The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-06-18

earth and sky. when some outline stu
duskier than, the dusky shadow caught
his sight. It was the body. of a horse
standing. on guard oyer the fallen body
of a man.
Another moment and he was besidf
them.
"My.Godi Are you hurt7"
He could see nothing but an indis.
tinct and shapeless mass, without
form or color to mark 1t out from the
brooding gloom and from the leaden
earth. But the voice he knew SO well
answered him with the old love and
fealty In 1t. eager with fear for him.
"Ivhen did you miss me. sir? | didn't
mean you to know. l held on as long
as l could, and when l couldn't no
longer l thought you was safe not To
see I'd knocked over, SO dark as X
was"
"Just finished. sir. Lord. 1t don't
matter! Only you ride on. Mr.. Cecil.
Ride on, / say. Don't mind me. j
never meant you should know, sir. i
meant just to drop behind and die on
the quiet. You see, sir, 1t was just
this way: They hit me rs Me forced
through them. i hoped you wouldni
miss me in the .darkpess and the noise
the wind was making. and you didn't
hear me then, sir, | was glad"
A great sob shook Cecil as he heard.
No false hope came to him; he felt that
this man was lost to him forever, that
this was the sole recoinpense which
the cruelty of Africa would give to q
fidelity passing the fidelity of woman.
"Don't take on about 1t, sir" whls-
pered Rake. striving to raise his head
that he might strain his eyes better
through the gloom to see his masters
face. at was sure to come some time.
mud l amt in no pain-to speak of.
Do leave me. Mr.. Cecil-leave me. for
Gods sake. and save yorrselfl"
"Did you leave meT"
The answer was very low, and bis
voice shook as he uttered it. bur
through the roar of the hurricane
RAKE ncaru IL.
THAT was different, sir" he said
simply. LET me lie here. and 60 you
on. It'l soon be over. and there's
nausht to be dope.p
The morning had broken now. but
the storm had not lulled. By the fit
full CLEANS of day he could see the
blood slowly ebbing out from the great
gap where the lance head was still
bedded, with its wooden shaft snapped
in two. He could see the dropped
head. and Rake's eyes,. smiling so
brightly and so bravely still. looked up
from under. their weary lids to his.
I'D never let you take my hand be-
fore. sir. Just take 1t now. win you.
while 1 can sec you stilY'
Their hands met as be asked II and
held each other close and long. All
the loyal service of the one life and all
the speechless gratitude of the other
told better than by all words In that
one farewell. A light that was not
from the stormy. dusky morning shone
over the soldiers face.
font grieve that way. Mr.. Cecp. II
l could just have seen you homo again
In your place. | should have been glad.
that's nll. You'll 80 back ore day. sir.
When you do. tell the King | aiu't
never forgot him"
There was q long silence. q parse lp
which rhe wlndstorm ceased and The
clouds of the loosed sands sank. In
that ~momentary hush as the wklds
sank low the heavy eyes. half sight
less now. sought with their Old wist.
full. doglike loyalty the face to which
SO soon they would be blind forever.
Would you tell me cncc. sir row.
l never asked-I never would have
done-but may be ] might know In this
last minute you never sinncd that si-
You bear the charge onT'
God is my witness. ro.9'
The light. that was Ike sunlight.
Rhone once more In tie acliag. wa,
dering eyes.
~ knew. ! knew. X VAS
Cecil bowed hIs head oyer him. tower
and lower.
flush. lie was but q child. and r.
With n sudden and swift motion.
IA though new life were thrilling In