The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1901-03-12
HANDS UP!
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NTHAT a pity Jack is not
wv hero!" sighed Mary, laying
down paper containing a list of the
latest recipients of the v. c. Dad is
so awfully gone on soldiers just now
She glanced toward dainty writing
table, where the photograph of a
handsome curly-headed young bar
rister occupied a prominent place.
Power was expressed in every one of
those clear-cut features-the power to
cleave way through the world.
But Coz. Warwick could think of
nothing but soldiers. and his daugh-
ter, Mary, clandestinely carried on
her love affairs, and concocted all
sorts of impossible plans to transform
her civilian lover into something like
man for the colonel. She even went
to the length of inquiriny at the war
office if lawyers, as well as doctors
and c.ergymen, were not attached TO
the headquarters staff of the army in
South Africa, and, being disappoint-
ed 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
lie a hero.
why don't you help me, Beat ?"
she cried. plaintively appealing to her
cousin, who. gracefully reclining on
velvet ottoman, was devouring the
contents of the latest novel from
Nudes. Your affair is all settled.
and you've no troubles in the world.
Do put that wretched book away and
help me think of Jackl"
Mary, you're nuisance!" ex-
claimed the calm-minded young lady.
shutting her book with a slam. "And
so is Jack. Why don't you think of
something else for a few days? If l
worried half so much about Godfrey,
! should pine myself into a conva-
descent homel"
yes; 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
dignified pout MY dear girl" she
said, patronizingly. and ignoring the
pout, "uncle's only a 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 as well as anyone if he
likes-and he shall be, for all your un-
worthiness.'
"A hero! How. Beat-howP"
Never mind. You say he's coming
to stay over Sunday"
Eyes. / worried dad into asking
him, and he consented-just to keep
me quiet"
Beatrice gave a sympathetic sigh
well. then. next Saturday viii put
him to the test. and unless he proves
himself hero and man under such
desperate circumstances | shall be
sadly disappointed. Now. stop wor-
rying, and 90 and read the war news
TO uncle. He's dying for it. l know"
And before Mary had time to stop
her and demand an explanation she
had flown from the room
Jack Winchfeld put in an appear
ance on the following Saturday and.
with little coaching from the two
girls. made quite good impression at
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 remounts. the.
two men retired, and an hour later
the house was dark and silent.
MARY, are you awaken"
"Ratherl" came in sleepy voice
al thought you were never coming"
"Uncle's been reading and only
turned his light out a few minutes
ago. but he's snoring now"
The two girls shivered simultan-
eously, and in sympathy. Midnight
enterprises are wont to try the
strongest nerves. Mary turned on the
gas.
why. Beat" she exclaimed. "you
look just like a mani Where did you
get those old clothes? And. OH your
face is SO dirty and smudgyl"
Beatrice laughed, in spite of her
nerves.
"Shall 1 do?" she asked.
do? You're simply horriblei"
''Good-by, then. Listen for me COM
ing back; and if you hear me running
open the door and let me i'm
In obedience to which command
Mary, as soon as her cousin had left
the room, locked the door, threw her
self upon the bed and laughed and
cried intermittently until she fell
asleep from sheer exhaustion.
The amateur burglar gingerly
picked her way downstairs, and silent
ly turned the key of the library door.
Feeling her way toward a comfortable
couch, she threw herself upon it and
waited, listening to the beating of her
own heart and to the awful silence
that pervaded the house. Imagination
ran wild and played her awful pranks.
Fearful animals crept stealthily
through the gloom, and ominous
noises came from every corner. A