Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-07-27

examines the lTdSHleuL eagerly.
Among a chorus of disappointed
murmurs, Heron says, quietly:
Mine"
The general mods. calmly.
Il could not wish for a better man"
he says, courteously. IF you will be
kind enough to come to my quarters.
Sir Heron, we will arrange. Good
night, gentlemen" and he goes as
quietly as he came.
Heron puts on his coat, refills his
pipe, and, with a goodnight" steps
out.
Charlie Hamilton follows him, and
ays hand upon his shoulder.
Heron turns.
"Well?" ne says.
Hamilton is silent for a moment,
then he says, in a troubled voice:
Il wish you'd give III S up Heron!
wish you would let me take your
place"
Heron shook his head.
Look here" says Hamilton, anxious
ly, this is no work for you. I'm an
older hand at this sort OF fun than you,
! w--and-and--I know what this
means"
Heron laughs his rare laugh, short,
mirthless laugh.
so do L." he says What them"
"Just this" replied Hamilton, chat
knowing what this means. | think you
have no right to go in for it. Any
one of us has better right than you.
We have all been here longer than
you have, and some Of us are better
fitted for 1t than you are. ]. for in
stance, am just the man for the work.
1t means something to me to win. If l
win; 1t matters little If | lose. There
Is no mother and future wife to think
of in my case; there is in yours, and
and 1t doesn't matter to anybody, ex-
cepting my creditors, If | do make a
mess OF It, But yours" and he
pauses significantly.
Heron smiles.
DO you want TO rob me of the
glory?" Re says.
That's nonsense" retorts Hamil-
ton. impatiently. you don't care a
| VI dDo ldl lhlHB III Jnt 6loIJy gOu hhOW
that, Heron. For Heavens sake. think
Of the mother and the woman waiting
1T home in England for you. I've no
one waiting for me-"
Heron turns away, impatiently.
You are a good fellow, Charlie" he
says, in a low voice. "but-but you
ion't know how powerless that sort of
appeal must be to me. Don't waste any
more words on me; I shall go; good
night, good-by, perhaps, for this will
come off tonight, i think, and, as you
say, it may be serious. If anything
happens, tell my mother-tlt-tut!
shall be back before breakfast. and If
not, you will know whaL to say better
than can tell you. Goodnight" and,
gently releasing himself, he strobe out
into the night.
| A few stars shone dimly in the
heavens, their cold pallor contrasting
with the glare of the shells that at in
tervals arose from behind the enemy's
trenches and flew. shrieking, into the
town
Heron stands for a few minutes,
looking out into the darkness with
dreamy abstraction.
| He knows we'll that the adventure
before him is dangerous-that the
plain stretching before him might we'll
Dc lilIened to the plain of the Shadow
of Death-that in all probability he
shall never see England again; but,
though his mothers loving face rises
before him. there Is another beside 1t
toward which his heart turns yearn-
ingly.
Thank Heaven" he murmurs, we
rarted in peace. Come what will of
this nights work, we parted in peace
our hands have touched"
Then with long breath. he throws
off his soft mood. and strides through
the silent streets to the generals
quarters.
An hour later. and, with noiseless,
cat.lile caution, the attacking party
steals out OF the fortress and glides
into the night. There has been no
sound Of bugle, no clatter of arms, no
word spoken. save the low, whispered
word of command; like some dumb
animal stealing forth to spring upon
It's prey, the little column makes its
way into the darkness.
Even the horses seem to understand
that noise means death, for they tread
cautiously and peer about them with
Expanded nostrils and erect. nervous
ears.
Clad in his dark, stained military
Ioyercoat. Heron rides at the head,
his hand upon his sword-hilt, ready at
moment to draw it forth with the
word to attack.
Beside him rides the straight figure
of Parks, who, by dint of entreaty and
sheer stubbornness, has obtained
Heron's permission to accompany him.
What Parks thinks of the business
no one can gather from his face. Al
most as calm and impasslve as his
/ I, "A. 10