Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-11
The Daily Short Story
Ask and IT Shall be Given.

E~N~~~~>N~~
Ethel, dear" said Bessie Brown, with
proud eyes. my brother. Philip Estes
Brown. from the Philippines. on sick
leave"
Lieutenant Phil bent over the dainty
hand of her sisters chum, mentally
contrasting her radiant fairness with
the olive faces of the Manila bellies, his
principal feminine society for two long
years.
Il am pleased to meet you," he said
simply. Bessie has often written of
you. can't express how glad am to
he shaking hands with a genuine Yam
kee girl again"
And T. said Miss Mackay, with
charming seriousness, 'am glad to
meet one who has given up home and
business to uphold his country's flag.
My father fought for 1t at Gettysburg.
Bessie told me-" she continued when
the three had adjourned to the We
randa. that you received your wound
in saving one OF your men. Would
would you mind telling me about it?''
There isn't much to tell" said Phil,
with an embarrassed laugh. Bessie"
with a fond glance at his sister, has
constructed quite romance out Of it,
with me for principal character, but Ii
was the other fellow that was the hero,
not |.
"We ran into a Filipino ambush
about a dozen miles from campo OF
us, myself, the only officer. in COM
mand-and only by the greatest good
fortune escaped humiliation, but some
how we managed to reach cover with
only half a dozen wounded.
lit was a sort of natural pocket in
the rocks, a regular little citadel; but
while the enemy couldn't rush us out
of it we couldn't get out either, for we
were surrounded ten to one.
For two days we lay on those broil
ing rocks, hoping for the help which
didn't come, till the heat and the want
of water-for that had given out the
first day-began to make the men go
of their heads. and the suffering of the
wounded made my heart ache.
Things looked so black that l had
about made up my mind to give up in
the morning of the third day when one
of the men, Rogers, came up to me and
saluted.
Lieutenant he said, there's water
out there about 200 yards to the left
OF us. l saw it as we were driven in.
/ can take half dozen canteens and
when the moon goes down behind that
cloud make a rush. If / get back, we
can last another day; il l don't-well,
it's n mans death
Il wrung his hand impulsively. 'Spo-
ken like Il gentleman and a soldier l
said. for had long known he was a
gentleman, though only a common sol
der.
Go. and God bless you. 1t is our
only chance
lie reached the water safely, but
half way back the Fhipinos saw him
as he crossed n patch of moonlight and
fired. He staggered on. and they fired
again. Then he fell and lay still, and
and" continued the lieutenant lamely,
Il went out and brought him in. There
was really nothing else to do" apollo
getically.
He brought him in on his back"
broke i'm Bessie, with two bullets in
his own shoulder. And what do you
think, Ethel-the mans name wasn't
Rogers at all. but Mackay? He told
Phil so in the hospital"
Ethel had risen with staring eyes.
What was he like. this MANI" she
whispered, with white lips. WAS he
tall and fair. and did he have scar
across his temple-so:"
why. yes" said Phil, wondering at
her agitation. "He was just like that.
How did you
Ethel reeled.
CHI fnH
"He left home angry with my father.
1 can't tell you why, but father was
in the wrong and said he was going to
Manila. But we couldn't find his name
anywhere on the army list. He isn't
dead-he will get well?"
"Oh. yes" said Phil; "he's all right,
and there is a commission waiting for
him when he gets out of the hospital.
He's trump"
81 must go at once and tell father"
said Ethel hurriedly. Wont he be
glad-and proud. But you" turning
suddenly-"what can say to you. who
saved my brothers life? What can /
do
Something in the eyes suddenly ten
der, upturned to his, made sudden
wave of happiness surge over Phil.
Perhaps" he said audaciously,
when 1 come back for always 1 may
ask you for something. May 1 hope
that
\ sudden food of red dyed the girls
pure face. ASK; it shall be given |
thee" she quoted softly and. turning.
ran swiftly down the path.-Philadel- |
phia Item.