The Ely miner., 1906-01-19

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what wife she would make for a SOL
der.
Then his mind travelled back to
very different scene.
a hong 6arely-furnished dormitory,
divided from end 10 end by q wooden
Partition. which left . wide space
above IL 10 the Wagoned roof. A crowd
OF boys of all sizes standing shiver-
ing IN their scanJy night shirts. open
mOuthed and aWe-Strnck- In the mid
die q small white-faoed lad. his face
tense with terror. and on his hair a
piece Of yellow soap. A ring was
cleared around him. and before him
the center OF attraction-stood a tall.
athletic youth. with keen. blue eyes
and muscles OF iron Feet firmly
planted hands gripping a long iron
lath from his bedstead. he carefully
measured his aim. and amid a breath
less hush swung his psrilous weapon
IN mighty circle-and the soap fell
in two halves on the floor
A smoIhered sigh OF relief greeted
the feat. while the trembling soap
bearer threw himself on hfs bed and
tried 10 stifie his frightened sobs.
II was true. the boy had absolute
confidence in his powers. and did not
realize the awful risk he was forcing
upon his terrified young room mate.
He looked upon him as a silly-billy
who needed hardening, and he was do
ing his best to harden him. For him
self, he gloried in danger, and he could
not comprehend the utter collapse of
his pupil in the hardening process
after the feat was accomplished.
AS the mans thoughts went back to
this scene-a scene which was of night
ly occurrence, he shuddered and
clenched his teeth.
PerilS of battle and the stern hard
ships of war only made him look back
with increasing horror at that episode
of schooldays. Surely that boys
guardian angel must have been near
to prevent bloodshed!
And the frightened laddie was her
brother, With throb of gladness he
remembered that the child had never
been made to go through the ordeal
again, but it was only because he was
considered hopeless.
Probably it was he who went soap
less in consequence.
And what has become of the five
brothers now?" he asked, relieving her
of her empty plate.
Thanks to Mac four have become
men," she said, proudly, land of those
four, two have died the death of
heroes"
Her dark eyes softened, and q mist
of tears dimmed their brilliance.
''No thanks due to him." he muir.
INJURED.
You think not? Yet two of those
boys say now that that soap ordeal
was the making of them, and that ii
has enabled them to face with TN,
flinching courage many hail of bull
let's, from which they fear they might
otherwise have retreated in unreason-
ing terror. The two who died were
found by their guns, having fired their
last shot, yet refusing to surrender
"They were heroes, indeed" said the
man. softly, but enthusiastically.
After a short silence the girl said:
"You were out there also, l believe.
l did not catch your name when Miss
Ellis introduced you, but heard her
say you had just returned from the
front. What is your name?"
With shame-faced look he mentioned
the name she had given as her later
hero, name that had rung through
the land like a silver clarion.
The girl started. The color rushed
into her soft, sun-kissed cheeks, and
her eyes covered him with glory. She
stretched out her two slim hands inn
pulsively, and caught him in strong,
boyish clasp.
What" she cried, her voice all
a-tremhle with excitement, you are
he!"
I'm afraid So" he murmured, sheep
ishly.
Then suddenly a radiant smile
crossed her face, and dawning
thought grew towards conviction in
her eyes.
"It is a jawbreaker," she said,
thoughtfully; what did they call you
at school?"
Her dark eyes searched his face, and
as his embarrassment grew SO did her
smile.
They used to call me Mac" he
said at last.
They did," she cried deIightedly,
and again her hands caught his.
Can you ever forgive me for what
did to those five?" he whispered.
humbly Il can never forgive myself"
The girl beside him rose and shook
out the folds of ner dainty yellow
frock. and then with tremulous laugh
she said:
Mother is beckoning me, so / must
go. Can you find time and inclina-
ton to come and see us?''
Can II" he cried, his face aglow
with delight TRY ME and see."
"Then tomorrow, in time for tea.
Good-by." AS he held her hand in
parting perhaps just shade longer
than was absolutely necessary, she
added, softly: "And about my for
giveness-try me. and see."
With a half-merry, halfshy smile
she was gone.
And beneath the acacia stood mar