The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-05-21
pack train was slowly descending a

small incline. COcOanut trees grew on
both sides of the road, and the chatter
of the monkeys could be heard. Sud-
denly several rifle shots from the ad-
vance guard cut off all conversation.
swell, Jack, by the looks of things |
think we are in for hot time," came
from white but determined lips.
A naked native seemed to spring
from behind every tree, waving long
wicked boIo over his head as he ad-
vanced. After it was all over and the
wounded laid on blanket, voice
asked for Curly.
Sergeant, have you seen Burke since
the fght?"
mo, have not"
| "Say, Ed, is Burke back there? ?"
"No, l have not seen him all day.
He was riding beside me when the ad-
vanced guard fired the first volley."
"Say, who helped load the woundedp"
asked Sergeant Graves. "Was Burke
among themp"
"No, he is not here" called troop
or from the wagon that was to be used
as hospital van. Curly was surely
missing. Several of the men started
to find him, when suddenly cry was
heard near by. They had found Curly.
He was laying on his side, one hand
tightly clasping his rifle; the other
hand under his body with his fingers
clutching an empty shell. As the boys
gently lifted him from the ground, he
groaned and muttered: "Here is the
shell, hit him, too"
A glance around proved his asser-
tion was true, for short distance
away we found a dead native. The
moaning and talking from Curly was
like music to his friend Jack, for 1t
proved that he was still alive and that
there was chance for recovery. After
short halt an escort was picked and
sent back with the wounded. A
count was taken and it was found
there were eight wounded but none
killed. The train was again started
| on its way to the hospital.
1t was an evening such as is often
seen in tropical country. Shortly
after sunset the regimental band at
, headquarters begins to play. A young
, man in captains uniform, and lady
! whose uniform indicates her to be a
l hospital nurse, were just leaving the
l parade ground, when wagon escorted
$ by five troopers came in and stopped
: in front of the hospital.
3 swell, by the looks of that guess
: will have to leave you, Captain. am
S sorry, and it is such beautiful even
d ing"
$ swell, good evening, Miss Hook,
! and the girl walked rapidly to the hos
pital.
g Three weeks later young private
u lay on cot in one of the wards in tbt
y hospital at Colombia. By looking al
8 his face it could be seen that deatf
|" had not passed very far from his door
o Miss Hook greeted him pleasantly, ant
- complimented him on his appearance
o eyes, Miss Hook; thanks to you
u careful nursing. feel as tho woult
D soon be able to again 60 to the front
Is Miss Hook, as lay here for the pas
q few days watching you, have beef
,r trying to remember where had seel
Fl you. Can you help me-"
q "Why yes-let me see. believ
n that the last time saw you was Will
% 1 was standing on the deck of tn
\ Hancock ready to go ashore. l hav
ID often wondered if we would ever meet
n and that if you would tell me the rea
7 son for those tears and sobs tha
% caused you to look so miserable tina
ID day."
% "Oh yes; now remember" replies
le Curly. "Some day when you are a
ot leisure 1 will enlighten you as to tn
Ii grief that troubled me-"
er In the following weeks before
IT was able to return to duty they bot
le learned to knew each other. But a
~ things must end, and Curly was force
q to say good-by and again go to th
ct front. It is needless to say that whe
his enlistment expired there was
6, joyful honeymoon. Mr. Hook b'
ne slowed his parental blessing on th