Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-01-25
THE PRICE OF copy"

THE PRICE OF copy"
Come down to my diggings, old chap.
and dine with me this evening? Do! 1
only arrived here yesterday
Right you are, Stanhope. It's good to
see face from old Devonshire in these
outlandish parts. Eight o'clooi? I'll be
there
The two men separated Stanhope to
go 70 his bachelor dwelling, where he
scrubbed off a telegram or two To the
newspaper for which he was correspon-
cent. He then indted lengthy letter Of
apology to his editor for the scrappiness
Of his copy. The commander in
chief keeps his own counsel; it's impossi-
bic to know anything that is going on.
There IS lots of copy if | could only find
somebody who would tell it me first
lie laid down his pen with a sigh Il
was not a cheerful time for news cor
respondents just then in Pretoria, and
Harold Stanhope mournfully reflected
that his editor Would soon decline to con-
hnue finding him in board and lodging,
as well as cigarettes, if his information
did not shortly become more interesting
Meanwhile Gilbert Fame strobe cheer
lily back to his residency, where he oc-
eupled a minor position ON the headquai
~ stan ne was Dig, gOOU- natured
charming; his gallantry during the early
part of the campaign had brought him
INTO notice, and eventually secured him
the coveted post which he now occupied
Courage, not brains, had been his step
pingstone.
Punctual to the moment, Gilbert Fame
appeared at his old friends door, and
the two men managed to consume a very
satisfactory dinner in spite of the roars
of laughter which "reminiscences Of the
Deyonshlre village from which they both
hailed evoked
After which they drew up their chairs
to the fire and watched the smoke curl
upward from their cigars with a delight
full sense of repletiOn
IFS a bit stuffy, the Job | am at"
commented Gilbert ~ deuced lot Of
hard Wark, you know. I'd sooner face
the Beers than -" He paused signif-
cantly.
Harold nodded sympathetically An in
sldlous thought had crept into his brain
before dinner; it had haunted him with
its poisonous vapor ali through his meal.
He ticked the end of his cigar refec-
lively.
Figures mostly, suppose" he
queried.
NO" said Gilbert. modify. Worse
than that. We've got to work out move
ments, devilish important. and, of course
secret plans. l hate the responsibility
Now, look here; this afternoon I've had
TO - Harold's eyes sparkled; he
leaned forward, his breath coming fast.
His opportunity had come The vast
possibilities of the insdious idea spread
temptingly before him, its shady side for
gotten.
Early the next morning long cable
gram flashed across the wires, and Har-
old Stanhope,s editor smiled approvingiy
when he received it.
A few days later Gilbert Fame found
himself trekking over the veldt again, an
angry feeling of humiliation burning in
ills brain, and a longing to kick Harold
Stanhope rooted in his heart.
About the same time Harold Stanhope
found Pretoria too uncomfortable to re-
main in.
The weeks crept by.
The column to which Gilbert Fame was
attached fell into a trap. 1t was at
tackled one evening in the rear, and at
the same moment the advance guard fell
back before a terrific fire from the enc
my, who were posted Immediately in their
path.
A terrific hour followed. For fully
half of it the Beers were masters of the
situation. Wounded men were brutally
murdered, robbed and piundcred by some
of the most lawless of the burghers be
fore the EnglishmGn could regain their
lost position.
When the gray dawn crcpt into the
eastern sky the Beers had fed, and the
dead and dying lay piled against each
other on the dry veldt
Harold StanhOpe, with blanched cheek,
threaded his way among them; it was all
in his days work; but -!
He stumbled over a man in the dark
ness, and, in STOPPING to see if he were
still alive, saw a face he knew.
.'Fane" The name fell from his lips
The man opened his eyes; they were the
only features intact III that mutilated
face.
'StanhOpe--' He gasped. Curse
your n gasping. rafting sound choked
his words. and Gilbert Fame fell back
dead.-The Onlooker.