Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-06

Lets quit chattering and attend to
our work"
For some time they lay silent, star
ing into the darkness for things they
could not see, even had they been there.
Only the intermittent popping of mus
kerry and the ocea sional ecu! of a
Mauser bullet broke the silence. Now
and then they could see through the
blaekness faint, momentary red
fare.
"Confound theml" observed os-
bourne, THE Filipinoscan smoke, any
how. I'm dying for a cigarette"
IF you light a match here" said
Wade, well be targets for about 1000
rifles"
That's true enough" agreed o.
bourne, with soft chuckle; "ciga-
rettes are rather expensive out here"
Another period of silence followed.
Wade" inquired Osbourne, sudden
ly, "are you willing to try a wild
scheme for settling this matter for
everP"
Anything fair and reasonable" re-
piled the other. What's your planP"
Draw straws," said Osbourne. brief
~, "the man who gets the short one to
stand up and Light match, and-go to
his fathers"
Wade caught his breath and re-
manned mute for some time, consider
ing. "Not so bad" he observed, after
a time; "but we are on duty now"
"Oh, hang it." said Osbourne, light
ly; "the Flipinos wouldn't attack
10 oil
post here is merely matter OF form.
Besides, one of us will be left"
That's So" returned Wade, land I
see no objection"
"You fix the straws, then" said Os-
bourne quickly "1'n draw" He be-
gan TO whistle softly in a nervous
fashion, as men do when they are
close to death. Wade fumbled silent
ly with some fragments of rice
straw. His movements were slow and
mechanical. Some men are consti-
tuted that way. "Here, Tom" he said,
stretching out his right fist. MAY
the better man get it,"
Osbourne extended a hand that
trembled slightly, and fingered the
disclosed ends of straw for a brief
time. Suddenly he clutched one and
pulled IL out. At the same instant
there was strange, soft thud, and
Wade fell upon his face. His limbs
moved convulsively for moment;
then he lay'motionless.
For Gods sake, Billyi what's up?"
cried Osbourne, in an agonized whis-
per. He laid his hand on the mans
face, hut jerked IL away Mortified. for
1t touched omething warm and wet.
shes minel" he muttered. with
fierce triumph; then, Poor Billy"
thought came that caused him to
gasp and SILVER. He hesitated, reach
ed for the dead mans hand, and
loosened its clasp from the other
straw. 1t was several inches longer
than the one he had drawn.
What shall dop' he moaned. "oh.
Billyl" he cried, shaking the dead
mans shoulder as If to rouse him.
what shall 1 do2" only the far-ofs
popping of the rifles broke the op-
pressive stiffness.
What would you have done?" he
asked in the same strain. "By joel"
NNAy' ypu WSiS Roou man.
You would have kept the compact. I
lost fairly. Bear witness, Billy, am
as good a man as you"
He laid his hand for an instant on
the dead mans forehead. Then he
rose slowly and fumbled in his
pocket. At length he found a match.
For moment he stood irresolute,
inhaling strong breaths of air. AL
ready he had begun TO feel the hor-
ror of being shut out from il for
ever. 1t was hard TO give the signal
for his own death. His teeth came
together with a click, and, scratching
the match on his shoe, he held the
flame before his breast.-San Francis
co ArgoEaut.