The Washington times., 1901-06-30

| have ever linked coward with my name
| nor dared hint that l failed in my work
since first 1 charged at Powick Bridge;
! though l am still but Lieutenant while
our valiant and discreet young friend here
/ is Captain before striking a blow, because
/ he hath a cousin can win O'Neil's ear
But what ] gain not o one way L take by
/ another, and So
He reseated himself, his momentary an
ger gone, while the other turned away
/ with slow, grave shake of the head
Armstrongs words were true enough.
! All men knew him for a reckless, but
not a fortunate fighter. He was known
! by other exploits as well: the war gave
many opportunities to waste life and to
/ risk ii, and he had made the most of
! all Once only it was rumored that he
had failed to grasp what lay within his
| reaeh-a chance of winning honor in the
| first great battle, at the -trifing cost of
wTonging a wounded comrade No more
of the story was known: in truth that
much had been dropped by Armstrong in
mood of confidence or a mood. some
said, of boasting and lying. He claimed
to have held his hand, whereupon his
! fellOw-soldier had made no better use OF
/ his triumph than to die that night on
the field After which Armstrong had
use his next chance to his own advantage
He would most likely have done so. such
resolutions being of the kind which are
kept, had such moment recurred. As it
was. if he had, despite his best endeav-
ors, won little among mis- foes. he had, in
! an easier fashion. won much among his
| friends-not honor, perhaps
| He sat for while eyeing young Thorn
/ ton with a sombre side glance. The boy
moved a little stealthily, and slipped his
4 hand into his breast, drawing something
forth which he held tightly clasped. Arm
strong leaned over and peered at it, then
he broke into harsh laugh.
'Tush. the bcy is less green than we
| thought. Here he sits signing over his
ladys picture. doubting-and right wise
! ly, 1 swear-if she will have a smile left
for him now house and heirship are gone.
Grant US sight there of. captain; we are
all lovers OF beauty here. Show US your
pretty
He stopped abruptly Thornton Ieaped
! UP and stood facing his tormentor, his
/ eyes, in their redeemed rims, blazing from
| his desperate young face.
Course your he cried, in a high, bro
| ken voice: 1t is-it is my mother"
The miniature dropped from his hand
and ne. his last shred of control rent
away, flung himself on one of the rude
pallets by the wall, and lay there shaken
by gasping sobs.
| The soldiers drew apart q little, muir
muring. and casting curious glances at
| Armstrong The sneer was still about his
/ lips as he picked up the miniature; his
face grew somewhat set as he stared at
/ il, but his color changed slightly. 1t was
/ a grave, high, sweet countenance which
looked out. little proudly, from the mar
row frame: a face deepened and made
more delicate by the years which had
! family silvered the hair. After that long
/, look Armstrong shut his hand over the
picture. clenching it hard. then walked
over to where Thornton lay, and stirred
him with the point of his boot.
Take it." he said briefly. Then. as the
other, too broken for anger, reached out
for it obediently. he added: She is no
| Puritan. I'll be bound; she is a loyal
! lady?7
Thornton nodded muteIy.
did she strive TO hold you from the
wsr?"
have gone, fastened my sword, and bless
| ed me"
He had begun his answer duly. but at
the end his voice shrilled off into mis-
cradle laugh.
| Armstrong laughed too. The wine had
worked with him. sober though he SEEM
| ed and he presently began TO talk to no
one in particular.
| ''See now the freaks of that Jade Fortu-
| ma, L, who am assuredly nor Puritan nor
precislan, must needs have a mother
which was both, slifei yes and could well
have borne, for all that, TO have her yet.
But 1 was aye loyal to King and Court,
and followed his Majesty once-or ever
| open war was come-to catch five foxes at
| Westminster; but he had not stop
! ped their earths. SO the Five Members
went scot free, and mistress my mother
heard i was of that ungodly crew Of SOL
4 diers, ana bade me repent Or. But /
was ever profane wretch amongst her
ministers; an ] let slip a damme' / was
excommunicate, and / could never learn
the Puritan trick of reserving all damna-
tion for other folks. SO there l was out
cast and cursed for a son of perdition ere
yet / deserved it, perchance, as well as
now. Faith. I've done my best since
then-a son should not give his mother
| the lie. Yea, cast out and landless. But
1 am not landless now" he ended, with a
sudden change of voice Nay, mother
or none, your very ingie nook is mine.
Thornton-unless / fail tomorrow, when
you shall be mine heir, for other have l
none"
Thornton sat up suddenly. a cruel light
of hope flashing across his face. Arm
strong saw IL and smiled.
Take my word fort. my SON. he said,
with the air of one bestowing a benedic-
tion, thou art assurediy a very fool"
| Sharp across his words came an out
burst of confused and clamorous sound
from without. Armstrong Strengthened
himself and listened intently.
ITO your weapons" he cried. I thought
we had an hour yet ere it was time to get
TO cur posts. AS 1 live-ay, tbs from that
quarter it cOmeS-those mad Cornish have
attacked too soon Our leaders will never
brood to be behind. To your men, Thorn
ton, if you would not be court-martialed." F."
A loud shot was heard close at hand.
Somewhere in the distance trumpet
drew out a thin. quivering thread of
sound; then another; then a great pulsing
blare.
The men crowded to the door. The
scent of dawn was in the air. but no light.
The skies, lifted as it seemed TO a great
height, looked infinitely serene and aloOf.
But far and near the ground shock to the
| gathering of the army, and round the
walls of Bristol bastions of fiery smoke
were a-building. The men pressed out
from the sitting hut; pressed into the
cool. deep spaces of the night.
CAPTAIN Thornton knew nothing of how