Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-22
CHAPTER Nv.

Jim lay in the hospital ward convalescing
OF the march back to the nearest hospital
post. after fight which had taken place
three months before In the northwestern
hills. when his name had been flashed over
Europe in praise Of his magnificent serv-
ice to his flag. his mind held no memory.
Night after night in his delirium he lived
again through the scenes Of the fight that
had brought glory to his name Now it was
the evening before the battle. when. acting
upon Information brought by the spy
Rham-shi. he and his men kept their long
vigil, sitting silently in their saddles the
entire night awaiting the onslaught OF the
fanatical natives across the hills. Again 1t
was early dawn, and In his fever-tossed
dreams he heard the roar Of the voices as
the assault began: again he climbed to the
summit Of the hill and saw the dreaded
gun of the enemy that was Kidding his
men. onion he mounted. He felt the
warm blood ooze down his body, the mists
swim before his eyes and the sffnging pain
pierce his side. In despair that he might
not reach the monster in time to prevent it
from completing it's deadly work, his cry
of agony often rang out in the silent room.
''Oh, God God; my men-rny splendid men
give me courage!'
Then his thoughts would wander to the
hours when he lay on the ground with the
blood dripping from his wound. and with
the loaded carbine snatched from fallen
trooper he brought down tribesman at the
euemy's gun. AS he fell, another Sprang
forward-there was another shot and still
another as the tribesmen went down before
his sure aim. There was but one thought
in his brain-to prevent the firing of the
gun, the devastation of his men. Difficult
and more difficult 1t grew to lift the weak
ening arm. He could feel as he tossed on
his couch the gurgle of the blood that glued
him to the ground. He made an effort to
rise to his knees. Another devil was about
tLo Ia
again-he must. 1t was his last cartridge.
He stretched out his stiffening arm feebly:
he tried to pull the trigger. but his strength
failed him. Then-one supreme effort. and
a report flashed through the air. The rest
was a blank but he had carried the day.
These delirious hours passed and there
followed a vague mid-air suspension OF
existence. OF tangible things he was no
part. The years of fighting were forgot
ten He was back in the fairies corner
with Diana, he saw the giant trees bending
and whispering in the starhsnt. me sineii
of the damp earth from the sun,n,od e;sn m
strong compelling cry OF the nlght-Jar
echoed In his dreams. Again. ne and Diana
listened for the 1utter of the fairies wings
in the tree tops. Gradually. even these
,nists cleared from his brain. and today he
waited with Impotence the surgeon. who
was to decide whether he might obtain his
leave
his lean hands idly resting on the coverlet
"Well DOCTOR" he asked. what Is the
verdict? Am I to be allowed to join my
regiment"
The surgeon looked into the brave eyes
Jim was wrath OF the man who had gone
into battle. The drawn cheek bones were
like high lights in the sunken face, the
gauntness Of the body could be discerned
under the bedclothes. but the unfinchng
eyes held the Same expression of everlast-
ing courage. The doctor took Jim's long.
meager hand.
I'VE are done with you, Wynnegate You