Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-09-05

arm. The little SOloler turned ano
stood sharply at attention.
''You are Mr.. John Armitage, sir. A
mans name Is what he says 1t is. 1t Is
the rule Of the country"
Thank you. Oscar. Your words ne
assure me. There have been times
lately when have been in doubt my.
self. You are pretty good doctor"
"Tlrst aid to 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 q
consoling spirit, but assure you on
my honor as gentleman that II die
I shall certainly haunt you. This Is
tho fourth day. Tomorrow l shall
throw away the bandage and be quite
ready for more trouble"
at would be better on the NTH"
'The matter Is settled You will
now 60 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 II any one asks how my
majesty is-mark, my majesty pray
say that am quite well and equal to
ruling over many kingdoms"
Eyes, sire.
And Armitage roared with laughter
as the little man. pausing as he buc-
kled a cartridge belt under his coat.
bowed, with fine mockery OF rever-
ence.
''If man were king he could have
devilish fine time Of 1t, Oscar"
"He could review many troops. and
they would Gre salutes until the pow
der cost much money"
You are mighty right, as we say IN
Montana, and I'll tell you quite conf
dentlally. 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 faring knot.
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with a
jerk.
"They killed the great prime minis.
ter-yes?"
They undoubtedly did, Oscar"
HE was 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 part Of whatever err
rand had brought his master to the
Virginia hills. His occupations werez
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 soldier.
He rose often at night to look abroad,
and sometimes he found Armitage
walking the veranda or returning from
4 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 Aconfi-
dence.
ITO save life, to prevent disaster, to
do little good in the world, to do
something for Austria such things are
to the sours credit, Oscar" And then
,Armitage's mood changed, and he had
begun chafing in 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 Armitage's mail
into his pockets at the postofice and
turned home az 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 It, urged his
horse inside, bent down to refasten II,
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 frightened and the great
body Of his assailant 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 tsxed to
hold his seat az the burly figure thump-
ed against the horses tanks. He had
hoped to shake the man OF, but the
great arms still clasped him. The sit
uation could not last Oscar took adj
vantage of the moonlight to choose a
spot in which to terminate 1t. He had
his bearings nov, and ~ they crossed
an opening ~ the weed he suddenly
loosened his grip on the horse and
dung himself backward. His assail
ant, no lonser suppssted, rolled to the
greuA1. VIII. oscar.sa top -sf him. ane