The Topeka state journal., 1903-02-28

the direction Of the outposts. The
Americans awakened from a sound sleep
i and let 60 several unauthorized volleys.
/ Consequently the two nervous men, be-
I ing between two fires, were riddie5 with
Two kinds of ammunition.
The two men detailed for this even
lngs work were of different metal
Morituri te salutanus, colonel said
one with a reckless laugh With the
easy monchalance of veterans they gave
the rifle salute, and, sliding over the top
OF the trench, disappeared into the
night.
There go two good men," observed
the colonel
The two men tiptoed across the dry
rice paddles, each holding his rifle at
the ready There was no sound except
+ TIE occasional hiss of a random bullet
or the faint and distant pop of rifle
Guess this is far enough, said one
of the men at length; here is a little
hollow Why it is almost as safe as the
I trench"
The other acquiesced with a faint
murnur. and they spraWled upon the
ground facing the enemy's territory
It's 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
IT'S damned queer. Osbourne," re-
turned the other, but well have to
stand it."
1T is not that I would want better
man for a tight place, Wade said Os-
bourne. but there is that one thing
Yes. 1 know Wearily5 that's the
trouble. II you were not as good or a
better man than I, there would oe no
danger Of Helen Bartlett caring Tor
I'VE were good friends in the old
days, Billy" said Osbourne. rather
huskfly. IF one of US only loved her a
/ little less"
is either her or hell for me- Our friend
ship was a holy thing. but she IS above
that Would you"
NO, you are right. It's no thorough
/ fare. My Cod I wish 1t were ended,
one way or the other
What can we dor" queried Wade,
| with studied cOmposure- we can
gouge each other with bayonets out
here. and Springhelds at two yards IS
| a bit too unique
NO. thanks" replied Wade. II am
| willing to take my bullet If 1t comes,
but not that way. One Of us might gel
it decently at any time
/ you're right. Wade, said Osboufnes
You're d good fellow
Same to you,' returned Wade Let :
quit chattering and attend TO our
work
For some time they lay silent staring
into the darkness for things they coulu
not see, even had they been there Only
the Intermittent popping OIL mushe1iy
let broke the silence Now and then
they could see through the blackness q
faint, naOmentary red flare.
.Confound them" observed Osbourne.
"the Fi1ipinos can smoke, anyhow N
/ dying for cigarette
If you light match here said
Wade. well be target for about 4'OoV
rifles"
bourne. with a soft chuclSIe; cigarettes
are rather expensive out here An-
other period of silence followed
Wade inquired OsbOurne, suddenly
ARE you willing to try wild scheme
for settling this matter forever
tfAnything fair and reasonable, re,
piled the other what's your plan?
Draw strawss'' said OsbOurne, briefly.
/ 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 a time: but
! we are on duty now"
oh. the DEVIL said Osbourne, light
"; the FfliDinos wouldn't attack for
all the loot of Manila An outpost mere
is merely d matter of form. Besides.
/ one of us will be left"
That's So returned Wade. and /
see no objection. '
You fix the straws. then" said Os.
/ bourne quickly TN draw" He began
to whistle softly in a nervous fashion
I as men do when they are close to death.
W dQe IuInDieU SlleQLly Win some 1EdS-
ments Of rice straw His movements
/ were slow and mechanical Some men
are constituted that way Here. Toni
he said, stretching out his right fist
May the better man get it.
+ Osbourne extended a hand that trem-
bled slightly, and fingered the ends of
straw for a brief time. Suddenly he
cIutched one and pulled it out At the
same instance there was a strange soft
thud, and Wade fell upon his face. His
limbs moved cOnvulsively for a moment
then he layed motiOnless.
For Gods sake. Billy What's upi"
cried Osbourne, in an agonized whisper
He laid his hand on the mans face
but jerked it away Mortified, for it touch
ed something warm and wet.
She's mine!" he muttered. with fierce
triumph; then, Poor Billy
A thought came that caused him to
gasp and shiver. He hesftated, reached
for the dead mans hand, and loosened
its clasp from the other straw It was
several inches longer than the one he
had drawn.
What shall I do?" he moaned. oh
Billy" he cried, shaking the dead mans
shoulder, as if to rouse him What shall
I do2"Only the far-off popping of the
rifles broke the oppressive stiffness.
What would you have done2" he ask
ed in the same strain BY Godi' sud
denly. you were a good man. You
/ would have kept the compact I lost
fairly Bear witness, Billyi am as
good man as YOU
He laid his hand minute on the
dead mans forehead. Then he rose
slowly, and fumbled in his pocket. At
length he found a match. For a mo-
rnent he stood irresolute, inhaling strong
breath of air. Already he had begun
to feel the horror of being shut out
from it forever, it was hard to give the
signal for his own death. His teeth
came together with a click, and scratch
ing the match on his shoe. he held the
flames before his breast-San Francisco
Argonaut
HUMOR OF THE DAY.