The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1908-08-13

r.
NkA He tossed the stick Q
NM match into the frt
WI place. where a pin
@ knot sm0ldered; drew
his pipe into glow and watched o.
car screw the top on box Of ointmen
which he had applied to Armitage''
arm. The little soldier turned ant
stood sharply at attention.
you are Mr.. John Armitage sir. A
mans name Is what he says 1t is. It 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 a pretty good doctor"
First 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 a
consoling 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"
: ut would be better on the fifth"
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 ls-mark, my. majesty-pray
say that l am quito well and equal to
ruling over many Kingdoms"
"Yes, sire"
And Armitage roared with laughter
as the little man. pausing as he buc-
killed. cartridge belt under his coat,
bowed, with fine mockery Of reyer-
ence.
III man were king he could have
devillsh fine time Of 1t, 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 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 Armltage 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 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 businees was afoot. He knew that
Armitage's life had been attempted
and that the receipt and dispatch Of
kilograms was part Of whatever err
sand had brought his master to the
hills. His occupations were
wholly to bis liking; there was simple
food to eat; there were horses to tend.
md his errands abroad were OF the
nature Of scouting and In keeping with
ones dignity who had been 4 soaiier.
He rose often ut night to look abroad.
and sometimes he found Armitage
walking the veranda 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
lence.
ITO save life, to prevent disaster, to
10 little good In the world. to do
for Austria-such things are
% the souls credit, Oscar" And then
mood changed. and he had /
,egun chatting In fashion that was
beyond Oscars comprehension.
The little soldier rode over the hills
o Lamar station In the waning spring
wiIight. asked at the telegraph office
or messages. stuffed Armltage's mail
nto his pockets at the postoffice and
urned home as the moonlight poured
own the slopes and flooded the val
pys.
At the gate Of the hunting park
rounds he bent forward in the saddle
0 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.
le. The Iron chain swung free and
attled against the post. and the horse
norted with fright. then at word
rom Oscar was still. There was the
Arrest second Of waiting. m which the
,ng arms frightened and the great
ody Of his assailant hung heavily
bout him; then he dug spurs into the
Drse's tanks. and the animal leaped
,rward. with a snort Of rc.e: jumped
1t Of the path and tore away through
le woods.
Oscars whole strength was taxed to
Did bis seat AZ the burly figure thump-
] against the horses tanks. He had
Dped to shake the man OF, but the
Feat arms still clasped him. The sit
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