Milford chronicle., 1908-11-06

his pipe into glow and watched o.
car screw the top on a box Of ointmen
which he had applied to Armitage'
arm. The little soldier turned an
stood sharply at attention.
You are Mr.. John Armltage, sir. I
mans name is what be says it is. 1t 4
the rule of the country"
''Thank you. Oscar. Your words re
assure me. There have been time.
lately when I 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 will recOver-yesT'
Thank you, sergeant You are a
eOnsOling spirit, but I assure you on
my honor as a gentleman that II die
4 shall certainly haunt you. This is
the fourth day. Tomorrow shall
throw away the bandage aud be quite
ready for more trouble"
ut would he better on 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 a positive loss to me-
Oscar. And if 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 Armitage roared with laughter
as the little man, pausing as he buc-
7kled a cartridge belt under his coat.
bowed, with a fine mOckery Of rever
ence.
'If a man were king he could have
- deviish 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 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 flaring knot
Oscar drew on his gauntlet with
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 definite
routine Oscar was drilled in habits of
observation and attention. ana he real
lied without being told that some seri-
Gus business was afoot. He knew thai
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 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 a soldier (
He rose often at night to look abroad, a
and sometimes he found Armitage C
the veranda or returning from
a tramp through the wood Armltage +
spent much time studying papers. and {
once, the day after Armitag,&submitted S
bis wounded arm to Oscars care, he
had seemed upon the verge OF q conf. Il
lence. a
ITO save life. to prevent disaster, to Il
10 a little good In the world. to do b
something for Austria-such things are
o the SOULS credit. Oscar" And then Il
vun gfo srosc r,ood ohoUood oud ~ bod Y
,egun chatting in a fashion that was y,
'eyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
o Lamar station In the waning spring
wilight. asked at the telegraph office
or messages. stuffed Armitage's mail
lto his pockets at the pOstOfiice and
nrned home as the moonlight poured
own the slopes and flooded the val
,ys.
At the gate Of the hunting park
rounds he bent forward In the saddle
} lift the chain that held It. urged his
Orse inside, bent down TO refasten It,
nd as his fingers clutched the iron
ian rose in the shadow Of the little
dge and clasped him about the mid
e. The iron chain swung free and
titled against the post and the horse
lorted with fright. then at a word
ON Oscar was still There was the
lrest second OF waiting. in which the
ng arms frightened and the great tn
,dy Of his assailant hung heavily
,out him; then he dug spurs into the mai
,rse's flanks. and the animal leaped tia
rward, with a snort Of rage: jumped 7
It of the path and tore away through ms,
e woods sm
Oscars whole strength was taxed to Arr
I'D his seat as ire bnrly hgure thnmp- BILE
against the horses hanks. lie had one
ped to shake the man on out the Of
eat arms still elasPed him. Inc sit am
tion could. not last Oscar took ad- ser
ntage Of the moonlight to choose a bul