The daily morning Alaskan., 1901-01-15
His Blue Spectacles:


 peared and drove them off. When the scutie was over, l tainted. Steve carried me nearly home, it seems, and then laid me down on q bank by the roadside and sat near me. He could bear my weight no longer, being faint from loss of blood One of the men had struck at him with sharp stone and cut his head just above the temple. The wound was bleeding terribly. It came near cost ing him his life and left deep and ugly scar. Will said it would go with him to his grave. Poor Steve!
 After this affair I was more civil to him and tried in many ways to show that l was not ungrateful.
 As did not want to snub the man who had rendered me such service and as was afraid that by being kind to him might encourage foolish and presumptu ous hopes, took middle course and en' deavored to avoid him altogether.
 While things were in this uncomforta- ble state something terrible happened Our country for the second time called forth her sons to defend her, and fore most among the names of the drafted was Wills.
 | Oh the grief of it! It was, with the single exception of his death, the greatest misfortune that could have come to us. With Will to sustain us, any trouble might have been endured, but without | him Mamie and I were desolate. We two had been left orphans years be. fore, with the farm for our joint fortune | Mamie was a distant cousin, orphaned also and soon to become Wills wife. We sat in our little sunny parlor day or two before the time of parting-poor Will and his pale, heartbroken betrothed and as I watched them their sad faces and low, hopeless tones cut my heart so deeply that I rose and went out into the | garden, anxious only to escape the sight of sorrow which was powerless to al- leviate. The first person I saw was Steve.
 A fierce, unreasoning anger blazed up in my heart against him. As he ap- preached said without prelude or greet ing;
 | Why don't you go to the warp | He put down the rake and looked at me for a moment. He had weak eyes and always wore blue glasses, which was one reason for dislking him, l think. Then | he answered very quietly: "I have not been called upon yet" "But you could volunteer" said i'm patiently.
 "Yes," he replied, "as you say. could volunteer. have brother in the army already, however, and it would be hard upon our mother to lose both of her sons. Neither have I any inclination for soldier ing. Nevertheless if my country calls me l shall not be found wanting"
 And leaned my head against the gate | and wept bitterly. Steve stood silent for moment, watch ing me. All at once he laid his hand on mine and said in a changed, hoarse voice:
 Why don't you tell Fred Lester how bitterly you grieve to lose your brother"
 Why should do that ?" l asked, check ing my tears in sheer surprise. Because he is your lover" he replied, with bitter emphasis land as such it is his right and privilege to save you from grief and pain What Is love worth if it can make no sacrifice? Let him prove his love by taking Wills place."
 You are mistaken" cried. ''altogeth- CT mistaken! Fred Lester is nothing to me that he should make such q sacri- flee"
 His voice rang clear and sweet; his eyes shone bright even through the dim blue glasses
 "I love you, Ethel, well enough to die for you! Promise to keep single until return and try to think kindly of me in my absence, and will be your brothers substitute for your dear sake"
 tried hard to control myself put both hands against his breast and looked straight into his face.
 'ls it true?" l demanded. Do you mean t?"
 As God hears me-" he answered sol. emnly. "I mean it every word"
 Instantly the widest excitement pos sessed me. l felt my eyes flash, my cheeks glow.
 You will go to battle freely for my sake-to save me pain"
 q will"
 "You shall-you shall be my hero, my more than lover now, and my husband when you return"
 drew ring from my finger and placed it in his hand.
 "This was my mothers wedding ring. It shall be mine when you place it on my hand again."
 We entered the parlor where the lovers still sat.
 rYou are saved" cried to them. Steve has saved you. We shall not part. Steve will be your substitute. He is"--I turned and laid my hand in his-"he is my promised husband"
 The words rang out distinct and firm They were echoed by cry from Mamie wild. loud. rapturous cry, and she fell upon her knees. thanking God and bless ing me. Will sprang forward and clasped me to his breast. while Steve kissed the hand I had given him. At that touch and on the instant the wild excitement that had sus- taned me died out and passed away, and I realized all that had done. +ss My heart gave a great wild bound to my breast and then sank like lead. A feeling of despair stole over me.
 Steve's wife! Oh, God, had 50 doom- ed myself? ,tlt. Then the old rush and swirl came back; objects swan around me, strange poises sounded in my ears; the next min ute had tainted in Wills arms. Two years after and the long agony was over, and I married Colonel Arden, who had risen from the ranks by his bravery and in spite of his blue spec tacles.-Exchange. Queensland Is Big. The enormous size of the Australasian colonies is very imperfectly understood even by the colonists themselves. Queens land, which occupies the northeastern portion of Australia, has an area of 668,- 497 square miles, It is larger than any , IL AL A.