The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-11-14

w&1 match into the fire
VI place, where a pine
I'LL knot smoldered; drew
his pipe into a glow and watched Os-
car screw the top on a 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 he says it is. 1t is
the rule Of the country"
Thank you, Oscar. Your words re-
assure me. There have been times
lately when l have been in doubt my
self. You are pretty good doctor"
First aid 10 the injured. l learned
the trick from a hospital steward. If
you are not poisoned and do not die
you will recOver-yes"
Thank you. sergeant You are a
consoling spirit, but l assure you on
my honor as a gentleman that if 1 die ,
l shall certainly haunt you. This is /
the fourth day. Tomorrow l shall .
throw away the bandage and be quite |
ready for more trouble"
1T would be better or the fifth"
"The matter is settled. You will |
now go for the mail, and do take care
that no one pots you on the way. Your /
death would be q positive loss to me,
Oscar. And if any one asks how my |
majesty is-mark, my majesty-pray !
say that l am quite well and equal to
ruling over many kingdoms"
Yes, sire
And Armitage roared with laughter
as the little man, pausing as he buc-
kled a cartridge belt under his coat,
bowed, with a fine mockery of rever
ence.
IF a man were king he could have
a deviliSh fine time OF ii, Oscar"
HE could review many troops. and
they would fire salutes until the pow
der cost much money"
You are mighty right, as we say in
Montana, and I'll tell you quite conf
dentially, sergeant, that if l 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 fiaring knot.
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with a
jerk
They killed the great prime minis
ter-yes"
They undoubtedly did, Oscar"
HE was a good man; he was a 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 4 part of whatever err
rand had brought his master to the
Virginia hills His occupations were
wholly to his 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
one's dignity who had been soldier.
, He rose often at night TO look abroad,
, ind sometimes he found Armitage
; walking the veranda or returning from
a 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.
l ITO save life. TO prevent disaster, to
l do a little good in the world, to do
something for Austria-such things are
. to the souls credit. Oscar" And then
I Armitage's mood changed, and he had
l. begun chatting in a fashion that was
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
r to Lamar station in the waning spring
twilight, asked at the telegraph office
= for MESA ges, stuffed Armitage's mail
. into his pockets at the pOstoffce and
= turned home as the moonlight poured
e down the slopes and flooded the val
leys.
At the gate Of the hunting park
grounds he bent forward in the saddle
to lift the chain that held it. urged his
=, horse inside bent down 10 refasten II
a and as his fingers clutched the iron a
A man rose in the shadow Of the little
r lodge and clasped him about the mid
L die. The iron chain swung free and
! ratified against the post and the horse
:, snorted with fright. then at word
from Oscar was still. There was th'
barest second Of waiting. in which tbs
= long arms frightened and the grea
o body Of his assailant hung heavil!
:. about him: then he dug spurs into th'
horses tanks. and the animal leapeC
forward. with a snort Of rage; jumped
out Of the path and tore away through
y the woods.
e Oscars whole strength was taxed Z
= hold his seat as the burly figure thump