Evening star., 1902-03-01
.--GA


Ger the double load. The chaplain wound
one arm round the Devil, leaving the other
beat down. pitilessly from q brazen sky
and was flung back to scar his eyes and
nostrils. Dust enveloped them like q
shroud--fine, impalpable, penetrating to the
ground rose and fell with sickening irreg-
uiarity. His arm was tortured to numb
ness by the dragging strain.
cred painfuHy, while the human birds Of
prey gathered fresh courage to make wary
approaches, swoOpfng about In ever lessen
ing circles. compelling the chaplain to eter-
nal vigilance, though his eyes ached and
were rinmedtwith burning red, though the
world wheeled and swirled about him and
the merciless sun multiplied to many suns
which swan in fiery arcs through a yell
low sky. though an hour was an untold
cycle of hell. and a minute an inflnity of
purgatory; till at last his reason passed
from him. and he rode unfeeling and hap
py. swelling a parched throat and f1inging
a husky tenor upon the quivering air.
Light she was and like fairy:
And her shoes were number nine.
Thou art lost and gone forever,
Gone forever, Cementne.
Oh, my darling. oh. my darling
The old. foolish words quavered pitifully.
but thereafter he was in safety, with no
need Of fear had he been sentient to the
emotion; for the Sioux would not harm
MIN, knowing that he was mad
Oh my darling Clementine.
Thou art lost and gone forever,
Oh, my darling Gementine.
And the Devil writhed feeb1y, tearing at
the binding arm moaning and calling
Querulousy:
''Water-water-Urcilla
Some one dabbled grateful moisture on his
brow and lips The chaplain sucked greed
lily at each niggardly drop, and returned to
consciousness and sanity. His eyer We're
still as Goals Of fire in their sockets, and
hl1f
great pain. He saw that he was lying on
the veranda of the colonefs house. in the
calm security of the army post. The colo
mel himself was bending over him. anxiety
writ plain upon the war-worn features. sur
rounded by a trio Of startled, questioning
women, while from the parade ground came
babel of sound-queries assertions, ex-
carnations. oaths, pervaded with deep un-
dertone of wild alarm. The chaplain at
tempted to rise, but was held down by the
colonel's firm. kindly hand.
Don't struggle, Denton" The words
seemed to come from great distance,
thinly, family. "Just tell us, II you can,
what this means
Colonel Sedere. SIR" the chaplain spoke
harshly and without intonation, from a
dust-caked throat, Il have to report that
the Sioux are upon the Warpath again. G
company was surprised near Fletchers
Gulch and obliged to make a stand in the
stockade at the ford, and cannot hold out
much longer In Gods mercy, give me
water.
A damp rag was thrust between his teeth.
The colonel disappeared, his place being
taken by surgeon. Short decisive orders
were heard from the parade ground. Bugles
sounded Boots and Saddles There was
loud confusion: and the chaplain turned his
head in time to see two dashing troops Of
cavalry emerge from binding cloud OF
dust and sweep, brave blood-stirring
show, out upon the prairie, ardent for the
work of rescue.
Nearby, the Devil moaned and tossed
fretfuly under the surgeons skillful touch.
The chaplain. unnoticed for the moment,
raised himself laboriOusly to his feet, and
stood dizzily clutching post. He watched
the Devil for a moment and noted without
comprehension that his head was pillowed
in a woman's lap. A soft, cool hand
stroked the Devils forehead: he seemed to
lie the easier for the caress.
He will possibly recover said the sur
geon. IF so. he will have you to thank,
Miss Sedere."
face to the chaplain. 1T is Mr.. Denton
whom we both must thank"
The chaplain started to realization. He
saw beneath the yelling tears In the girls
His suffering. then. had not been in vain.
Miss Sedere-'' he said, but she inter-
rupted him.
''You've saved him. sir-brought him back
to me. How can / thank you? Oh, how
can 1 thank you?"
He began to think his heart would never
beat again. The world was very dark and
desolate. Then when he was able to control
his voice: by marrying him, Miss Sedere,"
he said softly. Its the only way to save
him; he will live for you. Otherwise
The colonel's arm slipped through his and
held him gently.
Padre" he said, you're not fit to be
a sky pilot You should have a commits
sion. Will you take one II I get it for
you?"
The chaplain hardly heard him. He was
looking vacantly out upon the plain, where
the sage bush met the sky conscious only
that the knel of his love was singing in
his ears.
John, sweetheart
"Urcilla, my darling"
you'll not leave me now, dear? You're
not going to-
"Die?'' cried the Devil. "Now? Not un-
less joy kills, sweetheart. No, shall live
now that I've you to live for"
The colonel repeated his question.
'I WILL said the chaplain. 81 will ac-
cept, thank you. 1 WILL But, colonel"
"Yes, my boy?"
promise me that it'll be in another regi-
ment-the commission. I think I'm very
tired"
The colonel looked at him long and sadly
and with kindly understanding.
II promise" he said