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

What did come for asks some
one.
How the deuce should ! know" re
torts Charlie Hamilton with a stare
Wanted change, suppose. He tells
me that he didn't think of Joining IN
ill he was across the channel. when
he happened to tumble across my let
ter-confound it!-and he and his
man came on here straight
Mans not bad sort OF fellow"
said Pierpoint. Stands to his work
at the guns with the best OF them.
Parks, isn't that his name?'
Hamilton mods, musingly.
Yes. It's all q mystery TO me, and
Ietchford doesn't make 1t any clearer.
He's as grim as tiger, and doesn't
open his mouth. wish to Heavenh he
was safe home! It's all very well for
most ns fellows. and 1t doesn't much
matter TO any Of us-excepting Bobby
there who's got coronet In view, and
who ought TO be safe In bed at the
castie--whether we get knocked over
or not, but Letchford-hang 1t, you
know It's absurd. Here's a man already
go his titlo--an estate second to none
/ IN Ej gland--and engaged to be mar
ried. What the deuce does he want
knocking about In this pandemonium?
| It's n nystery-hush, he Isl"
! And he turns as the door opens and
the tall figure OF Heron Letchfori
enters.
Like the rest. his face Is begrlmed
with powder, his long military over
coat stained and patched, his long
boots covered with mud.
Az he enters. he takes off his coat
and throws It aside. revealing the fact
that his uniform Is as seedy as the
cloak and that 1t is. In addition,
stained with blood
'Halloa!" exclaims Charlie Hamil-
ton; anything the matter, Letchford?"
The matter? OH" glancing down at
the stain. "A splinter from a shell
struck me In the arm--nothing to
speak OF" and he throws himself
down beside the fire, and stares at the
meat with the calm. absent air which
sits upon him like n garment.
"All right at the magazine says
the man next him.
Heron mods.
Yes, we have packed 1t al ound with
sand and menl-bags not an hour too
soon, for they had got the range and
threw shell right against It; two
men were wounded"
Three, including yourself" mutters
Hamilton.
| They have gone into hospital" goes
on Heron, unheeding the Interruption
Yea the magazine Is safe now, |
think"
"A good thing. too" says Hamilton,
grumblingly. Now you'll find some
other dangerous work, suppose
Heron smiles grimly.
Difficult to find anything to do that
isn't dangerous. Is the quart set"
Yes; don't worry yourself about
that retorts Hamilton. Make your
aelf comfortable and eat your supper.
We are quite ready. Have some cham
payne,
| Heron takes the horn cup.
Il wish II was water" he says. with
smile.
80 do |. !" eSclaims the peer, laugh
Ing, Il should very much like to wash
my face, just MS treat. We must
be running very short now"
We are" remarks Pierpoint; the
IN hn1f pniinnu Gn,,,Af l. In.
viii have To be done. IL the enemy
hadn't got the well we should be able
to keep them at bay for another
month. It's always something-if 1t
isn't liquor it's grub was shut up
in Paris, you know, AMI there you
heard the same ciy-'Glve us food, and
we viii keep en- out foreyer!"
The question u" says Hamilton,
what are we to do? Arc we going to
keep II up until every drop OF water Is
gone, and then give In quietly, or
make II dash for it? I'd rather do the
after"
And l." says Heron. quietly.
Oh, ycs!' exclainls Hamilton, In.
stantlN, of course you are ready for
any mad trick! II were In your
shoes should be only TOO ready to end
the game"
Would you?" says Heron, looking at
him With the same grave smile.
Yes" rCtorts Hamilton, promptly,
you've no right here at all, and wish
III been in Jericho when I wrote that
COMPOUNDED letter."
Nonsense" says Heron, carclessly.
Il am enjoying II, 1t is something
new for me. and good fun. don't
sec way YOU should distress yourself
on my behalf. Charles"
Don't you@s | do. can plainly
see that If somebody doesn't put YOU
IN a strait-waistcoat youll be doing
some mad trick or other. and get
! knocked on the head"
Heron laughs and turns the subject.
Isn't hat meat donc?" he asks.
The cook, man who n few months
ago would rather have walked a mile
/ than yet his boots muddy launched md