Courier Democrat., 1904-12-22

fne 15ace IS too swift" said the Duke.
little more quickly than was his
wont
"You might have done anything
with him. Why didn't you help him!''
Moore's tones were stern and very
steady, and he never moved his eyes
from the other mans face, but the only
reply he got was shrug Of the shoul-
ders.
When the gray Of the morning was
coming in at the window the Duke
rose up. gave himself little shake and
| said:
~ am not Of any service here.
shall come back in the evening""
He went and stood for few mo-
ments looking down upon the hot,
fevered face; then, turning to me. he
asked:
what do you think?"
"Can't say! The bromide is holding
him down Just now. His blood Is bad
for that wound"
"Can l get anything?" knew him
well enough to recognize the anxiety
under his Indifferent manner.
"The Fort doctor ought to be got"
| He nodded and went out.
"Haye breakfast" called out Moore
from the door.
II shall get some Mt the Fort, thanks.
They won't take any hurt from me
there" he said. smiling his cynical
smile.
Moore opened his eyes in surprise.
"What's that fcr:" he asked me.
"Well. he is rather cut up. and you
rather rubbed it into him. YOU know"
said, for thought Moore little
hard.
Did say anything untrue:"
"Well, not untrue. perhaps: but
truth is like medicine-not always good
to take" At which Moore was silent
till his patient needed him again.
It was weary day The intense
pain from the wound and the high
fever from the poison in his blood
kept the poor fellow in dclirium till
evening, when the Duke rode up with
the Fort doctor Jingo appeared as
nearly played out as a horse of his
spirit ever allowed himself to become
Seventy miles," said the Duke.
swinging himself off the saddle "The
doctor was ten miles out. How is hep
shook my head, and he led away
his horse to give him rub and a feed.
Meantime the doctor. who was Of
the army and had seen service. was
examining his patient. He grew more
and more puzzled as he noted the va
rious symptoms. Finally he broke out:
"What have you been doing to him
Why is he in this condition: This
flea bite doesn't account for ALL" point.
ing to the wound.
We stood like children reproved.
Then the Duke said hesitatingly:
Il fear, doctor. the life has been a
little too hard for him. He had a Sc.
we're nervous attack-seeing things,
you know.
"Yes. know" stormed the old doc.
tor. II know you we'll enough, with
your head of cast iron and no nerves
to speak Of. know the crowd and
/ ~" SOu lllCL1l 1ulcTuII IOOlS.
You'll get your turn some day. I've
warned you before"
The Duke was standing up before
the doctor during this storm smiling
slightly. All at once the smile faded
out, and he pointed to the bed. Bruce
was sitting up quiet and steady. He
stretched out his hand to the Duke.
Don't mind the old fool" he said
holding the Dukes hand and looking
up at him as fondly as If he were a
girl. Its my own funeral-funeral?'
he paused. Perhaps it may be-who
knows?-feel queer enough-but. re.
member, Duke. It's my own fault,
Don't listen to those bally FOOLS" look.
Ing toward Moore and the doctor
"Aiy own fault"-his voice died down
tiny own fault"
The Duke bent over him and laid
him back on the pillow. saying;
"ThankS old chan You'ra f.nn,1 c+,,er