The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-26
TIE EVENING STORY


poral who had reported the arrest to
me.
young men, of fine build, and evidently
had been something better than labor
ers, but they looked at each other with
undying hate, and it appeared necessary
to have a guard placed over them. AS
I said before, I was angry, so 1 spoke
sharply.
You two have given me much trou-
ble-more than you are worth. neither
know nor care to know the reason why
you want to murder each other, but
both get all the fighting you want, and
not have long to wait for it. Now
propose that you get your satisfaction
out of the Beers instead of out of each
other. In the first battle you two may
make A charge on your own account,
ahead of the others You will advance,
firing at the enemy till one falls. Then
the other shall carry his friend, or en-
envy, back to our lines and be consider
ed the victor Do you agree2''
Yes they both shouted eagerly.
And you viii leave each other alone
until then?"
1--WE will"
''Now, corporal, release the men.
think we can trust them"
The confusion and worry of landing,
the horrible heat, and the indescribable
torrents of rain, the bad food, and
fatigue of duty had driven all thought
on the second day of fighting,
CHANGED, on walking along the firing
line to come upon my two young men,
One had a very decided black eye,
which made it unnecessary for him to
shut that member in taking aim, and
the other had a cut lip lip that gave
him much pain when he was over
taken by thirst. They were firing
away desperately, and enough Boer
bullets were. dropping near to make
things very interesting, but on seeing
me, both sprang to their feet and sa-
luted.
May we go now?'' asked the one
with the black eye.
Cant you be friends? You are
both brave men. Can't you respect
each other and shake hands?"
very well start as soon as you
please, and may the Lord
But they didn't wait for a blessing.
They skipped over the trench as lightly
as hunter might jump a ditch when
following a rabbit, and started for the
Boer line at an easy trot. Both ap-
peared cool and determined, but their
action almost caused a panic.
The other men thought a charge
had been ordered. and were with the
utmost difficulty restrained from fol-
lowing. The two advanced, firing as
rapidly as they could, but in the face
of those Boer bullets such a move
ment could not last long
I was watching them with my field
glass. when suddenly the one with
the back eye appeared to stumble. He
went on for a few PAGES, fired a couple
of shots and fell.
The other was a little in advance, and
took several steps before seeing that he
had won the duel Then he ran quick
~ back.
The one with the black eye got on his
feet again, but only in time to fall into
the other fellows arms. Then began
the Slow and dangerous return.
The man with the cut lip might have
protected himself by carrying the other
on his back, but he took him in his
arms as a mother might take her big
son, and could see through my glass
es that the look on his face was not
one of hatred. He looked with a mild
regret into his opponents face and
made the best progress possible back
to the trenches.
When a few yards from a place of
safety he suddenly dropped on his
knees, released his burden and fell face
downward. A dozen men quickly jump
ed to the assistance of their fallen COM
rades, and strong arms carried them to
the rear. Shortly after this the kopje
was assaulted and taken.
That night I was walking among the
wounded where the Red Cross people
| were doing their best under very unfa-
vorable conditions to relieve suffering,
when ny. eye rested on face, the pale
/ ness OF WHICH, was ACAAdCA Cd 444O4 I
deathly by contrast with a very black
eye. The other eye opened as l ap-
preached, and the injured soldier at
tempted to salute, but gave it up with
| a sigh of pain.
| finding that the man was not likely tc
ooh! it was a foolish girl affair."
care much for her?'
care! I didn't care a - for her
/ to Ta+ n follow from
/ the next village cut me out I'm sorry
| he was killed, for he really won. was
/ the first man to fall, and he begged my
/ pardon when he was carrying me back
i and said he'd never speak to her again
| I'm wild to think made such fool OF
myself. It wasn't love-it was stub
| bornness."
About an hour later, at another part
of the so-called hospital, found man
with a neat hole through his shoulder.
Had the damage been done by an old
sIow-uoving bullet, no surgeon nor Red
Cross nurse would have been needed
but the Mauser, going at nigh rate
of speed, had done its work neatly ana
| left a small. clean cut which the doctor
| assured me would soon heal
| The man was looking in the other d.
| rection; but on hearing my voice ne
turned painfully toward me and exposed
II" rs he he killed." he asked in a faint
voice. ..,Ya..
Il don't know" I answered. Have
| you any word you would like TO seho 70
'ii 'Oh. - the girl I don't care for
the red-headed cat; but-he isn't DEAD
for he must have told you. Will he re-
! Govern I feel as bad as if had shot
IIro TnvseIf. I don't believe he cared
s anY MOI for her than did; but he
can have her, and my blessing to them
if he's only alive"
| About two weeks later they were ootn
on their way back to home on the same
+ransnort. The black eye was not on
duty. but the bah was little bloodshot
and some of the lines under It were
dark. The lip had entirely healed ana
when the band struck up Ihe NiIi :, !
left Behind" both men looked foollsh
for a moment and then laughed--lllus-
trated Bits