The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-09-24
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which he had applied 10 Arinitage'
arm. The little soldier turned snd
stood sharply at attention.
You are Mr. John Armitage, sir. A
mans name is what he says II is. II II
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 pretty good doctor"
First aid 10 the injured. learned
the trick from hospital steward. II
you are not poisoned and do not die
you will recover-yes"
Thank you. sergeant You are a
consolng spirit, but assure you on
my honor as a gentleman that II die
| shall certainly haunt you. This Is
the fourth day. Tomorrow ] shall
throw away the bandage and be quite
ready for more trouble"
III would be better on the nth"
THE matter Is settled You will
now go for the mall. and do take care
that no one pots you on the way. Your
death would be positive loss to me,
Oscar. And II any one asks how my
majesty is-mark, my majesty pray
say that am quite well and equal to
ruling over many kingdoms.
Yes, sire"
And Armltage roared with laughter
as the little man. pauslng as he buc-
kled cartridge belt under his coat.
bowed, with fine mockery Of reyer.
ence
"If a man were king he could have
devllish 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 III tell you quite confl.
dentially. sergeant, that II ! We're 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 fiarlng knot.
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with
jerk.
"They killed the great prime minis
ter--yesr
"They undoubtedly did, Oscar"
''He was a good man; he was 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 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
life had been attempted
and that the receipt and dispatch Of
ielegrams was a part Of whatever er-
rand had brought bis 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
ones dignity who had been q soldier,
He rose often at night to look abroad,
and sometimes be found Armltage
walking the veranda or returning from
q tramp through the wood. Armitage
spent much time studying papers, and
Dnce, the day after Armitage submitted
his wounded arm to Oscars care. he
bad seemed upon the verge OF a conf
ience.
ITO save life. to prevent disaster. to
10 a little good In the world, to do
something for Austria such things are
10 the souls credit, Oscar" And then
mood changed. and he had
begun chatting In fashion that was |
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
% Lamar station In the waning spring |
twilight. asked at the telegraph Office
'or messages. stuffed Armitage's mail
nto his pockets at the postotfice and
urned home as the moonlight poured |
iown the slopes and flooded the val
eys.
At the gate Of the hunting park |
grounds he bent forward In the saddle
% lift the chain that held II. urged his |
horse inside. bent down to refasten II,
md as his fingers clutched the iron
nan rose In the shadow Of the little |
odge and ciasped him about the mid
lie. The Iron chain swung free and
'attied against the post, and the horse
norted with fright then at word
rom Oscar was still. There was the
arrest second OF waiting, In which the
ong arms frightened and the great
,ody of his asssilant hung heavily
bout him: then he dug spurs into the
Iorse's tanks. and the animal leaped
onward, with q snort OF rage; Jumped
,ut Of the path and tore away through
he woods
Oscars whole strength was taxed 10
,old his seat as the buriy figure thump
q against the horses tanks. He had
Ioped 10 shake the man of. but the
,resi arms still clasped him The sit
lailon could not last Oscar took ad
'antsge of the moonlight TO choose
pot In which to terminate H. lie had
I.s bearings now. and as they crossed
u opening 10 the wood be suddenly
oosened bis grip on the horse and
lung himself backward. His assail.
nt, no longer supported rolled 10 the
roand. with Oscar on top Of him. and
he freed horse galIoped away toward
Le stable
A rough and tumble ngh, now FOL.
owed Oscars 1.-THE. vigorous body
srifhed 10 ths grasp % his antagonist
ow fr-r. nov clasped BY giant arms
hey saw each others faces plainly In
ise clear lDocnlig1t and st bresihless
auses 10 the struggle itelr eyes Dsin
slnesi tie state AZ war. Al one In.
iaut when both men lay with arms