout. "uncle's only silly old man,
and he doesn't mean one.half be
says!"
Mary was about to espouse his
cause. and even sacrifice her Jack in
his defense. when her cousin stopped
her.
"But as for being hero. why, Jack
can be that AZ well a. anyone II he
likes-and he shall be, for all your un-
worthinese."
"a hero! How, Beat-how?"
"Neser mind. You say he's coming
to stay over SundayY"
"Yes. worried dad into asking
him. and he consented-just to keep
mesquiet." N
Beatrice gave . sympathetic sigh.
'.Syeil. then, next Saturday will put.
him to the test, and unless he provea
himself hero and man under such
desperate circumstances ] shall be
sadly disappointed. Now. stop wor-
rying. and go and read the war news
TO uncle. He's dying for it. i know"
And before Mary had time to stop
her and demand an explanation she
had flown from the room.
Jack Winchfield put in an appear
ance on the following Saturday. and,
with little coaching from the two
girls. made quite good impression Mt
dinner, when he discussed military
tactics with keen interest, If not cor
rectness.
At half past II. after a game Of bill
lizards. and a one-sided argument ON
the subject of cavalry rcmounts. the
two men retired. and an hour later
the house was dark and silent.
Mary, are you awaken"
"Rather!" came in sleepy voice.
81 thought you were never coming"
"Uncle's been reading and only
turned his light ont few minutes
ago. but he's snoring now"
The two girls sbivered simultan.
eously, and in sympathy. Midnight
are wont to try the
strongest nerves. Mary turned on the
gas.
why, Beat" she exclaimed. "you
look just like a man! Where did you
get those old clothes? And. oh! your
face 10 SO dirty and smudgy!"
Beatrice laughed, in spite Of her
nerves.
''shall do?" she asked. II,
DO? You're simply horrible!"
"Good-by, then. Listen for me COM
Ing back; and II you hear me running
open the door and let me In" 7,
In obedience to which command
Mary. as soon ~ her cousin had left :
the room. locked the door. threw her
self upon the bed and laughed and
cried Internationally until she fell ~
: The amateur burglar gingerly
picked her way downstairs. and silent
y turned the key Of the library door.
Feeling her way toward n comfortable /,
couch. she threw herself uron it and
waited. listening to the beating Of her
avn heart and to the awful silence
hat pervaded the house. Imagination
ran wild and played her awful rrnuks.