Gloucester County Democrat., 1908-10-01

l--/.Z- knot smoldered; drew
his pipe into Il glow and watched Os-
car screw the top on box of ointment
which he had applied to Armitage's
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 a pretty good doctor"
First aid to the injured. | 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
consoling spirit, but l assure you on
my honor as a gentleman that if die
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 on the fifth
'"rhe 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 positive loss to me,
Oscar. And if any one asks how my
majesty is-mark, my majesty
say that 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 man were king he could have
a devilish fine time of it, 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 III tell you quite conf
dentially, sergeant. that if were out
of work and money and needed a 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 faring knot
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with 9
jerk.
They killed the great prime minis
ter-yes?Y
"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 Eun-
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-
Armitage's life had been attempted
and that the receipt and dispatch of
kilograms was part of whatever er
rand had brought his master to the
Virginia hills. His occupations We're
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
ones dignity who had been a soldier.
He rose often at night to look abroad,
and sometimes he found Armitage
walking the yeranda 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
something for Austria-such things are
to the souls credit, Oscar" And then
Armitage's mood changed and he had
begun chatting in a fashion that was
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
to Lamar station in the waning spring
twilight, asked at the telegraph office
for messages. stuffed Armitages mail
into his pockets at the postoffice and
turned home as the moonlight poured
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 1T. urged his
horse inside. bent down to refasten it.
and as his fingers clutched the iron a
man rose in the shadow of the little
lodge and clasped him about the mid
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 the
barest second of waiting, in which the
long arms tightened and the great
body of his assailant hung heavily
about him: then he dug spurs into the
horses lanks. and the animal leaped
forward, with 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-
ed against the horses TANKS He had
hoped to shake the man off, but the
great arms still elaSned him Tho aft