The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-09-09

his pipe into a glow and watched Os.
car screw the top on box OF ointment
which he had applied TO Armitages
arm. The little soldier turned and
stood sharply at attention.
"You are Mr.. John Armitage. sir. A
mans name Is what be says il is. IL Is
the rule OF the country"
Thank you, Oscar. Your words re
assure me. There have been times
lately when have been In doubt my.
self You are a pretty good doctor"
First aid TO the injured. ! learned
the trick from a hospital steward. II
you are not poisoned and do not die
you win rccover-yesT"
Thank you. sergeant. You are q
consoling spirit. bat assure you on
my honor as a gentleman that II die
| shall certainly haunt you. This 4
the fourth DAY. Tomorrow | shah
throw away the bandage aud be quite
ready for more trouble"
1T would be better Gu the NTH"
"The matter Is settled. Y9i viii
now go for the mail. and do take care
that no one pots you on the way. Your
death wolld he a positive loss to me.
Oscar And II any one asks how Fry
majesty ls-mark. my mnjesty-pray
say that am quite well and equal to
ruling over many kingdoms"
"Yes, sire"
And Arnitage roarcd with laughter
az the little man. pausing as he hue
l.. a Inf IA
bowed. with fine mockery OF reyer
ence.
IF man were king he could have
n devlllsh fine time OF II. Oscar"
'IIe could review many troops. and
they would fre salutes until the pow
der cost much money"
you are mighty right. as we say In
Montana. aud I'll tell you quite conf
dentiaily. sergeant. that II | were out
Of work and money and needed Job
the thought OF being king might tempt
me. These gentlemen who are trying
TO stick knives into me think highly Of
my chances. They may force me into
the business" And Armitage rose and
kicked the iaring knot.
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with a
jerk.
"They killed the great prime minis
ter-yesf'
They undoubtedly did. Oscar
"He was a good man: he was u very
great man." said Oscar slowly and
went quickly out and closed the door
softly after him.
The life of the two men in the bun
galow was established In a definite
routine. Oscar was drilled in habits OF
observation and attention. and he real
lied without being told that some seri-
Gus business was afoot. He knew that
Armitage's life had been attempted
and that the receipt and dispatch Of
kilograms was a part OF whatever err
rand had brought his master TO the
Virginia bills. His occupations were
wholly TO bis liking: there was simple
food to eat; there were horses TO tend.
and his errands abroad were OF the
nature OF scouting and in keeping with
ones dignity who had been a soldier.
He rose often at night to look abroad.
and sometimes he found Afmitage
walking the veranda or returning from
tramp through the wood. Armitage
spent much time studying papers. and
once. the day after Armitage submitted
his wounded arm to Oscars care. he
had seemed upon the verge Of conf
dence.
ITO save life. to prevent disaster. TO
do a little good In the world, to do
something for Austria-such things are
10 the souls credit. Oscar" And then
Armitage's mood changed. and he had
begun chatting I'm a fashion that was
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the bills
to Lamar station in the waning spring
twilight. asked at the telegraph Office
for messages, stuffed Armitage's mail
into his pockets at the postoffice and
turned home as the moonlight poured
down the slopes and flooded the val
legs.
grounds he bent forward In the saddle
10 lift the chain that held II. urged his
horse inside. bent down to refagten II.
and rs his fingers clutched the iron
man rose In the shadow Of the little
lodge and clasped him about the mid
die. The iron chain swung free and
rnttled against the post. and the horse
snorted with fright. then at n word
from Oscar was still. There was the
barest second OF waiting. in which the
long arms tightened and the great
body OF his assallant hung heavily
about him; then he dug spurs into the
horses tanks. and the animal leaped
forward. with a snort OF rage; jumped
out of the path and tore away through
the woods.
Oscars whole strength was taxed to
hold his seat as the burly figure thump
cd against the horses TANKS. He had
hoped 20 shake the man OF. but the
great arms still clasped him. The sit
uation could not last Oscar took ad-
vantage OF the moonlight TO choose a
spot In which TO terminate II. He had
his bearings now, and as they crossed