Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-09-05

| Its a queer freak of fate that we
two should be detailed on this togeth-
err" observed the shorter of the two,
'.after avoiding each other so success
fully"
Its very queer, Osbourne," returned
the other, but we'll have to stand it."
1T is not that would want better
man for a tight place, Wade" said Os-
bourne; but there is that one thing
| Yes, know" YEARLY; that's the
trouble. If you were not as good or a
better man than l, there would be no
danger of Helen Bartlett caring for
you"
1--WE were friends in the old days, Bill
ly," said Osbourne, huskily; "if one of
us only loved her a little less"
NO go, Tom," replied the other. 'It
is either her or hell for me. Our friend
ship was holy thing, but she is above
that Would you"
mo, you are right. It's no thorough
fare My God! l wish it were ended,
one way or the other"
"What can we do?'' queried Wade,
with studied composure. 1--WE can't
gouge each other with bayonets out
here, and Springields at two yards is
bit too unique"
Osbourne laughed harshly. 1--WE
might draw straws, the loser speedily to
meet an accidental death"
mo, thanks" replied Wade. 81 am
willing to take my bullet if it comes,
but not that way. One of us might get
it decently at any time"
You're right, Wade" said Osbourne.
You're good fellow"
Same to yOu," returned Wade. 81 Its
quit chattering and attend to our
work"
For some time they lay silent, staring
into the darkness for things they could
not see, even had they been there. Only
the intermittent popping of musketry
and the occasional Zeu! of a Mauser bull
let broke the silence. Now and then
they could see through the blackness
faint, momentary red flare.
"Confound them," observed Os-
bourne, 1.-The Filipinos can smoke, any
how. I'm dying for cigarette"
IF you light a match here" said
Wade, well be targets for about four
thousand rifles"
That's true enough" agreed Os-
bourne, with a soft chuckle; cigarettes
are rather expensive out here" Anoth-
er period of silence followed.
Wade" inquired Osbourne, sudden
ly, ARE you willing to try wild scheme
for settling this matter forever?
Anything fair and reasonable" re-
piled the other. whats your plan?"
Draw straws," said Osbourne brief
ly, the man who gets the short one to
stand up and light match, and-go to
his fathers"
Wade caught his breath and remained
mute for some time, considering. Not
so bad" he observed. after time; but
we are on duty now."
"Oh, the devilr' said Osbourne. light
ly: the Filipinos wouldn't attack for
all the loot of Manila. An outpost here
is merely matter of form. Besides,
one of us will be left"
That's So" returned Wade, land
see no objection"
You fix the straws, then" said Os-
bourne, quickly. III draw" He be-
gan to whistle softly in nervous fash
ion, as men do when they are close to
death. Wade funbled silently with
some fragments of rice straw. His
movements were slow and mechanical
Some men are constituted that way.
Here, Tom," he said, stretching out
his right fist. May the better man
get it,
Osbourne extended a hand that trem-
bled slightly and fingered the disclosed
ends of straw for a brief time. Sud
denly he clutched one and pulled it out.
At the same instant there was a
strange, soft thud, and Wade fell upon
his face. His limbs moved convulsive-